Practice

My first practice takes place today. I have to rehearse for hours on end, until we go for break. Fortunately, Varangi Didi knows it is harder than what I’m used to at home, so she eases it.

The first hour is spent in knowing each other. Varangi Didi asks me about my life in Jalandhar, and I, in turn, ask her about what she’s doing. Then we ask each other about our families.

I actually have Papa’s phone with me so that I can call his laptop if I need to, but this time, I pull it out of my pocket to show Varangi Didi a family photo. It’s the one which we clicked on Diwali last year. Didi coos at Sayra’s face.

“What a cute little sister you have, Sankalp!” she says.

I nod. “She’s gone on Mama mostly, but she’s got Papa’s features too.”

“And you have gone on your father, but you’ve got your mother’s features as well.” She makes the analogy quick.

I grin. 

“Do you miss her?” she asks me, smiling sadly. 

I swallow a lump in my throat to prevent tears. “Her and Mama.”

She ruffles my hair, then changes the subject. “So, should we get started?” 

After warmup, we start out on basic moves for the song, and they slowly amount to harder and harder ones. By the time three hours are up, I’m exhausted.

Didi and I sit. We’re breathing heavily, both tired. Then, she tells me to lie on my stomach so that she can give me a massage, but I see her turning on her phone as she does so. Is she going to record it?

I, nevertheless, do as she says. Then she gives me a good shoulder massage and thumps my back. As she’s doing it, I spot a cola cup, the kind you get in McDonald’s. I reach for it, but Varangi Didi smacks my hand away. 

“Shanti se reh nahin sakta?” she says, laughing. 

I laugh with her. Then, I put on a seriously pleading face, doing puppy dog eyes. “I’m thirsty, Didi. Very, thirsty, for, whatever’s in that cup.”

“You know, Sankalp, you may have been one of the few kids I’ve taught, but I can easily recognise fake faces.”

I grumble. She chuckles.

But Didi and I stick like glue, that’s true. 

---

Signed,

Melody Vega