Ta La La

I suddenly remembered how I danced on the stage in front of many people during our school recital. That was the last dance activity I had before I left high school. What made my high school so memorable was the Dancer of the Year award given to me during my graduation. Well, high school was over and the real deal was about to start. “Eight more days!” I softly whispered.

My first week in HP University was exciting. Recruitment was all over the campus. I saw a lot of stalls in front of every college wherein respective officers (I guess) were busy giving fliers and invitations to freshmen. Out of curiosity, I braved the crowd and went immediately to the stall where I saw a big tarpaulin which read – You dance? Now is your chance! I carefully examined the stall and I was definitely at the right place. I picked a lengthwise size paper on the table and swiftly left the stall. My heart was pounding with joy as I was reading what was written on the paper.

                What: Hotsteppers Dance Audition

                When: July 14, 2013, 1:00 PM

                Where: HP Auditorium

                Note: Bring with you your practice clothes, music, and your bio-data.

July 14^th. After finishing lunch, I took a shower and prepared the things I needed for the audition. “Practice clothes – check! Gatorade – check! Ballet shoes – check! CD – check! Well, I am so ready for the audition.” I didn’t wait for my clock to strike 1:00. Exactly twenty minutes before one; I was already at the waiting area of the auditorium. There were only I guess five of us sitting on the bleachers of the area. Minutes passed and more and more students filled the waiting area. Then the audition began.

The dance area was filled with anxious and excited faces. I saw a wide platform at the center of the hall and a long table at the north part of it. There were at least five people behind it and I thought they were the judges – three girls and two boys. Fear was written all over my face as I saw the girl seated at the center among the judges curled her forehead while looking at the students dancing on the platform. “I can do this!”

“JESS!” shouted the girl who was holding our bio data. That was my name being called. I suddenly felt cold and still. Then she repeated calling my name. “That’s me!” I replied. I slowly entered the hall and handed my cd to the operator. I went to the center of the platform and looked at the judges’ faces.

“What’s your name?” someone from the table asked.

“Jess.”

“Alright, Jess. So you know that this is a dance audition and if you have the qualifications we are looking for, then you can join the Hotsteppers.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that.”

“So, what dances do you know?”

“I know ballet, lyrical and contemporary.”

“That’s good. And what are you going to do today?”

“I’m going to do contemporary.”

“Tell us about your dance.”

That was unexpected. I didn’t know that the audition had preliminary interview. I gathered my strength and I told them about my dance.

“Well, I chose the song of Pink and Nate which is Just Give Me a Reason because I believe that there is a strong and conflicting emotion in their song. So I decided to make a dance of two genders, one from Pink’s side and one from Nate’s and mixed them.”

“That’s interesting. So, if you’re ready, Jess?”

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

I started to dance. There it went, the moment I had been waiting for. I enjoyed every second of the music. For me, dancing was life. It gave me a way to escape from the bitterness of reality. Dancing was freedom.

I finished my dance with a smooth fall. I heard some of the students clapped and I felt relieved. “At least, I did my best and I guess the judges were impressed.” They called me in front and the girl at the center of the table started giving her comments.

“You did a good job, Jess. So, the other four judges already told me their remarks so I will just condense everything. Okay, first, your choice of music was great. You have justified your dance considering that you have shown the incorporation of elements from the many styles of dance. You utilized both the strong and controlled legwork of ballet. However, we really have a big problem with your recovery every time you do the fall-recovery technique. Finally, I didn’t like you wearing ballet shoes. This is contemporary darling. I’m not saying that ballet shoes are not good for contemporary but barefoot dancing allows you to really feel the floor and it has a grounded floor that appeals to the dancer. Oh well, I guess I talked too much, Jess. We will just post the names of those who pass the auditions. Thank you for coming.”

