Naina was speechless.
Throughout her entire performance, anxiety had sat heavy in her chest — not because of stage fright or the audience's expectations. Those she could handle. This wasn't her first time under the lights, and she was confident in her craft.
The real reason was the empty seat in the front VIP row.
She had specially reserved it for someone she wanted to impress.
When the lights first came up, her heart had jolted. Aisha was there with their bodyguard, but the seat beside her — the one meant for Rohit — was empty. He had come specifically to watch her perform… and now he was nowhere to be found.
It felt absurd.
Still, she had no choice but to go on. Her eyes kept drifting back to that empty chair between songs. Every time the lights shifted, she half-expected to see him there. He never appeared.
When the final notes faded and the audience rose in applause, Naina smiled and bowed with practiced grace. Inside, she was furious.
