Finally after weeks of tension and training, the D-Day was here. The preparations for the auditions had ended, and every individual looked nervous as we observed the event producers meet with the Dean and inspect the preparations.

Akshay and I were backstage with Arushi, who was giving us a meditation session. A few of the dancers had prepared some costumes for their dance routines, while others were in their casual clothes just like me.

Last night, Dhara Didi and Dad tried their best to convince me to buy some new clothes to put good impression on the judges, but I didn't want to waste any money.

I knew I had to think positively, but I was aware of the reality too. The amount I would have spent on my new costume would have fed us for three more weeks. Also, my choreography was mainly hip-hop, so I had one more reason to shoot down my sister and father's argument.

"Bhoomi and Akshay, we will now end the meditation. Keep your breathing calm and monitor it, okay? No need to panic," Arushi reminded us.

Akshay and I nodded. Arushi gave us some tips to avoid getting stage fright, and it was hilarious that a socially awkward potato was giving us pointers about social confidence.

After a few minutes, an announcement was made on the speakers, and my heart picked up pace when the countdown for the auditions began. As rehearsed, all of the participants began lining up on the sidelines of the stage in the order they had to go on the stage.

"Bhoomi, relax," Arushi said.

"Thanks." I smiled. "I will try not to faint."

Akshay gave me a thumbs up as he was far ahead of me in the line. Arushi also began leaving after hugging me, but stopped when she noticed Jiya barreling towards her at top speed.

"Arushi!!!!!" Jiya yelled.

As expected, Arushi curled up as she expected Jiya to slam right into her and Jiya did exactly that. The scene of them falling rolled out in slow motion, and I laughed hysterically as Jiya straddled Arushi, who glared at me from the ground.

"Oh my goodness! That was hell of a crash," Jiya grumbled. "But look who I fell on? Arushi, my bestie. Babe, I am not lying. If I had been a guy, I would have totally fallen for you."

"So not funny," Arushi cursed.

Jiya giggled and got off of Arushi. I helped my best friend stand up, and Jiya pulled Arushi's cheek.

"Your skin has gotten softer, babe," Jiya complimented.

Arushi rolled her eyes and told me to continue with my line for auditions, but Jiya grabbed me and immediately her carefree demeanor changed into a serious one.

"Bhoomi, I was searching for you only. I have something important to tell you," Jiya said in a low voice.

"Then why did you crash into me instead of Bhoomi?" Arushi complained.

"You were a decoy, Arushi. I didn't want to attract attention on Bhoomi." Jiya winked.

She turned her attention back on me and took a deep breath. "I just met Tejas in the music room, and damn, he was watching the underground finale's video on loop."

"So...?" I shrugged.

"Girl, he was watching that particular video on loop. Especially the parts where he was battling Boomer and Akshay. He didn't even pay attention to Kshitij and Mahreen when they were talking about Ayzere Barat. His eyes were glued to the screen."

I tried to decipher what Jiya was trying to say, but maybe my brain had already used all of its capacity for the day. Jiya thought I finally understood what she wanted to relay, but I slowly shrugged my shoulders with a sheepish look.

"And...?" I asked.

"My baby is still growing her brain," Jiya teased, and it was now Arushi's turn to laugh like a hyena.

"I am saying be careful. I doubt that Tejas is still suspicious about Boomer's identity, and I am afraid that he might come to know the truth somehow. I don't know how, but just be careful, okay?" Jiya advised.

"Okay," I replied.

I didn't know why Jiya thought so, but the best I could was to follow her advice. I raised my hand when the spotboy called my name, and I stood behind a guy. Soon, a girl stood behind me, and I was awed by the stage decorations and set-up even though I had already seen it yesterday.

I imagined myself on the stage and how I would give my introduction. The thought of presenting myself in front of Sarthak Pawar and other judges made me a bit dizzy.

You will be okay, Bhoomi. Believe in yourself.

"You are Bhoomi, right?"

I tilted my head above and notice KD aka Kshitij Dogra smiling down at me, his pale skin radiating in the morning sun.

"How do you know my name?" I asked doubtfully.

His lips curled up more. "You are in my class. Duh."

I nodded slowly. Yes, KD was in one of my classes, but it was surprising that he knew me.

"You know me, right?" KD asked.

I was going to reply, but a smooth and authoritative voice made KD's smile falter.

"Stop bothering the poor girl, KD. She isn't even interested in talking to you," Suhana said.

Oh my gosh! I am standing between KD and Suhana. Both of them will eat the stage.

"Talk about yourself. Did no one teach you to not disturb others' conversation?" KD retorted.

Suhana crossed her arms across her chest and laid her back on the wall behind us.

"Okay then, continue," she said. "Bhoomi, wake me up when this idiot is done with his flirting."

"Someone is being really petty today. Ignore her, Bhoomi. She already knows she will lose to me in the auditions, that's why she is so mean to me," KD said.

"Hey, what did you say? You also know that I am a better Contemporary artist than you. You will eat dirt once I get on that stage," Suhana fought back.

"Let's see what happens. If you lose, you will have to post on your SNS about how you will be taking dance classes from me now on, and if I lose - well I know I won't - but if I did, then I will stop teasing you about your fiancé. Bhoomi is right here; she will be the witness," KD challenged, and Suhana accepted without missing a beat.

Fiancé? Suhana has a finacé? And why are they discussing about it so casually in front of me? Their arguments are giving me headaches. Do Akshay and I also fight like this without any sense?

While KD and Suhana were busy giving each other death glares, the MC signalled everyone to keep quiet as she introduced the judges and called out the first dancer on stage.

