Ep 4-Dangerous Line
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
Then we’re in trouble, little dove.
Because I don’t know how much longer I can pretend.
Niva (Fl)
(whisper)Then don’t.
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
Do you understand what you're saying?
Niva (Fl)
Yes. And no.
But I feel it. Every time you look at me, my skin burns.
Not with fear… with something deeper.
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
You’re too young.
Niva (Fl)
I’m not a child, Aiden.
You know that better than anyone.
(A tense pause hangs in the air, heavy with things unsaid.)
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
Your father—
Your uncles—
They’d tear me apart if they knew I—
Niva (Fl)
(Interpret)Do they feel it too?
This… pull?
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
I don’t know.
I try not to see it.
But sometimes I catch the way Reyansh watches you, like you're the center of gravity.
Or how Augustus touches your shoulder like it’s sacred.
Even Augstya—cold, calculated Augstya—goes still when you walk into the room.
And Jim… he’s never once looked at another woman since your mother passed.
Niva (Fl)
(whisper)I’ve noticed.
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
You have no idea what this could turn into.
What you could become to us.
Niva (Fl)
(step closer)Then tell me.
Tell me the truth, Aiden.
Even if it’s dangerous.
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
The truth?
The truth is…
If I touch you the way I want to, I won’t be able to stop.
And that makes me afraid of myself.
Niva (Fl)
(softly)I’m not afraid.
(Silence. Hearts pounding. Hands almost touching.)
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
You should go back inside.
Niva (Fl)
Will you come with me?
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
(voice strained)If I walk in there beside you, everyone will know something's changed.
Niva (Fl)
Let them wonder.
Reyansh(fl 1 uncle)
You okay, Niva?
Niva (Fl)
(smile gently)Never better.
Augustus (fl 3 uncle)
(eyes sharp)You disappeared for a moment.
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
(smoothly)Just needed some air.
Augstya(fl 2 uncle)
You’re flushed.
Both of you.
Jim(fl father)
Niva. Come. Dance with me.
Niva (Fl)
(takes his hand) Always, Dad.
(As they move together, the music softens, the world quiets.)
Jim(fl father)
(whispers into her ear)You’ve grown into something I never expected.
And everything I ever feared.
Niva (Fl)
(leans close)Then maybe we’re both afraid.Of how close we are.
Of what might happen if we stop hiding.
Jim(fl father)
(still dancing) Tonight isn’t the time.
Niva (Fl)
But it’s coming, isn’t it?
Jim(fl father)
Yes.
And when it does…
Nothing will ever be the same again.
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