Chapter 5: A Name on the List

The next morning, Ananya couldn’t breathe.

Not because she was sick.

Not because her throat still ached from singing through fire.

But because today, the audition shortlist for the South Zone Creative Arts Fest was going up.

And her song — the most fragile piece of her — had been sent without her permission.

All night, she’d tossed and turned, haunted by thoughts that ran in circles.

What if he hated it? What if he laughed? What if her broken voice had become a joke in the staff room?

But underneath that fear, there was something worse.

Hope.

Small, dangerous, glowing hope.

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By the time she reached school, her stomach was in knots.

Nothing was on the board yet.

First period passed in a blur. English grammar. The one subject that usually made her feel safe, seen. Today, she couldn’t hear a single word. Her mind was screaming louder than her teacher.

She stared at the clock. Each second ticked by like a drop of water on a stone.

During second period, the whispers started.

“They’re putting the music list up today.”

“Mr. Dev said one of the songs made him cry. Like actual tears!”

“Someone said it was a new girl. From Class 12, maybe.”

Ananya’s heart started racing.

He listened to it.

Her palms were sweaty. Her throat felt tight, as if it remembered the burn from the night she’d recorded. She reached for her water bottle but didn’t drink. Her hands were shaking too much.

Kaviya leaned toward her. “If it’s there, we celebrate. If it’s not, we write a better one.”

Ananya gave her a small nod. But deep down, she didn’t want to write another. She just wanted this one — the most honest, broken part of her — to be heard.

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By lunch, a small crowd had gathered outside the music room.

A single A4 sheet was taped to the wall. Names printed in neat, bold letters.

Ananya hesitated. She didn’t want to go closer. She wanted to run the other way. But her feet moved on their own. Each step felt like thunder inside her chest.

She reached the front of the crowd.

Ten names.

Only ten.

She scanned quickly.

Rahul Mehta – Vocal Solo (Classical)

Divya K – Instrumental (Veena)

Sarvesh R – Beatboxing

Ranjini – Group Choreography Leader

Rehaan – Rap/Fusion

Meenal – Solo Dance (Bharatanatyam)

Jayanth – Flute Solo

K. Ananya – Vocal (Original Composition)