I prayed for that dancer. She looked really nervous, but her performance was very good. The panel of seven judges was pleased, and even though she received a lot of feedback, I was sure she would get selected.

As I watched the dancers before me give wonderful performances, my fear also began subsiding. Not to forget KD and Suhana, who were powering up with each argument they had. I faded their voices when Akshay's name was called and he looked back at me.

I gave him a thumbs up, and he went on the stage.

"You can do it, Akki," I wished.

My best friend's introduction went well, and his performance was explosive. I wasn't much surprised when Akshay nailed his b-boy choreo but when he transitioned into the contemporary as the song changed, I was awestruck.

(👆Akshay's contemporary routine)

He made almost no mistakes, and I thanked Pratik for Akshay's improvement. After Akshay was done performing, the audience clapped, and I clapped even harder. Since two of the best contemporary dancers I knew were standing on my either sides, I wanted to know their reactions. KD was a bit impressed, and I expected the same reaction from Suhana.

But when I turned towards her, I couldn't believe my eyes. Her jaw was almost touching the ground, and she was staring at the stage as if she had seen her favourite designer dress.

"Suhana, you okay?" I asked.

She didn't respond. Seeing my inability to get Suhana back to Earth, KD stretched his hands, moved me ahead, and smacked Suhana behind her head. As if he had accomplished something big, he came back to his spot with a satisfactory grin.

"KD, you jerk!" Suhana yelled.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

"Yeah, why did you ask?" Suhana questioned me and ran her fingers through her silky light brown hair.

As if she remembered something, she glanced here and there and cursed KD under her breath.

I looked at her weird reactions, but I couldn't decided what she was searching for. She didn't answer me or KD when we asked her too. She got busy in her Iphone, so KD and I went back to observing our competitors.

"And now let's welcome one of our prestigious dancers on stage. Give a round of applause for TJ!" MC announced.

It is Tejas' turn now. Yay!

As expected, Sarthak Pawar and other judges teased TJ when he took his spot on the stage.

"Look at this guy being humble," Sarthak Pawar pointed at TJ and laughed. "Refused my requests so many times that I had to hold auditions to get him on board."

A loud wave of "Ohhhhhhh" went through the audience.

MC took the chance and made a face like a surprised Pikachu. "Did you hear people? It means all of this is going on only for Tejas. What are your comments on this, TJ?"

TJ waved his hand in dismissal. "Everyone, relax. We all know Sarthak - I mean Sarthak Sir has a habit of fooling around. Don't take his words so seriously. Well, I can talk all I want but how about starting with the performance? There are other dancers too," Tejas said.

"Being considerate, huh?" MC teased.

Tejas shook his head in amusement, and Sarthak Pawar signalled for the music to start. He didn't have to wait for Tejas to get in his starting stance as TJ flowed smoothly into his choreo once the beat dropped.

(👆Tejas' routine)

KD nudged me with his elbow, and it took me a few seconds to get out of the trance after Tejas' performance.

"You still there, Bhoomi?" KD joked.

"Yup," I said and touched my cheeks to see if they had heated up.

"You are my witness, so keep yourself in this dimension, okay?"

I pursued my lips in a thin line, and KD shot me a goofy smile.

TJ didn't recieve any criticism except for Sarthak Pawar still acting betrayed by Tejas. The exchange was funny, and it was clear how close both of them were. After TJ, about fifteen dancers lit the stage with their choreos, and soon, it was KD's turn.

"All the best," I wished him.

"Do your best, loser," Suhana smiled.

KD gave her a challenging look and sauntered on the stage effortlessly.

(👆KD's contemporary routine)

He was awesome, and I think I didn't blink even once during his dance routine. I wondered what Suhana had in store because she was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

But before her, I had to worry about myself. KD's routine ended in seconds and he was complimented thoroughly. He left the stage without any fuss, and I felt like running away when I noticed MC's mouth opening to take my name.

"It's your turn, Bhoomi," Suhana said.

I didn't need that reminder. I was going to perform in front of Sarthak Pawar and other judges. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears as I moved forward and took the steps. Akshay was on the other side of the stage or I would have hugged the hell out of him due to nervousness.

With each step, I reminded myself of the importance of this audition and what kind of power it held to change mine and my family's future. I prayed to Ganpati Bappa and avoided looking here and there.

Bhoomi, Tejas will watch you dance too.

Hasn't he already done that?

Yeah, but you were Boomer that time. He didn't even see your face.

Oh no! What if I mess up? Why did you remind me of that right now?

To encourage you, what else?

I cursed my inner voice for the bad timing, but the thought of Tejas kind of helped my mind to clear up. I tried to mimic his confidence and stood in the centre of the stage.

"Please introduce yourself," MC told me.

Fuck... No turning back now.

I took the mike from MC and gripped the handle tightly.

"Hello, Sarthak Sir, other esteemed judges and faculties. My name is Bhoomi Devarkar, and I will be performing a hip-hop routine and have prepared a classical choreo too. I will do my best. Thank you for the opportunity," I said.

"Sounded like a school speech, didn't it, Sarthak Sir?" MC joked.

Sarthak Pawar didn't react and looked disinterested; MC let out an awkward laugh before telling me to cool down. I felt embarassed because of my speech and wondered if I actually sounded like a school kid.

"Cue music," Sarthak Sir said.

Okay, Bhoomi, time to begin.

"You ready, Bhoomi?" Sarthak Sir asked plainly.

"Yes, Sir." I nodded.

"Okay then. Start the music."