It was a foggy afternoon and the students from the ballet class were returning to their dorms. The fountain poured out her heart. She was singing sweet goodnight to the angels who would soon have dinner and go to bed. The ballet academy had a large playground and various trees, flowers, and attractions to play on. The fountain of the spring was the center of attraction and the favorite place of the students. They used to practice their dance lessons to perfection. Their shoes would wear out at the end of the month, but they didn’t care. They wanted to be ideal. Such was her dedication and her ballet teacher Mr. Meow was just as good. He had strange whiskers like a cat’s and a funny temper. If he found a student bored as a ditch in his performance, he would freak out and run down the hall and yell and ask them to bring lots of jalapenos for him to eat. He was quite funny to watch, but the students loved him and knew that he cared for them.
The class saw its best students this year. Ruecha, Keith, Ana and Ahiru. They were beautiful dancers and possessed unique qualities. Rue cha was an exquisite girl with raven hair and legs like sticks of butter. She was delicate and danced like a fairy queen in wonderland. She and Keith made a seductive couple and every time they danced together they created magic on stage. Ballet positions like the pirouette and arabesque looked dainty as they performed. Ana was a soloist and her movements were dark and acrobatic. The students stood in the academy hall, watched them perform, and joined them in creating a magical atmosphere along with beautiful symphonies. It was thanks to these perfectionists that the call for the Integral Ballet Competition was in the air. Everyone knew it was a piece of cake for groupers. They believed in his talent and in Mr Meow. Last but not on the list was Ahiru. Her full name was Ahiru Mei Chan.
Ahiru was small, skinny, and duck-like. His eyes were large and wide with curiosity. Her friends called her duck face or clumsy dancer. Thanks to his long orange hair, the others behind him never stopped to sneeze. Ahiru was shaky, pawed and bit like a child who found it difficult to dance ballet. Mr Meow considered her ‘morning meltdown’ as she had to control her temper while counting her mistakes. Poor Ahiru! She had a hard time at the academy.
In his room near the attic, he used to look up at the blue sky and feed the little sparrows that perched on his window. Some liked her furry nest so much that they meant well to build their nest on her head. She didn’t care about that. All she wanted was a cheerful company and waiting for the prince of hers that was Keito Biros. She wanted to have a moonlight dance for once in her life with him. Poor me! It was still a dream for her, since keito was taken. He was the prince of Rue.
Ahiru was an ordinary and clumsy girl to others. It was a disaster for her friends and for herself. Her panic attack came countless times a day when she was with Keito. She fluttered, flushed, and stumbled twice on the hallway floor to save her soul. However, there was a sweet white secret lurking in her heart.
Her innocent red locket that she was fiddling with contained her majestic charm. She was a princess. A duck princess designed and destined to save the prince, she silently prayed for her safety.
I had a musician friend named Adele. She played sweet hopeful melodies on her music box. Ahiru listened intently and all the sadness in her melted away. Her hopes of being with Keito would grow stronger and she gained more strength as a princess determined to save her love. One day fate smiled at her and she had the opportunity to fulfill her long-awaited dream. It was a practice session for the Ballet Competition.
All the ballet boys and the ballerinas had gathered in the meeting room. It was full of mirrors, so it looked like thousands of tiny dancers were lining up. Each had to give a solo performance so that the dance moves could be monitored. Star performers Rue and the other girls performed gracefully. The room was filled with applause and shouts. Ahiru was standing at the end of the line. She watched Rue and Keito acting with mesmerizing eyes. They moved like a pair of swans. It was an impressive performance, but Ahiru had her heart elsewhere. “So apparently beautiful! Why oh why can’t I take her hands just once in mine? Why am I so incompetent? I wish I had the same grace and proud spirit as Rue… Yo! She was pondering and knotting her fingers while her gaze was fixed on Keito.
“MISS AHIRU-CHAN!” She panicked and turned around. Mr. Meow glared at her. “Oh no, I’m in trouble!” Ahiru was petrified. “Lady. Chan I think this is a practice and monitoring session?” So, where is your concentration going?” If you don’t focus on your steps, I’m afraid I’ll have to eliminate you right away! Do you understand?” YessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssI’m sorry mister meow” she smiled weakly. Mr. Meow came forward huffing and puffing. Now it was his turn. He had to show his best this time. Ahiru took a deep breath and, looking sideways at her love, went to the center of the study.
