Observing her audition, he says, "There is something eerily familiar about you. Have we met?"
She confusely replies, "I don't believe so. Are you sure?"
He responds, "It is like a forgotten memory trying to resurface."
She says with curiosity, "Mayb...
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The beats of dhol grew louder and the four joined the huge moving circle. Jazz , laughter and claps blended with the rhythm. Radhika's ghaghra flared with every spin, small mirrors on it flashing like sparks of light.
Madhav tried to focus on the steps but his eyes kept finding her. Every time she turned, her dupatta brushed the air between them, carrying a trace of her perfume. He smiled to himself, "how does she make even the wind dance with her?"
When the circle shifted, she came face to face with him. For a second, they both missed a beat; their sticks almost clashed out of rhythm. She looked up quickly, a nervous laugh escaping her lips, "Concentrate, Madhav!"
He grinned, leaning a little closer so only she could hear over the music. "Trying to, but you keep distracting me."
Her cheeks colored instantly but before she could reply, the steps changed again---closer circles now, smaller moves. As everyone spun inward, their hands brushed; a spark ran through both of them, neither pulled away.
Radhika's breath caught; Madhav felt the thump of his own heartbeat in his ears. The music swelled, pulling them apart again, only to bring them face-to-face once more.
From a few steps away, Baladev whistled. "Arre wah! Perfect synchronization, you two!" Revati laughed. "Forget dancing; look at their expressions---they are lost in another rhythm altogether."
Radhika turned quickly, pretending to scold them but her smile gave her away. Madhav chuckled under his breath, eyes still soft , still focused on her.
Radhika suddenly stumbled slightly as someone bumped her from behind. Instinctively, Madhav reached out and caught her by the arm. Their movement stopped together----her palm resting against his chest, his hand steadying her by the elbow and waist.
They both froze. The dhol beats thundered around them but between them was a strange silence----warm and heavy.
Radhika's eyes lifted, wide and startled. The distance between them was barely a breath. She could see the reflection of the fairy lights in his eyes, could feel the quick rise and fall of his chest beneath her hand.
Madhav didn't move either. For a second, he forgot the music, the crowd, even his own heartbeat. "If time stopped here", he thought faintly, "I wouldn't mind."
Revati's voice broke the spell. "Oye! Careful, you two! It is Garba, not slow dance!"
Radhika blinked, stepping back quickly, her cheeks burning. Madhav let his hand fall, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
"Sorry, are you okay?" he said under his breath, though there was still teasing in his eyes.
Radhika shook her head, half-flustered, half-smiling. "You will never change."
"With you , wouldn't want to," he replied softly.
Then the rhythm picked up again and they rejoined the circle---both trying to look as if nothing had happened, though neither could quite hide their smiles and blushes.
