That evening, the house was quiet after dinner. The clink of washed vessels in the sink had faded, and the lights in the hallway were dimmed to a soft amber glow. Shruti slipped out onto the small balcony, drawing the sliding door shut behind her with a gentle click.
The air outside was cooler now, touched by the freshness that came after a hot day. A distant dog barked somewhere on the next street. Crickets had begun their nightly chorus. Above her, the moon hung just past half-full, casting a pale glow on the narrow street below. The sky was deep indigo, scattered with quiet stars.
She held her phone in both hands, her fingers poised over the keyboard. The message she had typed for Pragathi blinked back at her on the screen:
"He said okay."
Then she frowned. It felt too small. Too flat. It didn't hold the quiet thunder in her chest, the way her heartbeat had skipped when Arjun said "I want you to glow on that stage."
She deleted the text slowly.
And instead… she tapped the call icon.
It rang once.
Twice.
"Shruti?" Pragathi picked up on the third ring, her voice bright and crackling with leftover excitement. "Oho, madam decided to call instead of texting! What's the news? Am I getting a dance partner or what?"
Shruti smiled, her heart softening at the familiar warmth. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and leaned her back against the wall. "Yeah… it's me."
There was a short pause—then Pragathi's tone shifted instantly into mock drama.
"Okay, okay, tell me—what did your overprotective husband say?" she teased, drawing out the word husband with exaggerated mischief.
Shruti couldn't help but laugh, biting her lower lip. "He said… yes."
Pragathi gasped. "No way!"
"Yes way," Shruti replied, the grin now uncontrollable on her face.
"Shruti! Are you serious?" Pragathi squealed, the sound so loud it made Shruti pull the phone an inch away from her ear. "I knew it! I knew he wasn't the big scary villain you pretend he is! He totally has a soft spot for you."
Shruti laughed again, this time softer. "He's not scary. Just… quiet. Protective."
"He's in love, that's what," Pragathi said knowingly. "You should've heard yourself just now. You're literally smiling through the phone."
Shruti went quiet for a second, gaze dropping to her toes. She murmured, "Maybe I am."
"Oh my god," Pragathi said dramatically, "Don't tell me you two are finally being honest with each other. Did something happen?"
Shruti hesitated, her thumb running over the edge of her phone. "We talked… properly. And yeah. Things are… better now."
There was a pause, filled with the kind of silence only best friends could interpret.
Pragathi spoke softer this time. "I'm really happy for you, Shruti. You've changed, you know? These past few days… there's a glow in you I haven't seen since ninth grade."
Shruti smiled, eyes damp. "That long, huh?"
"Mm-hmm. You'd laugh more easily back then. Dance around at practice like the stage was your second home."
Shruti glanced up at the stars. "I missed that part of me."
"So bring her back," Pragathi said. "Bring her back on that stage."
There was a beat of silence where both girls simply breathed.
"Okay," Shruti finally said, her voice firmer. "Let's do it. We start practice tomorrow, right?"
"Yes!" Pragathi's excitement returned with full force. "Meet me in the courtyard after fourth period. I've already got a few steps in mind. Just wait till you see the playlist. I've picked the perfect mix—semi-classical with a filmy twist."
Shruti giggled. "Sounds like something you'd force me into."
"Oh, I am forcing you," Pragathi said proudly. "No more shy-shy Shruti. You've already kissed a boy. The stage should be easy."
Shruti's eyes widened. "Pragathi!"
Pragathi snorted. "What? You think I wouldn't notice that post-festival glow? You were literally floating during lunch the other day. Don't worry, I won't ask for details. Yet."
Shruti laughed so hard she had to lean over the railing, trying to muffle her giggles with her dupatta. "You're the worst."
"I'm the best," Pragathi corrected. "And tomorrow, you better bring your dance energy, because girl—this event is ours."
Shruti's heart swelled. For the first time in weeks, the air didn't feel heavy. Her past didn't feel like chains. And tomorrow… didn't feel like a burden.
Just possibility.
"I'll be there," she said.
"Good night, Mrs. Secret-Wife," Pragathi said cheekily. "Sleep well. We've got choreography to conquer."
Shruti hung up with a soft smile still lingering on her lips.
She stayed out on the balcony a few minutes longer, breathing in the moonlight, the air, the joy she didn't know she'd missed. Somewhere behind her, she heard Arjun moving around in the kitchen, probably rinsing out their mugs.
To be continued...