WE’VE BEEN in Camiguin for two weeks now. We practiced constantly for two weeks. Our talents are also very good, so we won’t have any problems.
We had just finished practicing. I was at the top of the stage when I noticed young Clyde stumbling into a corner with his inhaler. I was concerned because he didn’t appear to be in good shape, so I grabbed some bottled water from the cooler and dashed over to him.
And as I approached… “Are you okay, Clyde?” I asked as soon as I sat down next to him. I went straight for the water.
“Thank you, Sir Clint… haaaah…” he panted.
“Are you okay? Are you having trouble breathing? There’s a clinic here; do you want me to take you there?” I asked.
He simply shook his head and drank some more water. We can’t be confident when things are this bad; we must always be on the lookout for our talent, particularly ones with medical issues.
I noticed his breathing was fine a few moments later. “Are you going home?” I asked again.
“Yes, Sir Clint,” Clyde replied politely, “I’m just waiting for Mom because I forgot to bring my skateboard.”
I noticed he was staring at the tattoo on my arm. “How many tattoos do you have, Sir Clint, is that a name?” he asked, pointing to the tattoo he was referring to.
“Ah! My Mama’s name.. I’m a Mama’s boy,” I replied.
I even showed him how nice it was because it was wrapped around my entire arm down to my hand.
“Cha-ri?” Chari?” He read.
“Yes!”
“My mother’s name is the same as yours, Sir Clint! I’m also a mom’s boy! I’m sure your mom is lovely.” He said, smiling.
“Of course! She’s so lovely! Are you as well? What’s your mother’s name? Sure your mother is also lovely, Clyde.”
“Oh yes, Sir Clint! She’s the most beautiful woman in the world to me!” he exclaimed, smiling.
I’m not sure why, but I smiled at what he said.
“Do you look like your mother?”
“No, Sir Clint, Mom’s eyes are narrow! Do you want, sir, to let me introduce you to her?”
“Won’t your father be mad?”
“I no longer have a father, Sir Clint.”
“Huh? Sorry, please accept my apologies… Clyde, where is your father?”
“Mom was pregnant at the time. He died, so I no longer knew him.”
“Aah… I’m sorry, son! I’m sorry!” I caressed his back.
I’m not sure why I feel so relieved when I talk to this child. Every day we spend together, he makes me smile. The child was friendly and polite, clearly having good manners. It’s also entertaining to watch his handsome face with round eyes when he smiles, which matches the two small dimples on his lower lip. I became curious about this child’s life.
Someone called him on his cellphone shortly after.
“Alright, Mom,” he said, “I’m coming out.”
He stood up after finishing his phone call. I also stood up.
“Sir Clint, I’d like to introduce you to my mother, but she’s just outside the gate and didn’t come in.”
“Aah… Is that so, Clyde? Can I date your mom?” I joked.
“Hahaa! It’s okay, Sir Clint, it’s just that my mom is older than you! But my mom is still beautiful! Maybe you, Sir, will fall in love if you see her!” He laughed. “All right, Sir Clint, I’m going home,” he said as he waved goodbye.
“OK, introduce me to your mother!” I exclaimed.
He simply smiled and walked out of the gym.
Something suddenly came back to mind. “Chari? Is that also his mother’s name he said? What is Clyde’s last name? ” I frowned.
CHARI AND CLYDE’S POV
“Oh, isn’t it? I told you, Clyde, to pass the practice first; they’re aware of your problem, so that’s fine.”
“I can do it, Mom. It was really hot earlier.”
I put him to bed early because he wasn’t feeling well.
“Is that what I’m saying? What if that continues? You won’t be able to participate in the dance much? ” I asked, hugging Clyde.
“I can do it, Mom… And besides, our instructors are very careful with their dancers, especially Sir Clint! He’s very kind, Mom.”
My brows furrowed as I heard the name.
“Sir Clint?”
“Yes, Mom, when you see him dance and breakdance, Mom, you’ll be shocked. Even if they’re big, they are still good. So professional, Mom, especially Sir Clint! ” Clyde said with a smile, clearly visible in his eyes the admiration of the said person.
“Clint?” I asked, mentioning his name.
“Chari, he has a tattoo on his right arm!”
When I heard my name, I almost dropped the spoon I was holding.
“What? Chari? Tattoo?”
“Yes, Mom… That’s her mother’s name, he told me.”
My entire world came to a pause. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
Until..
“Will I still take my medicine, Mom?”
“Oh! Yes, wait! You keep talking, I almost forgot!” I exclaimed.
“I’ll introduce you to him tomorrow, Mom, when you take me.”
“Oh, Clyde! That’s not what I want! ”
“Why? Sir Clint is a good man, Mom, as are Sir Nick and Sir Ben.”
