His princess

The mirror in front of me reflected the bright studio lights and my own tired smile. My body ached from the back-to-back routines, but dancing always felt like home—safe, free, mine. I wiped the sweat off my neck, tying my hair up into a messy bun as the instructor clapped to dismiss the class.

“Same time tomorrow, everyone. Don’t be late!” he called.

I grabbed my bottle, slung my duffle bag over my shoulder, and walked out into the fading evening light. The sky was painted with hues of orange and purple, but the beauty did little to calm the strange uneasiness that had crept up my spine all day.

I couldn’t explain it exactly.

Nothing bad had happened. In fact, the day had gone pretty normal—class, rehearsals, lunch, more practice. I hadn’t even seen Rudra today. Maybe that’s why I was annoyed. Or maybe it was just the silence.

Too much silence.

The kind that doesn’t feel peaceful. The kind that feels… watched.

I shook the thought away as I walked toward the metro station. My phone buzzed—just a spam notification. I frowned, glancing up.

That’s when I saw it.

A man. Standing across the road near the paan stall. He wasn’t doing anything. Just… looking. At me. His face was half-covered by a black mask, cap pulled low, posture relaxed—too relaxed. Like he’d been standing there forever.

My heart kicked against my ribs. I quickly looked away and started walking faster.

He didn’t follow. Not right away.
But I could feel it. The kind of gaze that latches onto your skin and doesn’t let go.

I took a longer route, looping through the market, past the florist’s shop and into a crowded lane before boarding the metro. My eyes scanned the crowd again and again, but I didn’t spot him.

Still… I didn’t feel better.

I reached home and locked the door behind me.

And for the first time in weeks, I didn’t put on music. I didn’t dance around the kitchen.

I just… sat.

The weight of something unknown pressing down on me.

Something was wrong.

Very, very wrong.

Mumma’s voice echoed from the kitchen, “Jaa beta, shower lele… papa aate hi dinner karenge saath mein.”

“Hmm…” I nodded absentmindedly, still slightly unnerved by that strange feeling from earlier, but I forced it aside. Maybe I was just tired.

I headed to the bathroom with my clothes neatly folded on the chair beside the dresser. The warm water helped a bit—it always did. Washing away the uneasiness. By the time I stepped out, towel wrapped around me and hair dripping, I felt a little better.