Chapter 1
Kavya wasn’t supposed to be late.
She had planned everything, how long it would take to get here, which building to enter, even how early she would arrive so she wouldn’t have to walk into a room full of strangers.
But plans don’t always hold.
A delayed train. Too many people. One wrong turn inside the college’s performing arts block, a place she had never needed to enter before.
And now she was standing outside the dance room, slightly out of breath, her hand still gripping the strap of her bag.
Music played on the other side of the door. Not too loud, but enough to make her chest tighten.
She was late.
Kavya closed her eyes for a second.
She could leave. No one knew she had come. It would be easier that way.
But she didn’t move.
She didn’t even belong to this space. Dance was just a college club she had joined quietly, without telling anyone why. Before she could think too much, she pushed it open.
The music didn’t stop immediately.
But it faded.
And then the room fell quiet.
Kavya froze at the entrance.
There were people every where, some stretching, some standing in small groups, some already watching her. She suddenly became aware of everything: her uneven breathing, the slight dust on her shoes, the way she didn’t belong here as easily as the others seemed to.
And then someone spoke.
“You’re late.”
The voice was calm. Not loud. But it carried.
Kavya looked toward the center of the room.
He stood there with a clipboard in his hand, posture straight, expression unreadable. There was nothing harsh about him, but there was something firm, something that didn’t leave space for doubt.
“I..” she paused, catching her breath. “The train got delayed. I tried to-”
“The auditions started thirty minutes ago.”
He didn’t raise his voice.
Didn’t sound annoyed either.
Just certain.
“I know,” she said quietly. “But I thought maybe if I could still..”
“You can’t.”
No hesitation.
For a second, she thought he might add something. Explain it. Soften it, maybe.
But he didn’t.
The silence in the room felt heavier now.
Kavya nodded once.
“Okay.”
No argument. No second attempt.
She turned before anyone else could say anything, her hand already reaching for the door.
“Akshay-”
Someone spoke from behind him.
“She’s already here. Just let her try?”
Kavya paused for a moment.
Not enough to turn back. Just enough to hear.
There was a brief silence.
Then his voice again.
“If we make exceptions for one person, we’ll have to do it for everyone.”
Simple.
Final.
Kavya didn’t wait any longer.
She stepped out and let the door close behind her.
The corridor felt quieter than it should have.
For a second, she just stood there, staring ahead.
It was just an audition.
Just a club thing.
Just something she wanted.
She let out a slow breath, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.
“Of course,” she muttered under her breath. “Of course this would happen.”
She started walking.
Inside, the music resumed.
Almost.
Akshay flipped a page on his clipboard.
“Next.”
The routine began again-- counts, movements, corrections. Everything falling back into place.
Except--
For a brief second, his gaze shifted.
Toward the door.
He didn’t know why.
There had been nothing unusual about her. No introduction. No performance. No reason to remember.
Just someone who came late.
Someone he turned away.
Still...
There had been something in the way she saidokay.
No argument.
No insistence.
Just quiet acceptance.
“Akshay?”
He looked up immediately. “From the top.”
The music started again.
This time, he didn’t look at the door.
Down the corridor, Kavya had almost reached the stairs when she stopped.
The music had started again, clearer now.
She didn’t turn back.
But she didn’t walk away either.
For a moment, she just stood there, listening.
Then, without thinking, she took a small step closer.
Not toward the room.
Just... closer to the sound.
Her fingers curled slightly at her side.
Like her body remembered something her mind had already decided to let go.
Inside the room--
Akshay missed a count.
[End of chapter 1]
