...After a few days...

Emily returned to practice, visibly disheartened by her physical limitations. As advised by the doctor, she couldn't engage herself in strenuous activities or stand for extended periods, yet the support and motivation from our teachers and peers, together with her own enthusiasm encouraged her. Despite her challenges, she performed her role with remarkable precision and dedication.

As the days passed, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and focus.
Chosen dance people immersed themselves in mastering dance steps, while those who were not involved in dancing polished their lines and expressions, preparing for the final showcase. The air filled with anticipation and the thrill of impending performance.

Finally, the day arrived when they had mastered the choreography. Their teacher announced that it was time for a full rehearsal, where the entire dance group members would perform together.

Excitement filled the room as the chosen dancers took their places on the stage. Every heart beats faster than the others, each for different reasons. Among them, two hearts beat with a different rhythm - one new to the sensation, fluttered with an unfamiliar mix of excitement and nervousness, and the other with a known longing, seasoned in these feelings, raced with the thrill of love and expectation.

-----Taehyung's pov-----

As per the script, Y/N walked onto the stage, her movements radiating grace and her presence commanding attention. In that moment, as if my eyes were playing tricks on me - painting a vision of Y/N as a queen in her magnificent queen wedding dress, gliding towards the center.

My breath caught as I stepped forward, just as we had rehearsed separately so many times. I reached out to her, my heart racing.
"May I have this dance, Princess Valeria??" I asked, extending my hand towards her.

Despite the excitement thrumming through my veins, my voice remained steady. She looked up at me, a soft smile curling on her lips, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and something deeper - affection, perhaps. "Of course, my Prince Eric." she replied, placing her hand in mine.

As we moved into position, the music began to play. I placed one hand gently around her waist, holding her hand with the other, securing her in my embrace. For the first time, we danced together. The steps were smooth and delicate. The world around us seemed to blur and fade away, leaving just the two of us, perfectly in sync. Every step, every glance we shared was filled with unspoken emotions. Her touch was warm, her smile radiant, and in that moment, everything felt right.

Despite knowing it was all scripted, my heart refused to distinguish between fantasy and reality; it wanted to linger in this moment forever and ever.

I lost myself in her presence, forgetting the stage, the teachers, students, everything but her. The hours of waiting and separately practicing was worth it for this moment.

-----Y/N's pov-----

Taehyung, playing Prince Eric, approached me with a graceful bow and a charming request for a dance. Smiling, I accepted, and as we moved into our positions, the music began - a smooth, soft, pleasant melody that filled the room.

The lights dimmed, casting a soft glow over us. Taehyung's hand settled modestly around my waist, the other holding mine as we swayed to the music. My free hand rested on his shoulder, yet I found it hard to meet his gaze. Something about looking into his eyes felt overwhelming, as if I might lose myself entirely in their depths.

A strong voice cut through the soft notes of the music:
"Y/N, look up and see in his eyes. This is the scene where Prince Eric and Princess Valeria draw closer, and you need to convey the emotions of love and connection. This is a crucial moment."

"Yes, sir." I responded, trying to gather myself. Before the music resumed, a soft, gentle voice whispered,
"I know it's hard. But there's always a solution. Someone once told me to imagine the face of someone deeply to bring out those emotions needed for a scene. Like when you imagine an enemy in a teddy bear to summon anger."

I nodded, taking Taehyung's advice.
As the music restarted, I tried to picture someone I loved dearly ----
My Father.

The thought of him softened my expression, bringing to mind the sweet memories, the surprise he would give to me when we returned back from work. The cheers, jokes, pranks, dancing with my father when I pretended to be Cinderella, his loving smile, and the warmth of his embrace. All memorable memories played in front of my eyes, warming my heart, with slight pain.

Sweet memories kept flashing in front of my eyes as I lost myself in his eyes.
These softened my expression, allowing genuine emotion to shine through. As I gazed into his eyes, losing myself, I felt a connection forming, grounded in the tenderness of those memories.

-----End of pov-----

As they danced, Taehyung found himself mesmerized by Y/N’s grace and beauty, each movement flowing effortlessly like a well-composed melody. Her presence on stage was magnetic, pulling him into a world where nothing else mattered. But beneath her perfect graceful exterior, Y/N was lost in a whirlwind of cherished memories.

A single tear, glistening under the stage lights, escaped from Y/N's eye. To most, it would have gone unnoticed, blending into the performance. But not to Taehyung.

In that fleeting moment, he felt a pang of concern, a need to comfort her. Without thinking, he gently reached up and wiped the tear away, his touch tender and careful, forgetting the script and their roles.

Y/N flinched slightly at the unexpected touch, a mix of surprise and something unspoken passing between them. Her eyes darted away, as if hiding the vulnerability that the tear had exposed.

As the dance required, they detached from each other, for her to twirl, Y/N spinning with a grace that seemed to defy the bounds of reality. When she returned to her original position, Taehyung, still caught in the spell of the moment, mumbled, "Y/N?" His voice was soft, laced with concern and a yearning to understand what lay behind that lone tear.

She looked up, meeting his worried gaze with a reassuring smile, silently conveying a message It was a smile that said, "I'm okay," but also hinted at a depth of emotion that words could not capture.

