Page 151 of Mrs. Rathore

The bells around my ankles sang louder than every doubt in the room, louder than the whispers, louder than anything else in that hall.

Each turn, each stomp, each flick of my wrist carried the weight of two hearts, mine and the one growing inside me. I smiled at the thought of it.

Sweat glistened on my brow. My breath came short, but steady. When the music swelled, I gave it everything. I spun, my dupatta flaring like flame, and hair tumbling loose around my face.

Then… at the crescendo I struck the final sam with force: “Ta Dhit Dhit Dha… Ta!”

The silence that followed rang louder than any sound.

And then… Thunderous applause.

The auditorium rose as one. Some stood frozen, hands clasped to their mouths. Others cheered, their eyes shining with tears. I bowed low, folding my hands not in humility, but in victory.

Because tonight, I hadn’t just danced, but I had won.

I didn’t care about the trophy. I didn’t care about the competition. I had conquered something greater.

I had conquered my child’s heart.

Wherever they were inside me, I knew they were proud of their mother.

______

Back in the waiting room, my throat was parched. I grabbed a bottle and downed the water in gulps. Sweat still clung to my skin, my chest rising and falling in the aftermath.

A moment later, Kavya, Noor, and Rhea burst in.

“Look at this… I still have goosebumps!” Kavya exclaimed, showing off her arms. “Oh my God, you were amazing!”

“Like a goddess,” Rhea said, rushing forward to hug me. “I’m so proud of my Bhabhi.”

“You looked so gorgeous with that baby bump,” Noor smiled warmly.

“I mean… you just blasted the stage,” Kavya added.

“Blasted?” Rhea laughed. “Where did you learn your vocabulary?”

“She did blast it!” Kavya insisted. “Did you see how people were watching like they forgot to breathe? I recorded the whole thing. I’m watching it again as soon as we get home.”

“You were brilliant, Avi.” We all turned as Prashant stood at the doorway, smiling proudly.

“Thank you,” I said quietly, watching the laughter and praise swirl around me. They had all come to see my performance, everyone I loved.

Everyone except the one person I had been silently hoping for.

Aryan.

He hadn’t shown up. Not once in the last five months. He was still angry. He still didn’t know I was carrying his child. I had hoped Rhea would tell him, but if she did, it hadn’t changed anything.

Then, Prashant stepped closer, a small, knowing smile on his face.

“There’s someone who wants to meet you… in private.”

My heart skipped. I knew. I knew exactly who it was.

“You girls, come with me,” Prashant said to Kavya, Noor, and Rhea, ushering them away until silence settled over the room like a heavy fog.

I stared at the doorway, my breath quickening as they disappeared. My pulse raced and my palms turned clammy.