DHRUV KI ISHIKA

It's sangeet today.

Everyone's roaring downstairs. Dhol, aunties, someone's uncle doing bhangra wrong.

Upstairs, the corridor is empty. Except for us.

Her back is to the wall. My hand is braced beside her head. I didn't plan to corner her. I didn't plan for her to look up at me like that either.

Mehndi on her palms. Wet. She can't touch me even if she wanted to. Maybe that's why she's not moving.

Her long curls are escaping her braid. One brushes my wrist. Neither of us breathes.

And I realize two things at once:
One - I'm in trouble.
Two - I don't want to be saved.

My heart's doing something stupid in my chest.

Maybe lov-

~ Dhruv Shekhawat