Chapter 62: Chapter 62

"Don't make one person; Your everything. Instead invest in your goals, dreams." [Jacqueline]

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[Jacqueline]

Sweat was ticking down my back. The nervousness I felt today was like pressing me to dig a hole in the ground and hide in it. Finally, I heard the title track play out. We were lined up just behind the curtains all dolled up on our stance. Our dance teacher was a complete sucker for this show and so she was instructing us to perform well from the last fifteen minutes. It was a big day for her, and I thought it would be a big day for me as well. After all, this would be the first performance of my life. I never did anything that involved stage.

Of course, I had my insecurities about messing it all up but thankfully, the fact that Rohan will be with me to correct me if I messed it up was a big relief.

"Are you sure you are alright?" He asked sweetly; I could imagine him frowning above my head. God. He loves frowning. He would frown almost every day we were practicing.

No doubt though he looked extremely handsome today. Wearing a three-piece black suit did him good.

"Yeah…" Words ran dry, as I looked around the stage like the air had been kicked out of me. But then I saw Tina opposite us as she smiled and mouthed. "Good Luck." I gave her the most half-hearted smile I could muster at this point.

"I will be back guys in 2 minutes, just stay where you are." The Dance Teacher announced as she left for God knows what.

"You will do fine Jacqueline," Rohan said as he pulled me close and hugged me, enveloping me in his arms. I didn't know if it was Tina's encouraging smile or Rohan's warm hug. I felt much better than before.

"Mhm. Thank you. But can you please let me go now?"

Other kids were now staring at us with their judgmental eyes. While some girls were throwing daggers at me. Like I seduced him as if I had the beauty to seduce him.

He coughed and immediately left me. He rubbed the back of his neck and said.

"Ah. I am so sorry."

He almost looked embarrassed or shy for some reason I couldn't tell because of the low lighting.

Quite understandably, it was a bit of an embarrassment. He was no one to me, not at least in his eyes to hug me like that. Or maybe he did consider me as his friend but just didn't say it out aloud.

"Okay, Guys, Their performance will end in the next ten seconds, get ready." The Dance teacher was back now and she shouted as she tried to place everyone she assumed was the perfect pose before opening the curtains. It took us fifteen minutes to dance quite literally on the stage. The lights were blinding and with all the cameras clicking pictures I almost had a blackout. At the start, I was unable to move my legs to the rhythm of the song but Rohan at that time proved to be my guardian angel as he forced me to take those steps. He truly helped me, something I would have never expected him to be able to do. The last ten-minute performance was limited to me looking into his eyes only.

He smiled his charming smile at me. The one that did something to my heart as it started thumping like crazy. Maybe it was the smile that might get him laid down sometime maybe.

"You are doing good, baby." His assurance in my non-existent dancing abilities was quite heart-warming like I was the only one in the room dancing with him. Like I was Bella to Edward in a parallel universe.

After the performance was over, we got a huge round of applause and it sounded more like my secret plea to God was answered for me to get away from the stage. Well, the commentator obliged and told us to leave the stage with a compliment. We left the stage and walked out backstage to the changing rooms.

The teacher assisted us to the lobby she said, sounding excited.

"Well, you guys did great. You can celebrate now with your parents. Oh and don't forget to return the costumes."

I heaved a sigh of relief. I was really afraid of messing it up. At least I did well. But the word parents got onto my nerves so I looked away from her. I didn't want to let anyone know that my parents were not attending the so-called function.

Everyone dispersed to the changing rooms and Tina followed behind me. She threw a hand over my shoulder smiling ear to ear.

"Oh, we did it, babe. I think it was the best performance of my life."

"Really? Have you ever participated before too?"

"Not in a dance performance, but scout guide or sports."

"Oh. It still means it was your first. That's just amazing because mine was the first time too."

"Wow, we are made for each other." She said as she rubbed my cheek coming in front of me.

"Yeah. But I don't think I did very well."

"Sheesh, babe. Before you self-criticize yourself, I saw you and Rohan. And I must say I am impressed. I think you did great. And I am not saying that because I am your friend. It's because I know how much effort you need to put in to make your first performance look decent. Because when It was my first time, I messed up pretty bad. So don't say anything."

I gave her a sweet smile.

"Fine, I know, I did well."

"Fuck," she said and slapped my head and laughed I followed behind her laughing.

"I think I also noticed You were feeling him."

"Huh. What do you mean?"

"Oh come on. You were feeling Rohan."

"I did not."

"Of course, you both did. I saw you guys with the most content smile on your faces."

"No, Nin. He was just trying to encourage me."

"Yeah. Yeah. As if."

"You like him, babe, just accept it."

"No, I don't."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I don't believe you."

We entered our dressing room and she disappeared singing the words.

"Na.na.na.na. I won't believe you."

She was overthinking things. I don't like him. I just can't. Sighing, I changed into a pair of jeans and a white long shirt. Washing the makeup from my face at this time was a big no. It was 8 in the evening and I had to go home before My family assumed the worst for me.

Simply grabbing my bag from the table, I sent Nina a text message letting her know I was going before them. Just so she doesn't need to worry about me.

"Hey, babe. Sorry, but I need to go before you. Hope you will forgive me."

The Performances we're still blathering on. But the large part of the audience had moved to get refreshments since many chairs were empty. At this rate, they might wrap the party before 11 I guess.

Coming out of the school gates, I smiled in relief. For at least I made it out. For some reason, I was fearing that someone might stop me and I didn't want to deal with anyone right now. The twigs outside were swaying with the wind, the air was fresh and calming. Yellow Street light creepily illuminated the road. But thanks to all the traffic, it wasn't deserted. So I felt fine walking.

You see. Me Tina And Rohan we came alone on the Annual Function day. Rohan didn't have anyone to invite because his father was still in the ER and neither did Tina. I felt awful thinking about how I had people to invite but they couldn't come. Maybe Nikki would have come if not for mom's illness. But I was sure she would still be dealing with one of her episodes.

The thing I was most scared about was my father. He always restricted us from going out at night and I knew it would be one hell of a night.

My phone pinged.

"No worries babe, Take care."

"Oh and let me know when you reach home."

"Will do."

She was kind of growing on me. I am getting used to her attention.

"Hey."

Remo's text. My lips stretched into a full smile. Did he just text me? Ah and here it was I felt like getting surrounded by a weird sense of ease. Like my soul was finally able to relax.

Me: "Hey."

Stopping a cab, I told the driver my address and hopped on.

Remo: "Why didn't you text me? It's been days?"