Bhangra Babes by Narinder Dhami Page B

Amber,” she giggled. “I thought you might have left the country.”
    “Ha ha,” I said curtly. “Leave Auntie and Auntie-ji to me.”
    “Are you in trouble or something?” Kiran asked.
    “Not at all,” I replied as Jazz sniggered some more.
    Just then Rocky came out of school. He was chatting to Geena, and both of them happened to glance in our direction. Rocky's face fell down to his knees. It was extremely difficult to glare at someone so beautiful, but I just about managed it.
    Sulkily Rocky made his way over to us, his feet (in, naturally, very expensive trainers) dragging on the ground. Geena didn't look too pleased, either, to have their cozy little chat interrupted.
    “Hello, Rocky,” I said, indicating Kiran with the tiniest nod of my head.
    “Hi.” Rocky cleared his throat. “Hello, Kiran.”
    Kiran was so surprised, she almost fell off the wall. “Oh—h-hello,” she stuttered.
    I stared hard at Rocky, willing him on.
    “Look, I'm sorry about Saturday,” he muttered, sounding as if every word was being pulled from him by force. “It's just that I've been looking for that CD for ages.”
    “So have I,” said Kiran. She smiled a little. She looked so much better when she smiled. “I've got everything JC's ever done.”
    “Me too.” Rocky frowned. “Well, almost.”
    There was a short pause, and then they both laughed. I beamed. So did Geena and Jazz. Even Kim was smiling. Who was the idiot who said my ideas never work?
    Rocky and Kiran were chatting about their favorite bhangra bands.
    “I'm into the Punjabi Punks in a big way,” Rocky was saying. “And have you heard that new guy, Harbinder? 'Bhangra Nights' is a brilliant track.”
    “That's not Harbinder,” Kiran said with a frown. “'Bhangra Nights' is by Desi MC.”
    Rocky shook his head. “No, it isn't.”
    “Yes, it is,” Kiran contradicted him coolly.
    Rocky stared at her. I shifted uneasily. I was beginning to sense trouble in what might have been paradise.
    “You're wrong,” Rocky snapped.
    “No,
you're
wrong,” Kiran said quietly but firmly.
    Rocky's face turned red. “We'll see!” he growled, and stomped off.
    “Well.” Kiran raised her eyebrows at me. She didn't look at all upset. “He's touchy, isn't he?”
    “I told you this wouldn't work,” Kim said self-righteously as we went back into school. Kiran had gone ahead of us, totally unmoved by Rocky's temper tantrum.
    “Yes, Amber,” Jazz chimed in. “You've just made things worse.”
    “You traitor,” I said bitterly. “You said it was good psychology.”
    “No, that was Geena,” Jazz replied. “I agreed with her, but I had my doubts.”
    I was secretly beginning to have my
own
doubts. Could Rocky pull this off? I wasn't convinced. But, of course, I still had one ace up my sleeve.
    I reminded Rocky of this when I managed to corner him in the library during the afternoon.
    “What are you playing at with Kiran?” I demanded. “Do you want this gig at my aunt's wedding or not?”
    “Yeah, course I do,” Rocky replied sullenly. “It's just that Kiran really winds me up.”
    “Well, get it sorted,” I said coldly. “You and Kiran have got to be best mates by the wedding, or our deal's off.”
    “OK, OK,” Rocky muttered. “Look, I'll check out who's right when I get home tonight. Once I've proved her wrong, she'll have to apologize and I can take it from there.”
    “You're very confident,” I said.
    “Hey.” Rocky winked at me. “I am DJ Rocket Man, after all.”
    “Pardon?”
    “DJ Rocket Man.” Rocky puffed out his chest proudly. “That's my performing name.”
    “Er—lovely,” I said. “Now don't forget. I want to see some results.”
    Rocky slid his arm round my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. “No problem, gorgeous,” he whispered in my ear. Which sent me on my way, smiling.

    Oh, I was feeling very pleased with myself. At the end of the day, while I waited in the playground for Geena and Jazz, I mentally ticked off the