"Let us end the competition with the final - Lot number one's dance drama. Lot number one, the stage is yours. " MC announced from the side stage.

I am seated on the single sofa in front of the stage; centre view, AC blasting from the top. I am sandwiched between the judges. I am the silent judge - I was told. Students think I am here to enjoy the dance drama, but I was told my judgement is final. I am to whisper my marks to the judges beside me secretly.

The curtain is yet to open, and I can see shadows of people behind it moving fast. The curtain opened revealing beautiful scenery.

"They have managed to start before the maximum setting time," I murmured. Judges too noted that. The stage has pillars on each side, a throne in the middle and maids and soldiers scattered in traditional attire.

Their theme is ancient Indian legends. I guess this team is performing on the legend of Salim and Anarkali.

Javed acted as Salim. Suits him well. All others I don't remember seeing them before. Some girls whom I met yesterday are dancing for the first scene where Salim is returning from his military school.

Then Anarkali entered, but her face is covered as she dances in a uniform choreography.

Her face is revealed only at the end of the dance.

Dark red lips, dramatic eye liner, flared red lehenga that makes her look like a flower bud -exactly what the name 'Anarkali' means.

Audience are going crazy during the couple dance scenes. The way she swayed her hips, and her consciousness of her facial expression, makes her look like a natural.

"Look at Javed! So into character!!" A girl behind me whispered in a not-so-whispery tone, since she should be receptible to her listener admist the music.

"He is not at all acting! Man's living his life!! I heard he pleaded Shakti to pull Megha inside the drama as the female lead" Another replied. My eyes grew. So she is the infamous Megha?

"Anarkaliii" "Deii Javeddd-du"  Some people shouted from the crowd.

The dance drama ended in a tragic tone. Anarkali is enclosed in a tomb and her lover is slain, because he went against his father and kingdom for his love with a dancer.

The emotions the girl has shown while keeping her lover's slain head on her lap- I stood up and clapped. Only after doing that I felt the other students might feel bad. But I stood up as a natural response, and so did the crowd of audience behind me.

The drama crew gave a minute for the audience's applause to end, and then bowed. The curtain is closed. I tried to look behind the closed curtains.

'Enna Salim? You too smitten by Anarkali ya???" Prince whispered in my ear. I realised how I might have looked like to others. I quickly got up to leave for the break, Prince gave me the smirk, getting up as well.

"Dei. Summa iru da!" I mouthed him as he shakes his head slowly.

***************************

" I congratulate all the winners. All of you are talented in one sort or another. This was a tough competition to judge, and that shows your skills. I am deeply moved by the Salim-Anarkali performance. Are you guys professional dancers? Arjun Das asked from the stage podium mic.

We looked at each other. SA ma'am called me aside and handed me a mic.

"Hello Sir. Thank you so much for coming here and appreciating us. Uh, actually, Javed here is in the crew as the main choreographer and rest of us just followed his directions." I answered, very nervous.

"Please come to stage, all of you." He called us. We all moved with our heavy costumes to the stage.

"Salim and Anarkali is a popular love story, but it is something I never imagined like you- the way you interpreted it as a dance." He stopped to clap and the audience followed.

"Anarkali not only bewitched Salim.." He said looking right at me and the crowd went crazy. Blushing I looked down, smiling.

"but also the audience." He ended. And the audience all 'oooh'ed' in chorus. Maybe they too expected him to say that he was smitten as well, haha. Everything is content today for Youtube shorts. But we have to be grateful, though.

He appreciated each and everyone's part, took a picture with us and then went back to his seat on the stage. We returned back to our respective seats in the front row.

He is looking at me. I smiled politely and turned to focus on the Principal's speech. When I turned again, he is still looking. So I looked down.

"Yei Anarkali. Someone is admiring you!" My friend Zoya said nudging my arms.

Arjun das rested his chin on his arms with the support the sofa arms and kept looking at this side at regular intervals.

"Maybe I should go and change. All this jewels making me look like a disco ball" I said pulling the heavy skirt a little so I can walk without tripping.

*******CHANGING ROOM*******

30 MINUTES later

Megha is inside the restroom struggling to unbutton her blouse. She could not change outside like the other girls since she did not wear anything underneath her padded blouse and heavy multi layered skirt.

Indulged in a heavy battle with her costume, she forgot to realise the room became silent.

She heard somebody pulling chairs.

"Not gonna lie, I'm gonna miss this college." I heard a deep voice say.

Oh no. The chief guest.

"Oho can I know the exact reason why
you gonna miss? Or , "who" you gonna miss?" This is Prince sir, asking Arjun in a mocking tone.

"Dei, I am a staff here. I cannot indulge in such questions, but I guess you are smitten by some girl." Prince sir said to which Arjun laughed as an answer.

I did not dare to move. I am praying that they will leave soon and would not come to use the restroom meanwhile.

"It's just I felt inspired by Javed's poetry; and by Megha's dancing. I will cast her in my picture if I can.' Arjun Das said. I covered my mouth. Never ever ever.

'Hmm mmm only that?"  Prince sir mocked again. Oh can't they take this somewhere else.

My hands are getting tired of carrying the dress for so long.

'She indeed made me wish I was the Salim." Das said.

I put my hands down from my mouth in shock. Did I really hear that?

"Ha! You finally admitted!" Prince sir laughed in victory.

Somebody knocked the door. "Sir, they're calling you for lunch" A student said and after some seconds they left.

I used the moment to go out and pack the dress in the big bag.

"Let me take the phone and come, Prince."

Fuck.

Arjun opened the door and grabbed his phone, not noticing me hiding behind the chairs with bags and costumes.

He checked himself in the mirror. Untucked his shirt and adjusted the collar.

He looked down.

oh shit shit shit.