"You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you"

~Frederick Buechner 

Today is our big day...the beginning of our big day...for which we waited 3 months.... for which we practiced so hard. I stood under the shower becoming more of a nervous wreck.... the more I thought about it the more nervous I got. I got out of the shower and changed into my dress... the dress I'll be performing in. A light blue dress with strips with some beautiful design on it and the lower part was translucent... which reached just above my knees. I wore light blue tights to cover up my thighs... My shoes are pointed shoes that we use for ballet... they are white...with ribbons, I liked it very much. I couldn't decide what hair style should I put on; a bun is preferred by most of the people when they are performing ballet... but I didn't want to do a bun... I decided on to a braid... I kept it simple... I think I am done...

I went to the living room to see if Jungkook is ready or not...well... he's not here yet. I went to the balcony to have a look outside. This city is beautiful... sometimes there were tall buildings and the other... small and beautiful houses... the paths were accompanied by trees and green grass on both sides... the sky is clear today... the sun has not woke up yet... the fresh morning air is relaxing... it's calming my nerves a bit. I took in the fresh air.

"Oh! You are done? I am sorry... it took me a while" Jungkook said doing the buttons of his white shirt. He walked to me and stood beside me... all the time he kept his focus on the buttons.... I feared if he'd trip and fall down but he didn't; I think he's used to doing this.

He looked at me...scanned me from head to toe and stared at my face... like he has seen an alien or something... he parted his lips...

"What? Do I look that bad?"

"Are you an angel... you hid your identity from me all this while?"

"That's too much.... But thank you"

"I am serious Noor... tell me... are you an angel?"

"Jungkook... I am serious... stop it. I am not an angel... I am a human being.... a mammal.... belonging to kingdom Animalia..."

"Uh okay...I get it... no need to start your explanation of biology... but you look too good"

"Well... you look good in white, no doubt you like it so much... this shirt just fits you perfectly. Don't kill the girls there" he chuckled at my statement...even when I was serious about it.... "Where's your blazer?"

"Oh! That's on the couch... I kept it there" he went inside to wear his blazer; I followed him. I am sure all the girls over there will die seeing my man...he's not mine though... I am so nervous... I don't want to disappoint Jungkook on stage...

"Don't be nervous. You'll be fine. I know that. Come on, let's go" Jungkook said...how can he read my thoughts? Indeed, he's an angel. He was looking too good... his hair neatly split in two parts... it is the 'Dope' hairstyle... that white shirt... black blazer... and of course his handsome face... I don't want the girls to drool over him, which I am sure is going to happen.

We went out and waited for the other participants in the waiting area of the hotel. All of them arrived. We greeted each other and set out for the hall we were supposed to perform at. All of them are very good and humble. I like them... and I am sure Kookie thinks the same.

We reached the grand hall... it was a beautiful and huge hall. The architecture is crazy... it must've taken so much time to be planned and built. Jungkookie held my hand and we went inside with the other participants. We still had almost an hour before the show starts... I want to have Nishi, Simmi and BTS next to me now... but they are not here... I miss them... my crazy little family.

"Noor... I think we should do a dress rehearsal before we perform on stage"

"Yeah... right. That way we'll know if we need to change something about our dressing or not"

I liked... wait... I loved the way he took my name. 'Noor....' ah~ his voice goes straight to my heart and melts like honey...

Anyhow, we started our dress rehearsal... gracefully doing the steps we've been doing these months... each step has a neat and clean place in my mind. We've done it so many times. His face showed perfect emotions... for our performance... he looked so fond... so loving... the dress made it easier to show the emotions... the aura surrounding us... I could feel it. I hope this aura shines more on the stage. We did the lifts gracefully... all thanks to my muscled and strong man. Our rehearsal was done. We were satisfied with our own performance. I hope nothing wrong happens on stage, everything flows smooth.

The event started...the host was already on stage and was welcoming the judges. There were 3 judges; 1 main judge and two other judges. I peeked a look at the judges from backstage...but in vain. I felt someone was pulling the hem of my dress.... of course, Kookie, but he was focused somewhere else... he seems nervous...

"What's the matter Kookie?"

