Chapter 28: Chapter 25

The medical college campus was abuzz with excitement as the annual gala ball drew near. Students chattered about themes, outfits, and the highlight of the event—the theme dance. Raghav was seated under a sprawling peepal tree, flipping through a book but not really reading. His mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of exams and something new.

“Raghav,” Rudra called out, dropping onto the bench beside him.

“Hmm?” Raghav glanced up.

“The gala ball is next month. Are you taking Siya?”

Raghav hesitated, his fingers gripping the edge of his book. “No.”

“No?” Rudra’s eyebrows shot up. “Why not? She’s your wife.”

“She’s got enough on her plate already,” Raghav replied, closing the book with a snap. “Between dealing with my family and adjusting to this new life, the last thing she needs is another obligation.”

Rudra leaned back, studying him. “You don’t want to ‘burden’ her, huh?”

Raghav nodded.

“You’re an idiot, you know that?” Rudra said, shaking his head. “Maybe she’d actually enjoy it. Ever thought of that?”

“I’m not dragging her into something she doesn’t want to do,” Raghav said firmly.

Rudra smirked but didn’t argue further. Instead, a sly idea began to form in his mind.

Later that evening

Rudra slipped into the room where Siya was organizing her bookshelf. She looked up, surprised to see him.

“Rudra? What’s up? Raghav isn't at home, he has gone to market.” she said.

“Just listen to me, I wanted to talk,” Rudra said casually, leaning against the doorframe. “Do you know about the gala ball?”

“Gala ball?” Siya’s brows furrowed. “No, what’s that?”

“It’s this big annual event at college,” Rudra explained, his tone light but deliberate. “There’s dancing, music, and everyone dresses up. It’s kind of a big deal.”

Siya smiled faintly. “Sounds fun.”

“Raghav hasn’t told you about it, has he?” Rudra asked, feigning innocence.

“No,” Siya said, her smile fading. “ And why didn't he tell me?,” facing ground, she asks herself

“Well,” Rudra began, lowering his voice conspiratorially, “he’s not inviting you because he thinks you’re too ‘burdened’ to enjoy it. But I think he’s wrong.”

Siya blinked, taken aback. “He said that?”

Rudra nodded. “He doesn’t get it, does he? Sometimes people need a break from all the chaos. And you deserve to have some fun, Siya.”

She hesitated, unsure. “But… I don’t know how to dance.”

Rudra grinned. “That’s where I come in. Gauri and I will teach you. Trust me, it’ll be fun.”

The very next afternoon, Rudra and Gauri arrived at the mansion, skipping their extra classes and bakery respectively, to help Siya.

“Alright,” Rudra said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s start with the basics.”

Siya stood nervously in the center of the room, her hands fidgeting. Gauri stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Cee. We’ll go slow.”

Rudra demonstrated a simple step, moving with exaggerated grace. “See? Easy. Just follow my lead.”

“Follow your lead?” Gauri scoffed, crossing her arms. “You can barely keep time with music.”

“Excuse me?” Rudra gasped, placing a hand over his chest. “I’m a natural. Watch this.”

He attempted a spin but stumbled, nearly colliding with a chair. Siya burst out laughing, while Gauri rolled her eyes.

“Smooth,” Gauri said dryly.

“That was a warm-up,” Rudra defended, standing up straight. “I was just testing the floor.”

“Sure, keep telling yourself that,” Gauri teased, stepping in to show Siya the proper moves.

As the lesson continued, Rudra couldn’t resist throwing in more jokes. “You know, Siya, if Raghav doesn’t dance with you, I’m always available. I’ve been told I have a killer smile.”

“And killer footwork, apparently,” Gauri quipped.

Siya chuckled. “You two are impossible.”

“Impossible or irresistible?” Rudra asked, winking at Gauri.

“Definitely impossible,” Gauri shot back, smirking.

They practiced for hours, Rudra cracking jokes to lighten the mood and Gauri offering patient guidance. Slowly but surely, Siya began to find her rhythm.

A few days later, Raghav noticed Siya looking more tired than usual. Her shoulders sagged as she sat by the window, gazing out at the garden. Concerned, he approached her.

“You look exhausted,” he said softly. “What’s going on?”

Siya glanced at him, startled. “Nothing!! It’s nothing.”

“Siya,” Raghav said, his voice firm but gentle. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately. What are you up to?”

She hesitated, biting her lip. “It’s just... some things I’ve been working on. Don’t worry about it.”

Raghav studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You don’t have to hide things from me, Siya. If something’s bothering you, I want to know.”

“I promise, it’s nothing bad,” Siya replied, her tone evasive. “Just… some personal stuff.”

Raghav frowned but decided not to press further. “Alright. But if you need help, I’m here.”

“Thanks,” Siya said softly, her heart aching with guilt.

The next night, Siya sat alone in her room, replaying the events of the day in her mind. She thought about Rudra’s words and Raghav’s concern.

“Why does he keep everything to himself?” she wondered aloud. “He thinks he’s protecting me, but all it does is push me away.”

She glanced at the dress she had picked out for the gala, still hanging in her wardrobe. “Maybe this will help him see that I want to be there for him too.”

As the days passed, Siya continued her dance lessons with Rudra and Gauri, determined to surprise Raghav. Despite her exhaustion, she felt a sense of purpose she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Raghav, meanwhile, found himself increasingly curious about her newfound energy. He noticed the small changes—the way her eyes sparkled when she talked to Rudra at campus, the faint traces of a smile she tried to hide.

Unbeknownst to him, Siya was preparing to show him that she wasn’t just a part of his life; she wanted to share in it, to be his equal, his partner.

And as the day of the gala ball approached, both Raghav and Siya found themselves on the cusp of something new—a realization that perhaps, just perhaps, they were beginning to mean more to each other than either of them had anticipated.