Beyond the Beats

Chapter 36. Cotton ball

Even when dancing, Kshitij did not leave any chance to clear his queries regarding Arushi. He kept mentioning about his future plans, and Hriaan and I kept listening to him.

As the music changed from trance to EDM, Hriaan got a surge of energy inside him. He began dancing like a robot, and I stared at him pulling out amazing moves for a few minutes when my eyes widened as the realisation hit me.

Hriaan was a pro in Robotics, and I had completely forgotten about it.

"Hriaan, can you help me with my choreography if you are free later?" I asked and tried to copy his moves.

Hriaan moved his arms upside down, effortlessly moving with the rhythm. "You chose Robotics for your evaluations?"

"Yes. I am having trouble coming up with an impressive routine. I want to do something different, but my mentor is advising me to not take much risk due to my already poor performance. Can you help me?"

He nodded. "Sure. When it comes to Robotics, I am the best in town."

And just after he boasted about his skills, he proved his point too. I observed him closely and made mental notes. I took a free lesson from him and Kshitij joined too.

The three of us danced in sync, making Jiya laugh at us. She also took part in our robotics club, and we kept changing our dance styles. As for Akshay and Suhana, we had left them on their own as none of us wanted to become a third wheel. Like me, Suhana's friends also seemed to be aware of what was going on between her and Akshay.

I, Hriaan, Kshitij, and Jiya were busy goofing when Suhana tripped on her own feet. Like a hero, Akki - who was acting like a stranger just a second earlier - caught her swiftly, and then, it was all sparkles.

The moment Akshay held Suhana, their eyes were locked on each other, and there was a very different kind of feeling I felt when I saw them like that.

KD clicked his tongue at Suhana. "Why do you show off when you can't even walk properly in your high heels?"

Suhana glared at him, and before KD could ruin the atmosphere again, Hriaan grabbed his neck to shut him up.

Suhana thanked Akshay, but he still didn't let go of her. She also didn't mind him holding her, and as if I was watching a dream, she looked at him with starry eyes.

"May I have the pleasure to dance with you?" she asked, putting her left hand forward.

Woah, why does it feel like a proposal?

Akshay kept looking at Suhana, and I almost had a heart attack when his cheeks turned pink and he took Suhana's hand in his hand really softly.

He lightly brushed his lips on her knuckles. "I won't dare to deny."

What?! Is he really my best friend? The boy who couldn't even look at other girls apart from his childhood friends? Wow, I am really shocked, but I feel good too.

Suhana gave a glance in Jiya's direction, and Jiya instantly shot a message on her phone. Within a snap, the lighting around us dimmed, and the music turned mellow, making the atmosphere romantic.

The song 'Vaaste' by Dhvani Bhanushali started playing, and like he was summoned, Shlok slid on the dance floor, paving his way through the crowd. He stopped in front of Jiya and stood seriously.

He forwarded his right hand like a gentleman. "May I have a dance with you, my lady?"

Jiya narrowed her eyes, and I thought Shlok was just joking around, but when Jiya nodded, such a beautiful smile broke out on his face that I couldn't believe my eyes.