I didn’t give a reply. I was really frustrated. I gave them a soft, sad look and I slowly walked out from the hall. I guess they were right. I should have been more careful. I sat on one of the chairs in the lobby and sloppily finger-combed my hair. The sky was turning gray and I felt that sooner or later it would rain. I wanted to cry. I really wanted to cry. I wanted to be a part of the Hotsteppers badly. I just crossed my fingers. The sky was already pouring its drizzles so I started walking towards home. Momentarily, there was a thick sheet of rain around me. I didn’t run. I let my body feel the cold water. My ballet shoes were already wet but I didn’t mind.

One hot afternoon, after attending my Physics class, I saw a group of students looking at the bulletin board. Some of them were shouting and some showed faces of disappointment. I was curious so I joined them looking at the paper pinned on the board. It was the announcement of those who passed the dance audition. I immediately looked for my name. “Jess Juan! Jess Juan! Jess Juan!” I couldn’t find my name so I scanned the paper again. Still, no Jess Juan. I thought I was just dreaming so I went back to the paper and looked for my name. It came to me; my name was not really there. I didn’t pass the audition. I left and went to the ladies’ comfort room. After getting inside the far most cubicle, I sat on the toilet bowl and I gave a loud cry. “Why?” That was the only question I repeatedly asked. After draining my tear ducts, I went out from the cubicle, composed myself and went out from the comfort room.

                “Jess?” someone asked from behind.

                “Yes?” I looked at who called me and I was shocked.

                “Hi, do you still remember me?”

                “Yes! Yes! You were one of the judges during the audition right?”

                “Exactly. By the way, I’m Alex.”

                “Nice meeting you, Alex.”

                “The pleasure is mine. Hey, were you crying?”

                “Ha? Oh no. My eyes were just irritated so I rubbed them a while ago.”

                “Okay. By the way, the results of the dance audition are already posted. Did you see your  

name?”

“No.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“But you know, you were my bet during the auditions. You are a good dancer.”

“You say I’m good but that’s just only to you.”

“No, I mean, yes you are good. You are even better than the others who auditioned.”

“But I didn’t pass the audition.”

“Hey, don’t lose hope. I will talk to Frina.” He was referring to the captain of the troupe.

“No, no. It’s okay. Maybe dancing was not really meant for me.”

“Don’t give up on dancing, Jess. Please!”

                “No, Alex. My sister was right. Dancing won’t lead me to anything. It’s just a waste of time.”

                “Don’t say that. Look at me, at first I was just an ordinary dancer. People around me inspired me

 to continue my dream and to continue dancing. I had trainings. Now, I don’t say I’m the best   

 but I can say I am a new Alex.”

“I guess you are right, Alex. But, I think I have to forget dancing for the meantime.”

“Are you really giving up on dancing, Jess?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I guess that’s your final decision. But if you change your mind, I will be coming up with a dance participation for the College Ball. If you want, you can join the group. Practice starts tomorrow at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. HP Dance Hall.”

I gave him a light nod and then he left. It was already 5:30 in the afternoon so I decided to go home. During that night, I couldn’t forget what Alex told me. He was right. I had to keep on dancing. I was thinking of joining his group. There was a long contemplation then I finally decided to sleep.

Exactly 5:30 when I was finally at HP Dance Hall. At first, I was really nervous but after mustering enough strength, I entered the hall. I saw at least 12 people doing some dance steps. I gave a thrift smile and my eyes wandered. “Where is Alex?” I looked around the hall. “Ah, there you are.” Alex was fixing the player socket so I wasn’t able to see him because he was behind a big table. He waved upon seeing me.

                “You came!” he said full of excitement.

                “Yeah, I did. I see you are so busy huh. Are you the dance choreographer?”

                “Yes, I am. So, are you finally joining my group?”

                “Would I be here if I didn’t want to dance with your group?”

                “Hahahaha. Very well. Hey, I want you to meet your fellow dancers.”

