I got up and joined in. I'd had no training of course, but just like any other girl, I had danced on my own. I had no music, so I hummed to myself and clapped my hands to create a rhythm. I noticed something. My dance was directed more towards the sky, whereas my sister's was towards the ground. She danced by engaging her hips, stamping her feet, and shaking her bosom, gyrating her hips with legs slightly apart. Her movements were clearly meant to arouse the god of the temple, to rejuvenate him into the new day. I was not dancing to arouse anyone, I was dancing for myself. My steps were smaller and more delicate, while I raised my hands towards the skies, making elaborate movements with my fingers and arms, twirling my wrists so that my fingertips wove delicate patterns in the air.
That was how I had always danced, instinctively, and this is how I was dancing now, too. I lost myself in the clapping rhythm and danced as never before. I felt the power of the skies flow down my arms, and the power of the earth rise up my feet and legs. I was a pillar connecting two forces. I felt the humming energy of the cosmos inside me, and did not care about my surroundings anymore. I closed my eyes to enjoy the feeling, forgetting everyone else.
And then I realised no one was clapping their hands anymore. I opened my eyes and understood what was causing their silence.
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