Whispers of desires

chapter 4 - Dance of shadows.

For the past three weeks, Advik had deliberately distanced himself from Yuvika. His silence was like a wall, growing taller and more impenetrable with each passing day. He avoided her in the halls, ignored her messages, and even shunned their once-frequent interactions. The emptiness left in the wake of his absence was suffocating. Yuvika felt like she was losing a part of herself, and it hurt more than she could express.

“Yuvika, you okay?” Meera asked one afternoon as they walked to their last class. “You’ve been quiet lately.”

“Just tired, I guess,” Yuvika replied, forcing a smile. “Advik has been... busy.”

“Busy avoiding you, more like,” Meera shot back, her concern evident. “You should talk to him.”

“I’ve tried, but he won’t even look at me,” Yuvika said, the pain evident in her voice. “It’s like I don’t exist to him anymore.”

“You need to confront him,” Meera urged. “You deserve answers.”

Yuvika nodded, but deep down, she felt the weight of resignation. It seemed hopeless, but she couldn’t give up just yet.

---

The next day was a holiday, and Yuvika decided to go to the auditorium to practice for the upcoming fest. As she entered the empty space, the echo of her footsteps filled the air. She loved the solitude, a quiet sanctuary where she could lose herself in dance.

The auditorium was mostly empty, save for a few volunteers who were busy setting up for the event. She caught a glimpse of Advik outside, his tall figure moving with ease, and her heart skipped a beat. For a moment, she considered calling out to him, but the thought of being rejected again held her back.

Instead, she closed the door, letting the music flow through her. The notes wrapped around her, and she surrendered herself to the rhythm, letting her body move freely, every beat pulsing through her veins. She danced like no one was watching, completely lost in her own world.

Unbeknownst to her, Advik and his friend, Rishi, had paused their decorating to watch her. Advik leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, mesmerized by Yuvika's grace. Her movements were fluid, a beautiful blend of strength and vulnerability, but then he noticed something that sent a jolt of alarm through him: her left leg was bleeding, a small but noticeable cut staining her skin.

“Hey, stop the music!” Advik called out, his voice slicing through the melody. Yuvika, startled, halted mid-movement and blinked at the sudden intrusion. She slowly came back to her senses, confusion washing over her as she noticed Advik and Rishi watching her.

“What’s going on?” Yuvika asked, her heart racing.

“You’re hurt,” Advik said, stepping closer, his expression serious. He turned to a girl nearby, his voice firm. “Get the first aid box.”

Yuvika felt a rush of embarrassment wash over her. “I’m fine. I can take care of it myself,” she insisted, but the concern in Advik’s eyes made her falter.

“No, you’re not fine,” he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. She tried to walk away, but he called after her twice. When she ignored him a second time, he raised his voice, the intensity surprising her. “Yuvika! Stop!”

Startled, she froze in her tracks, turning back to face him. His command had a weight that made her heart skip a beat.

“Please, just let her help you,” Meera chimed in, appearing at the door. She held Yuvika’s hand firmly, leading her back to the center of the room. “Sit down.”