Alex introduced me to the other dancers. I had the chance to know them better. Some of them failed to be Hotsteppers like me and some of them were already members of the dance troupe. They told me that we were going to do hip-hop. I admitted that I was not really into hip-hop but they assured me that it would be very easy for me to learn. They also told me that I had to take risks if I really wanted to become the best dancer.

At first, I really had a hard time following Alex’s steps. What I did was to sit in front of him and watched him danced. Alex was a total performer. He knew how to do jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern and hip-hop. His movements were precise and accurate. He made sure that his dancers followed his steps easily. Well, for me, it was not hard to follow but the problem was me. I sometimes did lame movements when Alex required us to look stiff and hard. But what I liked about Alex was he did not let us drown by frustration. Instead, he even motivated us to move forward and keep on doing the routine.

After several days of extreme practice, we finally finished the dance. What we had to do was the polishing. Two more days before the ball and we were all excited. Honestly, I was taught various hip-hop styles that made me even more flexible and competent. I knew how to do the military-cramp roll, then the pop and lock and the snake arms. I looked funny when I did those styles for the first time. It took me at least six days to master those styles. Alex told me that I had remarkable improvements and he assured me that I could already prove my sister that she was wrong and I could be the next dance superstar.

August 9^th. The day that we were waiting for. Before I went to the ball, I made sure my rubber shoes, jeans and tee were neatly packed in my bag. There was a wide smile on my face as I gracefully left home.

The theater was already half-filled with third year and fourth year students in their elegant and eye-catching gowns and sophisticated tuxedos. Well, I was only in my first year so I just decided to wear a yellow semi-formal dress which complimented my tanned skin. I went immediately to the back stage and joined my fellow dancers. After one hour of waiting, we were told to change our clothes and prepare for our number. As I was finishing lacing my shoes, I suddenly remembered my ballet shoes. “Time to take a leap.”

When the emcee called our group, the lights went off. We went to the stage and positioned ourselves. The lights came to life and there was a deafening cheer from the audience. My heart pounded so hard and my lips went dry. Then there it went the first beat of the music. We danced as if there was no tomorrow. We danced as if we were the only people existing in the theater. After it, the audience cheered so hard and I saw Frina slowly standing from her seat and gave us a big applause. Sweat was rolling all over my face but I didn’t mind it at all. I was panting but I managed to give numerous smiles to the audience. The emcee thanked us and gave a very commendable remark.

After the ball, the dancers (including me) went to a bar to celebrate. There was a non-stop talk on our dance. We talked about how we wowed the audience with our breakthrough dance routines. Alex was sitting beside me and he never stopped congratulating me. I thanked him for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talent and for giving me the chance to take the risk.

Three days after our performance and as I was walking the sidewalk in the campus, my cellphone beeped and I got a message from Alex.

“Hey, Jess. I attended a meeting with the Hotsteppers a while ago. We talked about our next plans for the whole month of September. And oh, here’s my important announcement, welcome to Hotsteppers Dance Troupe, Jess.”

I couldn’t believe what I read. Was I dreaming? How come I became one of the Hotsteppers?

                “Huwat? Are you serious? But how come?”

                “Well, Frina saw you dancing during the College Ball and she realized that it would be a great

loss for the troupe if we will not get you. So, she told us this morning that you may join our meeting next Tuesday.”

“OMG! Alex, I can’t believe this. Thank you so much. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Jess. And hmmmm. Jess, I have to say something. If you don’t mind.”

“What is it, Alex?”

“I guess we are done with the dancer-choreographer relationship. What I am saying here is that, can we possibly make it to the next level? I mean, you and me, together?”

I knew what Alex meant. There was a very sweet smile on my face. My heart was filled with joy. I replied…

                “We have to talk. HP Hall in twenty minutes. J”

Well, it was late afternoon and the sky was dark again. It was drizzling but I didn’t mind the water falling on my head. I stepped on some puddles but that was not important on that fleeting time. My shoes were wet again but they were not the ballet shoes; they were the shoes I wore when I danced in the ball.#

K.E.

June 29, 2013

3:20 PM