She was used to quietly standing on the sidelines not drawing anyone's attention. Then how did she end up standing on centre stage with hundreds of eyes starting up at her? Expecting her to dance? Her heart had somehow climbed up to her throat, leaving a raw bloody path in it's wake and now wanted to force it's way out of her mouth and with it her lunch, breakfast and last night's dinner. She scanned the audience for a familiar face but all she saw was an angry mob who was shouting for her to start dancing and asking where was her partner. The urge to run was very strong but her feet seem to be glued to the floor. Was it possible to die of horror and embarrassment? Was it possible for your soul to leave your body because of humiliation and shame? Was is possible to dandiya when you have never done it before? Was it possible to do it by yourself? And can it be done when your body was frozen? She had been through a lot in her life but at the moment she couldn't think of anything that was worse than this moment.
He was sitting in his car fighting a battle with himself. He had never wanted to do something so badly while at the same time horrified at the thought it. He knew that looking into her hopeful eyes terrified him. Eyes that wanted so much to become a part of his life. She was so needy and he wasn't sure he could give her what she needed. But somewhere deep inside of him, in a very dark place were thoughts, dreams, hopes that never saw the light of day. Thoughts that were never allowed to come forward. In that place he wanted to be the one to dance with her, he wanted to give her everything she wanted and needed, he wanted to take her sadness away and fill her life with happiness. But how could his heart admit this when his brain didn't acknowledge this place inside of him, let alone all the thoughts and dreams that lived there.
His hand which was about to turn the key hesitated. His mother's face flashed in his mind. He had never refused her anything. His mother put his needs and wants in front of everything else in her life. For the first time she had asked for something purely for her pride and self worth. How could he deny her? He was being selfish because he didn't want to face the struggle that was going on inside of him. He didn't want to admit that ever since he had heard of the dandiya competition, there wasn't anything he wanted more than to participate with his wife. He took the keys out of the ignition and got out of the car. As he walked towards the dance floor he could hear the taunts of the angry mob. He could see her standing on the stage with a look of horror and terror on her face, like a deer in headlights of a fast moving car. He knew he had made the right decision, he couldn't leave her alone to be mocked and humiliated by this crowd. He had to admit that she was very brave for going up on stage for his mom, even though she had adamantly insisted that she couldn't dandiya. He had to help and support her for trying to save his family's pride.
He picked up two pairs of dandiya sticks and slowly stepped onto the stage. Even from a distance he could feel her breathing like a mouse under a cat's paw. Her fear and acute stage fright were apparent to him. He moved closer to her, waiting for her to turn towards him so he could reassure that he was there for her. Finally she turned towards him like a drowning person does to a life line and when she realized it was him, her face blossomed like a flower. He smiled to calm and comfort her.
As they stared into each other's eyes the world stopped around them, the crowd faded away and they became the only two people on Earth. When she realized what she was doing she became embarrassed and shyly looked away. Then suddenly remembered that she was supposed to keep her face away from him. She pulled her pallu over her head to quickly hide behind the safety of her ghugat. But today he was not going put up with any of that. No one was going to conceal her face from him, not even she. He took her hand and gently turned her back towards himself and then determinedly pushed the offending pallu off her face. She sighed with delight but was still too shy to look at him. But he was not satisfied, he needed to see her eyes, her face. He took her chin tenderly in his large hand and moved her head up and waited for her to look at him. The stage light shone just on them and cut them off from everyone in the audience, who watched the scene in front of them with waited breath. She couldn't keep her eyes away and looked up at him timidly then encouraged by the gentle smile on his lips she tried to smile. He struck the dandiyas together to give her confidence and handled her a pair. She took them and pulled them up to her heart but was still scared to start. He did an encouraging circle around her but she just followed him with her eyes. He nodded towards her sticks and struck them with his to show that she could do it. She had never danced before and was still confused and scared. He was not going to let her get away with this…he had come too far and was not going to give up on her. He took her hands in his and showed her the motion of the dandiyas. Finally she could not deny what he was asking any longer, she let the passion of the moment wash over her. The music surrounded them and they moved as if they have been doing this forever. Only through dandiya they acknowledged what is in their hearts and minds. And they played dandiya!
For tonight this was enough for them!
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
