WE HAVE arrived in Camiguin. I didn’t want to go because…
This place will always remind me of her. This is where we hope to settle down. This is where Mama Cha and I would like to live if we decide to start a family.
“Aah… It’s nice here!” Ben exclaimed as he sniffed the fresh air.
“Are we going to stay at Raymond’s?” Nick inquired.
I believe the two noticed my silence.
“Hey! Flashback again, Clint?” Ben said as he massaged my back.
It’s the first time I’ve joined them back here since Mama Cha left. They couldn’t compel me to go if they didn’t need me to. This is the home of Raymond’s family. He was the one who recommended my Dance Promotion as the primary instructor and choreographer of the renowned Uni in this province.
“Oh! There’s Raymond! ”
We went up to see Raymond, who had picked us up at the airport. I took the tiny box out of my pocket and started walking again.
I muttered, “I’ll just chuck it here. In the place where we dream of living.”
I carried the ring I had kept for nearly a decade on purpose. A ring for my beloved Mama Cha. Here, in the place we once fantasized about, I considered letting go. Then leave everything behind to begin a new life.
THE NEXT day…
We went to Uni to start screening the auditions. There are also many groups on this campus. Each level has a different category. We screened about two hundred students. Twenty-five members will form a dance crew, including their breakdancers. The rest focuses on choreography. It’s hard to choose because everyone is good. We started at nine and finished at almost five in the afternoon because the others didn’t come.
“This university has a lot of aspiring dancers, but everyone is wonderful!” Ben stated.
“This is how we started when we were in college, I recall. To join that group, we also drilled a terrible needle hole,” Nick smiled.
I was simply listening in on their conversation.
“By the way, have you seen the kid, Nick? He looks exactly like Clint! For real! Haha! The eyes, nose, skin color, and even the long hair!” Ben laughed.
“Ah! Yes! The one who’s good at backflipping! Such a talented and good-looking boy!” Nick responded.
“I think he went home. I called you earlier, Clint, so I could show you! It’s just funny; you might be mistaken for his daddy!” Ben laughed.
I just laughed at the two. And the teasing began.
“Nick, who was still grumbling, said, “What’s his name, Ben? I’m interested in him. The kid is extremely good at b-boying. With a little more practice, he will be like you, Clint! Oh! When we start tomorrow, I’ll pull him! I’ll take care of it! That youngster has a future!”
“Then let’s just put on an armband so we don’t get confused,” I replied, adding that they needed nameplates.
“Yep! “Armband policy!”
“Okay! Break! ”
We rested for a while before going home. This day is a bit tiring… But at least I had fun.
CHARI AND CLYDE’S POV
As we ate, Clyde was constantly telling me stories.
“Yes, Mom! I got in! I’m so happy, and the instructors seem to like me! ”
“No asthma attack?” I jokingly asked, trying not to laugh.
“They were amazed by me, Mom, when I backflipped! They didn’t think I could do it!”
“Really? Finally, staying in the sun for too long paid off! I almost can’t see you anymore! You were completely burned as a result of that, weren’t you?”
“Why isn’t my skin as white as yours, Mom?” he asked with a smile.
“Oh! Finish your meal, and here come your questions again!” I’m sure he’ll ask about his father again.
“Mom, do you have an old picture of my dad? What does he look like? ” Clyde asked. “Like earlier, one of our dance instructors asked me, and he said I looked like someone he knew, and then he pointed to our other instructor,” he added.
“Don’t worry about it baby, you look like a lot… Because your face is common! Pinoy’s face!”
He was rendered speechless. He began eating again.
“Just don’t forget your inhaler, Clyde! Then, when you feel like it, stop right away, okay? I’ll let you do it, but please be cautious,” I reminded him.
“Yes, Mom… I never forget to take a break when I’m tired,” he replied politely.
“Does the practice take place every day?”
“I’ll know tomorrow, Mom. Do you want to drop me off at school?”
“I can’t because Mom has a meeting with a client tomorrow.”
“All right, when are you going to be free to watch me?”