"Hmm? Uh... I am sorry... I didn't notice I was tugging on your dress"

"Why are you nervous? This is not your first time facing such a large audience. You have performed well even in larger crowds"

"That was different.... I am a nervous wreck... I don't remember ever being so nervous for a performance"

"Is it because you are first time performing with a 'girl'?" he looked up at my eyes... in disbelief?

"How do you know? I mean is it that obvious?"

"No... I just guessed. I know girls make you nervous. Check YouTube, you'll know"

"That's true. But you don't make me nervous. The thing is all this while, I've performed with my hyungs and I am comfortable performing with them because I know nothing's going to be wrong. It is the first time with you, I am afraid if something goes wrong. You are performing first time and I want it to be perfect... not for the judges but for you. I don't want to disappoint you. I don't care if I win or lose but it is very important for me to us to win. I don't want you to lose because of me. I want to give my best...." Ah~ my heart... I can't take it... why does he cares so much for me? He was not at all worried about him but me... he is my true angel... straight from the heavens...

"Jungkook... I don't have words for you... I mean... you are so truthful... I am glad you are. There's no need to be nervous... I know you can do it better then me. just think that we are performing at my home... and there's no one... not the judges... not the audience... just you and me. Everything will be perfect" saying that I put my palm on either side of his face and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead... I think he needed that... although I was the one who kissed him... I was blushing a light pink.

For interrupting our sweet moment, the make-up artist called both of us. Can't I go without make-up? Ugh!!!! Well, I don't think they are leaving me on stage without make-up... I literally fought with the make-up artist and negotiated the amount of make-up to be used. She finally had to give up, that doesn't mean she didn't do my make-up; she did, but kept it as less as possible; a baby pink lipstick... silver and faded light blue eye-shadow... and a little blush to my cheeks was all she added on my face. She made some modifications in my hair... she styled it nicely for me... I've to say she's very good at her job... she turned me into a beautiful fairy... which I was surely not, in my real life. I thanked the make-up artist and apologized for the little fight I started...

I went back to the place where me and Jungkook were sitting initially. I waved at him and noticed his face.... He likes make-up... so that mustn't have been a problem with him... he looked handsome always... but with make-up he looked even better; I had to agree.

"Hey~ you look  h a n d s o m e.... I am sure we need lots of ambulance for the girls" I teased him...

"Yeah...we need lots of ambulance even for the boys out there. You are going to kill 'em all with; first, your look, second, your dance"

That made me chuckle...

"I am serious!!! You should use make-up more often" I glared at him... he knew I hated make-up... how can he say that to me?

"Okay okay... I am sorry.... I know you hate it... didn't you fight with the make-up artist?"

"Well, I did... but she was kind enough to not kick me out" both of us laughed heartily... I think he's much relaxed now... I didn't want him to be a nervous wreck like me... that reminds me of the first time we met... we've came a long way... I had no idea, we could...

We waited for our turn.... I was becoming impatient.... When will our turn come? Uh!!!! A staff member came to us and said that we're going next... uh... finally. Jungkook looked at me with some unnamed emotion and hugged me tightly... almost killing me with his strength... I think he's still nervous... I put my arms around his neck... returning back his tight hug... and patted his hair... as I couldn't ruffle it... it would destroy his hairstyle... he hid his face in my neck... I took in his lavender and Kookie scent as much as I could... because it calmed my nerves...

"Our next contestants are Jungkook Jeon and Noor Alan from 'Dance and Style Ballet Academy, Seoul'. A big hand for them" the host announced our names. We parted from our hug and entered the stage holding hands... I took a deep breathe and exhaled deep... both of us bowed to the judges and audience....

We took our positions; on the opposite sides of the stage.  Jungkook started the performance... coming all the way to the center of the stage twisting and turning on his sharp points... and neat as well.... dancing on points is a difficult thing... but nothing's impossible for my Kookie... it was my turn... I came from the other side... turning and twisting... we crossed each other's paths... exchanging our positions...while the instrumental soft music played in the background... Kookie showed in clean and smooth dance moves... taking turns perfectly on one leg... that too on points... as I ran toward him... he showed his mid air swing... flying and turning perfectly in the air... and after he landed he did another swing. 

