Melody Queen

First published in the United Kingdom in 2023 by Lantana Publishing Ltd.

Clavier House, 21 Fifth Road, Newbury RG14 6DN, UK

www.lantanapublishing.com | [email protected]

Text © Puneet Bhandal, 2023

Artwork & Design © Lantana Publishing, 2023

Cover and internal illustrations by Jen Khatun.

The moral rights of the author and artist have been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-915244-32-1

ePDF ISBN: 978-1-915244-33-8

ePub3 ISBN: 978-1-915244-34-5

Printed and bound in China using plant-based inks on sustainably sourced paper.

For Mili.

Your sparkly, kind and unique personality was the inspiration for this book.

TAKE ONE

My eyes danced as I watched Zeeshan, my best friend at the Bollywood Academy, strum a tune he’d composed. His curly hair flopped rhythmically over his face as he plucked the strings of his guitar. When he’d finished, he patted the guitar affectionately before putting it down.

That was ace, Zee! I exclaimed, clapping loudly. Especially the chorus.

A Zoom call wasn’t the easiest way for our band, B-Tunes, to share music, but during the summer holidays it was the only way.

By the time we get back to school, I’ll pen some wicked lyrics to go with that, said Raktim from the vast living room of his home in Nepal.

And I can’t wait to add vocals, smiled Joya, the lead singer and final member of our quartet.

Thanks, guys! said Zeeshan, looking flattered. But right now, I gotta go. Let me know if we can squeeze in another session before school starts. I’ll call you later, Sim. I need you to fix the piano part for my new song.

Sure, I smiled. Knowing what a great musician Zeeshan was, I felt proud when he asked me for advice. Music had bonded us from our first days at the Bollywood Academy. Over and out, he waved, then disappeared from the screen.

I’m off too, said Raktim, flashing a big, happy smile and radiating his usual positive energy. See you both soon. If not online, then in real life next week!

See ya, Simi, said Joya once Raktim had also vanished. I’m off to do my final bits of shopping for the new term. I’m so glad we get to share a room again! she added. See you next week!

I snapped my laptop shut, excited to think we’d all be back together in a matter of days to start Year 8.

Simi!

I sighed. Coming, Mum! I called before running downstairs. I was just on a call with B-Tunes.

Always music, music, music! moaned Mum, looking particularly glamorous in a red chiffon saree with a mirrorwork blouse that glistened as she turned. The sunlight streaming in through the window was bouncing off her, making her sparkle like a disco ball. For somebody who’s going to be a Bollywood actress, there are better things you could be doing.

Like playing a piano in our music room? I said cheekily. She knew I wanted my own piano so badly, and I knew she’d never get me one.

Uff, not that again! Mum folded her arms in annoyance. It’s a drawing room, not a music room, she reminded me.

I spooned some Bombay Mix out of a jar and munched on it.

The Bollywood Academy isn’t cheap, you know? Mum glared at me when I didn’t reply. You’re too laidback, she went on, admiring the red nails and white tips of her brand new manicure. And too much time doing silly things on that music app when you should be learning how to emote and—

Mum, I cut in, I’ve heard this speech before. There’s only so much acting practice I can do. All kids have hobbies. Careers are for adults.

Very smart! she kicked in. You also need to get good grades to keep your place at school. I hope you finished all your assignments? There are just a few days before you go back.

I decided to move the conversation in a new direction.

You look nice, Mum, I said, slipping my phone into my pocket before she could mention my music app again.

Do I? She turned to look at me, her sharp features softening instantly. It always worked. I’m off to an audition – to be on the judging panel of a new game show on Starshine TV, she told me.

Hugratulations, Mum! I replied, giving her a congratulatory hug. It was something I always said if somebody shared good news with me. That’s great!

And of course it was amazing to get a big opening like that. Except…I knew the chance of Mum bagging the job was pretty slim. She was always outdone by someone younger, more famous, or with better connections. Being married to Shyam Prasad – my dad and one of the biggest film stars in the South Indian state of Telangana – was perhaps the only reason Mum got auditions in the first place. Before I was born, she had been much less successful at getting movie roles than Dad had been. It was even more difficult for her now, while Dad was still in constant demand.

Poor Mum.

I gave her a peck on the cheek as she grabbed her glitzy handbag and teetered off. She quickly glanced at the side of her face in the big gold-leaf mirror before she stepped out – making sure I hadn’t dented her makeup with my kiss, no doubt.

Gauri’s making dinner and your dad will be home 9ish, she shouted as she got into the back seat of our Bentley where our driver, Rajiv, was waiting. Oh, and I told your auntie that you would Facetime Priya today. You haven’t spoken to her in such a long time. Make sure you do it.

Luckily she didn’t wait for a reply. There was no way I was going to call Perfect Priya if I could avoid it. There was nothing wrong with my cousin – in fact, it was the opposite. She was the one person who could do no wrong, while I was always getting into trouble.

I waved as the grey car rolled out of sight.

Your food’s ready – eat, said Gauri, tying the loose end of her saree tightly around her waist.

I reflected that I’d probably spent more hours of my life with our housekeeper than with my own mother. Considering Mum didn’t have a job as such, this struck me as a little ironic, but maintaining herself to the standard she did with all those hair and skincare appointments was like a job in itself.

On the plus side, Gauri let me get away with so much. Off to the studio again, I smirked as I ran back upstairs to rehearse some more.

Even though I didn’t have a piano yet, I adored my studio. It was basic – a computer with Digital Audio Workstation software, an electronic keyboard, headphones, speakers and mics – but I was adding to it all the time. My birthday and Christmas wish lists always featured musical items.