They finished the dance, their movements synchronized to the fading notes of the music, holding their final pose as the last note resonated through the room.

A wave of applause erupted from the teachers and fellow students. The teacher stepped forward, beaming with pride. "Very well done, everyone. Y/N and Taehyung, your performance was exceptional. The emotions felt genuine, and you truly connected with the audience."

Some praised the duo, while some as usual looked at them with jealousy. But it was clear that the emotions they both conveyed were not entirely scripted. Something real and raw had been shared between them, leaving an indelible mark on both their hearts, something that would not easily be forgotten.

...

....After a few minutes....

-----Taehyung's pov-----

Everyone was engrossed in their own tasks - some were relaxing, unwinding from the day's efforts, while others were still deep in practice, perfecting their lines and moves.

Despite the commotion, my mind was elsewhere, my eyes scanning the room to find those chocolatey brown eyes.

Where is she???

A sense of unease began to build within me. I checked the auditorium, the prop room, and even the changing rooms, each space thoroughly searched, yet still, I couldn’t find her. The knot in my stomach tightened, a mix of worry and impatience. Needing to clear my head, I decided to step outside, hoping the fresh air would offer some clarity.

As I emerged into the open, a cool breeze greeted me, its touch soothing against the warmth of the day. The sky was painted in soft hues of blue and orange, the sun was going to descend. It was then, in the gentle glow of the evening light, that I saw her.

There she was, kneeling down, feeding a dog and a cat, her expression soft and serene. The sight of her filled me with an overwhelming sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted off my chest..
Without thinking, I quickened my pace, my footsteps growing eager to reach her. 

"Boo!" I called out playfully at her from behind.

"Ahaaaa! Taehyung! You just scared me!" she exclaimed, clutching her chest in a mock surprise.

I chuckled softly, enjoying the moment of my relief after seeing her alright. She shook her head, her expression softening as she looked back at the animals, who were happily munching away as I joined her.

We both now silently watching them eat with contented smiles on our faces.

In that moment, surrounded by the fading light and the soft sounds of nature, my earlier anxiety melted away. Her presence was like a balm, soothing the turmoil within me. I realized then how much I had needed to see her, to know that she was alright. The world around us seemed to fade, leaving just the two of us and the gentle companionship of the animals in front of us.

After a few moments, Breaking the silence, I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Would you mind if I asked a question?"

She looked up, curiosity mixed with a hint of apprehension in her eyes. "Yeah, sure," she replied.

I took a deep breath, unsure how to phrase my question without sounding intrusive. "Umm... back there, during the dance, why did your eyes glisten with tears?"

A long silence followed. I watched her carefully, noticing the slight tension in her posture. Quickly, not wanting to pressure her.
"Umm, it's okay if you don't... 

She gave me a small smile, one that seemed to carry the weight of unspoken words. "No, it's okay," she said softly while smiling but I felt that smile hide a lot of pain inside it. Her eyes held a depth of pain that her smile couldn't hide.

She looked away, her gaze distant as she gathered her thoughts.
"Taehyung, have you ever experienced memories being both sweet and painful at the same time? They can bring you smiles and tears at the same time." Her voice was gentle, tinged with a melancholy that resonated deeply. I nodded.

"When you asked me to imagine someone to bring up emotions for the scene, the only person who came to mind was my father—my hero, my savior," she continued, her voice steady but filled with emotion.
"He was like a guiding angel in our lives. Always understanding and caring like a parent, a partner in crime like a friend, storyteller like my grandparents, and being strict like a teacher."

As she spoke, Her eyes glistened again, not just with tears, but with a glow of cherished memories. She smiled, a bittersweet expression that hinted as if she were reliving those precious memories in her mind. The deep love that she held for her father, mingled with the pain of his absence.

"He was kind, generous, and my light." she added softly, her voice trailing off as she lost herself in the memory.

Her words painted a vivid picture of a man who had been everything to her - mentor, protector, and friend. The depth of her loss was palpable, yet there was also a profound love and gratitude that shone through her pain.

Moved by her vulnerability, I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, hoping to offer some comfort. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and a silent acknowledgment of the shared moment. It was a tender, unspoken understanding that words couldn't capture, a connection that went beyond mere friendship.

In that quiet space, with the gentle rustle of leaves, we both understood that some emotions were too profound to be fully expressed. The memories she spoke of were more than just recollections; they were fragments of love that had shaped her, even in its absence.

At that moment, I felt a profound connection. And in sharing them with me, she had given me a glance into a part of her heart, something rare and precious.

It was a moment of raw honesty, a glimpse into the depths of her soul that she had allowed me to see. Though it was a small shared talk, but in that shared silence, I realized how much she trusted me, and how much that trust meant.

We sat there in silence, the weight of her words settling between us, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over everything.

~~~~~~🪻💜(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)💜🪻~~~~~~

A glimpse into a part of her soul!🤍

Stay tuned for the next episode....✌️

Till then enjoy your life to your fullest!! Be happy, safe and keep smiling! It looks pretty on you🌟!
Borahae💜🩷<3

See you soon ✨