He was the star of the show... it was his solo stage.... he did the mid air swings... using the full stage making a semi-circle on his way... it's my time... I ran towards him... swirled continuously in high speed and took several turns... my hands perfectly placed in front of my stomach...while Jungkook helped me turn keeping his hands on my waist. Then... I stood on point on one foot and my other foot was 90 degree in the air... Kookie's hands on my waist... we kept that position for a few seconds. 

Jungkook lifted me in the air... my legs making 180 degree in the air... while he perfectly balanced my body holding me tight. Keeping one foot on the floor..on point... I made another 70 degree with my legs. I kept one of my hand on Jungkook's shoulder and spread my other arm wide in the air tilting towards the floor and then on the other side with the same position... our expressions were perfect... I didn't expect it to be this perfect... we had that never disappearing smile on our face like a love-sick couple... Kookie's eyes were shining with passion... either for me or for the dance... I don't know... I think it's the later... of course... 

Jungkook knelt down and raised his hand in the air.... I held his hand... he carried me on his shoulder and my legs made 130 degree in the air then I put both my legs together and he swayed down a bit and I swayed my legs... we continued the shoulder and the swaying down for a few times... using the whole stage... the dance was just flowing... perfectly.... I didn't need to remember the steps... it just came out of me... because I was doing it with Kookie....his body moved perfectly in sync with mine. I  was so happy....everything is going fine...so smooth... I felt different from all the other times that we danced... this was far more special than those times... there was something in the air... some kind of spell over us... 

He put me down on the stage and I took a few pace on point moving towards my Kookie. The audience was cheering loudly for us... on top of their lungs... it was almost impossible to focus on the song. From somewhere I could here the fan chant of BTS... or... to be precise... it was for Jungkook... this is crazy... they were shouting "Jeon Jungkook" on top of their lungs.... ARMY even exists here.... I wish hyungs could hear this... they must've been so happy.... I took turns in Kookie's embrace... both of us swayed down and he kept his head on my chest and moved away from me... I got to him dancing all my way... he held my waist while I held his neck.... our eyes met... there was love and lust in his eyes... his eyes overflowing with emotions. His eyes were somewhat different today... the light brown color of his eyes almost invisible... his pupils were so large...covering his iris. As far as I know our pupils dilate when there is dim light... but I think the lights are not so dim... why are his pupils so dilated today.... I've never seen his eyes like that... I don't know if it's just the lights... violet and blue shining above us or is it my heart...trying to imagine the impossible...wait a minute... there's another explanation for dilating pupils... study says that the eyes and love are connected. ... The darkened environment also allows our pupils to dilate which can be a subconscious signal of stimulation, attraction and readiness for love. Studies have shown that our pupils dilate wider than normal when we are excited about something and even someone. Well.... can that be true? My heart beat took a faster pace... I am so excited all of a sudden... Jungkook loves me? It may be just an assumption... you are thinking too much... you are so silly  Noor.... I laughed at my silliness... 

We did another repetition of the step where he went away and I took paces on points dancing towards him... and taking turns in his arms... as I was taking turns on points my ankle took a weird turn and twisted the other way... my ankle sprained... my goodness. I can't believe my fate!!! 

Author's Note:

Hello readers! I hope all of you are doing just fine. Here we are... finally at World Ballet Championship in Florida.... well...it's their big day today... a day they have been waiting for months... pouring their 'Blood, Sweat and Tears' in their dance. They had some cute moments together... they are so caring towards each other... I just love this sweet friendship... that exists between them.

Kookie doesn't cares about his performance but their performance as an unit... he is so selfless. He was nervous because he wanted it to be the best performance of her life...because she was going to perform for the first time on the stage... with such huge crowd. He just makes me want to cry.... such a pure heart... with such pure feelings.

So...here starts their performance....they were doing well... the performance was going smooth.... so full of true and pure emotions. Were Kookie's pupils really dilating for Noor? Or is it due to some other reason? I don't know which direction your thoughts will go. Here they encountered a problem. Noor's ankle is strained... what happens now? Would they just go home disappointed? Okay...a surprise is coming for Noor... can you guess what it is? It's a big surprise and it'll make her really happy...

Happy Reading.