Fire's Onstage (On Hold)

Ten

"Contact me if you have any query regarding props for semi's acts, otherwise we'll see it on Monday." Ian was walking briskly with the director of his technical team, "I must leave now else I'll miss my flight." He said with an apologetic smile.

"Sure, your driver's waiting. Have fun." said his acquaintance, in rush to leave for his abode as everyone else had.

It was three-day off for the remaining contestants to visit their hometown and asks around for votes to win the show and a weekend off for the technicians and crew members before they restarted their hectic cycle of makings props, assessing and re-making them and whatnot.

Ian hastened his steps after saying goodbye, when he saw someone dragging a backpack behind with sadness dripping by every step.
The person did not see him standing not afar until he cleared his throat to get attention.
When her gaze changed from gravel path to his face, a smile erupted on her beautiful face as she erected her posture, "What are..."

"What are you doing here?" Ian asked before Sanya could comment. His frowning face was enough to hint his unhappiness by seeing her there.

"Umm,sudden change of plans. Can I... One can stay here if they don't have a place to go, right?" She seemed embarrassed somehow when she asked in a small voice.

She left with Nikhil, didn't she? Why wasn't she back in Delhi? She should be on her way to her family! Oh yes, she don't have any.
But, What about campaigning for votes?

There were so many questions jumping in his head, but something on her face halted his words from coming out on his tongue. Her family issues were not quite private anymore still that was her personal matter and discretion is always preferred for such.

"You are not gone home?" It wasn't a question with the way she put it, it seemed hopeful somehow.

When he remembered where he was heading not a few moments ago, he glanced at his watch, "Oh! Yes, I am going to Mysore for a friend's wedding, have to catch a flight." He uttered with his mind tangled somewhere else.

".. Enjoy then, bye." Sanya stepped aside from the gate. While she had nowhere to go didn't mean nobody else has family and friends like her. She was the unfortunate whose friend's mother kicked her out as a bad influence.

Sanya hanged her dirty, worn out backpack on her shoulder and gave him a curt nod. All​ she wanted to do was to grasp a dark corner and cry for hours, search something to eat, then dance non stop until she is tired enough to either sleep on that floor or cry some more- or maybe the other way around.

"Go with me."
His words surprised himself more than they did Sanya. He kept watching her, dissecting the emotions that were hidden behind her disbelief when she scoffed.

"I thought you said--" She shook her head.

This time Ian repeated his words with determination, "I said-come with me to Mysore."

Sanya looked at him for a moment too long for a chance of any change in his reaction, perhaps he was joking or pitying her. She looked around for any excuse to keep herself from embarrassment again. One she had gone through in Nikhil's house was enough for a few months..

Ian was looking her up and down,certainly taking in her faded jeans and an old tee with a hole in hemline. Meanwhile he had his mobile on his ear.

No, she would never want  to embarrass him. Friday was halfway through and she just had to spend this night and survive another day when other participants will be coming back.. Just a day and half to go through and she could practice her dance movements well now when everyone was idling around.
She was still making plans to spend her loneliness when Ian put his mobile in his jeans pocket and snatched her bag from her shoulder with her thoughts too.

"Your ticket will be arranged at airport on our arrival. You have your ID with you, right?.. Come on, we are getting late." he had already crossed the gate without her answer.

After she came back to her senses, she hastened behind him, trying to make coherent excuses in her messed up head.
The rebellious part of her wanted to live her dream, even if it was just for a day, even when she would be back to her harsh reality but this day will be spent with Ian. Still a big part of her opposed her stupid thoughts. People were already talking about Ian's biased judgment and favoritism towards her, only behind their back yet but a lot of wrong can be implemented and mostly, Ian's reputation could be on stake.

Ian thrust her old backpack in passenger seat, ignoring his driver's confused look and opened back door for Sanya, who was still trying to come up with something.

"Come on, I can't miss this plane now," he urged her to enter the car with his eyes, "now when you are coming too."
Ian was unable to hide his smile when she shifted in seat for his space.
And Sanya easily relented as if she could've said no to him.

" Jose, just fly the car... Carefully." He instructed his driver before looking out to the setting dusk, although the surroundings had brightened more for him now.