We now had around 80 kids from our college sitting in the audience. This suddenly became a Home Game of sorts for us since our mates now made up around 75% of the audience. We were charged. We were ready to go. As the 9th band got up on stage, we got up from our seats to a roaring cheer from our contingent. The band on stage looked out into the audience bewildered as they had just started their sound check and there was cheering already. Little did they know it wasn’t for them.

We got up on stage after the second last band finished and started setting up. Our nerves were still all over the place but the loving shouts from our supporters made it easier for us. We started playing our 20 minute set. Our first song was a sort of lullaby which in hindsight was hilarious cause we were playing this at 4am.

As we progressed further into our set, the energy picked up gradually as was the plan. Seeing my crush in the audience looking at us proudly gave me a spring in my step. I was all over the place physically but musically, we were tight. We got to our final song. This song was an original composition. We called it ‘Raahi’ which meant wanderer. Before we started playing, our band leader dedicated the song to a friend who was in the audience. It was his birthday. The crowd cheered us as we began the song. Some of the folks in the audience already knew the song and sang along.

The performance went off great and we finished with a glorious crescendo. The cheers were deafening and humbling at the same time. I wiped a tear and thanked our supporters.

With that, the event was done and the results were out the next day. To our surprise, WE WON! The metal band came second. From here, the party started. We had won one of the most coveted battles in the country.

The ‘no mischief’ rule was lifted and boy, was it some well deserved mischief.