Falling Destiny

Episode 24: “A Step Closer”

(Neha's POV)

Life had a strange way of reminding you that it moves on — not by choice, but by necessity.

It had been six weeks since Sanchit disappeared from our lives. Six weeks of unanswered calls, of shattered hope, of waiting for a miracle. Every night, I’d stare at my phone hoping for his name to flash across the screen. Every morning, I’d wake up to the same sinking emptiness.

Disha had changed too. She was no longer the carefree, quick-witted girl who used to steal my toast every morning or tease me endlessly. She’d become quieter, reserved — as if carrying something far heavier than just silence.

But something was changing. After the day I told her the truth — that she was pregnant — I saw something flicker inside her eyes again. Not just fear. Not just grief. But purpose. She was slowly beginning to smile at the thought of her baby. Sanchit’s baby. Their baby.

Even though we still had no clue where he was, Disha had started taking care of herself. She would eat on time, listen when I told her to rest, and talk to the baby as though he could already hear her. I saw her put a hand over her stomach in moments of stillness and whisper things — promises, hopes, maybe even apologies.

And in that, I found strength too. I had to. For her. For the little life that was growing inside her.

---

That morning, I left early for my dance academy. The moment I walked in, I felt alive again — the smell of polished floors, the faint sound of beats from the other room, the sharp tap of feet on wooden panels. This place was my first love. It always brought me back to life, no matter how broken I felt inside.

I was mid-way through stretching with my students when something… or someone… caught my eye.

Standing by the main door was a tall man in a crisp black shirt, looking completely out of place among the colorful chaos of the academy. His eyes scanned the room once before they locked onto mine — calm, familiar, intense.

Wait.

My heart skipped a beat.

It was him.

The man who had saved me from those boys that terrifying night. The stranger I’d hugged without thinking. The one who dropped me home safely and vanished.

Before I could make sense of anything, he started walking toward me.

“Hello again,” he said, his voice smooth, calm.

I blinked, stunned. “You… you’re the one who saved me.”

He smiled. “Guilty.”

There was a moment of awkward silence. So many things I wanted to say — thank you, sorry, who are you?

I finally found my voice. “Hi. I’m Neha. I just— I wanted to say thank you for that night. I should’ve invited you in or at least asked your name…”

He waved his hand casually. “You were scared. Anyone would be. I’m glad you’re okay.”

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m okay now.”

“Good,” he said. Then, before I could ask anything else, one of the front desk managers called him. He gave me a quick smile and said, “Excuse me for a moment,” and walked away.

I watched him go, still trying to place that face, that calm demeanor. Who was he?

Moments later, my manager called me into the office. “Neha, that gentleman — he’s looking for a dance tutor for his younger sister. Someone dedicated. I recommended you.”

Me? My eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

“Yes,” she smiled. “He’ll offer private sessions, good pay. You should talk to him.”

I stepped into the studio room where he stood, now holding a folder in one hand and looking around the space.

He turned to me. “So, you’re a dancer here?”

I nodded. “Yes. I’ve been teaching for three years now.”

“Well, my younger sister loves dance. She’s shy and awkward and doesn't like public attention, but I want her to try what she likes.

“I try,” I said with a soft smile.

He looked thoughtful for a second. “Would you be open to private lessons at our place? I’ll arrange daily travel, pick and drop. Salary — ₹50,000 a month.”

My eyes widened. That was… a lot. I could take care of Disha properly with that kind of money. And if he was serious, it would also give me more time for family, and maybe even a chance to get some emotional space.

I gave it a moment before answering. “Yes. I would be happy to. Thank you.”

He nodded, pleased. “Good. I’ll send the car tomorrow. Around 11?”

I agreed.

Before he could walk away again, I stepped forward. “Wait… you still haven’t told me your name.”

He looked back and smiled. “It’s Veer.”

“Veer…” I repeated softly.

“See you tomorrow, Neha.”

And with that, he left.

---

Back home, Disha was sitting on the couch, gently brushing her hair and humming something under her breath. Her hand rested on her stomach like it always did now.

“You okay?” I asked.

She looked up and gave a soft smile. “Yeah. The baby is growing I can feel it.”

My heart melted. “Already?”

“It’s probably just flutters, but… it’s something,” she said.

I sat next to her and placed my hand on her belly. “Hi there, little one. Your maasi can’t wait to meet you.”

Disha laughed — a real, clear laugh that I hadn’t heard in weeks.

That night, as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I felt like things were changing.

Sanchit was still gone. And the pain of not knowing was unbearable.

But Disha… she was finding her strength again. And now, there was Veer.

Was he just a stranger… or the beginning of something else?

I didn’t know.

All I knew was that I had to keep moving forward — for Disha, for the baby, and for the hope that one day, Sanchit would walk through that door with the same smile he left us with.

And until that day comes…

We hold onto each other.

We survive.

We dance.