Shweta Pov

He didn't joke when he said he'll help me. Harish literally made me stay back after school for at least two hours every day for practicing.

I sometimes become so mad at him when he explains me clearly that he's doing it for my benefit.

"Listen sweetheart, I promised you that I'll help you in your tough times and will help you to overcome your fear right? I'm just doing that. I don't want my Shweta to face any problem in the stage. So for that you'll have to do this. Please?" He asked in the cutest way ever possible.

Wait!
Did he just say my Shweta? Sweetheart?

Though those words were soothing me in every way, I don't know what made him say so?!
What's with him?

"Hmm... sweetheart?" I asked him, looking everywhere but him. I just can't look at his eyes, when I see so much love and adoration whenever I look at him, nowadays.

I picked up all courage to look into his eyes. His eyes were still calm, reflecting the same love and respect for me. And once again, I got drowned in his midnight black eyes.

"Umm....it...it was" he stammered.

I nodded at him lightly, not wanting to make the conversation awkward.

"Ok, so come. We'll do it once more" he said, tugging my hand.

No! Not again!

I narrowed my eyes, pleading him. He looked at me sternly, and I know what that means. I sighed lightly and followed him, practicing my song once again.

After about half an hour, I finally finished, with sweat running down my whole body.

I so badly want a shower!

"Harish, can I please go now? I'm done" I begged him.

"Ok fine, but you'll have to be here tomorrow morning at sharp 7 before your classes start" he ordered me.

What?

"No please" I complained like a kid.

"Please Shweta, I know you all doing great here, but what will happen in the stage? I have read some cases last night about panic attacks. It says that people tend to forget their steps looking at the crowd and I don't want you to undergo the same. You'll have to practice more to remember the steps" he explained to me like a teacher.

He literally surfed the net just to help me overcome my fear!
How sweet!

"Ok fine, will see you tomorrow" I waved at him and he smiled, ruffling my hair. I jerked his hand. I don't like people touching my hair.

He smirked at me and I glared at him for the last time before heading out of the music room.

"Damn! This is heaven" I said, hugging the pillow, sleeping on the bed after a long hot shower. I quickly dozed off, letting the tiredness of the day consume me.

"Shweta! Shweta wake up. It's almost 7 you idiot!" Priya yelled near my ears and I jerked up.

Shit!

I have to be in the music room at 7!

I pushed Priya out of the bathroom, hearing her yelling at me for cheating. It's usually her who goes to bathe first, but I can't let her do it now. Harish will kill me if I'm late. He'll again start his lectures and I have no mood to listen to them early in the morning.

I quickly washed my hair and cleaned up myself. I rushed out of the washroom, heading to my closet to pull out whatever came first in my sight.

I quickly did my hair in a loose pony tail as my hair is still wet. I grabbed the bread toast which I begged Priya to make. I chirped a thank you and rushed to the music room with my bad hanging down my shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, I woke up late" I said, holding my ears in front of an angry hulk.

"I'm sorry" I again said. He was about to speak, no, actually give a huge lecture when I forwarded my hand only to close his mouth with my palm.

He seemed very shocked looking at me action, well, even I am shocked. But this is better that his long speech.

A shiver ran down my spine when his lips lightly brushed against my palm. I quickly removed my hand, only to see him smirking at me.

God! Doesn't he know any other facial expressions other than his stupid smirk?!

When he was about to open his mouth again, I closed my ears this time. I shut my eyes tight, not wanting to hear his speech on discipline the first thing in the morning.

When I find no movement of his, I slowly opened my one eye. He was standing without any emotion in his face. I guess he won't scold me.

I slowly opened my other eye too and he held my hands which I used to shut my ears. He removed them, holding my hand gently, as if he was handling a glass which is fragile.

"Good morning" he smiled and I felt my cheeks full of blood. I'm sure a pink tint is clearly visible.

"Morning" I answered to him, who was smiling genuinely.

"Let's start" he said and I nodded weakly.

The next one hour was a tough time but I also enjoyed it. I always liked dancing but never knew that dancing with Harish would be so much fun.

Yes, we both are dancing on a duet song. When I asked him why he wanted to be my partner, he said that he doesn't trust anyone, including me, when it comes to me and anything related to me. I just blushed red on his answer, though I'm supposed to be embarrassed to hear this.

We danced together with little fun now and then. He cracked some stupid and lame jokes and I had no other option other than to fake laugh. But seeing him laughing at his own jokes, made me laugh too, genuinely.

One whole week passed by in a blink of eye. Tomorrow is the cultural program and I'm hell scared.

These days, when I was practicing with him in the music room,I felt free and comfortable. And suddenly tomorrow I have to perform in a stage in front of thousands of people which will include my professors, lectures, my friends and god knows who else.

The very thought made me clutch my bedsheet tight. There's barely 24 hours left. Oh god! I can feel the tension spreading all over my body.

I was in my thoughts when I felt a cold hand touching my hand which was in a fist, holding the bedsheets tight.

"Shweta, calm down" Priya said releasing my fist.

I nodded weakly, and she guesses my tension.

She made me sit upright and hugged me tight.

"Just don't think about anything. I'm sure you both will rock the stage" she encouraged me. She's the only person to know about my panic attacks, apart from my family and Harish.

When she asked me why Harish is making me practice so much, I kinda blurred it out. She said that what Harish is doing is right. She too promised me that she'll never tell anyone. I trust her.

I hugged her tight, trying to forget about tomorrow's performance and my inner battle.

"Just relax, everything will go perfectly. Besides, Harish is with you. I'm sure he'll take care of everything" she said hugging me back.

I don't know why I felt myself relaxing as I heard Harish's name. Yes, what Priya says is right. He'll take care if it.

"Yea" I said and she released me form the hug after sometime.

"Get some sleep. You'll be alright. I want your face shining in tomorrow's dance, I'm not interested to see a sulking face with tear stains" she said playfully and I smacked her arm.

"Devil" she groaned in pain. I smirked.

"Sleep idiot. You'll have to wake up early tomorrow for your makeup and stuff" she said. She's not a great fan of makeup. Neither am I. I'm compelled to do it since I am dancing on front of thousands and everyone should be able to see me.

I chirped good night and entered my dream land.

Little did I know what was in store for me!

_____________________________________________

Hey lovelies!

How was the chapter?
Hope you all enjoyed it.
Liked the chemistry between our love birds? Don't worry, more is yet to come!

And what do you think will happen during the dance?
Will Shweta experience the same panic attacks as before or will Harsh save her this time?

I'm trying my best to update asparagus but my practicals are behind me!

Do vote, comment and share my story!

Love,
Menaka❤