The Flamenco Dancer

       ‘Wonderful Natalia! Absolutely delightful!’, cried out Madam Jercelle, Natalia’s merry Flamenco teacher, as she performed a complex twirl with grace and ease.

Natalia Robinson, a passionate Flamenco dancer was an eighteen- year- old Bombayite from nineteen eighty- one who occupied a small cottage on Carter road. Her content family consisted of, her mother, grandmother, her younger brother, Mike and not to forget, her smart companion and pet puppy, Nico. Natalia’s mother worked as a playback guitarist for movies. Natalia’s father had been a dancer, but had died years ago. She now wanted to follow in his footsteps, and become a professional dancer. Her teacher, Madam Jercelle, pushed her to great lengths to achieve perfection, and Natalia was one who never disappointed.

 ‘My feet just dance to the beats, and I am delivered into a trance. And the steps are not very easy, so I like to challenge myself every now and then.’, said Natalia when Mike asked her why she did not go for one of the simpler dance forms, like Jazz or Free- style. It was quite true that Natalia had a hard time to get people to believe that she was a Flamenco dancer from Bombay. However, she was extremely content with the dance form she had chosen. Natalia had one dream and that was to go to Spain to become a professional. 

In the wink of an eye, an opportunity knocked at Natalia’s cottage, one that would show the world Natalia’s great gift.

One morning, Natalia got up, hardly aware that this day would be delivered into her memory forever. When she went to the door to get the daily newspaper, she was too dumbstruck to even speak. 

It read:

‘The famous American director, John Webb, is looking for the protagonist for his new movie ‘Flamenco’, which portrays a young girl, who goes out in search for the perfect dance form for herself. The auditions for the movie will be held two months from now in June, in Los Angeles, USA.’ 

Natalia knew that this was the opportunity to display her talent. That same evening, Natalia rushed to Madam Jercelle’s.

‘Madam Jercelle!’, Natalia cried so loudly that her teacher jumped in surprise.

‘What’s the matter Natalia?’, she asked.          

‘The American director J. Webb is looking for a young female Flamenco dancer to play the lead role in his new film Flamenco!’

‘That’s lovely! You must try out.’

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. ‘What will happen to my family, when I am not here. Even if we get the finances , what if I don’t get the part?’, she thought.

Madam Jercelle must have read her mind for she said, ‘Natalia, I am sure you will get the part, at least try out for it, this is your chance to show the world your talent.’

That was enough for Natalia. She went home and told her mother and grandmother about the audition; her mother was delighted to hear about it. Though, she was unsure of how they would pay for her to go there.

However, her grandmother came up with an idea to mortgage her jewellery, to pay for the trip.

And with that, Natalia went to Los Angeles.

She danced beautifully in the audition, and the director was awestruck by her performance. He didn’t hesitate to cast her for the lead role.

Natalia played her part in the movie to perfection. Although she had a little trouble acting, she danced wonderfully.

When the movie was released, it became an instant hit. She was rewarded handsomely for it, and her family was extremely proud.

Natalia became a popular dancer and actress, and received many requests for more movies, but she declined all of them. Instead, she travelled to Spain, to learn more about Flamenco dancing, and fulfill her dream of being a perfect dancer.