"Tell me already, Mishu! Why are you making me wait so long?" I whined, my impatience bubbling over. This was the nineteenth time I had begged Mishri to spill the good news that had brought her to my house, yet she remained as stubborn as ever.

Completely unfazed, she lay sprawled on the bed, relishing the Mishti Dahi my mother had lovingly prepared, her focus solely on the sweet, creamy indulgence rather than satisfying my curiosity.

She carefully placed the mini matka on the side table, the soft clink of it echoing in the room as she sat up, a sly grin spreading across her face.

"Alright, fine. I'll tell you, but you better hold your heart, because it might just fall out," she teased, her tone dramatic.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her theatrics-she had a flair for turning everything into an exaggerated performance, especially when it came to making me wait.

"Our college is..."

I raised an eyebrow, silently urging her to continue, the suspense almost unbearable.

"I'm warning you, hold your heart," she said, her voice laced with mischief.

"Mishri, I swear I'll kill you if you make me wait even a second longer," I threatened, my patience hanging by a thread.

"Okay, okay... So, our college is holding a fest on the day of Chhoti Diwali," she blurted out, her excitement bubbling over.

She leapt off the bed, bouncing around like a child who had just gotten her hands on a candy bar.

I stared at her, my expression flat and uninterested.

"And what exactly is so special about that?" I asked, my tone as bored as I could manage, not yet convinced that this was worth all the drama.

"Aree, pagli... your dumb brother didn't tell you? This is the one time Viaansh actually performs a dance, and our college allows couple dances!" she exclaimed, as if the revelation should have been obvious to me from the start.

As the words sank in, a wave of realization hit me, and my eyes widened with excitement. The possibility of being Viaansh's dance partner seemed almost too good to be true.

Without thinking, I bounced up from the bed, joining Mishri in her celebration. We jumped around in sheer exhilaration, our laughter filling the room, as if this moment alone could make everything worthwhile.

"When's the audition, Mishu?" I asked, suddenly halting mid-jump, my excitement shifting to a sudden sense of urgency.

"Tomorrow," she replied, without missing a beat.

"Tomorrow? But I haven't even prepared!" I exclaimed, panic creeping in.

"Aree, you don't need to. You're a natural dancer," she assured me, her confidence in me unwavering.

I couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth at her words, my nerves calming as the excitement surged back. I nodded eagerly, ready to dive into the next step.

"Okay, then let's do this. Fill your name for the audition on the college site," Mishri urged, already taking charge.

We settled down on the bed, the laptop resting between us, and began filling out the necessary details. The weight of the moment sank in-this was happening.

"You know what, Aadhira? The chief guest for this event is none other than that big business tycoon, Rudraksh Veer Khurana, the President of Imperium Arms."

"What? Really?" My voice trembled with surprise and excitement. "I'm such a huge fan of his! I respect him so much-his dedication to his work, his unwavering morals... it's something I look up to, something I aspire to."

Mishri's eyes sparkled with mischief as she continued, "And the best part? This Diwali, he's going to be the new trustee of our college. Our college is about to be part of one of his incredibly successful business ventures."

I couldn't contain my excitement. "That's incredible! Wow, I'm really excited now. I'll actually get to meet him!"

Suddenly, Mishri's tone shifted, her playful energy replaced with something more serious.

"Aadhira?"

"Hmmm?" I replied absentmindedly, still caught up in the excitement of the news.

"Did you talk to your family?" Her question hung in the air, more weighty than I anticipated.

I froze for a moment, the shift in her tone catching me off guard. I glanced at her, my heart skipping a beat as I tried to read her expression.

"Umm... yeah," I muttered, my voice betraying my unease

"So, what happened?" Mishri pressed, her gaze unwavering as she waited for me to respond.

I hesitated, the words stuck in my throat as the memories from earlier that day began to flood my mind. My thoughts drifted back to the conversation with my family-their concerned looks, the weight of their expectations, and the unspoken tension that had hung in the air.

