Prologue

Mushfiq arrives late in front of the gates to Winterfest where the rest of the Blunders are.

Rushnaf asks, "dude, do you even know the set list?" 

"No," Mushfiq replies with a grin and they both have a nice laugh. The others don't seem so sure, though. 

The show's a mess, but everyone cheers for Blunderware, because they are, after all, THE SAVIOR. They have emerged to rise and conquer all the bullshit that has gone on in the scene for too long. They are the reason for the divine massacre of bad musicians and people with bad taste in music. Yet, over and over Mushfiq messes up his solos and his chords, and over and again Rushnaf distracts the audience by stealing the show. 

After the show, the band remains backstage to tidy up their gears. Salman laughs, "I'm glad to see you after such a long time. You know you're ex is here."  Mushfiq says, "Yeah, I don't wanna meet her." 

Shanto says, "She asked about you." 

"Na man."

Wadud breaks the tension, "Let's go grab some food man." Mushfiq and Wadud walk away towards the food stalls. 

Rushnaf lights up a cigarette, and Salman and Shanto crowd in. "The show was horrible," Shanto says.

Rushnaf says, "What do you want me to do? Get rid of him?". 

Salman says, "Well I am not doing it. But he hasn't even been there to play with us for the last UMPTEENTH months!" 

Shanto says, "This was his last shot. You yourself said it." 

Rushnaf exclaims, "Can we not talk about this now, Shanto? You're such a buzzkill man!" 

"Rushnaf, don't flick it off. Shanto's right," Salman tells him. 

----------

Later at night, Rushnaf sits with a cigarette. The light coming from the laptop reveals Rushnaf's anxious face. He takes out his cell phone and calls Mushfiq. 

"Hey man," from the other end. 

"What's up? You busy?" says Rushnaf.

"No," Mushfiq replies. "What's up?" 

"We've gotta let you go man. You haven't really been here with us in a long while."

"..." 

Rushnaf waits for a reply. He doesn't notice the cigarette ash accumulating. 

"It's all good man. I understand." 

The ash falls to the ground, and Rushnaf gulps, eyes wide in disbelief. "I'm sorry," he says. 

"It's alright man. I'll leave you to it then." 

"..." 

"Night dude," says Mushfiq from the other end.

"Night," whispers Rushnaf. 

*click*

The line disconnects, and Rushnaf puts down the phone and heaves a sigh. He brings up his cigarette and drags in only to burn his lips.

"OUCH!"