CHAPTER 36: CONTEMPORARY ACROBATIC DANCE

"Rian.." "Hmm?" "My cousin can't meet us today. But he said we can go directly to the studio. He already informed his friend regarding our visit." Gavin said as he scanned his thumb at the biometrics machine. "Uhm.. okay. I already informed Alex about that." "Uhuh.. care to share the details?" he asked in a raised eyebrow. I smiled as I also scanned my right thumb for my final out and start to tell him all of what happened yesterday. "Well, that's good to hear. At least I'm safe now to be your friend again." I laughed at his comment.  "What do you mean by the word 'safe'? As if you're telling me that Alex is a monster." "Haha, I didn't say that. By the way, is it okay with him that I would be your partner for this performance?" "Yeah, and he wants to see how we're going practice and in our actual performance." "Nice... a very supportive husband." I didn't comment on that. I just smiled happily. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  "What's the name of the instructor again?" I asked him as we entered the elevator going to the dance studio of the instructor referred by his cousin. "Sophia." "Ahh.."  Where did I hear that name? "Are you sure she's here?" "Yeah, Rolly made sure of that or else I'll chop his head." We walked at the wide hallway and some rooms until we found the dance studio his talking about.  "Excuse me.. Uhm we're looking for the woman who named Sophia?" he called the attention of one of the guy watching the few pairs dancing inside. "Ahh.. are you referring to our coach?" "The instructor... yes." "I think she's inside of her office. But if you want, you can also talk to her assistant, Craig." "Thank you. Do you have an idea where we can find Craig?" "Yeah. Can you see that man in the middle wearing a green shirt?" we followed where his finger pointed at. "That's Craig." "Okay. Thank you." we both said in unison. We walked towards the direction of the man who's wearing a green shirt and currently giving instructions to his students.  When we noticed that he's already finished, Gavin was about to approach him but he suddenly stopped and I bumped on his back. "What's that shit, Gavin?" I asked rubbing both my forehead and nose. "Fuck, Rian!" he turned to me with widened eyes and excitement was written all over his face. "What is it this time?" I asked a bit annoyed. "My God! Can you slap me?" "Slap you.. but why?" I asked in confusion. "The 'Craig' man is sooo hot and fucking sexy!" he almost jumps on his feet. I laughed as I rolled my eyes on him. But in fairness, if you're going to look at 'Craig', he's a man full of muscles... haha.. toned chest and broad shoulders. And of course he's a real sexy for my silly and pervert bestfriend, because he's looking at his crotch which is clearly noticeable in his tight black jeans. "God, Gavin!" I nudged his side and walked passed to him. "Good afternoon, we're looking for Ms. Sophia, the head instructor." "Hi, I'm Craig."  I am about to accept his hand but it's too late to know that's it's not actually for me, but for Gavin.  "Gavin." He accepted it without even blinking and guess what... they stood there with their eyes locked with each other and smiling like they were nothing that exist around them. -'Oh, God! He's also in Gavin's federation.'- I bite my inside cheeks to control my laugh while watching them. "Ahem! Uhm... excuse me? Craig, can we talk to your head instructor, Ms. Sophia?" I called his attention and glared at Gavin who still in dazed. "Oh, I'm sorry... I-I'm Craig." then he finally offered his hand on me. I wanted to roll my eyes but I just managed to smile and accepted it. "Rian. Nice to meet you, Craig." "Same here. So, you're looking for Sophia?" "Yes. Actually, we were about to meet her today together with Gavin's cousin, but he suddenly got an emergency call from his work." "Uhuh.. I see. If you want I can go with you to her office." "Sure. That's a great help." He walked with us until we reached the purple painted door. And a very feminine voice came from inside after he knocked. A white-coloured wall with purple color of furniture, lamp, carpet, paintings and almost all that you can imagine inside of her office. But it blended well with the white wall, white ceiling and white tiled-floor. "Sophia." He called the woman sitting in her chair with her eyes focused on the computer screen. "Craig." she smiled with her beautiful yet charming smile. And then I recognized that smile, her voice and her face. "Belle?" I blurted out and I gasped when she looked directly to me. "Rian?" she immediately stand and I walked towards her desk. "Oh my God! It's really you, Belle!"  "Rian!"  We both run and hugged each other as we both squealed in excitement when we recognized each other's face. "How are you, Rian? You looked more beautiful, girl." I smiled and hugged her again. "I missed you, Belle, so much."  "I missed you too. How are you?" "Well, I'm married." I lifted my hand to show her my wedding ring. "Wow, congratulations...." she stopped and looked at Gavin. "Oh no! Not him. He's just my bestfriend, Gavin." "I see.. Hi, Gavin." she offered her hand for a handshake while suppressing a smile on her lips. I know what she's thinking. "Hi. I'm confused. How did you two meet each other? And Rian, why are you calling her 'Belle'? I thought her name is Sophia." She chuckled at his question. "That's my first name, actually. Sophia Ysabelle. And Belle, it's her nickname to me when we were in college." "And believe it or not, she's my mentor back in college, and she was the one who introduced me to my band." I answered his question with a proud smile. "Wow! But if you were Rian's mentor in singing, how did you become a dance instructor?" I also looked at her. I'm also confused.  "Well, as Rian said yes. I was actually doing a part-time job back in college, I'm two years ahead than her. But after I graduated I don't know, I just found myself more fan of dancing than singing. Maybe because when I was a kid, my mom enrolled me in a different dancing class, so I pursue more dancing. I enrolled again in a dancing school and later on, I also bought my own dancing studio." "So, you're now totally in dancing and you're no longer playing any instruments?" I asked her. "Uhm, sometimes when I'm in the mood, I'm still playing guitar and piano." "Wow!" Gavin exclaimed in awe. "Yes. By the way, Rian. Are you still in your band?" "Yup. But not like before, only when I have time. Actually we did a performance three months ago." "Wow.. that's great. Anyway, what makes you visit in here?" "Ohh.. actually we're really looking for you. Rolly, my cousin referred you to us. He said you can help us to perform well in our upcoming competition. It's actually that big competition, it's just a part of the thanksgiving event of our company."  "Oh, I see. Rolly Sarmiento is your cousin? He's a good friend of mine." "Yeah. He said you're one of the best coach who can help us." "I'm flattered by his words. But you know, he's my friend that's why he's talking such things, you know." she chuckled and waved her hands in the air. "Belle, I don't believe you. I know you're not going to exceed in this kind of work if you don't have talent and passion. Although I haven't seen you yet in this field, but I believe you're the best." I smiled as I patted her shoulder. "Ohh Rian.. you haven't changed." She said shaking her head. "So.. what type of dance are you going to perform?" "Uhm... we're actually thinking about couple dance." "Uhuh... a couple dance. Like rumba... salsa.. tango----" but she was cut off by Gavin. "No! Not that style... I mean that's too old and overused in a competition." She chuckled again. "Okay. But, let's sit first and we're going to discuss this matter." She walked back behind her desk while me and Gavin seated across each other in front of her table. "We want something modern and unique." Gavin added. "Uhm.. modern and unique. How about contemporary acrobatic dance?" she asked as she leaned on her seat and her thumb on her chin. "Contemporary what?" we both asked in unison. "Contemporary acrobatic dance." "What's that?" We both asked again in unison. "Okay, it's actually a combination of contemporary dance and acrobatic dance. In contemporary, its a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance including modern jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. And in acrobatic dance, this is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique and acrobatic elements. So, what do you think?" "Wow, that's great. Do you think we can do that... I mean.. we can survive in our performance without stepping each other's foot?" "That's why we're going to schedule your practice. When is the thanksgiving event in your company?"  "Three weeks from now." I answered her. "Okay then, we still have nineteen days to practice and perfect your performance." "Nineteen days?" "Yes, nineteen days. There were 20 remaining days before your performance, but I'm sorry because I'll have to reserve one of my day from that practice, I'll just have an important commitment to attend to. But we will make it sure that in your 20th day of practice, it's already perfect." "Okay. " we just nodded in agreement. "I'll give you my card so can contact me anytime. And if you want, we can start it by tomorrow same hour as this time." "Sure." I accepted her card. One for me and one for Gavin. "No problem." Gavin said.  "But I'll have an assignment for you, so you can have an idea if you present yourselves here tomorrow."  "Assignment?" I asked confused. "Yes. Search in youtube the 'Power Dou's performance' and you will understand how to dance this contemporary acrobatic dance. They were good, I mean.. best in their every performance." "Power Dou... sounds familiar." I looked at her with a furrowed eyebrows. "Yes. They were from your mother's country." she smiled. "Ohh... Philippines!" I exclaimed in excitement. "Yes. They were a couple from Manila. And Rian, I'm telling you, you will also love their performance." "Ahh.. thank you, Belle. I'll try to search them when I get home." I stand and take her hands. Gavin also stands in his seat and shake Belle's hand. After saying our goodbyes, Gavin and I both headed on our way home. Alex texted me that he's now in my apartment and cooking for our dinner tonight. I can't help but smile from the thought.