The college was decorated very nicely. Meera and Nuba got ready. Meera dresses up as a boy. And Nuba dresses up as a princess. They came to the auditorium room. They wanted to practice it once more. So they went backstage.The auditorium buzzed with energy, its walls draped in shimmering decorations. Meera adjusted the collar of her shirt, glancing at Nuba, who twirled in her flowing pink gown. "You look like a princess," Meera grinned, her voice teasing.
"And you look like a... boy?" Nuba giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Ready for our final rehearsal?"
"Yeah, let's hit the stage. I'll meet you backstage."
As they entered the dimly lit space, Rion monitored the auditorium from the control room, his eyes flicking across the screens.
"Aarab, check the backstage camera," he instructed, his tone clipped.
Aarab's gaze snapped to the monitor.
"Whoa!" His breath hitched.
"Nuba looks... incredible." He leaned closer, entranced.
"I can't look away."
"Focus, man. We've got a show to run,"
Rion replied, but Aarab was already moving, his heart racing as if pulled by an unseen force.
"Wait!" Rion called, but Aarab was oblivious, drawn to Nuba like a moth to a flame.
"Hey! Don't come any closer!" Nuba stepped back, confusion etched on her face.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Aarab's voice trembled.
Rika and Medha, lurking in the shadows, exchanged glances. Rika and Medha saw that and they both got jealous of Nuba. So they plan to suffer Nuba more.
"We can't let her have this," Rika whispered, her lips curling into a malicious smile. "Let's make her suffer."
The cultural program has two parts. In the morning, a cultural program will be held. Then three hours break for lunch and rest. After the lunch break the prize giving ceremony will be held in the afternoon.
The cultural program started on time.
The auditorium buzzed with excitement as students filed in for the cultural program. Colorful banners hung from the ceiling, and the stage was adorned with bright lights. Laughter and chatter filled the air, blending with the soft hum of music in the background.
Some of the students perform. They all are doing well. After two more students Nuba and Meera will perform. At this moment Meera felt her stomach was upset. It's panning a lot. She went to the toilet three times within ten minutes. Nuba was worried about herself.
"Next up, we have Nuba and Meera!" the host announced. Nuba took a deep breath, her heart racing. But where was Meera?
Nuba scanned the room, her brow furrowing. Suddenly, Meera stumbled into view, pale and clutching her stomach.
"Meera, what happened? Are you alright?"
Nuba asked, concern etched on her face. She gently patted Meera's back as she leaned against the wall.
"I... I don't know, Nuba," Meera gasped, her voice shaky.
"It just started hurting. I've been to the toilet three times!"
Nuba's eyes widened.
"You need water. Here."
She poured a glass and held it out.
"Drink this, please."
Meera took a sip, wincing as another wave of pain hit her.
"I don't think I can perform," she whispered, panic rising in her eyes.
Nuba shook her head, determination setting in.
"You're going to be fine. We've practiced too hard to let this stop us. Just breathe."
"Okay... okay," Meera replied, her voice steadier.
Together, they took a moment, the tension thick in the air, before stepping back out into the spotlight.
Nuba stepped onto the stage, her heart pounding. She glanced at the crowd, the murmur of whispers filling the air.
"Everybody, I'm extremely sorry. My friend Meera suddenly fell sick. So we could not perform today. Please forgive us."
She bowed her head, feeling the weight of disappointment.
From the shadowed corner, Rica narrowed her eyes.
"How could this be possible? I was sure that I mixed the medicine into Nuba's glass. But she is totally fine."
Medha's face twisted in disbelief.
"That bitch! She really is lucky."
Rica clenched her fists.
"She can't just get away with this. We need another plan."
As the students whispered sympathetically, Nuba caught snippets of their chatter.
"Ahh, poor girls. They were really unlucky."
Suddenly, the stage lights flickered on, and colorful smoke billowed out from behind the curtains. Nuba's breath caught as a figure emerged, a masked boy in a sharp suit. He approached her, bowing slightly.
"Shall we continue, princess?"
Nuba's eyes widened. She could hardly believe it. He reached for her hand, and as she placed it in his, he pulled her gently toward him.
"May I have this dance?"
With her heart racing, she nodded, and they began to sway together. The crowd gasped, flattered by the unexpected turn of events.
The applause rolled over Nuba like a warm wave, yet her mind was elsewhere, trapped in a pair of striking blue eyes. She had felt a connection during the dance, a moment suspended in time. As the last note faded, she turned to find him gone.
"Where did he go?"
she muttered, scanning the stage for any sign of him. The audience's cheers filled her ears, but they felt distant, like echoes bouncing off the walls of her mind.
"Nuba! You were brilliant!"
Meera, her best friend, exclaimed, rushing up to her.
"Did you see the way you moved?"
"Yeah, but… that man…"
Nuba trailed off, her heart racing.
"His eyes were…"
"Blue? Like the ocean?" Meera laughed, nudging her playfully.
"You're not actually falling for a stranger, are you?"
"I can't help it," Nuba sighed, shaking her head.
"I felt something… something real."
"Girl, come back to Earth! He's probably just another performer."
Meera rolled her eyes.
But Nuba couldn't shake the feeling. As the curtain fell, she bowed her head to the audience, a mix of respect and longing swirling within her.
"I have to find him,"
she whispered, determination flaring in her chest. With a deep breath, she slipped backstage, hoping to uncover the mystery behind those captivating eyes.
The backstage lights flickered as Elia crept into the shadows, her heart racing. She had to uncover the truth behind those captivating eyes that had haunted her thoughts. But as she reached the dimly lit area, her stomach dropped—he was gone.
"What happened? What's going on?"
Aarab mumbled, his brow furrowed with concern.
To be continued
Stay Tuned"