The phantom of the opera
Will I ever get used to it? The bright lights , the countless people staring down at me...well not exactly at me'I am just a backup dancer. Someday my dreams will come true. I just have to wait, and wait I will.
"Get back to work Christine!"
Oh my! I must have been day dreaming again. This always happens. Everyone dislikes me for reasons unknown to me. Mother says it's because they are jealous. I know better than to trust mother for fair judgment. I heard Elisa a fellow dancer, once say that I was of mediocre dancing talent and not worthy to be part of the great Paris opera house. Apparently I am only here since my mother, Madame giry , is held at high authority here. And me, well I started to believe her. It's true I am an average dancer but I can do something that no other dancer can do. I can sing.
It all started when I was a young girl. My father used to tell me stories of the angel of music. An angel who has the most beautiful voice a man could ever possess. It is said he descends from heaven to train the most talented singer on earth. For years now, I have been striving to be that girl all because I hear his voice in my head at night when I sleep. I know that it is stupid but it gives me a drive. Besides , my best friend meg tells me I sing like an angel, though I have never been stupid enough to ask if I was worthy enough for the angel of music. That right was only reserved for Raoul.my childhood friend. He left as soon as he came. When I shared with him my stupid thoughts though I know he found it silly he would simply smile at me. i still remember what he said to me once.
"Christine'if ever there was such a thing as the angel of music, you would be the first person he would train..."
At this point I was simply mindlessly dancing along to the routine that we have done a million times before as I looked on with a little envy as the female lead singer, Monique, sang till she split her throat. If you asked me I would say she was overdoing it though people seem to like her.
"Thump'" the backboard dropped from the high ceiling right next to the male lead Rodrigues.
Suddenly her singing was turned into ear splitting shrieks of fear. She wasn't the only one screaming. Panic literally spread like wild fire. But we all knew who it was. It was the phantom of the opera, the ghost which was haunting his opera house since its opening. These hauntings occurs many times in the few months I worked here yet I wonder why the reactions are still the same.
"Calm down everyone ...Calm down...especially you Monique, you are going to tear your throat, then how will you perform?"
The manager was obviously trying to calm everyone down.
Monique looked at him with pure contempt.
"PERFORM? You still want me to perform in this death trap? I almost died!"
"Well technically, I almost died."
"Nobody asked you Rodrigues"
I know this is supposed to be a serious situation but I can't help but stifle a giggle.
"That's it'I quit!"
With one final look she left the stage leaving everyone in shock.
"She just left! She can't just leave"
"Apparently she can and she did."
As my mother started talking a hush ran over the cast. No matter how much the manager tried , he couldn't garner the same effect my mother did.
"that's all fine Madame giry but does she at least have an understudy(replacement)? We have a show tonight!"
"Well sir, maybe if you visited the sets enough you would know that this play is new and we don't have an understudy."
I am not really show how the rest of the conversation went on'all I knew is that in a split second everything changed as Meg started speaking.
"Christine is an amazing singer'she even knows the show well enough."
I just stared at her in pure and utter shock. My mother seemed shocked too, after all , I never told her I can sing. I could hear the careless whispers and snorts of laughter spread across the crowd.my heart pounded as I saw the questioning look on the manger's face.
"Show us what you got Christine."
I just stood rooted to the ground until meg gave me a not-so-friendly nudge. I could feel their stares burn me. I started off softly.
Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
By now my voice gained momentum as it floated across the room. The disapproving stares turned into admiration as I continued on.
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me, you'll try
Then you'll find that once again you long
To take your heart back and be free
If you'll ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me
Scene shifts to the theatre with a big audience
We never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But if you can still remember
Stop and think of me
Think of all the things
We've shared and seen
Don't think about the way
Things might have been
Think of me, think of me waking
Silent and resigned
Imagine me trying too hard
To put you from my mind
Recall those days, look back on all those times
Think of those things we'll never do
There will never be a day
When I won't think of you
From the audience a young handsome man stands up and starts singing.
Can it be? Can it be Christine?
Bravo
Long ago, it seems so long ago
How young and innocent we were
She may not remember me
But I remember her
Christine continues singing
Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade
They have their seasons, so do we
But please promise me that sometimes
You will think of me
As I finish singing a breath of relief escapes me. This is what dreams feel like. It's beautiful. I stare far ahead as there is a standing ovation being offered to me. I beam in pure bliss wishing that the angel of music was there to see me and as I learnt that night, I should be careful what I wish for'
think of me:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXDonUxBxig
done..the next part is where it really gets interesting.tune in guys and rememer the arts are worth saving...even if you write, sing, dance or draw protect it from extinction.
Bindi
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jodha Akbar
