Radhika swayed to the music, her hair billowing as she gracefully moved her body.

‘Just copy me.’ Madhav tried to do so, but he was too mesmerized by her. He couldn’t believe that this was the Radhika he knew. Her moves were extraordinary.

‘I didn’t know you danced so well,’ he shouted in her ear. She laughed and held his arm as they both got into the groove.

‘You’ve got it!’ she said, catching her breath. As they moved in sync, their bodies listening to each other’s rhythm and nothing else, Madhav could feel himself falling for her all over again.

The beat quickened, and she pulled him closer. They were only inches apart. This was the closest they had ever been and he could feel her sweet breath on his face. The DJ played a few romantic songs for the couples next. It was close to midnight. Madhav felt like holding Radhika in his arms and lifting her in the air as a sudden surge of exuberance boosted his spirits. She put her hands on his shoulder while he held her around the waist. They forgot everything around them and as they drew closer, he leaned in to kiss her and her vision blurred. She stepped back for a moment before coming even closer than before. Her nose touched his scruffy beard and then found his lips as she closed her eyes and stood on her toes. Madhav closed his eyes too and moved his mouth closer to hers. Their lips pressed together for a brief moment and they melted into one another.

In the next instant, Radhika pulled back and opened her eyes, looking at Madhav. Her heart was pounding at the intimacy.

‘I am sorry,’ she whispered softly and walked away quickly, leaving him flabbergasted. He ran after her as she wiped her lips and put her shoes back on.

‘Radhika!’ he called after her but she didn’t look back. He ran faster and grabbed her hand.

‘What happened, Radhika? Why did you run off like that?’ he asked, even though he had his suspicions about her odd behaviour.

‘This isn’t right, Madhav,’ she said, still unwilling to look at him.

‘What do you mean?’ he asked.

‘We can’t do this . . . I mean, I can’t do this. These clubs, this lifestyle . . . it’s just not me. I can’t be with you.’ Tears caressed her eyelashes as Madhav held her hands tightly.

‘Don’t say that, Radhika. You’ve taught me how beautiful life can be. Why can’t you accept that fact for yourself too?’

‘Because I can’t love anyone! Forget it, you won’t understand.’ She looked frustrated and pushed his hand away. She walked towards the car park and Madhav followed her quietly. The sound of her heels and their laboured breathing were the only things that broke the silence. They stopped near his car, shivering in the cold night. She wrapped her silk stole around herself and looked at the sky.

‘I love you, Radhika,’ Madhav said.