Beyond the Beats

Chapter 104. Ready to conquer

After landing in Shanghai, we checked into our hotel, and I had to get up early as the first round of my solos was beginning from the next day onwards. We couldn't get earlier flight tickets due to vacation season, so everyone was worried about my qualifications.

I couldn't even get full rest, but the excitement for my first dance battle removed all of my exhaustion. The crew battles were going to begin two days later, so all of my team was catching on their beauty sleep, while I got ready to leave for the venue.

Knock! Knock!

I zipped up my jacket and opened the door, burying my face into the most coziest place ever.

"Good morning," Tejas greeted.

"Good morning. You should be resting right now," I said.

Even if I said that, I felt really good to see him. No matter how much I would have forced him to go and rest, he wouldn't have left me alone. He was my best, strongest, and most reliable support pillar.

"All ready?" he asked me.

I smiled, and he took my duffle bag. We started leaving to have breakfast when a tall familiar figure loomed over us. Soon, that figure moved past us at a bullet speed, and we laughed, making that figure stop and look back at us like a zombie.

"Hurry up, both of you. I am hungry," Hriaan yelled in a half-asleep state.

"You are always hungry," we said in unison.

We, except Hriaan, had a light breakfast, and moved towards the venue. Tejas was with me in the waiting room for dancers, until the officials started pouring in, and soon, the stadium was filled with people of all races.

I felt pride when I saw Indian flags and prayed to give my best. Tejas took his leave as other breakdancers started entering the waiting area. I scanned my opponents, and as I was new, no one paid me much attention, though a few of them conversed with me out of curiosity.

"Miss Bhoomi Devarkar from India?" one of the spot boys called for me.

I raised my hand, and he told me to queue up as I was among the first ones to compete. Another four dancers followed me, and I started counting. There was one dancer less.

After all the formalities were done and judges settled, the host announced the start of the championships. After us, the guys were going to take the stage, and other dance styles were lined up too, so the schedule was hectic.

Due to this, our dance battles also had low time limits, meaning that we had to squeeze in our best performances in small time frames. I could already feel the adrenaline rush, but I composed myself. After a random shuffle, I almost squealed when I saw my photo on one side of the big television screen displaying the scores.

I read my name and admired my own photo. It was clicked by Jiya and chosen by Tejas out of multiple photographs. I wanted to look cool and intimidating like other dancers, but Tejas made me understand that I should be always authentic. That's why, unlike my serious competitors, I was smiling the brightest and showing peace sign in my display photo.

I was so busy fangirling over my own picture that I didn't hear what the host was saying. The spot boy had to come and direct me to go on stage. I followed the instructions, and as soon as I walked on the big stage, I could feel hundreds of eyes on me.

I was now used to facing huge audience, so I was not nervous even if I was outside my home country. I greeted the judges and waved at the crowd. I spotted Tejas, and he blew me a flying kiss. Beside him, I saw Hriaan holding a sandwich in his mouth and waving both of his hands at me.