Episode 12 : The Night We Let Go
979 Words
The music pulled me in before I could think.
Or maybe—
I had already stopped thinking.
---
Nisha dragged me to the center of the dance floor, and within seconds, Pooja and Kritika joined us. What started as hesitation turned into laughter, then into movement—and before I knew it, we were dancing like we didn’t care who was watching.
Or maybe we did—
and just didn’t mind anymore.
---
We didn’t stay still for long.
Back to the table.
Then back to the floor.
Again and again.
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“This is insane!” Nisha shouted over the music.
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“This is freedom!” I replied, laughing.
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At some point, Abhay joined us.
And then—
unexpectedly—
he pulled someone else along.
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“Come on, sir!” he said.
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Kayish.
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I blinked.
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And the next second—
he was on the dance floor.
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Not hesitant.
Not awkward.
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Confident.
Effortless.
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I froze for a second.
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He… could dance.
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And not just dance—
he was good.
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Very good.
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Nisha leaned into me. “WHAT IS THIS SIDE OF HIM?!”
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“I have no idea,” I laughed.
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Abhay clapped once. “Sir, you’ve been hiding this talent.”
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Kayish didn’t react much.
Just a slight nod.
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I found myself stepping closer.
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“You’re a great dancer,” I said, half teasing, half genuine.
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His eyes met mine for a brief second.
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“Thank you.”
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Simple.
But it stayed.
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Soon, the jokes started.
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“Oh, so this is why he’s always serious,” Nisha said. “Saving energy for dance.”
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“Secret life,” Pooja added, laughing.
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Even Kritika smiled more than usual.
---
For the first time—
there was no distance.
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Just people.
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Just us.
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Abhay ordered another round.
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“No more,” I said instinctively.
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“Too late,” he replied, handing me a glass.
---
And this time—
I didn’t hesitate.
---
We danced with our drinks.
Laughing.
Spilling a little.
Not caring.
---
One by one—
everyone got tired.
---
Nisha collapsed on the seat first.
Then Pooja.
Then Kritika.
---
Leaving—
just me and Abhay on the floor.
---
“Still going?” he laughed.
---
“I think I forgot how to stop,” I replied.
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He extended his hand.
“Come on.”
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I took it.
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We started dancing again—
this time lighter, slower, more playful.
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“You’re dangerous today,” he joked.
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“I had one drink,” I corrected.
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“One and a half,” he smirked.
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I rolled my eyes.
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He spun me once—
not perfectly—
but enough to make me laugh.
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“Careful,” I said. “I might fall.”
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“I’ll catch you,” he replied easily.
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For a moment—
I noticed something.
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The table.
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Everyone watching us.
Talking.
Smiling.
---
And among them—
him.
---
Kayish.
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His gaze steady.
Unreadable.
---
But I didn’t stop.
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Maybe because I didn’t want to.
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Maybe because—
for once—
I didn’t care who was watching.
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Soon, the girls left for the restroom, still laughing, leaving the dance floor louder than before.
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“Looks like we’re the last ones,” Abhay said.
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“Looks like it.”
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We danced a little more—
until finally—
I felt tired.
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“Okay… I’m done,” I laughed, slightly breathless.
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We walked back to the table.
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And without thinking—
I said—
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“One more round.”
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Silence.
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Everyone stared at me.
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As if I had just said something illegal.
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“What?” I frowned.
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Nisha burst out laughing.
“WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO AAROHI?”
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Pooja covered her mouth, laughing softly.
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Kritika just shook her head.
“This is new.”
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Even Abhay laughed.
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And then—
unexpectedly—
a low chuckle.
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I turned.
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Kayish.
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Laughing.
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Not fully.
But enough.
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And somehow—
that felt rarer than anything tonight.
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Drinks arrived.
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Jokes continued.
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“Careful,” Abhay said. “She might outdrink all of us.”
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“Impossible,” I replied.
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“Challenge accepted,” Nisha said dramatically.
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We all laughed again.
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And then—
Nisha suddenly looked at Kayish.
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“Sir… why aren’t you drinking anything?”
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The table went quiet for a second.
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I don’t know why—
but the words slipped out before I could stop them.
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“Maybe he’s afraid to lose control.”
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Silence.
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Instant.
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Everyone’s expressions—
different.
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Surprised.
Amused.
Curious.
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I froze.
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Did I just say that?
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Then—
Abhay burst out laughing.
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Nisha followed.
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Pooja tried to hide her smile.
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Kritika looked impressed.
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And Kayish—
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He looked at me.
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Not offended.
Not amused.
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Just…
watching.
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“Interesting assumption,” he said calmly.
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I leaned slightly forward.
“Is it wrong?”
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A pause.
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Then—
very slightly—
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“We’ll find out.”
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Something in his tone—
shifted the air.
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But before it could settle—
Nisha interrupted again.
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“Okay, this conversation is dangerous,” she said dramatically.
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We all laughed.
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The moment broke.
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But something remained.
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Something unspoken.
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And for the first time—
I realized—
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Maybe it wasn’t just the night changing.
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Maybe—
it was us.
- Writer
