The cafeteria smelled of warm samosas and chai, filled with the usual noise of clattering trays and overlapping voices. Hiten sat at his usual spot, eating quietly. His world was calm, predictable—until Aarya showed up.
She strode toward him, her braid swinging, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Plopping down next to him, she leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough to make it dramatic.
"Hiten… did you know there's a pair dance competition at school?"
Hiten chewed slowly, blinking at her. "Yeah… I think I saw the notice on the board." He shrugged. "Why?"
Aarya grinned, barely containing her excitement. "Because…" She paused for effect, her grin widening. "I already registered."
The words hit Hiten like a thunderbolt. His eyes went wide, and he immediately choked on his sandwich. He coughed so hard the spoon on his tray jumped, and a few kids turned their heads.
"You WHAT?! Registered?! With WHO?!"
Aarya leaned back, satisfied with the reaction. "With you, of course."
Hiten froze. His hands went limp on the table. "M-Me?" His voice cracked like glass. "You—you registered ME?!" He nearly toppled backward, flailing for balance.
"I don't even know how to dance!" he shouted, running both hands through his hair. "I barely walk without tripping! Aarya, this is a disaster! You've sentenced me to public humiliation!"
The students nearby chuckled at his dramatics, but Hiten didn't notice. He pushed away his tray and jumped up from the table like a man preparing for war.
"No, no, no, we need a plan. Choreography charts. Step-by-step diagrams. Backup plans in case I faint on stage. And snacks—we must have snacks for morale!"
Aarya clutched her stomach, laughing so hard she almost spilled her juice. "Hiten! You're being so dramatic!"
"Dramatic?!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air. "This is a crisis! Two days! TWO DAYS to learn how to dance without looking like a malfunctioning robot!"
Aarya reached out, tugging at his sleeve to calm him down. Her smile softened. "Relax. After school, come to my house. We'll choreograph everything together. I'll guide you."
Hiten stopped mid-panic. "Your… house?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "Just us? Alone? What if I spin wrong and break something? Or trip and die?!"
"Die?" Aarya rolled her eyes, sipping her juice. "Stop overthinking. Trust me. You'll be fine."
"Trust you?" Hiten groaned, slumping back into his chair dramatically. "That's like asking a fish to trust the frying pan."
But beneath his complaints, something stirred. Aarya had chosen him. Out of all the boys she could've asked, she wanted him at her side. The thought planted a warmth in his chest, though he'd never admit it out loud.
He glanced at her across the table. She was humming, clearly unbothered, her confidence shining like sunlight. Meanwhile, his insides were a storm of panic. But maybe… maybe with her leading, he wouldn't completely fall apart.
"Fine," he muttered finally, lifting a finger like a knight making a vow. "But if I embarrass myself, you're taking full responsibility. Deal?"
Aarya leaned closer, her grin playful. "Deal. And don't worry… I'll make sure we shine."
Hiten groaned again, but his lips twitched upward despite himself.
The countdown to his "stage of doom" had officially begun.
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