Flashback:

The morning sun filtered through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow on the breakfast table. The familiar aroma of freshly brewed tea and hot parathas filled the air. It was a usual morning, but something in the atmosphere felt different. My parents were quieter than usual, exchanging subtle glances over the breakfast spread. Even Adrit, who typically greeted the morning with his usual teasing and mischievous grin, seemed more subdued today.

As I sat down at the table, scooping some curd onto my plate, I could feel their eyes on me. I glanced up, unsure of what to expect.

"Aadhira," my mother's voice was soft, but the sincerity in it was unmistakable. "We need to talk."

I froze mid-bite, my fork hovering in the air. This didn't sound like the usual breakfast chatter. "Yeah, Mum?"

My father, who was sipping his tea, set his cup down carefully and looked at me with a mix of concern and something else-something like regret. "We've been thinking a lot about how we've been treating you lately. About the pressure we've put on you."

I felt my stomach twist, unsure of where this conversation was headed. I exchanged a quick glance with Adrit, who was uncharacteristically quiet, his brow furrowed slightly. He seemed to be paying more attention to this conversation than usual.

"We love you, Aadhira," my mother continued, her voice steady but tinged with guilt. "And we've always wanted what's best for you, but we realize now that we haven't given you the space to figure things out for yourself. We've been pushing you too much, thinking we knew what you needed."

I stared at them, surprised. This wasn't the conversation I'd expected at all. I'd anticipated them telling me what I should be doing, how I needed to focus more on my future. But here they were, admitting they might have been wrong.

"I've never been perfect," my father added, his voice softening. "And we know we might've burdened you with too much. We just wanted you to have a good life, but we never stopped to think about what you want, what you need."

I was silent for a moment, letting their words sink in. "I know you just want the best for me," I said, my voice quiet. "But sometimes it feels like I'm not allowed to make mistakes. Like every choice I make is being judged."

Adrit shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes flicking between me and our parents. He looked like he wanted to say something, but his usual teasing demeanor was nowhere to be found. His expression seemed... guarded.

"I'm sorry, Aadhira," my mother said, her voice full of understanding. "From now on, we'll give you the space you need. We'll trust you to make your own decisions, and we'll stop pushing you. We don't want to suffocate you."

My father nodded in agreement, his eyes warm. "You're growing up, Aadhira. We want you to follow your heart, even if that means going against our expectations."

Adrit finally broke the silence, but his tone was far from lighthearted. "And you know, Aadhira, no one's perfect. But don't make any decisions too quickly, okay?"

His words weren't mean, but there was an underlying tension in his voice that I couldn't ignore. He wasn't just speaking out of concern for me-there was something else behind it. Something... knowing. He was watching me carefully, studying my reaction, as if he already knew more than I was letting on.

I met his eyes, trying to keep my expression neutral, but I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. He wasn't fooled.

"I won't, Adrit," I said, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my chest. "I'll figure it out."

"Good," he muttered, his grin returning, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just make sure it's a decision you can live with."

My mother smiled at me, her face full of warmth. "Take your time, Aadhira. We trust you."

"I'll do that," I said, feeling a little more at ease, but still uneasy about the silent exchange between Adrit and me.

FLASHBACK END

"Your brother is such an idiot."

"He indeed is." I shook my head, a sigh escaping my lips.

Mishri chuckled, but I could hear the concern in her voice. "But you know he's always watching you, right?"

I nodded, not needing her to elaborate. Adrit's subtle glances, his constant probing, his silence when I needed him to speak up-it all made sense now. He might have played it off as mischief, but there was something deeper behind it. Something he was hiding, or perhaps something he was trying to protect me from.

"He's just being protective... in his own weird way," I said, though I wasn't entirely convinced myself.

Mishri raised an eyebrow. "Protective? Or is he trying to control you?"

I frowned. That was a possibility I hadn't allowed myself to consider. "I don't know... sometimes, I feel like he's not just my brother. Like he's playing a different role in my life."

