Silence passed without a word exchanged among them. Anuj, who wasn't keeping his mouth shut a minute back, was staring Ehaan straight. The person still stood behind me, the girl beside him- who I came to be known as Zara. Was darting her gaze from her one friend to another. The situation screamed they were in deep trouble and unknowingly I too.

"Ehaan, it's nothing like it looks... we were just..." Zara somehow managed to utter those words but was halted by Ehaan.

"Zara, please don't jump into it." He was trying hard to maintain his calm. "Anuj, we need to speak." With those words, he turned, as I could hear his fainted footsteps. I was gazing at the ground, not wanting to meet with anyone's eyes. Somewhere, maybe I was the reason behind his anger.

"Miss innocent, we will meet back soon." Anuj joyful voice was back. I jerked my head to glance at him. It seemed as if he wasn't the same guy who was staring at his friend seriously a few minutes back. As if Ehaan wasn't on the verge of killing him.

"Have you lost it!" Zara shook her head in exasperation. "Walk off before he comes battling after you," Zara pushed him while he moved passing the last wink at me. What was it with bad boys and wink? What they found amazing in it? It was so annoying! I rolled my eyes nothing, in particular, I was exhausted with the drama all in one day. I needed a break!

"You better stay away from my friends," Zara warned, her eyes shooting daggers. Yeah, this was remaining! As if I was dying to get involved with them. I didn't repeat it loud not in a mood for more dramas, I had already more enemies without attempting. Wasn't bothering to add one more.

"Let's start with the practice," came the same girl assisting me with the moves. I would be worthy of her as soon Zara left our side and I got engrossed in the steps. Dancing had a certain magic, a certain charm that as I got engrossed in it. I would forget the world around me.

"Hmm... now that you know the sequence of steps, let's try with music?" She suggested. I nodded in agreement. Half of the auditorium was empty. The few helping me with steps was left behind maybe others went on break. I shook my head trying to concentrate on the steps I had been taught, desiring not to make any mistake on the way. "Let's do it on stage... it will help you to understand your real position." I didn't argue as it would help me not to be a laugh in front of Ehaan. I needed to sharpen myself before I had to again encounter him. Maybe deep down my ego was hurt by his humiliation and though the logical side of me knew that I could never match him in dance yet the unlogical, insane part of me wanted to prove him wrong. Show him, I knew what dancing means!

Maybe somewhere I was proud of my dancing, maybe not brilliant but I enjoyed doing it. That what matters, right? At least for me its does.

"Start the music!" Everyone took their position. I too turned facing towards the backstage. Slowly the music started, the rhythmic tune blasting. I closed my eyes taking in a slow breath, heart beating loud. I shook my head, it always was the case before starting and once the music fill my senses I was out of the world.

A reason for loving dance was that I could express myself freely through it. While dancing, I wasn't even bothered if people were seeing, glancing, passing comments or anything. I was least bothered about their existence. It felt as if I was free, free from every trouble, every worry. My body swing on the tune, slowly turning myself and facing the audience. None was present except for Mia, sitting on the first row. I looked away from her not desiring to spoil the moment due to her. Eyes trained on the last seat, a smile playing on my lip. I was enjoying it. Every bit of it!

Lip singing every part of lyrics, an amazing song was chosen. I was glad, I was getting an opportunity to dance on such a piece of art. And soon the steps taught finished! I was amazed that I hadn't forgotten a step, I stopped smiling wide. Waiting for Princy, to point any mistake I committed on the way.

She smiled at me but before she could voice a word. "Wow! What was that even!" We heard an astonished voice coming from the corner of the auditorium. "I can't believe that she is so great! How was she even disqualified?" A person in a black jacket, his face seemed familiar stood beside Rudr. Oh! He was his friend, I encountered in the cafeteria.

"She was never disqualified, Kunal." Came a response from Rudr, whose eyes were fixed on me. That hazel blue orbs were glittering with an unknown familiar feeling, something I have never seen before. Adoration? I was unsure! He took a step forward but someone's word halted him.

"Man! I knew she had skills." With a broad smile playing on Anuj lips, he seemed proud of him. It was so weird, but he seemed good. His vibes made me feel, I could trust him. For someone like me, it was huge! I never trusted people easily not a mere stranger but his vibes made me feel, he wasn't bad. He made me feel comfortable among the crowd of strangers. "I am so proud of you, Miss Innocent." That was the name given by him and maybe it wasn't going to leave me any sooner. I smiled at his words maybe somewhere I was able to replace the humiliation with a startled expression on the people present. I could be proud of it!

Someone cleared his throat grabbing my attention. His eyes were dark, blank staring at me. "Done with the practice for today, you all can leave." As those words were spoken, everyone started moving. Slowly one by one people descended from the stage, I followed them. Why my mood had sudden change? Was I expecting a compliment from that 'Rude was his nickname' guy?

