“When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied.” ~ Dalai Lama
Two years. It had been a whole two years since the D3 Academy first opened its doors. In that time, two new batches had joined the initial batch of four — Karma, Huma, Ishika, and Raghav. All three batches were receiving instruction in many different styles and forms of dance and had excelled competitively as well. The academy was also getting good publicity today, and there was even a party being held in honor of the second anniversary, where notable local dance personalities were likely to be in attendance. However, despite all of these successes, one of the founders of the academy was still hard at work in his office. Reyaansh Singhania.
Although Reyaansh Singhania still went by his college nickname of Rey, his personality was nothing like the young man who’d graduated with a dream and a passion just three years prior. Today, Rey was an always focused, always working man, who was constantly chasing the next goal or target. He didn’t believe in taking time off and had no work-life balance to speak of. Rather, work was his life. Truthfully, the only time he stopped working was when his friends came to drag him away. Naturally, with a party in just a few hours, Rey knew that would be happening soon enough. Oh, speak of the devil…
“Rey, come on man! Why are you still sitting here? It’s time to get our party on dude!” Vicky Singh yelled without warning as he entered the office. Rey jolted in his seat, startled, and looked up from his screen angrily.
“I’m trying to finish this application to the Dance World event in Delhi. The due dates won’t change just because it’s our anniversary today.” Rey replied with a huff.
“Oh come on! That’s not even due for two weeks, there’s no reason you can’t take tonight off. Besides, you know it’ll bring the mood down if you’re not there and Sharon worked really hard on this party. Do you really want to have to deal with Siren Sharon?” Vicky said, his words bringing a reluctant smile to Rey’s face.
“Fine!” Rey said as he shut down his computer before standing. “Let’s go get ready for this party!”
Walking into the party alone, looking around for his girlfriend of just over a year, Swayam Shekhawat sighed. He’d been in love with Sharon for the past five years, they worked together, and they’d even been on-and-off for a long time before finally settling into a steady relationship. Yet, he was still walking into another party alone. His girlfriend was already here somewhere, probably giving the press an interview or meeting with the high society contacts she had personally invited. Entering the party as a unit, greeting their friends together, all the little things that Swayam valued were often still too unimportant and frivolous for Sharon Raiprakash. Still, as she liked to remind him when he brought it up, he knew what he was signing up from the beginning. Somehow, that didn’t really make it better.
“Hey! Swayam, there you are!” A familiar voice said from behind. Swayam turned to see Nilesh and Simmi, Simmi tucked comfortably into Nil’s side, his arm around her waist. He felt a pang of envy at the sight of such uncomplicated contentedness but tamped it down before it could show on his face.
“Hey, guys! Sorry, my dad called to congratulate me just as I was leaving the house, so I got a bit delayed.” Swayam explained apologetically, “Everything’s running smoothly though?” he asked as an afterthought.
“Oh yeah, everything’s great! Good turnout too, all the guest choreographers we’ve had are trickling in, as are the guests of the students. Plus we’ve got more press here than I thought we’d get, so that should generate more enrollment.” Nil replied jovially. Surprisingly, given his lack of interest when doing his BA, he was the one often coming up with new strategies for enrollment.
“Yeah, and the four seniors are backstage right now making sure everyone’s all ready for the showcase,” Simmi said, referring to Huma, Ishika, Raghav, and Karma. “They should start that in about 20 minutes I think, so Bharat’s just helping Amar get the appetizers out before then.”
“Where are Rey and Vicky then?” Swayam asked, noticing that only two more of the “founders” were unaccounted for. Nilesh rolled his eyes, giving Swayam an idea of what the answer would be.
“Vicky messaged to say he dragged Rey from his office about 30 minutes ago, so hopefully they’ll be here soon,” Simmi replied, elbowing her boyfriend and giving him a look that clearly said be nice. Swayam couldn’t help but feel annoyed at the answer himself. Ever since Kriya and Rey had finally called it quits before she went back to New York a year ago, Rey had become more and more of a workaholic. The boys had tried getting him to join them for video games, and sometimes resorted to dragging him places, but it was only getting worse, and they were all frustrated.
“Anyways, how is Rishi sir?” Nilesh asked, clearly wanting to redirect the conversation.
