As the song began to play, Alissa stood in her empty dance studio, eyeing herself in the mirror. She let the music soak into her, allowing herself to feel every rhythm, every beat through her heart. Immersing herself in the melody, she let her imagination run free, her heart guiding her light movements full of grace and beauty. She glided across the dance floor with the ease and confidence of a professional dancer, letting her moves speak for her, giving lyrical meaning to the melody playing in the background. Whenever Alissa danced, everything around her came to a stand still and she would dance in a dream-like trance, allowing her senses to take over her mind. Lost in her own world, she was completely unaware when the children entered the studio, watching her in awe.
Little Linda always wanted to dance like her mother, she tried to emulate her in every possible way. Alissa, however, always dismissed Linda’s admiration as baseless or attention-seeking. For every musical that they put up, Alissa would make a conscious effort to cast Linda in the background, to avoid speculation about any favouritism on her part. Although she had seen her daughter bloom into the beautiful dancer that she was today, Alissa viewed her with a highly critical eye. Her mother’s harsh criticism broke her heart, and Linda would often sit by herself and contemplate about why her mother was so distant and critical with her. It made her feel like she could never be anything but an ersatz dancer. As she grew up, Linda began to use dance to reflect on her life, she used it to let go of her pain and express her joy, and soon it became a part of what made her who she was. Years of training with her mother made her see the pain and failure hidden inside the beautiful dancer that she idolized. She began to realize that her mother criticized her only so that she would be ready to face the tough criticism from the competitive world outside. Being aware that she was matchless in front of her mother’s unparalleled grace, Linda was still wise enough to know that she grew as a dancer each day under her mother’s able guidance.
Today, she stood in the doorway watching her mother dance like an angel dancing among celestial beings, shining brighter than the stars, her glow illuminating everything around her. By watching her mother dawned on her a realization of her own worth as a dancer. Each day she had begun to cleave away from her mother - emotionally and artistically, to realise her own worth and beauty. The susurration of the awe-struck students snapped Linda back to reality, just as Alissa was brought back from her trance by a student tugging at her elbow, asking her to begin class. Alissa’s eyes met her daughter’s and they shared a knowing smile, full of acceptance and understanding, and together stepped forward to take class. Alissa looked proudly at her class full of enthusiastic students, and smiled as she saw her beautiful daughter beside her, eager to begin class with her. She was finally content with her life, she was happy being in this moment. Yet again, dance had made her see her life with crystal clarity. Starting class, they all danced, allowing the music to take them to their special place…the gloaming light filling the studio radiating from their bright, peaceful faces.
A special thank you to my mom for giving me her valuable feedback on this one :) Thanks mom!! (No my mom isn’t on thoughts :) ) This one was truly a challenge, and I will admit that I had to look up some of the words!! So it made me realise my vocabulary wasn't too good! :D
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