Dancing Under the StarsIn a quiet corner of

Dancing Under the Stars

In a quiet corner of the city, tucked between a bookstore and a café, there was a small dance studio with big windows and wooden floors. The sign above the door read \"Step by Step Dance Studio\" in bold, golden letters. It was here that Pia first met Ivan.

Pia wasn’t sure why she’d signed up for dance lessons. Maybe she was tired of her routine, or maybe she just wanted to do something different for once. Whatever the reason, she stood nervously near the back of the studio, watching people pair up for the lesson.

“First time?” a voice asked beside her.

Pia turned and saw a tall man with messy brown hair and warm brown eyes. He smiled at her in a way that made her feel both calm and nervous.

“Yeah,” she admitted. “I’m not exactly... graceful.”

“I’m Ivan,” he said, holding out his hand. “Want to be my partner?”

Pia laughed softly. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

“I’ll take my chances,” Ivan grinned.

As the music started, the instructor clapped her hands. “Alright, everyone! Let’s start with the basics.”

Ivan gently took Pia’s hand and placed his other hand lightly on her waist.

“Step forward,” the instructor called out.

Pia stepped back instead, nearly tripping over her own foot.

“Sorry!” she gasped.

Ivan chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll follow your lead — wherever that is.”

By the end of the class, Pia had stepped on Ivan’s toes four times, accidentally spun him the wrong way twice, and bumped into another couple once. Yet Ivan never stopped smiling.

“You survived!” he teased as they grabbed their coats.

“Barely,” Pia said, shaking her head.

“Same time next week?” Ivan asked.

Pia hesitated, but then smiled. “Yeah. Same time.”

The following week, Pia arrived early. Ivan was already there, waiting near the door.

“Ready to step on my feet again?” he joked.

“I’ll try to aim for your other foot this time,” Pia shot back.

They danced again, and this time Pia only stepped on his toes twice.

“You’re improving,” Ivan said.

“You’re just saying that,” Pia replied.

“No,” Ivan said softly. “I mean it.”

Week after week, Pia and Ivan kept meeting at the studio. They laughed at their mistakes, twirled too fast sometimes, and once nearly knocked over a chair. But slowly, step by step, they improved.

One evening, after class, Ivan walked Pia to her bus stop.

“So... are you just here for the dancing?” Ivan asked carefully.

Pia smiled. “I guess I’m here because I wanted to try something new.”

“Me too,” Ivan said. Then he added, “But... now I’m also here because of you.”

Pia’s heart skipped a beat.

“Oh,” she said softly.

Ivan rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, that was—”

“No,” Pia said quickly. “I’m glad you said it.”

They stood there in quiet warmth until Pia’s bus arrived.

The next week, Ivan surprised her by waiting outside the studio with a small paper bag.

“What’s this?” Pia asked.

“Sandwich,” Ivan said with a grin. “Mayonnaise and hotdog with cheese pimiento — I remember you mentioned it once.”

Pia laughed. “You actually remembered that?”

“I remember everything you say,” Ivan replied.

Pia blushed, and her heart felt full.

One evening after class, Ivan asked, “Want to grab coffee?”

“Sure,” Pia said, feeling butterflies in her stomach.

They found a cozy café down the street. They talked about their families, their childhood memories, and their dreams.

“I always wanted to be a photographer,” Ivan confessed. “But I ended up working in an office. Feels... safe, I guess.”

“You should still try,” Pia encouraged. “You never know.”

“What about you?” Ivan asked.

Pia hesitated. “I... I wanted to be a writer once.”

“You still can,” Ivan said. “You’ve got stories inside you. I can tell.”

Pia smiled, feeling like Ivan saw parts of her no one else did.

As weeks turned into months, their dancing improved — and so did their feelings. Ivan started holding Pia’s hand a little longer after each class. Pia found herself searching for his face the moment she entered the studio.

One evening, after a particularly good dance routine, Ivan didn’t let go of her hand.

“I know this might be a little crazy,” he said, “but there’s a salsa event this weekend. Would you... want to go with me?”

Pia’s face lit up. “I’d love to.”

The salsa event was held in a grand ballroom with soft golden lights and music that filled the room like a heartbeat.

“You’re doing great,” Ivan whispered as they danced.

“I’m just following you,” Pia replied.

“Good,” Ivan grinned. “Because I don’t ever want you to stop.”

Pia felt her heart race. “I won’t.”

They danced until their feet ached and their faces hurt from smiling. When the music slowed, Ivan pulled her closer.

“I’ve been waiting for the right time to say this,” he said. “But maybe there’s no perfect time, so I’ll just say it now... I think I’m falling in love with you.”

Pia’s breath caught. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. Then she smiled.

“Me too,” she whispered.

From that night on, Pia and Ivan weren’t just dance partners — they were something more. They spent evenings walking by the river, sharing sandwiches, and laughing at each other’s jokes.

One night, Ivan brought his camera along.

“Stand there,” he said, pointing to a spot beneath a glowing streetlamp.

Pia struck a playful pose.

“Beautiful,” Ivan said, lowering the camera.

“You mean the light?” Pia teased.

“I mean you,” Ivan answered.

Weeks later, Ivan called Pia with excitement in his voice.

“I entered a photo contest,” he told her. “The one with your picture.”

“You did?” Pia asked.

“Yeah... and I won,” Ivan said. “Because of you.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Pia laughed.

“You did everything,” Ivan said softly.