“Dad’s good! He’s in Delhi for a conference, so he couldn’t make it out this year. You know his schedule, Delhi, Singapore, London, Boston, and god knows where else. But he sent his regards, told me to tell you guys he’s really proud of the work we’ve done.” Swayam replied, smiling at the thought of his father’s kind words and how their relationship had changed for the better in the past few years.
“That’s so sweet!” Simmi said, and the conversation carried on peacefully as they continued to be joined by more of their group.
Sharon Raiprakash was in her element tonight, exuding full diva glam, grace, and confidence as she floated through the party checking in on the VIP guests. Despite her family’s financial ruin a few years ago, her name still had influence, and was associated with a certain level of class that she knew she had to uphold. She couldn’t help feel a little resentful that her other friends didn’t seem to share her concerns, as she saw them chatting calmly in the center of the party, attracting a large, laughing crowd. She could see Swayam but looked away the moment he looked in her direction. She knew what he thought, that she was obsessed with appearances at the expense of fun, but he just didn’t get it. This wasn’t something she did because she wanted to, it was an instinct, bred into her from childhood. She wished he would understand, that he could make more of an effort sharing in this with her, but even when he tried he could never really fit in. So they’d come to this uneasy compromise where they would simply operate separately, but it still felt tenuous and fraught, as though they were both waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Hey Sharon,” Rey said, as he neatly and inconspicuously moved her with him away from earshot of the guests. “You doing alright?” Even now all these years later, Rey still knew her best. She sometimes wished they’d been able to love each other as more than friends, couldn’t help but think that it would have been far simpler. But she knew in her heart that it could never have happened, she and Rey were always destined to be best friends, kindred spirits, nothing more.
“Honestly, this party just started and I’m already tired of it. I wish we had just done something with the eight of us and the seniors.” Sharon admitted quietly, taking a drink of her wine.
“I know what you mean…” Rey sighed, a melancholy expression crossing his face. Sharon shook her head, wishing internally that Rey would smile more.
“Rey, don’t you think it’s time for you to find someone? Find a better balance instead of working nonstop?” Sharon queried gently.
“I don’t think I’m going to find the someone I need any time soon,” Rey admitted, “it’s not like I didn’t date around after Kriya, but if I’m being honest with myself even she and I didn’t really have a connection, and I haven’t found one with anyone else. Not one that compares.”
“You mean compares to Taani?” Sharon asked, seeing the affirmative answer in Rey’s expression, “Rey, it’s been three years! And honestly, Taani isn’t even in contact with Swayam anymore. You can’t hold out hope for you and her after all this time.” she admonished.
“I'm not hoping, and I’m not waiting for her or anything. I just regret letting her go. I don’t think a love like that comes around too often.”
The promo was a perfect prompt for me to write something in my ishtyle! ...
Amidst the tumultuous storm of a high-stakes trial, Anushka Raisinghani, a ...
Comments (7)
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Diya @foreverlazy
+ 9
3 years ago
First of all, thank you for acknowledging our four freshers (now seniors I guess) because they deserve some love. Second of all, my heart feels so full seeing the gang be actual adults. I love that they all still take full advantage of Miss Siren Rai Prakash to get what they want, while simultaneously being absolutely terrified of her. I also loved the little bit with Tauji because it's nice to remember how his and Swayam's relationship grew (IN THIS HOUSE WE LOVE AND RESPECTIVE SUPPORTIVE DADS). Now, coming to the Swaron of it all... yikes. Yikesyikesyikesyikesyikesyikesyikes. I can literally feel that infamous Swaron angst coming off this chapter in waves. After all these years, they still can't seem to be on the same page and continue to misunderstand each other, and it's like, you can't pick sides cuz' you always understand where they're both coming from even if they don't. Sometimes I really hate being a Swaron shipper. Anyways, finally, Rey... has regrets? Me thinks the gentleman is three years too late!
Shalini_Taarey @Shalini_Taarey
+ 4
3 years ago
Nice concept,I m really glad you going to show Taani as strong women
Moyamoya @Moyamoya
3 years ago
Awesome update. It's really nice that Taarey story is being explored in a mature way.
Vish @Vidvish
+ 3
3 years ago
Hey dear awesome story. I have a request whenever Taani enters in the story pls show Raghav flirting with her and Rey being jealous.I always wanted to see that in the show. It's just an idea. Will be really happy if u include it.