"Khawaahishein – A women, dancing with a rhythm of her life" -a fictional story by Chaiti Banerjee.

Rhea is in top of the world today. Her eyes are sparkling with joy. She felt like there is no gravitational force on her. Today she is going to join a dance-academy to learn classical dance. Her mom got her proper dress and pair of gungroo. It seems like it will not end like a fairly tell as her father is very reluctant to this decision. Mr. Alokesh, Rhea’s father is trying hard to convince her with many logical reasoning for his decision. He thinks pursuing her hobby for dance might impact her academics. She is standing with blank look with hollowness inside and feeling like chilling flow in her blood. “You can stop me from not attending academy as at present I am financially depended on you, but you can’t stop me to perform in stage or anywhere. This is my passion, my natural-skill and my body – no one can stop me”. Yes, dance was Rhea’s first love and she never forget that completely. There were some moments when silent tears rolls down in her chick when she witnesses spectaculars classical-dance performances. Rhea was born free. She dreamt of a graceful women dancing in the floor of her village-temple and a girl riding a white horse in a meadow.

“ Momma please give me dinner, I am hungry” – said Aryan, her younger kid.

With that Rhea woke up from the reel of her past-life and jumped back to present. She is mother of two wonderful boys – Mohan and Aryan. At present, she endured all her wish, dream, passion and craziness because she is crazily loved by her beloved partner, best-friend and lastly husband. Rhea always prefers to say husband at end as she believes that marriage-rituals and marriage-certificate are not much meaningful if there is no love – “Jadidam hridayam taba”. They both fight and love with each other as if there is no tomorrow. Mohan got his writing style like his mom, very expressive with a natural flow. Rhea can be found anywhere with her multiple dimensions of passion – writing, speaking in front of thousands of people, promoting women’s empowerment and education for kids. She is a ball of fire and a very spirited soul.

“Joy, isn’t it very painful to live in a world where government will decide what should we do with our womb or how should we cover our body?”

Rhea expressed her feeling with adding one more line, “Oh I forgot that human-civilization can move backward too. Or maybe our civilization itself is wild & uncontrollable beast.”

“They are scared and insecure of women’s power and trying to clip their wings. Don’t worry; you are not just a bird; you are a hawk.” – Joy is trying to lighten her emotion.

In one tea-time, Rhea expressed that she wants to dance in upcoming event though she has lots of hesitation. Three boys in the family instantly replied – “You will rock, you are a natural dancer”. She realized at that moment that most of the obstacles are psychological, which is nothing but self-doubt. She was trying to justify her self-doubt by giving the excuse of not performing last sixteen years in public and her evolving body.

One Sunday. Rhea was rushing to prepare dinner. Monday blue is real !!

Joy taped her shoulder softly.

“Ohhh, you scared me” - she replied with little annoying voice.

Joy – “Why you want to do this after almost sixteen years?”

Rhea – “Pure pleasure, you know you are my second and first one was dance”.

Joy – “Then go ahead and have all the fun from your first love. Most beautiful fact is that you don’t expect anything in return. You are rich and unique enough to give importance to pure happiness.”

Rhea, with a curious look – “How did you know that I was thinking.”

Joy with loud laugh – “I hardly saw you cutting vegetables in such artistic way”.

The D-day. Music started and she forgot everything. She felt someone whispered in her ears, “Flatten your wings and just fly”. She was in different world. Once again in her life she felt there is no gravity and fairy-tell is real which is nothing but own state of mind. The fondest moment was witnessing her elder boy jumping with happiness and cheering her up. She was overwhelmed with reactions and feedback from audience, so much appreciation and encouragement. That moment brings her the realization that though art is for pure pleasure for an artist, but they have strong urge to reach audience to share their thoughts through multiple forms of arts. Rhea was relishing the pride and delight in her husband’s eyes.

“You are a very rare kind who allow his wife to have fun with her first one” – Rhea commented with a mischievous smile and witty look.

“Nahh, I know that your so called “first one” is not capable of replacing me.”

“Men will be a men” – Rhea with smile.

They enjoyed rest of the moments with a special cocktail with friends and family.

Rhea is busy doing her weekly grocery shopping at store. It’s a normal situation that she would be stand in front of bread-section and thinking which one to pick – wheat or white. She should be thankful to her new-friend who give her a hug and wake her up from the hypnotization of bread-selection. She picks wheat bread quickly just to pretend she has healthy food habit. She feels flattered with appreciation from her friend.

“You are multitalented” – her friend mentioned again.

Rhea denied that claim with humble smile and stated from her heart: “ Mera ek Khawaahishein hai – yeh jindegi go puri taara apnana ( my only wish is to live and embrace this life fully) .”

Disclaimer: The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this story are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Painting by Somak Bhattacharya