Today was the day. The day I had dreamed of for so long. Prayag Samriti Sang, the music school I had heard so much about, finally welcomed me. Raghav ji had taken leave from school just to accompany me. He said it was important for him to be there on this momentous day. I felt my heart race as we neared the school.
“Raghav ji, aaj sab kuch sach lag raha hai,” I said, looking at him with nervousness and excitement
(Raghav ji, today everything feels like a dream come true.)
“Haan, Jaan, tumhare sapne ab sach ho rahe hain,” he replied, his words filled with pride.
(Yes, my love, your dreams are finally becoming a reality.)
When we entered the gates of Prayag Samriti Sang, I could see the students practicing, and the atmosphere was filled with music. I felt both excited and nervous. This was the start of my journey into the world of music, something I had always wanted but never thought would be possible.
I was asked to play the veena for the formal admission process. A few moments later, I found myself standing in front of the instrument, feeling the familiar rush of nervous energy. As I played, the music seemed to flow through me with more confidence than I had expected. When I finished, the entire room erupted in applause.
The jury's spoke, “Aarti, tumhara performance humein bahut accha laga. Tumhare andar sach mein kala hai,” she said, her smile reassuring.
(Aarti, we loved your performance. You truly have talent.)
“Aarti, tumhari performance ne hum sabko prabhavit kiya hai. Tumhe humare patashala mein shaamil kiya jaata hai,” the principal announced with a beaming smile.
(Aarti, your performance has impressed us all. You are officially enrolled in our school.)
I felt as if the world had shifted into place. This was the beginning of my new chapter. I had a long road ahead, but today, it all started.
Later, as we left the school, I turned to Raghav ji, my eyes shining with gratitude. “Raghav ji, aapki wajah se yeh sab mumkin hua hai. Main kabhi bhi aapka shukriya nahi keh sakti.”
(Raghav ji, this is all happening because of you. I can never thank you enough.)
He smiled and put his hand on my shoulder. “Aarti Jaan, yeh tumhara sapna hai, main bas tumhare saath hoon. Tumhari mehnat tumhe yahan tak lekar aayi hai.”
(Aarti,my love, this is your dream, I am just here with you. Your hard work has brought you this far.)
A Few Weeks Later
The weeks flew by, and I found myself settling into the routine at Prayag Samriti Sang. I practiced every day, learning new techniques and expanding my knowledge of music. Slowly, my confidence grew, and the nervousness that once accompanied every performance started to fade.
One day, after a few weeks, the school organized a small performance at a nearby temple. It was my first chance to showcase my progress in front of an audience. I was excited but still a little nervous.
As I entered the temple, the sacred atmosphere filled me with reverence. The sound of the temple bells echoed in the background, creating a peaceful and spiritual environment. I could feel my heart racing as I sat down with my veena. This was different from the school performances. This was real, with real people, and real expectations.
But then, a wave of hesitation hit me. I noticed that I was the only female performer here. All the other musicians were men, and a thought crossed my mind , would they look at me differently? Would they think I was out of place, holding my veena among them?
I glanced at Raghav ji, my uncertainty showing in my eyes. “Raghav ji, sab mujhe kaise dekhenge? Mein akeli aurat hoon yahan.”
(Raghav ji, how will they look at me? I'm the only women here.)
Raghav ji, noticing my unease, walked over and gently reassured me. “Aarti, yeh tumhara samay hai. Tumhare andar jo kala hai, woh sabko prabhavit karegi. Tumhari kalpana aur shraddha sabse mahatvapurn hai. Tum ladki ho ya ladka, yeh koi farq nahi padta.”
(Aarti, this is your moment. The talent inside you will impress everyone. Your passion and dedication are what matter most. Whether you're a girl or a boy, it doesn't make a difference.)
I nodded, his words giving me the strength I needed. The doubts that had crept in slowly began to fade away. This was my journey, and I was ready for it.
The priest, who was overseeing the event, smiled at me. “Beta, aapka pradharshan yahan ke maholl ko sukoon dega,” he said, his voice calm .
(Child, your performance will bring peace to this place.)
I smiled back, grateful for his words. The audience had gathered, their eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.
I took a deep breath, my fingers touching the veena once more. I began playing, slowly at first, letting the music flow through me. With every note, I felt a connection not only to the instrument but to the audience as well. The quiet hum of the temple seemed to enhance the music, and I was lost in the rhythm.
As I finished, the room was filled with a profound silence. Then, the applause began, soft at first, but gradually growing louder. I felt my heart swell with joy.
“Aarti, aap humare dil jeet liye,” the priest said, his eyes full of appreciation.
(Aarti, you have won our hearts.)
“Aapka shukriya, pandit ji,” I replied, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
(Thank you, pandit ji.)
Raghav ji, who had been watching me from the back, came forward with a proud smile. “Aarti, tumne sach mein apne sapne ko jeevant kiya hai.”
(Aarti, you have truly brought your dream to life.)
I smiled at him, my heart full of gratitude. This was just the beginning, and I was ready for whatever came next.
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