When big sister Asha found out her mother was pregnant, she wasn’t sure how this extra person was going to fit into their lives. But in a matter of seconds of Priya being born the two would find themselves engaging in a bond that could only be imagined. Asha is a beautiful Indian dancer and as Priya waits to be able to dance as well as her big sister the two grow closer and closer. Often thinking of each other as best friends and sisters. But it is when Priya starts high school that she starts seeing the world through a whole new lens of admiration. She wanted to be more like the other girls in her school, free to date, free to wear whatever she likes, and free to try to be popular. As Asha watches her little sister seemingly slip through the cracks she tries to intervene- tries to save her but Priya is determined to get on the cheer team, skip classes and date Jake. It is when things do not go the way she planned that Priya begins to question, if I can’t be myself then why am I here? What is my purpose? Not realizing that at her age it’s okay to not know the answer. She reflects on all of the ways she has disrespected her parents by the things she’s done and all she truly wants now is to stand hand in hand with her sister and just… dance. Unfortunately, the time that Asha thought she would have to rebuild her sister is cut short and by the end she stands dancing alone with only the memory of her sister dancing with her. A beautiful presence lost before she truly had the opportunity to discover who she was.
Discovering
(Scene opens with ASHA an eighteen-year-old Indian American slowly dances a native Indian dance. It is slow, somber and full of memories. She finishes with a traditional bow, to the audience.)
Asha: (to audience) Traditional Indian dance isn’t just about the music and the moves it is a story. You can tell the story of a village woman who is missing her children… (PRIYA a sixteen-year-old enters and they do a small dance together for a few beats then Priya is gone. Asha looks after her.) Or the ancient dance of the sisters. (beat, transitions into holding a baby, to audience bouncing the baby) When my mother told me she was pregnant with another “little me” I was not happy but just look at this little bundle-
Priya: - of complete and utter joy.
Asha: (rolls her eyes) So, there I was a brand-new big sister.
Priya: And there I was an awesome new little sister.
Asha: (really focusing in on Priya’s face, Priya looks on) We could have been twins. (beat)
Priya: (looks at Asha, smiles) Nope, it’s better this way.
Asha: You talk too much.
Priya: I’m expressive.
Asha: You laugh so loud.
Priya: (laughs loud) I have personality.
Asha: You were dad’s favorite.
Priya: (smiles) He has good taste.
Asha: We are so different, and yet all I ever wanted was to take care of my little sister.
Priya: You got to teach me all the cool stuff.
Asha: (the baby bundle of joy goes away and it’s just the two of them) Cool stuff like what?
Priya: How to comb my hair.
Asha: Yes.
Priya: How to ride a bike with two wheels.
Asha: It was a struggle but, yes, I did that too.
Priya: I was patiently waiting…
Asha: (beat, waiting, whispers) What are we waiting for?
Priya: For you to be old enough to be my friend.
Asha: Oh, stop it, that happened before we even knew it, age two when you gave me my first lesson.
Priya/ Asha: How to dance.