Chapter 32

Part 33 – Back to the Normal Life

 

After Holi, it was back to the dancing sessions for Eklavya and Isha. Whatever Isha had done to make Eklavya understand the moves and grace of ballet mixed with salsa, she was doing 10x more now to make her fianc understand it. Her fianc. It sounded so different. After the Holi incident, Damini had given Isha pure white gold bangles which would represent the fact that she was going to be a Virani bahu. Of course Isha had been delighted that she finally was going to be wedded to Eklavya. Finally! Eklavya turned again and landed on the floor. Isha made a face at him.

 

I: You're supposed to keep you're hands at your sides and your feet aren't supposed to leave the ground together! Eklavya, we went through this a million times!

E: I'm sorry Isha…

 

             Isha felt, not only heard; she actually felt the apologetic feeling in his voice. Sometimes she pushed him so hard, it scared her of losing him. She quickly went up to him and told him to hold her waist.

 

I: Ok, now just follow me, alright? There you go. You've got it! Ok, now the jump. 5, 6, 7, 8! Prefect, Eklavya! See! You're a natural.

 

             Isha smiled at him to give him more encouragement. The truth was, Eklavya wasn't a natural. He needed more grace in his body. He knew how to hold a lady, he knew how to turn her and do everything in partner dancing. But when it came to solo performances, he wasn't as smooth. But Isha could understand. She had been a dancer all her life and everyday she saw people who learned to dance. They all struggled at first but after a few months they were much more graceful than they had been before they had joined dance classes. Isha looked at Eklavya and studies his body. His perfect upper body strength was perfect for any partner dance and that was why he could easily save the clumsy Isha from all her falls. In fact, their second meeting had occurred when Isha had almost fallen by a WET FLOOR sign.

             Eklavya sighed. After 1 weeks of dance, he didn't think he was getting anywhere. He could tell Isha wanted him to do better but she hid the fact from him, telling him that he was awesome. Everyday, Eklavya came here after he was done his office work and he'd pick up Isha after college. They'd both start practice at around 4 in the afternoon and then they'd dance until 8 or sometimes even 9 at night. Everyday, Eklavya went trough this convincing himself that he could do it. That it was for Isha's sake. His Isha's sake. After their first dance practice after Holi, Isha had worked him until 9:00. Eklavya had been so tired at the end of it that he couldn't even lift his arms. It wasn't that Eklavya wasn't strong. He had learned weight lifting in his gym classes at his boarding schools. He just didn't know that dance required so much endurance. It wasn't simply about how much weight you could lift. It was about how gracefully you could lift something and keep it in that position and then just as gracefully land that weight. Eklavya could handle the weight. It was the part about the pointed toes, the perfect posture and everything else that he didn't get. But he still pushed himself to the limits his body could take, saying any positive mantra that would come up to his brain.

             After about an hour of dancing, Isha hugged him, and stood there breathless from their dance session. They were both soaked with sweat from head to toe with their 4 hours of continuous dancing but neither of them seemed to mind.

 

I: Eklavya?

E: Hmm?

I: Thank you so much for this!

E: No, Isha, thank you. I used to think I was strong until now (Laughs) now I know how what the real definition of strong is.

I: (Smiles) you're definitely strong. You just need to work on those postures. If you get that, which I'm sure you will, I know we will be fine. Don't worry Eklavya. If I have you by my side, I'm sure to win.

E: Really? Well, I think we need to practice a little more for that. Come on. From the 2^nd verse.

 

             Eklavya hit the play buton. The music blared again.

 

I: Ok, 5! 6! 7! 8!

 

They both started to dance. After only about 3 minutes. Isha hit the pause button.

 

I: No, Eklavya! You're  not supposed to do that after the chorus! (Touches  her forehead)You're driving me crazy!

E: (Moves his hands to her waist) You're driving me crazy too…

 

             Eklavya stared deep into her eyes. Isha looked at him. She had to smile at him.  He was so cute at times that it was hard to believe the guy was real. But even with a surreal guy like him, nobody could separate Isha and perfection in her dance.

 

I: Ok, you know the chorus right? Ok, you know the part where you do the turn with the lift?

E: (mutters) the whole song has nothing but turns and lifts…

I: Kya?!

E: Kuch nahin.

I: Ok, so on the third turn. You take me inside and lift me up, alright?

 

             After they practiced that several times, Isha finally called it a day. They both got in Eklavya's car and drover over to Isha's apartment.

 

I: Ok, see you tomorrow and practice that lift

E: I will!

 

             She leaned over and kissed him goodnight before running inside. Only a few more dance practices and he was going to be ready for any dance showcase, Isha thought.

Sorry if this part's a little boring guys...I'm running out of ideas.
                  

                                           -Pooja

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