Chapter 27

Hey guys, I'm really sorry that my update is late today.

Part 28 – Dance!
     Isha got ready and found Eklavya serving breakfast on the dining table. She smiled as he looked up.

E: Kya haas rahi ho? Pata hai yeh ladkiyo ka kaam hai. Shaadi ke baad yeh saab tumhe hi karna pade ga.
I: Oh that's why I'm marrying you, Eklavya! You can cook, you're smart, your good-looking! Shaadi ke baad meri life to set hai!
E: Accha, so you're marrying me because of that?

     Isha playfully teased him, saying " Of course!". He took her plate and refused to give it back to her.

I: Arre! Eklavya! I was going to eat that!
E: Pehle promise karo ki shaadi ke baad kahna tum banao gi.
I: Yah and I'll burn the whole kitchen while cooking…
E: Kya kaha?
I: Kuch naahin! I promise ok? Can I just have breakfast now? I have to go to the dance studio!
E: Ok, here

     They ate talking about college and other things. Eklavya was shocked to know that Isha had low averages in most of her subjects, besides Dance. He found out that she had excelled in all forms of dance – jazz, salsa, waltz, tango, ballet, and more!

I: Actually, I have a Salsa competition coming up in March and I don't have a partner…
E: Oh, well you'll get one very soon, don't worry
I: It's not that. I can get partners but I don't want them – I mean, I want partners but ones that dance, you know? Everyone who auditions just wants to dance with hot girls!
     
Eklavya chukled.

E: Come on, it can't be that bad…
I: You want to see? Ok, come to auditions today! Dekhna kaise kaise paagal log aate hai!
E: Actually I have to go to work…
I: Do it later, come! Please! Just this once, Eklavya? I want to show you my dance studio!
E: I'm sorry, Isha but –
I: So I'm not important to you at all?
E: Isha, that's not fair, that's called emotional blackmail!
I: I don't care, you're coming and that's final!

     Isha grabbed all her clothes and Eklavya's car keys. She took Eklavya by his hand and dragged him towards his car.

E: Shaadi ke pehle yeh haal hai toh shaadi ke baad kya hoga?
I: Kya kaha?
E: Kuch naahin, kuch naahin…

He turned his car on and raced it against the wind towards the directions that Isha was giving him. After a few minutes, they reached there. Eklavya looked around; it was a huge studio. It looked pretty expensive too. Isha looked at him, waiting for a response.

E: It looks kinda pricy.
I: Yeah, most of my show money goes in this…but I get discounts since I'm their lead dancer and I got a scholarship too. Come on, the auditions are beginning in 10 minutes.

     Isha rushed inside with Eklavya, stopping to show him certain auditoriums and introducing people. When they finally reached her dance studio, she went inside to the change room. Eklavya looked around thinking what it must feel like to dance in front of a hundred, thousands of people. Isha had a lot of guts to do that. Once Isha came out all dressed, Eklavya smiled at her and took her hand.

I: Ok, you sit right here on my chair and watch the auditions…they'll start in like a minute.

     Sure enough, after a few seconds, a line of boys came wandering inside the dance studio. Isha sighed looking at them. She could tell right away that none of these boys had the capability to mix salsa, ballet or ball room together. In fact, some hadn't even changed to tights or any type of dance clothes. She looked at Eklavya, mouthing "See, I told you they're pathetic!" Eklavya snickered at their silent joke.

     They first boy came forward in the middle of the studio. He seemed trembling and nervous that so many eyes were examining him.

I: Ok, I'm going to do a side basic, alright? Can you follow me?

     Isha did her Salsa side basic and waited for the guy to continue. He moved stiffly and looked back at her with a wide grin. She gave him a weak smile.

I: Ok, can you show me a few ballet moves? Follow me – First position, a breath, then a plie, then second position, then third position, move into fourth position and then finally end off with a jump. You get it?

     They guy looked at her with a confused look. He shook his head no, saying he didn't get it. Isha sighed and looked at Eklavya again. She gave the guy a huge fake smile and said. "I'm sorry, you have to know you're basic ballet for this competition." The guy left only to be replaced by another one. Then entire morning went in eliminating people who didn't know the basic ballet or salsa movements. Finally at lunch, Isha called a lunch break.

I: See what I mean by pathetic? They don't know what basic ballet positions are and they come here to audition!
E: Here I went and brought lunch for us. I'm sure you're hungry after all that.
I: Thanks, Eklavya…That's very sweet of you

     They both ate while chatting about how many guys had come there. After what seemed like only a few minutes to them, their lunch break ended and the terrible guys had come back to the auditions. Isha sighed for the billionth time.

I: Ok, let's start again. Who's first? Ok, sir, your name is? – Arun? ok Arun! Let's see you dance!

     Arun looked at her with flirty eyes. Eklavya shifted in his seat a little. This boy didn't seem right to him.

I: Ok, ballet first. Follow me - First position, a breath, then a plie, then second position, then third position, move into fourth position and then finally end off with a jump. You get it?
Arun: Yes

     Suprisingly enough, Arun got most of the steps. Isha smiled at him. Finally, somebody that can dance!

I: Good. Ok, now let's try to mix it with Salsa. Hold my waist and lead a full basic. Then do a side basic and then turn me inside. Next, do a cross body lead and pull me inside to a turn. Ok?
A: Got it.

     Arun performed all the steps with decent understanding. But when the cross body lead turn came, he pulled Isha so close that she was only inches away from him. She struggled to free herself. She stepped hard on his foot and he yelped in pain. Arun got up and looked at her saying "How dare you?!" Eklavya came rushing by Isha's side. He looked at Arun and pointed at the door.

E: The door's that way, Arun…
A: Whatever, dude

     Arun walked away. Isha turned and looked at Eklavya, whispering thanks. After another series of pathetic performers, she finally called it a day.

I: Offf! Finally done! And still I don't have a partner…See what I mean? ... I'll show you my routine ok? Tell me how it looks.

     Isha did her ballet moves and salsa moves with an invisible partner. She got stuck at the lifts and dips though.

I: See I need a partner to catch me and throw me into the air and then put me into a dip.
E: I could do it…
I: Kya?
     Isha started laughing.
I: Tum? Aur dance?
E: I'm serious. When I was in boarding school, they taught us how to waltz and ball room.
I: Eklavya, Waltz and ball room are not the same as ballet and salsa.

     Isha gathered her things and put them in her bag.

E: They're not that different either, Isha.

     Isha sighed. She turned around to face Eklavya. She walked halfway down the dance studio from him.

I: Ok, fine!… (Sarcastically)Can you catch me, throw me into the air and then catch me again?
E: Sure
I: No, Eklavya, I didn't mean it, I was just joking –
E: On 8? 5, 6 -

     Isha looked up at him with bewildered eyes. He was actually serious about this! She was just joking! Oh well, she should let him try at least.

E: 7, 8!

     Isha ran to him with her strong legs and closed her eyes as she approached Eklavya. She was sure she would bump into him and they would both fall down. Instead, Eklavya picked her up and threw her into the air and caught her back safely in his arms. Isha opened her eyes to see a grinning Eklavya.

E: Not that bad after all, am I, ma'am?
I: How did you – Where did you – I mean –
E: So do I get the part?

     Isha stood there stunned. Not only had Eklavya performed the moves perfectly, but he was the only male dancer that she had actually properly partner danced with. She pulled him into a hug and yelled "Of course, you do!"
                                                                   Pooja

P.S. Sorry guys, this part is reeeeeaaalllly long! I didn't mean for it to be so long, I just kept getting more ideas and so I put them all in...Sorry if it's too long...