Dreams Ain’t Time Bound

Standing around the corner and letting out the last puff in an attempt to sooth her nerves, she rushed back inside the building. 25 something now, Marie Sinclair was back from a 5 year long sabbatical. The place was frozen in her mind, spotless, as she left it. Memories flew by in her mind but Marie would not stop to waste another minute and rushed into the green room. She took off her jacket and found a corner for herself, Marie started to wear her ballerinas, breathing heavily but trying hard to control it, she avoided any eye contact. Determined yet scared she got up, held the horizontal bar to start the warm ups and rehearsed the choreography repeatedly. The coach gave a final call for auditions and she knew that this was it, all that she has been waiting for her life. At the back of her mind, Marie was aware that her body was not as flexible as it was 5 years back but she wanted to give a final shot at it and was ready to take her chance. With Sweaty Palms she lined with other 4 – 16 to 20 year old dancers on the stage and knew her competition now is not an easy one. She knew what she was against and it would take more than just perfect lines and finesse to impress the Judges. The bright light focused on her made it impossible to spot the five judges in the audience.

The whistle blew and the music started. Marie started well and balanced the choreography good. She smiled in between to depict her strong will and ease of performance skill. With the climax sequence, Marie knew it was time when she has to swirl thrice and do a double jump. This move had kept Marie cold for many nights but she didn’t think twice and was up for it. She swirled to take the risky leap only to expose the C-section scar she had 4 years ago and landed on her hip. Music continued and tears rolled down Marie’s face but with a faint smile, she got up to finish the piece. Marie’s Mother and here 4 year old, Sara were watching Marie from the viewer’s room. Music ended and Judges pointed out the finalist. Marie didn’t make the cut and gushed to them without the Golden ticket. Both Marie and her mother, hugged and wept as if it was the end of eternity. “I know you wanted it bad, my child but it’s okay. Let it be. Now come here and stop crying,” said the ageing mother. Marie was crying not for losing the ticket but shattering of her dreams again. Marie thought she failed herself again. Her mother consoled her exactly as she did the first time – 5 years ago. Slowly, the ladies left the building in tears and heavy hearts but hoping for a chance next year.

13 years have gone by. The same building still holds the auditions for finding the best Ballet Dancer talent for the country. Marie has crossed the same building on her way to many places but haven’t dared to enter the gates again as if something holds her back. Many students apply and many’s a dream has turned to reality. Everything is the same – the music, coaches, routines, dance choreography and the audition process. This year, like every other year, a bunch of new 16-20 year old have entered the green room chitchating about Justin Bieber and chance to tour London for their Finals. The family members were seated in the viewer zone with big screens pointing at the empty stage. The girls in the green room were called for as listed and 5 girls stood in a single file. There was pin-drop silence and spotlight blinded the contestants before they started. Judge beacon for the music and the girls synced into their choreography. 3 minutes of turns, lifts, flights, swirls and jumps with perfect landing all followed perfectly. The music ended and there was an applause. One of the Judges got up to announce, “Participants moving forward with us today are number 2, Cate Bentwak and number 4, Sara Sinclair. Rest  of you, thank you for the audition and wish you all the best.”  The lady wept in the viewers area with contentment as she has waited for 13 years for this moment while Cate and Sara jumped happily on stage.

(Figment of my imagination and fictional work – all matches to real events is purely co-incidental and not true)

Image courtesy: Google.com