“I don’t know, but I will, for sure, baby,” I replied, smiling. Then I winked at him.
I could see the happiness in his eyes. Of course, I’m happier because he can do whatever he wants and his illness doesn’t bother him so much that he doesn’t get sick anymore.
“After that, rest, clean your body, and sleep well for a fresh start tomorrow!”
“Yes, Mom! I’m so excited! ”
THE NEXT day…
“How many are they overall?” I asked.
“Forty! Fifteen are included in the backup plan! ” Ben replied.
“Okay, let’s start the roll call first, then put name tags on, then armbands!” I said.
First, I stepped to the side and took in my surroundings. I left Ben at work, as I frequently do. I truly am the leader of the three of us; aside from that, the promotion is also under my control, and I pay them. It’s just something they do on the side. Ben, on the other hand, has his mother’s cakeshop, while Nick has a car accessories shop and Vivi, his wife, also has a coffee shop. They are both stable, and they appear to be just having a good time, so they are still doing some side work with me. And then another! For the three of us, dancing is our way of life… My good fortune is with dancing, which keeps my bank account running.
“Clyde! Clyde-De Vega? ”
“Here!”
I froze as Ben said the name. I noticed a boy approaching the front who I believe was about eight years old, with dark skin and long ponytailed hair.
“Aha! Your name is Clyde!” I heard Nick say.
Nick looked for me, and when he saw me, he pointed to the boy in front of him. I became a bit interested, so I approached him.
“Clint!” Nick said, pointing at the boy.
The boy looked at me. And I was shocked when… “Hello, Sir,” he greeted me politely.
It’s true what they say: I look like this kid.
“Clyde! Your dad! Sir Clint! Hahaha!” Nick joked.
The boy smiled. When he smiled, two small dimples appeared beneath both of his lower lips, and the small mole on his right cheekbone fit him as well.
“What’s your name?” I asked, looking at him. “Clyde, Sir.”
“Clyde?”
“De Vega.”
It was as if something had hit me when I heard his last name. I smiled slightly as I looked at the child in front of me, who appeared to be a miniature version of myself.
“You sit and wait there, Clyde. I’ll call you later because you’re mine, okay?” Nick said.
The boy just nodded and left.
“What, Clint? Starstruck? So handsome, right? ” Nick said, smirking. “See how he dressed? And wait ’til you see him roll! That boy is something!”
I watched as the boy walked away. He sat in a corner with no one talking to him or even sitting next to him. I noticed him picking up his black backpack and picking something from it.
Inhaler! He took the inhaler all at once. The child has asthma! I had a sudden thought.
“Aah… Ben, we don’t approve of asthmatics, right?” I asked.
“Yes, but with parental consent, it’s okay,” Ben answered quickly.
“How many have a medical problem?”
“There are five of them. Here are the contact numbers of the guardians and parents,” Ben responded, “but it said that – those are dancers at this university.”
“If anyone needs to be removed, do it right away before beginning. Finish everything now, Ben. Before proceeding, everything needs to be settled. It’s hard to have a problem because their being dancers is at the next level, so we need everything to be smooth, okay?” I instructed.
Ben simply nodded. That is our most important policy. Everyone must be physically fit to dance because they will be participating in the Global Uni International Dance Battle.
I looked back at the child. I saw that he was playing on his green skateboard. I’m not sure, but I enjoy watching him. His skin is not white, but it is noticeable that he comes from a decent family because of the way he looks; he is also a handsome boy who looks better because of the color of his skin. Add to that, his actions, which are extraordinary for kids his age. I also notice that he has a lot of knowledge. There were traces of his behavior that showed he was well and well raised, just like the skateboard he was carrying, and it was obvious that his parents supported his passion. It’s also not a joke to study at this university, so I’m convinced this child, like everyone else here, is capable. Everyone is rich.
I suddenly remembered Tejie; if he shared my passion, he’d be like the boy I’m watching now, who, despite his illness, still wants to dance.
A moment later, when the music played, I saw him simply dancing.
“Tsk! He’s good. ” I smiled and whispered.
June_Thirteen