...

4 views

The masked girl(chapter: 13 A way out)
Anu notices a big idol of lord Nataraja and many photo frames around the hall with many photos of Ajay's grandfather Mr. Venkataraman singing and Mrs. Janaki singing and dancing.
Ajay and Dev go, set the dining table and Priya and Janaki keep talking. Anu touches the feet of lord Nataraja, joins her hands in front of him and prays, "Please let my life come on track fully. A void has been left in my life without dance. Please help me find a way fill it."

Anu was passionately learning dance since childhood and had to take a break because of her studies. But the void made by taking a break from dance was never filled.

They all sit and have lunch together while grandma was serving them after which Janaki sits down for lunch. While the rest of three were busy in their chatter, Anu was busy looking at the idol of the lord for some time and every posture of Janaki very carefully for the rest of the time. All this while, there was immense sorrow in her eyes that she was trying to cover up with her blank facial expression. Janaki keeps noticing everything.

Dev and Ajay plan to make the evening snacks and go out to the market to get all the ingredients.

Janaki finally asks Anu, "Dear, do you know any form of classical dance?" As she mentions that she had learnt dance for a few years, she asks her to perform.
Anu dances excellently with perfect postures and expressions. Janaki is floored by her performance. Anu finally asks Janaki if she could teach her. Janaki smiled and said, "I had different plans…"and paused. Anu's heartbeat was beyond limits. She was just looking at Janaki without any expressions. She continued, "I have a knee problem because of which I cannot dance. I wanted you to help me restart the dance school. Parallelly, I can train you easily without performing as you are familiar with the dance form." Anu was on cloud 9. She hugs grandma tightly and thanks her.

© Radha