Miss Little Ballerina

PRESENT

She sat hard on the bed with eyes full of tears. She can’t let him go. Yaashika might do anything to her fullest to chase them out. Her little brother clutched around her skirt. She carried him and placed him on her lap. The thoughts of the future began ruining her present. What will happen if he’s gone? Will Yaashika allow her and her brother to stay there at least or is she really going the chase them out? She tried every possible way to stop him from leaving but, in vain. She walked up to a table, picked up her hearing aid, and noticed a photo of her mother beside it. It was a photo taken at the finals. She was heartbroken. The memories of the past flashed into her mind. She sat there looking at the photo. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Out of nowhere a hand crushed the photo and snatched it from her hand. It was Yaashika. He was gone………

THE FLASHBACK

Mrinali was a beautiful-talented-six-year-old. Although she was a brilliant child, she was deaf; not completely, she could hear music if she used a hearing aid. At first, Her mother Maya was heartbroken to learn that her daughter was born deaf. But She did not give up on Mrinali. she trained her daughter to be an expert. Little Mrinali, although only six years old could read what others say by looking at their lips. When Mrinali was three she was enrolled in a dance class for special children. But, as time passed Mrinali could hear music and song quite well. So, she was enrolled in an ordinary dance class.

 Children taunted her at the dance class. They called her deaf and poked fun of her. Mrinali would often be heartbroken. once she gets back home she would run up to Maya and cry out loud.

“’ you're really blessed. you’ve been blessed with an extraordinary power of not hearing the harsh and criticizing words of others. No one’s words can stop you. You're born to achieve. Born for success. you're unstoppable. you're talented. you’re a born dancer. you’re a champion.” Maya said every time Mrinali comes crying to her.

PRESENT

Yaashika tore the photo into pieces. "He's gone and no one can stop me now!" Yaashika declared as she pushed her hard. She fell and hurt her knees. she shouted in pain. "Stop your drama and wash the clothes now," Yaashika ordered. "me b-but why isn't the maid supposed to do it?" she asked. "The MAID! who is going to pay the maid. moreover, since I have you now, I wouldn't require a maid so, I've asked the maid not to come anymore." Yaashika said sternly. "B-But a-a I" She stammered. "Get to work now or your brother's life is in danger" Yaashika threatened. "No! no no please don't harm my brother. I will work for you. I will do anything you ask me to. but, please don't harm my brother." she pleaded and carried out the lump of clothes. As she sat to wash the clothes Yaashika walked up to her. she stood up. "I've got another task for you," Yaashika said carelessly. "Yes, mom. eh! I-I mean madam." she said in fear. "I'm hungry. cook something for me first." Yaashika asserted. "I haven't started with the clothes yet. can you help me cook? I haven't done it for days." she requested. "How dare you ask. me. to cook?! Get away from my sight and start cooking at once." Yaashika said fiercely. "eh! ok. can I make some porridge for my brother too?" she inquired. Yaashika looked at her sharply. "ok then. but you get to cook for just one of you it's either you or your brother. now get to work." Yaashika ordered. 

She was heartbroken. she saw this coming when he informed her about the war. 

She decided to cook for her brother alone. once she was done, she served Yaashika and fed her brother. "Hey! enough of pampering your brother. finish the clothes and do the dishes. oh! and don't forget to sweep the house you Miss little Balerina ." Yaashika uttered hoarsely.

A tear dropped from her eye 'Miss little Balerina'.

The FLASHBACK

That afternoon, after her dance classes Mrinali prepared to leave. she waited patiently for her mother to pick her up. As she turned towards the gate; she stood there awestricken. It was her father. He was a soldier and would visit them only once a year he stood there along with Maya and her two-month-old brother. She ran up to her dear father. he hugged her and carried her back home. As they walked forward Mrinali's dance master called out to them. he ran towards them and greeted her father. he then exclaimed, "Many more congratulations! your daughter Mrinali is directly selected for the semi-finals of south India's number one completion organized by the Indian government 'Miss little Balerina '" Mrinali did not understand anything as he spoke too fast to read his lips. Her parents were overjoyed the made her understand the news. They took the application form from the master and rode back home. since then Mrinali's parents were on cloud nine. They called all their relatives and informed them of the news. Mrinali was celebrated by their family. they would offer her sweets and send many surprise gifts too.

