Sreya's Feat

Sreya's Feat

"Mum, I made it! My name's on the list!" Sreya screamed into the phone. Her mother pushed the receiver a little away from her ear, but for once didn't lecture Sreya on telephone etiquette. After all, her daughter had been selected to represent the school at an international dance festival. "Mum, I don't know what role it is going to be, " Sreya went on. "We've all been called to the auditorium. I"ll tell you more when I get back."

Sreya slammed the phone down and ran towards the auditorium. The other participants had already assembled near the stage. At the far corner stood Ms. Nistula, the choreographer. "We will not decide who plays which part just now," she said. "For the first two months, you will all do exercises to gain flexibility and learn to emote. We shall then get into casting."

Sreya barely absorbed what the choreographer was saying. She had made it! Really made it! The rest of the afternoon went by in a whirl of warm-ups, steps and exercises.

Sreya reached home hot, sweaty and excited. She told her mother everything about the practice session. "The exercises have left me starving. Mum, could you please make me one of your special grilled cheese sandwiches while I have a quick bath?" Sreya asked hopefully.

"You deserve it. Have your bath while I make it," said Sreya's mother. Sreya had a quick shower and was soon tucking into her sandwich. Mrs. Bhatt stood behind her, brushing Sreya's long hair." This sweat and practice isn't doing your hair and good, "Mrs. Bhatt said anxiously, holding up a thick bunch of hair that had come of Sreya's scalp.

The next day, mother and daughter again noticed little tufts of hair that had come loose. THis kept happening over the next ten days.

Concerned, Mrs. Bhatt took Sreya to a doctor. After some tests, the doctor dropped the bomb. Sreya had a rare scalp condition. Her hair would fall and never grow back.

Mrs. Bhatt was devastated. Tall with big, expressive eyes and thick, long hair, Sreya was quite a head turner. Her mother knew how important those assests were for her daughter to fulfil her dream of becoming a dancer.

But her spirited daughter carried on as if nothing had changed. "Mum, I staill haven't lost all of it. The sun hasn't yet set, "Sreya would joke, playing with her thinning hair.

She continued with her dance sessions. Ms. Nistula was soon going to assess the students' suitability for the various roles, and Sreya was very excited.

A few days before the auditions, after a whole day of lazing around at home on a Sunday, Sreya took off the elastic band that held her pony tail and couldn't believe her eyes. Along with the band, a whole clump of hair came off, leaving a bald patch. For the first time, her mind registered the fact that she was rapidly losing her hair.

"What shall I do now? I can't even audition," Sreya said sadly to her friends.

"Let's call the Guinness guys! Sreya is probably the only person in the whole wide world who dances with her hair!" Sanjay said in the mock-serious tone. "You don't need your hair to dance," he added kindly, seeing Sreya's puzzled look.

On the morning of the audition, Sreya found everyone crowding around a poster on the notice board, which read: "Our entry for the international dance festival is an adaptation of "Cinderella". The audition schedule is given below. Sreya found her name. She was supposed to reach the auditorium at 12 noon.

Sreya could barely concentrate in class that morning. A little before noon, she arrived at the auditorium wearing a scarf over her head. Ms. Nistula was conducting the auditions. Sreya waited for her turn. As she was about to begin, Ms.Nistula called out, "Please remove your scarf.

Sreya didn't know what to do. If she removed the scarf, her hairless patch would show. What if she wasn't allowed to audition? With one sweep of her hand, Sreya removed the scarf and threw it over her bag.

A loud murmur went around the room. Sreya could hear some students titter. She saw Ms. Nistula turn to her assistant and say something.

But Sreya blocked out everything from her mind. Concentrating  on her dance, she performed just as she had planned she would. She knew she had done well.

She could hear comments buzzing around her. "What's happened to her hair?" "How can a "baldy" dream of dancing?"

Sreya sat through the whole audition, ignoring the jibes. At the end of the audition, Ms.Nistula called for Sreya, "Tell me about this, " she said pointing to Sreya's hair. Sreya told her what the doctor had said.

"And you still auditioned, Do you think you will get a role?" asked Ms.Nistula.

Sreya took a deep breath, Ma'am, she said, "I don't know if I am good enough to be Cinderella, but I am sure that I shall get some part. As for my hair, costumes and make-up are an integral part of a dance-drama. I shall perhaps have to wear an additional piece of costume a wig! I have even researched where I can get a good one," she ended with a smile.

" My assistant says that she sees a reflection of me when you dance," said Ms. Nistula. Now I see an even greater affinity. "  So saying, Ms. Nistula tugged at her hair, and off came a streaked brown wig to reveal a shiny, bald pate. "Get ready to play Cinderella," said the choreographer, opening her arms wide to hug a smiling Sreya.

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