A Familiar Love- A Radhakrishn Retelling

15. 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖠𝗎𝖽𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇

The annual day preparations were in full swing from the next day. Radha realised just how popular the new dance events are as she walked into the auditorium and saw the number of people there to audition.

The air buzzed with excitement as the auditorium echoed with snippets of conversation, laughter, and the occasional burst of music as dancers warmed up. Radha's steps faltered momentarily as she took in the bustling scene, the enormity of the event sinking in.

"Oh no, why are there so many people here? I'm so scared" Aanya whispered from beside her where she was latched onto her arm.

Nervousness bubbled in the pit of her stomach, even though she had performed on stage numerous times before. Among the crowd, there to audition for various roles, she spotted several familiar faces but her gaze caught on two of them. Krishn and Harshali stood together, talking animatedly, bringing back all the feelings she thought had been long gone. Her heart held a slight heaviness as she turned her back towards them, however it was too late as they were already walking towards her.

Krishn kept his eyes fixed on her as they approached, a knowing glint in his eyes that suggested he was attuned to the emotions swirling within her.

"Radha!" Krishn's melodic voice reached her through the loud bustling atmosphere.

And with no choice left, Radha turned around facing them with a fake smile.

"You're auditioning for Radha's role right? I'm too! I just signed up, you should go too!" Harshali gave her a sweet smile that Radha could see through. Regardless, she chose to ignore Krishn and focus her attention on his companion alone, remembering how he ordered her to apologise to her former best friend without knowing anything about their past.

"I hope one of us gets the role, I'm sure Krishn will get Lord Krishna's role for sure, have you seen him play the flute? He looks so mesmerising just like Lord Krishna would've." Harshali sighed dreamily.

Krishn smiled shyly, closely observing Radha's reaction, "Oh I'm nothing compared to you," he nudged her shoulder, and turned to Radha and Aanya "Harshali's dance is beautiful, I bet she'll get Radha's role."

Radha's heart dropped, she couldn't understand why her heart felt this piercing pain. Had she really grown that close to Krishn? Why did it hurt to see him disregard her so easily? Why did it feel like he wasn't just talking about the role? The casual banter between Krishn and Harshali, the compliments exchanged, felt like a subtle stab. She plastered a tight smile on her face, masking the turmoil within.

"Yeah, let's hope whoever gets those roles deserves them," and with that she walked away keenly aware of Aanya's gaze that followed her.

Krishn saw her walk away, his eyes sad, his heart in pieces. All he desired to do was to embrace her and tell her that no one but her can play this role. It was her place next to him. But all he could do was watch her walk away from him, both their hearts hurting.

Radha quickly found a corner to put herself together, she wanted to focus on this audition, she wanted that role. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, and before she could turn, Aanya drew her into an embrace. Aanya, who had witnessed her friend suffer in that toxic friendship, knew how uncomfortable she felt just being in the same room with Harshali, let alone talking to her. She didn't know the extent to which it affected her mental health as well as Raj did, but she wasn't blind; anyone close to her could sense the sudden stiffness and the slight fear of that toxicity engulfing her life again whenever Harshali, oblivious to the damage she had done, attempted to speak with Radha. So the group naturally felt protective of her around Harshali, and it was these small gestures that gave her confidence that she was now safe with them.