SIX

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AUTHOR'S POV:

The trial room was quiet - too quiet - except for the sound of Isha's shallow breathing. She stood facing the mirror, her fingers trembling as they struggled with the back dori of her blouse. She had almost tied it when the thin silk cord snapped, slipping through her hands like betrayal.

She stared at the broken thread in disbelief.

"No. No, No, No..." she muttered under her breath, panic creeping in like a slow, suffocating fog. Her chest tightened. Her performance was in less than twenty minutes. The green blouse, which matched her classical dance attire, was now useless unless fixed -

She grabbed her phone, hands still shaking, and dialed ayushi - her usual go-to in emergencies.

Ring.

No answer.

She tried again. Still nothing.

Her throat was dry. The adrenaline from her pre-stage nerves had now turned into raw anxiety. She bit her lower lip, trying to stay calm, but her vision was already blurring from the tears welling up.

"Think, Isha. Think."

Isha almost collapsed on the nearby stool, her hands gripping the broken dori like it was a lifeline she'd failed to hold onto.

Then - salvation.

The door opened gently and Ayushi, her best friend, rushed in, out of breath. "I'm so sorry, I got late because of traffic and my phone was on silent."

Isha turned toward her with relief that broke through her tension like light piercing darkness. "It... it broke. The dori broke -"

" Calm down " Ayushi knelt beside her and looked at the damage.

"Can you fix it?" Isha whispered, voice shaking.

"Of course. Sit still."

Ayushi worked fast but gently, her fingers tying the new dori with expert familiarity. Isha sat completely still, her eyes locked on the mirror. Her reflection didn't show confidence. It showed fear, vulnerability - and something else.

Ayushi tied the final knot.

"Done," she said softly.

Isha nodded, swallowed the lump in her throat, and whispered, "Thank you aayushi you are the best "

Ayushi held her shoulders. "You're gonna kill it out there, okay? Don't let anything ruin this."

Isha managed a small nod,

The stage lights dimmed, casting a soft golden glow across the auditorium. A hush fell over the crowd - an eager, expectant silence.

Behind the curtains, Isha stood barefoot, her ghungroos tight around her ankles, heart pounding loud enough to drown out every sound. The silk of her costume rustled faintly as she took one last deep breath.

This is it.

She closed her eyes and stepped forward - onto the stage, into the light.

The music began, slow and haunting. Her body moved instinctively - the grace of years of training taking over where her nerves failed. Her arms stretched wide, her hands fluid like water, each expression flowing through her like second nature.

And yet... she felt it.

Eyes.

Not just the audience.

His eyes...

She didn't look.

She couldn't.

But she felt it like a fire on her skin.

His presence was like a shadow following her every movement.

Cold.

Calculated.

Watching not with admiration - but with sharp, unreadable scrutiny.

He smirked, the corner of his lips curling with quiet amusement,

And then suddenly-

Threw her a deliberate wink.

He winked....

His eyes, cold yet teasing, lingered on her face, watching every flicker of confusion and discomfort dance across her features. There was a quiet arrogance in his gaze, as if he enjoyed the way his presence unsettled her."

Her breath caught for a second. She missed a beat - barely - but picked it back up with a graceful spin. Only she knew it had happened.

She kept going. Faster now. The rhythm is intense, the expressions more powerful. Her eyes were fierce, lips trembling

When the music hit its final note, she froze in her final pose - arms out, back arched, eyes unblinking.

Silence.

Then - applause. Loud, full, almost thunderous.

Isha didn't move.

She scanned the crowd, her eyes searching one place only.

Veer.

He wasn't clapping.

He sat there - arms folded, face expressionless, gaze locked on her.

Not impressed.

Not displeased.

Just... watching.

A part of her chest tightened.

What does he even think of me?

She turned and walked offstage, her limbs aching, adrenaline fading into exhaustion.

Backstage, Ayushi hugged her tightly. "You were insane! People are going crazy out there!"

But Isha barely registered it.

She only thinks ----

Why didn't he clap?

And more importantly...

Why do I care?

"Ishu, come on! Let’s take some photos!" Ayushi grinned, pulling her friend out of her thoughts.

Isha blinked, snapping back to reality, and nodded with a small smile.

The two posed and clicked a bunch of pictures, laughing at their silly expressions and adjusting each other's hair like it was a red carpet shoot. After a few snaps, Isha changed into her regular clothes and stepped outside with Ayushi beside her.

The cool breeze kissed her cheeks as they walked across the campus ground. Isha tried to shake off the strange feeling she’d been carrying since morning — but before her thoughts could wander, her eyes caught something familiar.

Her dad’s car was parked just outside the college gate. He stood casually leaning against the bonnet, arms crossed, looking totally at ease.

A soft smile tugged at her lips.

She turned to Ayushi, who was already grinning at the sight, and together they made their way toward the gate.

As soon as they reached, her father opened his arms wide and pulled them both into a warm, comforting hug.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” Isha said with surprise and delight.

“Ab main apni beti ko uske college se lene bhi nahi aa sakta kya?” he teased, ruffling her hair.

(“Now I can’t even come to pick up my own daughter from her college?”)

They both laughed.

“Chalo bhai, jaldi-jaldi car mein baitho — humein ice cream bhi toh khani hai!” he added with a twinkle in his eye.

(“Come on, guys! Hurry up and get in the car — we still have to go eat ice cream!”)

“Iceeeeeecreeeaaammmmm!”

Isha and Ayushi shouted in unison, practically skipping to the car like kids.

They hopped in, laughter echoing inside the vehicle as it drove off into the late afternoon sun.

We treated ourselves to ice cream afterward, laughing and chatting like little kids, the sweetness of the moment making everything feel even better. There was a different kind of joy in the air—a quiet celebration only we understood.

Afterward, we dropped Ayushi home, shared a warm goodbye, and then made our way back to our own house.

Once home, she had dinner with my family—simple, comforting, and filled with the kind of warmth only home can offer.

Later, as she slipped into bed and pulled the blanket over myself, a soft smile played on her lips. Sleep came easily, but not before one thought settled in my heart like a little spark of pride—Despite being an introvert, she had danced on stage today.

And for the first time in a long time… she was truly, quietly happy.

And then, lost in those thoughts, her mind wandered back to that exact moment—when he winked at her .

Ugh.

Just the memory of it made my cheeks flush crimson all over again. Her groaned softly, buried her face in the pillow for a second, then lightly slapped her forehead.

“Why did I smile like an idiot?” she whispered to herself, half-laughing, half-embarrassed.

She cursed herself under her breath, still blushing, and pulled the blanket tighter around her.

And with that silly grin still tugging at her lips… she finally drifted off to sleep.

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