Her eyes locked with mine, and her face was curious, and wondering, as though asking me a question.
It was 12 in the afternoon and I was out there in our terrace garden, dancing to the tunes of the song, 'Chalein Kahin', by singer, Bawri Basanti. I was also giving a 'hi five' to all the leaves and flowers in the garden. And she was standing in the opposite building with two other men, placing layers of bricks and cement alternatively.
Our eyes met and I felt her eyes silently asking me, how am I doing? I conveyed to her that I am happy. That I love being in the terrace, where I can be me, without feeling self conscious and guilty for not working like many others at this time. As I work at my own pace, since I am a freelance writer.
And I saw her smile, it felt like she was saying I understand you, be happy, be carefree. I smiled back, and gestured to her, would you like to dance with the plants and me? She gave a wistful smile and pointed towards the bricks, ‘nange Kelasa ide’( I have work) she mouthed.
Tears pricked my eye lids, as I was reminded, that not everyone who wants to be carefree can be carefree. But she was still looking at me with a smile. She gestured to the men to take a break. She placed the burden of bricks down, looked into my eyes and danced - with some awkward moves and some hesitation. But in minutes, she was dancing to her own rhythm, without any music!
I was enthralled, and I joined her, as I let myself move to my rhythm, without any music either. And we danced: she in the partially constructed terrace, moving at a slow pace, stretching her body, meditatively, releasing the tension of physical labour. And I moved at a faster pace, with my heart on my sleeve, expressing my joy at finding acceptance and a connection. We were carefree, unhurried, and dancing in joyous abundance at that moment. It felt like a jazz performance, where both of us were in our own tune, doing our own thing, and yet were in balance with each other, enjoying, and appreciating the other. And hoping for a tomorrow, where more people celebrate each other, and their leisure by stealing moments from the clock of productivity.