I switched on my Mac, put my headphones on, and selected a piece of music I’d made earlier in the week. I set about changing the arrangement. It was too repetitive and needed remixing. For me, there was nothing more satisfying than creating new melodies on my keyboard or listening to tracks and trying to work out which two to put together to make a great mix.

I was proud that I was self-taught. I would have gladly taken up music lessons if they’d been offered to me but I’d been pushed towards dance classes and youth theatre all my life given that I was going to become an actor.

Uff, you scared me!

I jumped when Gauri prodded me. She was saying something but I couldn’t hear her. I removed my headphones.

I’ve been shouting for you, she told me. The boys are downstairs.

I glanced up at the clock. Sheesh! I’d completely forgotten about cricket practice. I shoved on my trainers and rushed downstairs.

Sorry for making you wait guys, I said, catching my breath.

Where’s the Bentley? asked 5-year-old Viraj. He was the little brother of my childhood bestie, Jai.

Mum’s taken it to an audition, but I promise you can ride in it soon.

We want a ride too! said Roshan, another neighbourhood kid.

You’ll all get a turn, I told them, smiling.

Here, Jai said, handing me a cricket magazine.

Oh, wow! I exclaimed, glancing at the cover which featured my favourite bowler, Suresh. You’re the best, Jai! You’re the only one who gets me these! I hugged him tight.

Jai and I were the same age and had been friends since the age of four. I grabbed his cheeks. "Soooo cute!" I laughed. It was something all the aunties did to him when he was young as he’d had the plumpest cheeks.

Are we gonna do this for ever, Sim?

You bet! I chuckled as we made tracks for the tree-lined road that led to the Jubilee Hills Cricket Club.

It was a beautiful day in Film Nagar, the chic neighbourhood in Hyderabad where we lived. And it wasn’t as sticky and hot as it had been at the start of the summer break.

I wish you were all at the Bollywood Academy, I said as we strolled past a row of designer shops. I’m gonna miss playing with you guys when I go back. The boys laughed as I told them how my team hadn’t even made thirty runs in the last cricket tournament at school.

It’s weird when you’re not around, admitted Jai. We go back to being an all-boys’ club. No other girls around here are interested in playing.

I was lucky for sure. Jubilee Hills Cricket Club didn’t treat me any differently because I was a girl. They’d always welcomed and accepted me – much to my mum’s annoyance.

We arrived at the club to find Govind, the manager, checking the stumps of the wicket in preparation. He looked smart in his all-whites.

How’s your superstar dad? he asked, looking up as we approached.

Good, thank you, I replied.

Remind him about the party this weekend, he added as we got ready to start the match.

What party, uncle?

It’s Mohan’s 60th birthday. Actually, don’t worry, I’ll remind Shyam myself later on, he muttered as I took up my position. I was batting first.

It was just as well Govind had taken it upon himself to let Dad know. I’d forgotten all about the party by the time I left the club. True to his word, Govind was on the phone to Dad when I got home.

I suppose I should go, said Dad, stroking his salt and pepper moustache. Dad’s hair was greying but he still looked pretty young for a 45-year-old – it was a good job too as he was still playing characters at least a decade younger than his age. I haven’t seen Mohan for a while. Who else is coming?

I gave Dad a hug before taking off my cap and untying my shoelaces.

DJ Dan? Dad said to Govind. Who’s DJ Dan?

"What! I shouted out. Did you say DJ Dan?"

Dad moved the handset away from his ear. Some DJ at a party this weekend. You know who he is?

Oh. My. Goodness! I yelled. "The most famous DJ and YouTuber in the whole of India, Dad! How do you not know? Can we go?"

It must have been the sight of me jumping up and down that made him chuckle. Okay, Govind, done! We’ll be there.

Yes! I went and squeezed Dad tight. I was so excited. I have to call Zeeshan and tell him about this! Zeeshan was an even bigger Dan fan than me – he was hooked on his YouTube channel and had his T-shirts and everything.

Put Radhika’s name down too, Dad told Govind as I darted up the stairs to get my phone. We’ll be there at 8pm sharp.

TAKE TWO

Dad was a stickler for punctuality. At exactly 8pm on Saturday, we pulled up outside one of the many mansions in the exclusive Banjara Hills area of Film Nagar. True to its name, Film Nagar was home to the Telugu language film industry. Countless studios and production houses were located there.

Mum straightened out her outfit – a smart trouser suit with an intricately-embroidered jacket worn over the top – and smoothed down her hair as we made our way to the entrance.

You know what I think of casual clothes at formal functions, don’t you, Simi? Mum said pointedly as she spotted a small group of photographers outside the house. Their cameras were facing in our direction.

I shrugged my shoulders. Mum had been so busy getting herself ready, she hadn’t had a chance to pester me to change. That suited me fine. She would have no doubt made me wear a party dress and I hated them. Jumpsuits were perfect for impromptu games of football or doing cartwheels when bored.

Dress like a lady when you go to events, she scolded as quietly as she could. Priya always dresses immaculately, and she’s a year younger than you.

Would Mum ever stop comparing me to her?

You never know who’s going to take your photo and where it will appear, she went on, running her fingers through my thick, wavy hair to tidy it up.

Sim looks fine to me. It’s a perfectly smart choice, Dad stated as I scoured the car park looking for DJ Dan.

I still couldn’t believe such a big YouTuber would be performing at a house party. I’d subscribed to DJ Dan’s YouTube channel when I was eight and had learned so much about music through his tutorials. This year, his popularity had gone through the roof after releasing some Bollywood remixes that had become mega hits. I loved that he was now mainstream, but his recent fame meant he wasn’t making as many tutorial videos as he used to. That sucked.