Her eyes softened. "Aadhira, you don't have to carry the weight of everyone's expectations. You need to trust your heart, especially with someone like Viaansh. Don't let anyone tell you who you should love, or how you should live."

I didn't respond right away. Mishri's words were both comforting and unsettling. I knew she meant well, but it wasn't just Adrit's expectations I had to deal with. The entire world seemed to have an opinion about who I should be, what I should feel, and where my future should go. And in the middle of it all, there was Viaansh. The one person who saw me-not just the girl everyone expected me to be, but the real me.

I glanced down at my phone, my heart fluttering at the thought of the upcoming audition. A chance to dance with Viaansh, to be closer to him... It felt like a dream.

"Let's do this, Mishri," I said, determination setting in. "No more doubts. I'm going for it."

Mishri grinned, her excitement contagious. "That's the spirit! And who knows, maybe the idiot brother will come around when he sees what we're capable of."

"Yeah, maybe." I smiled, though in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Adrit's watchful eyes would always be on me-no matter where life took me.



~•25th October, 2024•~

~• West Bengal, Siliguri•~

~•Amity College•~

The room was filled with casual chatter as students gathered for the audition. It wasn't anything grand-just a modest classroom with a makeshift stage at one end, the floor covered in mismatched mats to prevent any slips. Viaansh sat at the judges' table, looking relaxed as he sipped from a bottle of water, his eyes scanning the dancers with quiet focus. Adrit and a few of his friends lounged near the side, more interested in making fun of Viaansh than paying attention to the performances.

"Next!" Varun called out, and the dancer on stage quickly exited, giving way for the next person to step up.

Adrit, unable to resist, leaned over to Viaansh with a grin. "I love to see you dance, Viaansh," he said, his voice just loud enough for the others to hear.

Viaansh glanced up from his bottle, his expression amused. "Why do you have a crush on me?" he asked with a teasing grin.

"Shut up. I'm just complimenting you," Adrit shot back, rolling his eyes.

Viaansh raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of water. "Am I your girlfriend, then?"

Adrit gave him a disgusted look. "You wish," he replied, his tone sharp but with a hint of something else in his eyes-something that wasn't just about teasing.

Viaansh chuckled, not missing the subtle shift in Adrit's demeanor. He took another sip of his water, pretending not to notice, and shifted his gaze back to the stage.

The room continued with its usual rhythm, but there was a quiet tension between the two, noticeable only to those paying attention. They could joke all they wanted, but beneath the surface, the playful banter was layered with something more complicated.

Viaansh sputtered, nearly choking on his water as he watched Aadhira step onto the stage. His eyes widened, and for a split second, he seemed caught off guard by her presence. The room fell into a brief, awkward silence, all eyes turning toward him as he struggled to regain his composure.

"Viaansh, are you okay?" Shyam asked, leaning forward with a concerned expression.

Viaansh quickly cleared his throat, shaking his head to snap out of the daze. He gave a quick nod, trying to brush it off with his usual nonchalance. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, forcing a smile as he leaned back in his chair. "Just went down the wrong pipe."

But the moment wasn't lost on anyone. Aadhira had stepped up to the stage, confident, poised, and looking every bit the dancer she was. Viaansh's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than he intended, but he quickly snapped his attention back to the judging panel, focusing on the task at hand.

Adrit, sitting off to the side, caught the exchange. He narrowed his eyes, his smirk fading for just a second.

"Hi, Aadhira," Viaansh called out, his voice warm but low enough to avoid drawing attention.

"Hi, Viaansh," she responded, her smile lighting up the room as she gave him a small wave.

"You're also going to perform?" Viaansh asked, his tone casual, though his eyes never fully left hers.

"Hope so. If you choose me," Aadhira teased, her confidence shining through even though her heart was racing. She hadn't expected to feel nervous, but there was something about being in front of him that made her stomach flutter.