PRESENT

"Stop daydreaming!" Yaashika shouted. "s-s-sorry. I'll get to work right away." she said as she walked towards the huge pile of clothes. She couldn't work for long. she was starving. She then pulled herself to the dishes. she washed them and decided to sit for a while; as she sat down, Yaashika kicked her hard. She fell and hurt her forehead. "Your merciless!" she shouted and moved her hands over her lips. she should have not said that. "I-I" she tried apologizing but, Yaashika pulled her and pushed her on the wall. She shouted in pain. Hearing her loud cries, the neighbours rushed towards their home and knocked on the door. "Go and open the door. remember if anything that happened here gets to their ears, then you and your brother will be dead." Yaashika warned. She wiped her eyes and opened the door. she convinced them into everything is fine and she is alright. 

This wasn't of course the worst day of her life. She had gone through much more awful days. she went to bed with eyes full of tears. Her body was full of wounds. She closed her eyes. she couldn't sleep instead tears rolled down her cheeks. She was not allowed to cry out loud. She thought of the glorious days. the days in which she was known as a star. the time when she was popular. The wounds in her body and the pain of her bleeding hand reminded her of her mother.

THE FLASHBACK

Mrinali practised hard for the competition. She danced all day long. Her parents stood by her. They were her motivation. All her co-participants mocked her. "You're deaf and you think you can win this competition?" they asked. But, these words did not hold back Mrinali. She continued to work hard. 

Exactly a month later, Mrinali was ready for the competition. On the day of the competition, she performed extraordinarily well and got a standing ovation. Her parents stood there proud of her with eyes full of tears of joy.

PRESENT

She closed her eyes tight and tried to sleep but in vain. This routine continued for days. She would wake up to Clean the house all day, eat nothing much, bear the harsh words and violent trashings of Yaashika, think of her parents and push herself to sleep. One night as she closed her eyes to sleep. she felt something weird. her heart pounded fast. something was wrong. The thought of her father tore her heart into pieces. She stepped out of her bed and walked up to the kitchen for a glass of water; as she walked past Yaashika's room she noticed Yaashika sitting on the floor and mourning. 

She walked up to Yaashika and held her hand. Yaashika pushed her off. "RAHMAN IS DEAD!!!!" Yaashika shouted out loud. She dropped the glass of water and fell on her knees. Tears rolled down her cheek. She cried out loud. She was devastated. She couldn't digest the news. she felt horrible. She did not sleep all night. She sat in the corner of a dark room and cried her emotions out. She wanted it to be a dream. She pinched herself to wake up. but. it wasn't really a dream. She did not eat for the next few weeks. She looked scary. Yaashika on the other hand was perfectly alright now. She once again began forcing her to work. 

Yaashika's greed. 

One morning while she was busy working Yaashika got a call. Yaashika picked up her phone. She turned to look at Yaashikas's lips. Yaashika noticed this and turned away. It was a call from the Indian army. They informed Yaashika that Rahman's pensions would be given to his daughter. Yaashika could not take this. She informed them that his daughter is dead. They then informed her that the money would go to his son. Yaashika explained that his son is too young to have the money. "Alright! you get to keep the money, only if you take good care of Rahman sir's son and we would come to check if the child is alright every month." The officials informed

Yaashika was overjoyed. She decided to kick Rahman's daughter out of the house and take care of the little boy for the money. She walked up to her, "Hey! Miss little Balerina. Get out of the house right now! or your life is in danger." Yaashika shouted. she could finally be released from Yaashika but, she did not know where to go. She walked up to her brother and carried him. "Where are you taking him?!" Yaashika questioned. She was bewildered "you asked me to go out." she said. "I asked you to get out. not him. your brother is not coming anywhere." Yaashika snapped. "How can I leave him with you?" she questioned. Yaashika explained everything to her and said, "If you're staying here or saying this to anyone you and your brother will be dead. if You get out of the house both of your lives will be spared. Now GET OUT" Yaashika shouted. Teary-eyed she walked out of the house. She wandered around. she did not know where to go. She walked all day in search of food no one came forward to help her. She walked by a line of small cottages and as she walked by she fell hard. she couldn't move a bit. 

The next day she woke up in someone's cottage. She was scared at first but, an old lady calmed her down. she then narrated everything that had happened to the old woman. The lady felt sad for her. "You can stay with us for as long as you wish to." an old man said as he walked out of the kitchen with a glass of water. The old woman nodded in agreement. She thanked them and offered to work for them in return and they happily agreed. 

That night the old woman narrated her story, "we don't have kids. we were very rich. last year we had a loss in our business but, still, we had some money left. we're too old to earn for ourselves so, we decided to live on that money and donate the rest."

A few days passed by She took good care of the old man and woman. They liked her a lot. She learned to cook well. The old lady introduced her to the neighbors. They would often play songs and ask her to dance, she would dance gracefully without any hesitation. 

