The Practice Floor
746 Words
The music room was alive with rhythm.
Speakers thumped against the walls, echoing the beats of a Bollywood remix as pairs of students moved in sync — or tried to.
Posters of past cultural fests hung on the sidewalls. Glittering lights blinked. The air smelled like sweat, perfume, and mild chaos.
Rudra Mehra stood near the mirror, arms folded, watching Naina twirl for the third time in a row.
Naina (grinning): “Come on, Rudra! You’re supposed to catch my hand, not stare at your reflection.”
Rudra (flatly): “If I catch your hand, you’ll fall before the beat starts.”
Naina: “Ha! Excuses. You’re scared you’ll fall for me.”
Rudra: “Keep dreaming.”
The others laughed. Naina giggled and spun again, while Rudra’s eyes — almost unconsciously — wandered across the room.
🎶 Across the Floor
On the other end of the hall, Aanya was dancing with Aryan — their steps graceful, perfectly in rhythm.
Her laughter mixed with the music, light and contagious.
But Rudra noticed something else — the way Aryan’s hand lingered a little too long on her waist during a spin.
His jaw tightened.
She doesn’t even care. Of course she doesn’t.
Naina clapped near his face, snapping him back.
Naina: “Hello, hero! Stop staring at other couples and start acting like one.”
Rudra (gruffly): “Mind your own choreography.”
💫 Aanya’s Side
Aanya could feel his eyes on her — even from across the hall.
Every time she turned, she caught that unmistakable glare.
He can fight ten people without blinking, but can’t handle me dancing with someone else?
The thought made her want to laugh.
But when Aryan twirled her again, her smile faltered — because her eyes met Rudra’s through the mirror.
It was the kind of look that burned — equal parts anger, jealousy, and something unspoken.
Something that made her heartbeat skip, just once.
Aryan (teasing): “You’re distracted.”
Aanya (softly): “Maybe I’m thinking about my next move.”
Aryan: “Just don’t step on my foot.”
Aanya (smiling faintly): “Can’t promise that.”
⚡ Break Time Chaos
After an hour of practice, the pairs took a break.
Aanya sat with her water bottle, trying to catch her breath, when Dev and Kabir slid beside Rudra.
Dev: “Bro, you’re dancing like a robot. Where’s the passion?”
Kabir: “Yeah, even Aryan looks smoother than you.”
Rudra: “Say that again and I’ll break your face.”
Dev: “Whoa, calm down, Romeo.”
Rudra rolled his eyes, pretending not to care — but his fists were clenched tight.
Meanwhile, Naina was still humming next to him, scrolling through her playlist.
Naina: “We should add some close moves, you know? Romantic steps — like this.”
She moved closer, looping her arm around his shoulder.
Before Rudra could react, Aanya’s voice called out across the room:
Aanya: “Aryan, let’s try that spin again. The one with the hand lift!”
Rudra’s eyes darted to her — and sure enough, Aryan was holding her hand, smiling.
Kabir smirked.
Kabir (under his breath): “She’s doing that on purpose.”
Dev: “And it’s working.”
🔥 The Silent Challenge
The next track began.
Rudra took position with Naina.
Aanya stood ready with Aryan.
Same song. Same rhythm. Different pairs — but only one connection filled the room.
Each step was a challenge.
Each move, a silent message.
Every spin, a spark.
Rudra danced with precision, sharp and dominating — but his eyes kept drifting toward her.
Aanya matched his fire — her smile teasing, her every move daring him to look away.
By the time the song ended, everyone clapped.
Except them.
Their gazes locked again — electric, unreadable, unstoppable.
Naina (panting): “We killed it!”
Aanya (quietly to herself): “Yeah… killed something, alright.”
🌙 Later That Night
Back home, Rudra sat on his bed, staring at his phone.
He’d scrolled through her name in his contact list at least five times — but didn’t text.
> Why should I? She’s the one who said she wanted distance.
Still, her laughter from the hall echoed in his head.
Meanwhile, Aanya lay on her pillow, smiling faintly.
If he’s jealous, he’ll never admit it… but that’s fine. I’ll make him admit it on stage.
Both of them fell asleep that night with the same song still playing in their heads.
- Writer
