STRINGS and STANDOFFS

2: Plot Twist - Same College, Same Chaos

"Bold of you to think I'm not secretly documenting all of this for your future enemies-to-lovers Netflix deal."

"If Netflix ever calls, I'm casting Dev Patel as my love interest. Anirudh can go cry in a corner."

"Radha... you hate Dev Patel."

"Exactly."

They both burst into laughter. The studio door swings open, and a professor walks by, nodding politely. The girls scramble to look less chaotic. Kavya fluffs her hair. Radha tries to look serene but fails spectacularly.

Kavya whispers, "Ready to pirouette your feelings away?"

"Ready to kick Anirudh in the face by 'accident' during warm-up."

*

The studio is bright and echoey, with full-length mirrors along one wall and the sharp scent of resin and sanitizer in the air. Radha is in her zone, warming up in the corner, still very much fuming and also... focused. Kavya is chatting animatedly with a few new students, already popular. The class is about to start.

Dance Instructor (Professor Iyer) greets everyone, "Everyone, welcome to Advanced Movement and Stage. Whether you're here for dance or drama, this space will be your battlefield and your home. Let's begin with introductions."

People begin introducing themselves one by one. Radha's turn comes, and she stands, polite and poised.

"Radha Deshpande. Dancing since I was five, professionally trained, currently learning Kathak and contemporary. "

She sits down, proud. Then-

Door creaks open. Enter Anirudh Shah.

He's slightly late, wearing a black t-shirt, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, looking annoyingly charming. He scans the room... his eyes land on her. Of course.

Prof.Iyer looks mildly annoyed

"Ah, Mr... Shah, is it? You're in the right place?"

Anirudh smiles, "Right place, wrong vibe. That'll change soon."

He looks directly at Radha when he says it. She resists the urge to throw her water bottle at him.

"Introduce yourself then."

"Anirudh Shah. Trained in multiple dance styles, choreographed for two inter-school festivals, currently pretending I don't love chaos. Looking forward to working closely with everyone."

Radha (under her breath),"Someone get me a taser."

Kavya stifles a laugh behind her hand. Anirudh catches it. Smirks. Takes the empty spot right next to Radha. Of course he does.

"Miss me, Deshpande?"

"Like a mosquito bite. Infectious and unnecessary."

"Okay! Warm-up time. Pair up for mirror exercises."prof says cheerfully.

Everyone is scrambling for partners. Radha prays someone anyone grabs her first. But fate (and prof Iyer) have other plans.

"Radha and Anirudh, you two have similar levels. Partner up."

Radha's soul leaves her body. Kavya mouths a 'good luck' and wiggles her eyebrows. Anirudh is already holding out his hand.

Anirudh smirks,"Shall we? Or do you need to phone a friend for emotional support?"

Radha takes his hand, squeezing it slightly too tightly, "I was thinking of calling pest control."

*

(Setting: Music Class , NCU Campus, Afternoon)