Months passed and it was time for 'Ganesh Chaturthi'. There was a grand celebration organized in the area where she stays. The Councillor of the area was invited along with a minster. The old woman and all the other neighbours asked her to perform. Although she was hesitant at first, she agreed later. The next day a stage was put up for all the children to perform. She put on her hearing aid and walked backstage. fully prepared. Many cameramen and journalists were capturing the program and the expressions of the minister. It was time for her to perform. she performed gracefully and was given a standing ovation by the minister. 

The FLASHBACK

Mrinali was overjoyed by the standing ovation. She stepped down the stage, with hopes of being selected for the finals. Her parents hugged her and appreciated her performance. 

It was time for the results. Only six participants would be selected out of the fifty semi-finalists. Mrinali prayed for her victory, and suddenly the countdown began. "5. 4. 3. 2. 1 and the finalists are; Riya Ramesh, Jenny Chatterji, Sham Nair, Jack paul, John Johnas and............. MRINALI RAHMAN!!"

Mrinali was overjoyed. her parents were proud of her. Maya was in tears. This was the best moment of her life.

PRESENT

She was overjoyed. The crowd cheered her as she walked down the stage. 

A year passed by. It's been almost two years since she met the old couple. They loved her like their own grandchild. They took very good care of her. She liked them too. They would narrate her stories and put her to sleep. one morning, she woke up early so, she decided to clean the house and make coffee for the 'grandparents'. she quickly cleaned and made hot coffee. She walked up to the old lady and tried waking her up. SHE DID NOT MOVE AN INCH. SHE WASN'T BREATHING. A tear dropped from her eye; the old lady was no more. Hearing her cry the old man woke up. He was devastated to hear the news. soon, the last rites were performed. 

A week passed by. she couldn't get over the incident. The old man was in a state of slumber. He was completely depressed. That afternoon, He slowly stretched his hand to reach out for her. she turned towards him. "Granddad, what's wrong?" she inquired. "My child, I'm really grateful to you. you never let us work. you did all the work. you were like my own granddaughter. your grandma remained happy in her last days only because of you. Here, tale the keys. there is some money in the cupboard. you're my heir now. You'll become a great dancer one day. That is my last wish. May God bless yo....." He died before he could complete his last word. 

She screamed in pain. She could not bear it. She was disconsolate. Hearing her the neighbours came to her aid.

Two years passed since they had passed away. She could not get over it. She sat on the couch and switched on the Television accidentally. she lifted the remote to switch it off and suddenly an advertisement played. "South India's number one competition 'Miss little Balerina' is now open. Register in the address given below and become the next 'Miss little Balerina'" She looked into the advertisement. She has to become a famous dancer; that was the old man's last wish. 

She walked to the address to register for the competition. The receptionist asked her to Pay a Lakh as the registration fee. She was bewildered and claimed that the completion is free of cost but, the receptionist explained that it was only for the dancers who are selected by expert dance masters and they would be qualified directly to the semi-finals. She walked back home. 

She thought about it the whole night long. The next morning she took some cash from the cupboard and walked for registration. 

On the other hand.

Yaashika got a call from the army. Rahman's son overheard it. He was frustrated. He fought with Yaashika and claimed that the money belonged to him. He wanted to see his sister. Yaashika showed a photo of his sister. He compelled her to take him to meet her. Yaashika had an evil plan in her mind so, she agreed to take him there. She took the little boy through a market, pushed him down, and ran back home. When he got back his senses he stood up only to find his stepmother missing. He walked out of the market and was overjoyed to see his sister. She began crossing the road. He shouted out loud, "sister; a sister; look here. wait." Obviously, she did not hear it. He did not notice a car speeding towards him. He was hit by the car and he fell in a pool of blood. She noticed people running somewhere. She turned back. There was a huge crowd surrounding someone. She pushed through the crowd to see the victim. It was her brother. She ran up to him and cried out loud. she requested everyone to call an ambulance. finally, someone called an ambulance. She took him to the hospital. The doctor asked her to pay seventy-thousand. She walked up to the reception and without any hesitation, she paid for it, with the money she had brought for the competition. The treatment began. The pool of blood. This wasn't the first time she saw so much blood.

THE FLASHBACK

Mrinali was very happy but, it was time to bid farewell to her dad. His vacation was over. He really wanted to watch her performance in the finals but, he was a soldier and so he had to go. They bid a painful goodbye and Mrinali got back to practice. Mrinali began practising for the finals. This time she worked really hard. She did not care about the criticizing words of others. She remained focused on her practice,

Soon, it was time for the finals. They left her brother in daycare and she left for the finals along with her mother. They were quick to reach the auditorium. They clicked a few pictures and walked to the make-up room upstairs. Mrinali realized that she had forgotten her Make up pouch so, they walked back down the stairs. As they walked down Maya slipped down the stairs. she hit her head on the edge of a stair. she was bleeding. Mrinali was horrified.

