Ruh ki Thirkan

Chapter 26: Ignoring the Storm

Ishika walked into the studio the next morning with her head held high, her steps purposeful. She had made up her mind the previous night: whatever was happening between her and Arav—whether it was tension, frustration, or something more—she couldn’t afford to let it distract her anymore. She needed to focus, to bury herself in her dancing and get back on track. If that meant pretending like Arav wasn’t there, then so be it.

As she pushed open the studio doors, the familiar scent of polished wood and the faint echoes of past rehearsals filled her senses. Her eyes scanned the room, and immediately, they found him. Arav was standing by the large windows, his arms crossed, his intense gaze sweeping over the dancers warming up. His presence was as commanding as ever, exuding authority and control, and for a moment, her resolve wavered. But she steeled herself, taking a deep breath and forcing her feet to move forward without sparing him another glance.

*Ignore him. Just focus on the dance,* she repeated in her head like a mantra.

Ishika joined the group of dancers at the center of the room, deliberately positioning herself far from where Arav stood. Her heart was pounding, but she kept her face impassive, determined to pretend he wasn’t affecting her at all. She started her stretches, feeling the comforting pull of her muscles as she focused solely on her body, her movements, and nothing else.

But no matter how hard she tried, she could feel his eyes on her. His gaze was like a laser, boring into her back, burning through her carefully constructed facade of indifference. She knew Arav wasn’t the type to let things slide—he always needed control, always needed to be acknowledged. Ignoring him would only make things worse.

Still, she didn’t turn around. She couldn’t. She didn’t trust herself to face him without unraveling.

---

From his spot near the window, Arav watched Ishika with narrowed eyes. His irritation grew with every second that she refused to look in his direction, refused to acknowledge his presence. It was as if she had decided he didn’t exist, and that infuriated him more than he cared to admit.

*What the hell is she doing?*

She was moving with precision, stretching, preparing for the session like nothing had happened the day before. Like there hadn’t been that moment between them during the dance, the tension crackling between them like a live wire. But now, she was acting as if none of it had affected her, as if *he* hadn’t affected her.

It stung more than he wanted to admit.

His jaw clenched as he watched her, his frustration mounting. He had expected her to be distant after yesterday, but this outright avoidance? It was getting under his skin. He was used to having control over his environment, over his dancers, and Ishika was throwing all of that off balance. He couldn’t tolerate being ignored—especially not by her.

As the session officially began, Arav took his position at the front of the room, addressing the dancers. His voice was sharp, authoritative, but underneath it, there was a current of tension.

“Alright, everyone. Today we’ll be working on refining the group routine,” he announced, his tone colder than usual. “I want absolute focus. No distractions.”

His eyes flicked to Ishika, expecting some reaction, but she kept her gaze fixed on the floor, concentrating on her movements. The blatant disregard made his blood boil.

---

As the session progressed, Ishika could feel the weight of Arav’s anger hanging over the room like a storm cloud. His instructions were harsh, his corrections biting, and though he addressed the entire group, it was clear his frustration was directed at her. But she remained determined to keep her distance, avoiding his gaze, focusing on the choreography, and blocking out the heat of his presence.

But Arav wasn’t going to let her off that easily.

As they transitioned into a complex lift sequence, Arav suddenly stopped the music, his voice cutting through the room like a whip. “Ishika, you’re out of sync.”

Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t turn to face him, simply nodding in acknowledgment. “I’ll fix it.”

“Now,” Arav snapped, his tone icy.

She stiffened, still refusing to look at him, and quickly adjusted her footing. The tension in the room was palpable, the other dancers exchanging uneasy glances. They could feel the brewing storm between them, but no one dared to comment.

Arav’s irritation only grew. She was following his instructions, yes, but the way she carried herself—like he didn’t even matter—made his anger surge. This was more than just about her technique. This was personal, and Ishika knew it. She was ignoring him deliberately, and it was driving him to the edge.

---

As the session came to a close, the dancers dispersed to grab water and rest. Ishika wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling the weight of Arav’s eyes on her. She knew she had pushed his buttons today, but she didn’t care. It was easier to distance herself, to keep him at arm’s length, than to deal with the confusing mess of emotions he stirred inside her.

She grabbed her bag, planning to leave as quickly as possible. But before she could even take a step toward the exit, Arav’s voice cut through the air, sharp and unforgiving.

“Ishika.”

Her body froze, but she didn’t turn around.

“I said, *Ishika*,” he repeated, his voice low and dangerous, the kind of tone that sent shivers down her spine.

She slowly turned to face him, her heart pounding in her chest. Arav stood across the room, his eyes locked on hers, blazing with barely restrained anger. His posture was tense, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

“Come here,” he ordered, his voice cold, but underneath, there was something darker. Something she couldn’t quite place.

Ishika hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to leave, but something about the way he was looking at her—intense, burning—kept her rooted to the spot. She slowly made her way over to him, every step feeling heavier than the last.

When she finally stood in front of him, the air between them crackled with tension. She could feel the heat of his anger radiating off him, could see the storm brewing in his eyes. He was holding onto his control by a thread, and she knew she was dangerously close to crossing a line.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked, his voice low but filled with fury.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, forcing herself to meet his gaze, her tone as steady as she could manage.

“Don’t play games with me, Ishika,” Arav growled, stepping closer, his body looming over hers. “You’ve been ignoring me all day. Do you think I wouldn’t notice?”

Her breath hitched, but she held her ground. “I’m just focusing on my work, Arav. Isn’t that what you want?”

He let out a bitter laugh, his eyes flashing with anger. “You think you can just brush me off like that? After everything?”

“I’m not brushing you off,” she snapped, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “I’m just trying to do my job without getting caught up in all this—” she gestured between them, “—this mess.”

Arav’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening by his sides. “This isn’t a mess, Ishika. This is you running away.”

“I’m not running,” she shot back, her voice rising. “I’m trying to keep things professional, unlike you!”

The accusation hung in the air between them, heavy and charged. Arav’s eyes darkened, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them so thick it was suffocating.

Finally, Arav stepped back, his voice cold and controlled. “Fine. You want professional? You’ll get it. But don’t expect me to go easy on you.”

With that, he turned and stormed out of the studio, leaving Ishika standing there, her heart racing and her mind in turmoil. She had pushed him too far, and now she had no idea what was going to happen next.

But one thing was clear—this was far from over.