Viaansh gave her a reassuring smile, the kind that was meant for her and only her, making sure no one around them caught on. His gaze softened as he met her eyes, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause. He didn't need to say anything more. Aadhira felt a wave of warmth and encouragement wash over her from that simple gesture.

She smiled back, her nerves dissipating, her resolve growing stronger. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly seen.

The lights suddenly dimmed, casting a soft shadow over the room. The spotlight flickered on, its beam landing on Aadhira. For a brief moment, everything else seemed to fade away. The room fell silent, and all eyes were drawn to her as she stood center stage.

Viaansh's breath caught in his throat. He was mesmerized, not just by the way the spotlight seemed to crown her, but by the sheer radiance of her presence. Aadhira stood there, glowing, her elegance undeniable. She was wearing a white ghaghara choli, the fabric delicate and flowing, adorned with a blue pattern that seemed to shimmer under the spotlight. The outfit complemented her perfectly, highlighting her natural beauty in a way that made it hard for Viaansh to look away.



As the soft, melodic beats of Ishq Hua began to play, the mood shifted. The song's romantic undertones filled the room, matching the rhythm of Aadhira's graceful movements. She swayed gently to the music, her every step measured, yet effortless, as if she was one with the melody.

Viaansh couldn't help but watch, entranced. There was something about the way she moved, the way she expressed herself through dance, that stirred something deep within him. Her confidence on stage was captivating, yet there was an innocence to her that made his heart ache.

He forgot for a moment where he was, who he was, and everything else around him. It was just Aadhira and the dance, her presence filling the space in a way no one else could.

Hulchul hui, Zara shor hua

Aadhira begins with slow, controlled movements, her hands forming delicate gestures as the music builds. As she sings "Hulchul hui" (Restlessness occurred), she suddenly becomes more animated, with sharp yet graceful footwork to represent the sudden stirrings of her heart. Her arms sweep outward, mirroring the chaotic but joyful rush of emotions.

Dil chor hua, Teri oar hua

As the lyric "Dil chor hua" (My heart is stolen) plays, Aadhira places a hand over her chest, her expression shifting to one of vulnerability and longing. She glances toward the side, symbolizing her heart turning toward the person she loves. She moves with elegance, her footwork light and quick, conveying the feeling of falling in love.

Aisi chale jab hawa... Ishq hua hi hua

The rhythm speeds up, and Aadhira starts to move around the stage with more energy. She twirls in a controlled chakkar, her ghaghara flowing with the motion, while the lyrics "Aisi chale jab hawa" (When the wind blows like this) play. Her expression becomes one of joy and freedom as she feels the winds of love blowing around her, capturing the essence of being swept away by love.

Hulchul hui, Zara shor hua

As the song repeats the lyrics "Hulchul hui" (Restlessness occurred), Aadhira's steps become quicker, almost as if her heart is racing. Her feet tap the floor with precision, reflecting the intensity of emotions stirring within her. Her hand movements also become more erratic and expressive, showing the conflict between the joy and the nervousness of love.

Palkon se hothon tak jo raah nikalti hai

Aadhira moves into a slower, more graceful portion of the dance. As she sings "Palkon se hothon tak jo raah nikalti hai" (The path from my eyelids to my lips), she gently closes her eyes and raises her hand to her forehead, symbolizing the purity of her love and the sweetness of the path her emotions take. She makes a slow turn, with her ghaghara flowing behind her, embodying the transition of love from the mind to the heart.

Rehte hain ab hum wahaan... Ishq hua hi hua

With the line "Rehte hain ab hum wahaan" (We now reside there), Aadhira looks directly at her imagined love, her hands reaching forward as if drawing that person close. She performs a soft toda, stepping lightly in rhythm with the music, her body flowing and moving fluidly, showing how she has been consumed by the feeling of love.