PRESENT

"Hey!" called out the doctor. she walked up to the doctor and inquired of her brother's condition. The doctor said that he was much better now but, she would have to pay fifty-thousand for his medicines and syringes. She paid the amount left with her and ran home to bring the rest of it.

After a few weeks. she took her brother to her home. She took good care of him. She noticed a pamphlet of 'Miss little Balerina ' lying on the bed. A tear dropped from her eye. she kept it in the cupboard and closed it along with her dreams. she knew that she could never achieve what she wanted.

ON THE OTHER HAND

A professional dancer took note of her dance on the television. her dance on Ganesh Chaturthi was being telecasted on television. the minister could be seen awestricken by her dance. This dancer was not an ordinary one he was one of the judges of the 'Miss little Balerina' competition. she showed the video of her dance to the other judges and asked them to look into it.

THE FLASHBACK

Mrinali did not understand what was happening. she cried out loud. an ambulance was called, and her father 'Richard' was informed of the news. Halfway to the hospital, Maya passed away. Mrinali was left alone in the hospital. She was too young to understand the happenings. On the other hand, the finals were over and the winners were announced. Mrinali surely wasn't of them. soon, Richard arrived and the last rites were performed.

Years passed. 

"Come have dinner" Yaashika called out to Mrinali. 'Yaashika' is Mrinali's stepmother. She was kind at first but, as time passed; she began showing her true colors. She forced Mrinali to work all day long.

It was soon time for Richard's vacation. He arrived home. Mrinali was relieved. She decided to say everything to her father. For the first two weeks, she was scared of what Yaashika would do. but, finally, she gathered the courage to reveal the truth. She called her father, as he was about to turn he got a call. He was informed that a war has broken out and Richard was ordered to leave immediately. Mrinali tried her best to stop him but, he wouldn't listen. "it's my duty and I'm obliged to do it." he said. Mrinali pleaded with him and requested him not to go for the war but, he was adamant. she ran to her room with eyes full of tears. Yaashika walked to the door to watch Richard go away. She walked to Mrinali's room and noticed her sitting on a chair with a photo. with eyes full of tears.

PRESENT

She heard a knock on the door. She opened it without any expectations. She noticed five elders standing. She invited them inside. They introduced themselves as the judges of 'Miss little Balerina'. "We saw a video of your dance and we were quite impressed. you dance so well, in fact, The finals of 'Miss little Balerina' are due in a month and you're very much compatible with the finalists. so, we've decided to include you as one of the finalists of the competition." They explained. She was overjoyed. "Thank you; Thank you so much. I was once a finalist of the competition and I could not attend the finals and now it's my turn again!" She exclaimed

The finals

She practised really hard for the competition. It was her last chance. She put on her hearing aid and left for the competition. She patiently waited backstage. This time she felt her confidence sliding away. she was scared. But, suddenly she remembered the words of her mother:

“’ you're really blessed. you’ve been blessed with an extraordinary power of not hearing the harsh and criticizing words of others. No one’s words can stop you. You're born to achieve. Born for success. you're unstoppable. you're talented. you’re a born dancer. you’re a champion.”

She gave her best performance on the stage. She looked really pretty and her dance was extraordinary. As usual, she did not miss a standing ovation. She felt tears roll down her cheek. Her parents were with her when she got an ovation the previous time. she could not hear the applause but she could feel see how impressed others were. 

The results

The countdown began 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. and the Miss little Balerina is... MRINALI RICHARD!

Someone finally said her name after many years. MRINALI RICHARD. She ran up to the stage and received a trophy and a cash prize of rupees Twenty-five lakh. She was speechless. she couldn't believe this was happening. 

A reporter questioned her, "What are you going to do with this money?" 

She noticed his lips carefully and then answered, "I don't need this cash prize. 'Miss little Balerina' was my dream. It was the dream of my late parents. I need not have to be paid for achieving my dream. I'll donate this money to the physically unstable and poor people." Mrinali declared and the crowd cheered her at that. 

THE DONATION

The next day, People were lined up for donations. Mrinali divided the money equally and asked her brother to give it to everyone as she walked with him. They distributed the money one by one and happily received their blessings. As they walked forward, a very familiar hand received the money. they looked up, to see who it was and they were shocked to see Yaashika. She had met with an accident and lost her hearing and sight...........................