How could I be such a fool? He and compliment couldn't fit in one sentence. I followed my steps to my bag, taking a sip of water. Wiping off some sweat spread on the forehead. I decided to move out, the bad gangs were still present at the corner near the door. Mia had moved to the place, she was busy talking with Ehaan. I crossed past them, only Anuj passed me a smile. I returned him back an awkward one. Why was I so awkward! Cursing myself in my head.

"Hey," suddenly the voice grabbed my attention. Rudr was having a teasing smile on his lip. "I didn't know, you were that good." Okay! Should I point out I am not good with compliments? I gave him a shy smile not knowing what to return back.

"Thanks..." it came rather small murmur than intended. I doubted if he heard it but that teasing smile getting replaced with a genuine one told the other story. There was a silence and I wanted to move as it was getting more awkward with each passing second. After all, it was me, I could make any beautiful moment awkward!

"Should I say then, my choice was never bad and would never be." He winked at me and I would have been annoyed if it wasn't a small grunt I heard from someone. And I knew he had uttered it purposely to piss someone.

"Bro, you can go and flirt with random girls anywhere but not here." I heard disapproval coming from Mia, she was glaring at me as always. I overlooked her presence, I was least interested in her. Not allowing my mood to risk due to a person I could least bother about.

"Same as you can romance with your boyfriend far away from my eyes." He bounced back, and at that moment I realised Mia's arms linked with Ehaan. They seemed so madly in love!

"I am not her boyfriend!" Came a hissed voice of Ehaan. Seemed like he was always in bad mood.

"But according to my dear sister you're." Rudr whole attention was on Ehaan and their linked arm. "Though I know, you're just using her." His eyes darkening at him, the soft touch a minute back lost. How could someone consist of two sides!

"I am..." Ehaan was going to argue further.

"I guess, we had enough for today. We should leave..." before Aarav could complete his words, I slowly escaped from the auditorium. I had enough for today as Aarav put it. I needed to go home and take a long nap if it was even possible. It had crossed four in the evening, it would take me an hour to reach home with public transport, and freshening up, doing homework and study would take whole of my evening. I had turned so busy! Maybe I won't ever get enough time to complete reading my pending novels. I like had turned so dull, without those amazing fantasy worlds. I pouted at my own thoughts!

I never felt alone as I was walking the street towards the bus stop. My thoughts were accompanying me, they used to entertain as well as afraid me. I was often lost talking to myself, though my words were not loud if someone was paying attention to my face they could make out, me blabbering to myself. Soon I was standing near the bus stop, few from the dance members was present. I passed a smile at some while ignored some.

It was so unusual of me again getting to participate. I had informed my parents. And mom was shocked with the news, the teacher asking me to participate. She was overjoyed a minute later not bringing studies to our topic but only expressing her happiness in the matter. She was proud of me and it had erased some of my nervousness also encouraged me to give my best in the competition. Any child loved to make their parents proud! And I was no alien.

A smile crossed my lip on remembering those moments, I checked my wristwatch. Fifteen minutes had passed, where was the bus? I huffed in annoyance, glancing at the road once again. As if that could make the bus arrive fast, I shook my head with my own thoughts. Glaring at the road once again! At that minute, I sense a gaze on me. I diverted my eyes in the direction. The same black jeep was parked a few distances away from the stop. I found it familiar, but upon getting a clear view of the person sitting on the driver seat all doubts flashed away.

He was staring at me, once again! What was it with him and staring? How could he stare at a random girl like that? His dark orbs seemed to lighten a bit, was I imaginary things? Maybe the sun descending down was making it glimpse it that manner. I darted my gaze away, still, I could feel his stare. How annoying! Shouldn't he stop! How could he keep staring as if he was least bothered that I caught him staring? Only if I could express my anger over that person!

And suddenly a notification popped on my cell, it was from Samaira.

"Are you home?"

"Was that rude gang ruder?"

"If you need me I will be there in minutes."

I smiled at her one after another message, she knew I was online.

"Waiting for the bus and I think it's planning not to come any time sooner."

I could sense her chuckling at the comment.

"Don't worry, it would arrive sooner." She assured as always, soon next message popped on the screen.

"Did you enjoy it?" I could sense the hesitation.

"Hmm... I think, yes! I enjoyed dancing." I responded with a genuine answer.

"Hmm... if you tell me so, I need a whole report tomorrow in school." Wink send at the end, I knew it was coming and I wasn't bothered. I wasn't someone to share things with people but she was my best friend for a pretty long and I could disclose my secrets with her. The only person who knew much of my secrets.

"Fine... see you... bye..." I ended the conversation. A smile wasn't leaving my face, as I raised my head from the cell. My eyes met with the dark orbs, his was furrowing but why? His furrow raised as a person next to him uttered something, he moved his lip in annoyance. I darted my gaze at the person, Anuj was sitting next to him. He laughed maybe at some joke that Ehaan found annoying, his face was screaming it. He halted in his laugh, passing a smile at me. I shook my head. They and their not so understandable friendship!