Kadmon ko sambhaalein nazron ka kya karein

As the music softens, Aadhira performs a graceful pause, her feet slowly tapping and her gaze focused downward, reflecting the lyric "Kadmon ko sambhaalein nazron ka kya karein" (What should one do with the eyes when the feet stumble?). She looks up at the audience, her gaze becoming softer and more wistful, adding an element of introspection to the dance. Her hands slowly rise, expressing the gentle confusion love can cause.

Nazron ko sambhaalein toh dil ka kya karein

With the next line "Nazron ko sambhaalein toh dil ka kya karein" (What should one do with the eyes when the heart falters?), Aadhira performs a slow chakkar, turning in circles, symbolizing how love keeps her in constant motion, unable to settle. Her expression is one of sweet confusion and uncertainty, embodying the struggle between looking and loving. She brings her hands to her heart, showing how love is overwhelming.

Ishq hua... Ishq hua...

As the song reaches its final repetition of "Ishq hua" (Love has happened), Aadhira performs a grand, twirling chakkar, her movements light and full of grace. Her arms extend outward as if embracing the world, embodying the pure, intense emotion of love. Her feet tap swiftly but with elegance, her body moving in harmony with the music. The final moments of her performance are filled with joy, expressing how love has completely transformed her.

As the music reached its final note, Aadhira's body moved in one final fluid motion-she collapsed gracefully to the ground, her heart pounding fiercely in her chest. She could feel every beat in her ears, every breath coming in short bursts as she struggled to regain her composure. The dim lights on stage flickered slightly, highlighting her still, graceful form. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, the weight of her performance taking its toll.

And then, the lights burst on, flooding the room with brightness. The once silent space erupted in applause, hoots, and cheers from the audience. The sound was deafening, yet somehow, in the midst of it, Aadhira felt a peaceful stillness within herself. Her body trembled, but her heart swelled with pride.

But amidst the crowd, there was one person whose applause was louder than the rest-Viaansh, clapping with all his might. His hands came together with such force, his eyes glowing with admiration, and a wide smile spread across his face. His gaze never left her, as if he wanted to etch this moment into his memory. His girlfriend. The one he had silently hoped would grace him with her presence on stage. He was beyond proud of her.

However, not everyone in the room shared the same sentiment.

A figure in the crowd, hidden in the shadows of the back row, watched Aadhira intently. His eyes, sharp and calculating, followed every movement of hers, analyzing her dance, her grace, her presence. He was quiet, unmoving, yet his gaze was intense, as though he could see beyond the performance, into something deeper, something he was not ready to confront. His hand, resting on the arm of his chair, remained perfectly still, paralyzed, as the applause filled the room. His eyes, a mixture of intrigue and something darker, never wavered from Aadhira. The rest of the room was alive with noise, but for him, time had stopped. And as the applause grew louder, his hand remained unnaturally still, unmoved by the excitement around him.

As the claps came to a halt and Aadhira gracefully stood up, catching her breath, a strange stillness washed over the room. For a brief moment, the air seemed to hold its breath. Then, out of nowhere, the once silent figure in the back stood up, his movements commanding attention. His hand, which had been paralyzed in stillness, now moved with purpose. He clapped louder than anyone else in the room, the sound reverberating through the space.

Everyone turned to look, their gazes following the direction of the powerful applause. Shock rippled through the room as they saw the man who had been hidden in the shadows. Standing tall, with a presence so imposing, it felt as though the very air had shifted around him. His face was calm, unreadable, but there was something undeniably intense in his demeanor.

The gasps of surprise echoed through the room as recognition dawned on everyone.

"RUDRAKSH VEER KHURANA..." someone whispered in awe, the name spreading like wildfire.

Aadhira's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the man in front of her. The name echoed in her mind-Rudraksh Veer Khurana, the business tycoon, the new trustee of their college, the man who had unknowingly become a symbol of success and power in her life.

Her heart skipped a beat, and for a fleeting second, she forgot where she was, caught in the whirlpool of surprise. She had never imagined that the legendary businessman would be standing here, in front of her, in the same room where she had just performed.

