Enchanted melody of our hearts

😓TRAPPED DREAM-CHAPTER-24

Meera pov: 

Before few minutes

A satisfied smile spread across my face as I surveyed my reflection. My costume was perfect – a vibrant explosion of color that flowed into a long, twirling skirt. The cropped top, while daring, felt surprisingly comfortable. We'd decided to incorporate a medley of Indian songs into our dance routine, much to the delight of Dahlia and Elna. We'd compiled a vibrant mix of Tamil, Hindi, and English, tracks, a celebration of the rich tapestry of Indian music.

The other competitors were gearing up for their own performances, each with their distinct style. A nervous flutter danced in my stomach, but it was quickly eclipsed by excitement. This was it. The final round.  I'd already briefed Naveen about introducing Thanu and Dharshan to Adrian – he was the master of handling introductions.

Dahlia, squealed and grabbed my arm. "Oh Meera, I feel like an Indian princess in this dress!" she declared, twirling dramatically. Elena chimed in with a mischievous grin. "I'm not surprised, Dahlia. You look regal!" she said, her eyes twinkling. "Though perhaps a slightly less dramatic princess."

Dahlia huffed playfully, but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Even though Elena appeared cheerful on the outside, I could sense the pain she was hiding inside. Gently, I touched her shoulder and asked, "Elena, how is your father now?"

She looked at me with sad eyes and replied, "There hasn't been much improvement, Meera. But I know he will be fine." She managed a small smile, and I reassured her, "Everything will be fine soon, Elena. Just hang in there."

 Elena then turned to me, her grin widening. "Meera, did you see Lindsey? Her face is still puffy! Looks like your little fist packs a punch!"

A snort of laughter escaped me. Of course, Lindsey deserved that! The memory of her shocked expression filled me with a surge of satisfaction. Just then, Celia, a girl from our class, approached me with a hurried expression.

"Hey Meera," she panted, "Professor Warren needs you. Apparently, there's something important she needs to review in your assignment."

I furrowed my brows. Why in the world would Professor Warren call me in the middle of the competition? An unsettling feeling gnawed at the edges of my excitement, but Celia was one of the most genuine girls in our class. Surely, there was a fair reason. "She said it's very important, that's why I came rushing to find you," Celia added, a touch of urgency lacing her voice.

With a sigh, I explained the situation to Elena and Dahlia, apologizing for the sudden interruption. Leaving hurried goodbyes, I followed Celia towards the elevator. Currently the campus is buzzing with competition vibes so the hallways are very empty.

"The Arts department is on the third floor," Celia informed me. "Professor Warren will be in her usual classroom." I offered a grateful smile and stepped into the elevator, a nagging unease settling in my gut. I brushed it aside, attributing it to competition nerves. Pressing the button for the third floor, I waited patiently.

But then, the lights flickered and died, plunging the elevator into an inky blackness. A jolt shuddered through the metal box as it lurched to a halt. Panic, cold and sharp, clawed at my throat. The darkness, a lifelong fear, pressed in on me, suffocating and overwhelming. My breath hitched, and a strangled cry escaped my lips. My voice trembled as I called out into the suffocating darkness. "Anyone? Please... help!" The silence echoed back, mocking my plea. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the inky blackness that surrounded me. An hour. That's all I had until the competition. My dream of performing, of dancing with my friends, was fading with every passing second. Why I forget to take my phone?