The melody went up in the air- “Though my love is small, it is big enough to conquer the world!” He closed his eyes and surrendered to the rhythm. She danced. Oh, how she danced! The body of her as if she was under the musical spell. All she wanted was to be a perfect ballerina for her beloved prince. There was an aura of love around her and she consumed the energy in her
She danced a beautiful pirouette and an arabesque pose that ended with a perfect pas-de-deux. When the music ended, the audience was silent and stunned. Even Rue seemed a bit shocked and was looking at her with poisonous eyes. Mr. Meow was silent for a moment and shaking his head from her he moved closer to her. A sudden thunderous applause filled the room with hisses and shouts.
No one could believe that she danced so well. Even Ahiru didn’t believe what her body was doing. She came to her senses and looked sheepishly at Keito. For once, he seemed shocked and stunned in disbelief. “Well done Miss Chan!” I didn’t know you had that in you.” You surprised us today dear Ahiru,” Mr. Meow said with obvious appreciation. I think I have to reconsider my decision to create the star couple in the competition. Keep doing your best and soon it will be your time.” Ahiru was beaming. She gracefully curtsied to the students and returned to her place. One after one, the performers demonstrated her talent and grace and it was a beautiful evening. Later she helped herself to refreshments and the students prepared to retire for the night.
“My oh my! I saw her smile! She was smiling at my dance. She liked it. Oh Keito!” Our duck princess was secretly hugging each other with joy. She knew that she had planted a seed of friendship in her heart. She pondered again, “Calm down, duckling! You have a bad habit of overthinking things in your little feathery head. It’s just the first step. I’m not sure if he’ll ever talk to me or sit with me in the field.” I thought about sharing this with Adele but decided it was after 10 and surely the girls wouldn’t let her leave the premises at this time of night.” Maybe later I can ask.”
As she ran to her room, she heard a strange noise near the side of the pond. “Oh darling! Who could it be?” Ahiru’s blue eyes widened and she stroked her hair. It was a nervous gesture from our little miss duckling. “Surely, it’s just a bat or a bird. Oh shit! Let me check.” He walked slowly towards the flower bush. She stirred again and she froze. Something came up from behind her and two dark, twinkling eyes looked up at her.
Keito? Heart failure! Ahiru was stupefied and he couldn’t speak. “What is he doing here? Is he suffering him? He Is he in trouble? What is wrong?” Minutes passed and Keito came out and stood in front of her but still without speaking. Finally, he recovered and smiled at her willingly. “umm ahem hello keito. What are you doing here? It’s very late.” Keito remained silent. He spent more time. Ahiru was uncomfortable now. She tried to ask him the matter but he didn’t say a word. “God! What’s wrong with him?” Is he looking at me because I look like an idiot? Is he thinking deeply? Oh, what should I do? Ahiru knew that these moments were priceless even though nothing happened. She set her eyes on hers prince of hers and they were near the moonlit pond with peaceful surroundings.
Keito moved a little closer and his breathing increased. He got closer and closer and suddenly, as if in ecstasy, he took her hand and whispered…ahiru Chan. You danced so well. You’re like a secret dancer in the dark, do you want to dance with me tonight?”
“THAT?”
“He just?” The invisible feathers of our duck princess stood up in amazement and shock. He’s asking me for a dance. Is this a dream? Her already large eyes widened but she didn’t respond. Keito smiled. His large brown eyes lit up with an unknown emotion. Keito had the most beautiful smile. Slow and affectionate. Ahiru was mesmerized. Keito repeated his question.. “Get a hold of yourself, duck!”
“Yes, my prince I will dance with you.” Smiling, he leaned graciously before her and took her hand and together they walked to the water’s edge.
It was a star-filled night and Ahiru was dancing slowly and happily in the arms of her prince. It was a magical dream for her. Tree branches swayed to the music of the wind, an imperceptible music box played heavenly tunes as Ahiru and Keito swayed around the pond. Ahiru felt like a duck princess. She had a trail of thoughts running through her mind, but her heart was pounding with euphoria. Keito was looking from her to her big blue eyes of hers and not for a moment had she felt that she was being mocked like a feather-brained duck. She felt like a princess dancing with her knight.
“Oh Keito! How had I longed for this moment to come alive? All my life I had been waiting for you to take me in your arms and dance a pas-de-deux. My destiny wanted me to save you from all evil and I will return your heart. I give you a promise from my soul.” Ahiru pondered these thoughts deeply in her spirit and the aura grew stronger. Adele looked from afar and smiled.”A duck’s heart can act like a human. A girl will be transformed into a dancing princess when she has to save the prince from her in distress.”
“I may look like a duck but inside I am your princess and my piece of heart belongs to you” Ahiru opened her eyes to find that she had transformed into a duck princess in a yellow and white dress.
She looked seductive and heavenly. Keito was wearing the attire of a royal knight. Her love for him had transformed her soul and the starry night witnessed her beautiful union.