Her thoughts scattered, her mouth slightly parted in shock, as she tried to comprehend what was happening. The world around her suddenly felt smaller, like the walls were closing in as her gaze remained locked on him, unsure of what to do next.

"Hello, Ms. Chatterjee." Rudraksh Veer Khurana's voice was smooth, almost chilling in its calmness. His gaze, intense yet unreadable, never left Aadhira as he addressed her.

Aadhira quickly composed herself, her breath still shaky from the performance. She met his gaze and spoke, her voice steady but a little tentative. "Hello, Mr. Khurana."

Rudraksh's lips curled into a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "I saw your performance, and it was really mesmerizing. You reminded me of someone very close to me, someone who's living very far away."

Aadhira's heart skipped a beat, confusion flickering in her eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Khurana. That means a lot."

But then, his tone shifted. His words took on a darker edge as he spoke again, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "Really? But it's not always a good thing to make someone remember memories they wish to forget. That can be a very bad habit."

Aadhira's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Excuse me?"

He simply waved his hand dismissively, the smile still lingering on his lips. "Never mind," he said, before turning to Viaansh. "Mr. Seghal, I think you should select her."

Without waiting for a response, Rudraksh turned sharply on his heel and walked out of the room. His footsteps echoed in the silence, leaving behind an uneasy tension in the air.

Aadhira stood frozen for a moment, her heart pounding, trying to process the strange exchange. His words echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of something she couldn't quite grasp.

"Don't worry, Aadhu. You can go and sit." Adrit insisted, his voice softening, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes.

Aadhira nodded, still feeling the weight of Rudraksh's cryptic words pressing down on her. She gave a small, forced smile and made her way back to her seat, her mind racing with questions she couldn't yet answer.

AFTER SOMETIME

"Now, everyone, it is time for the results," Shyam announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs that had once again filled the room. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as everyone quieted down, eyes fixed on him.

"The names announced here will be selected for the performances. Whether that person will be doing a duet, solo, or couple will be decided during the practice sessions. So, the names are: Akansh, Sneha, Alia, Zoya, Aadhira, and Mohnish. And, of course, our very own Viaansh will also be performing."

Aadhira's heart skipped a beat when her name was called. It felt surreal, like the moment was stretching into eternity. She glanced around the room at the faces of the others, some of whom seemed as eager as she was, while others looked a bit disheartened.

Her gaze naturally found Viaansh, who was standing among the other judges, his eyes focused on the list. When his eyes met hers, there was a fleeting smile that reached his lips, a small reassurance that he was glad to see her name on the list.

The room buzzed with excitement as everyone cheered, and Aadhira couldn't help but smile, her heart swelling with pride. She had made it. She had been chosen. But more than that, she was one step closer to a dream-one that had always seemed so far out of reach. The possibility of dancing with Viaansh, of sharing a moment that felt as though it belonged only to them, made her heart race with a new sense of joy.

As the applause faded, Viaansh caught her eye once again. This time, his smile was more than just an acknowledgment-it was warm, full of silent promise.

"Congratulations, Aadhira," Mishri whispered, her face glowing with excitement. "You did it!"

Aadhira turned to her best friend, beaming with happiness. "We did it," she corrected softly, feeling the weight of the moment settle over her in the best possible way.

The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter and congratulatory messages from friends, but amidst it all, Aadhira felt a sense of peace. For once, the future didn't seem so daunting. The uncertainties that had clouded her thoughts before seemed less important now. She was ready to face whatever came next, knowing that with every step, she was moving closer to a beautiful, unknown world that held endless possibilities.

The music, the lights, the dance-it was all a promise. A promise of something new, something exciting, something worth fighting for. And Aadhira was ready. Ready to take on this journey with all her heart.

As she walked out of the room, the world outside felt just a little brighter. Just a little more promising.

And in that moment, everything felt right.