I abruptly let go of the spoon in my hand.
“Mom, it’s been thrown away!”
“Aah… Clyde… Your–your Sir Clint, how does he look?”
“Sir Clint, Mom? He’s the one who used to tease me about him being my father because we looked alike! Hahaha!”
“Haa?” I exclaimed. “F**k!” I yelled.
“Mom, bad words again… Isn’t that against the rules?” Clyde inquired.
“How-how can they say that? How come they said you look alike? Please tell me, baby. ”
“They say I’m a miniature version of him. His hair is also long, Mom, he’s also dark, and we look alike! Even our teachers think we look alike. ”
“Does he have long hair?” I inquired, my eyes widening.
“Yes, Mom!” Clyde answered quickly. “He has long hair.” He has a tattoo! ”
“He has a tattoo?”
“Yes Mom, on his entire right arm, it’s Chari, said his mother’s name! Mom, why do you seem to have so many questions? Do you want a boyfriend? He even told me earlier if he could court you!” said Clyde.
“Court? You’re going to give Mom away?”
“No, Mom, of course, he’s joking… All right, Mom, I’ll go to bed. I’ll be early tomorrow,” Clyde said.
“It’s best to sleep so you can rest.”
I kissed him on the cheek, then hugged him…
“Clint, Ben, or Nick? I hope I’m mistaken.”
IN THE MEANTIME…
“Ben, what is Clyde’s last name?”
“Who? Your miniature self? ” Nick asked.
“De Vega,” Ben began.
“De Vega, do you have Clyde’s mother’s phone number?”
“Clint! I know what you’re thinking! It’s just the same last name, okay? Stick it in your brain!” Nick said.
“As in, even the first name is the same?” I replied.
“Chari? I hope you inquired about the middle initial as well! ”
“Yes, Ben… He noticed my tattoos and said they were the same as his mother’s name.”
Nick even covered his mouth with his hand. The teasing eyes widened as well. “Owshiii! What do you mean?”
“You’re insane! Stop!” exclaimed Ben.
“Do you think what I’m thinking?” Nick exclaimed, “When Clyde’s Mom had a coffee shop! Oh, Clint! Legit! You’ve seen Aunt Cha! Ahaha! ”
I remained silent.
“Oh, there you are again! Stop it, Nick! You’re making Clint overthink yet again! He’s having so much fun! ” Ben scolded.
“What if it’s true? Then Clyde is your son. That’s why he looks just like you!” Nick exclaimed.
Ben scolded him and even threw a ballpen at him.
“Ben!”
“You get that jerk to stop!” said Ben.
“That’s just the writer in me!” Nick exclaimed. “You know? Destiny is a good joker sometimes! It makes you happy or sad! Let’s just figure out which one is for Clint! There’s no harm in trying!” he explained.
“Umm! You stop, and someone is now lagging there! Umm! Another Nick!” Ben scolded him again with a ballpoint pen. “This place is far away, Nick! How did Aunt Cha get here? Then Clyde has a father! Umm, you’re giving our friend false hope yet again!” He threw another ballpen at Nick.
“He doesn’t have a father…” I exclaimed abruptly.
“Ha?” They paused.
“Did you conduct an immediate interview with him?” Ben asked jokingly.
“Earlier, I spoke with him. He said his mother was still pregnant with him and his father had died, so he didn’t really know him, so I even asked if he looked like his mother, and he said his mother’s eyes were narrow,” I said.
“So?” Ben asked, his eyes widening.
“Are we going to look into whether Clyde’s mother owns a coffee shop?” Sly Nick inquired.
“We’ve almost toured the whole of Manila where there’s a coffee shop! Now we’re going to tour here? Is that it?” Ben cried out and shook.
“F**k! I’ve had this strange feeling since I saw the kid; you know how you feel? Add that I like him,” I explained.
“So, you think Clyde is your son?” Nick asked. But-I also noticed that. I just don’t want to ask! Great! But, how can that happen? But I’ve noticed that it’s different when you’re together! You get me, Clint,” he added.
“Because–only! Just! I can’t explain! Before Mama Cha left, I noticed something about her! Her heaving, she’s always mad at me! I think she was pregnant by that time, and look, Tejie is almost the same age as Clyde… ” I clarified.
“That’s how it is, Clint! You feel that way! When we see Clyde’s mom, and it’s proven that Aunt Cha is! Bull’s eye Brother! Clyde is your son! No doubt! Even those dimples on the lower lip and the mole on the right cheekbone. Did you notice? That’s from Aunt Cha. That’s what she got from her Mom! Legit Brother! That’s all I can say! ” Nick saluted me.
“Mother Nick! What are you thinking? You’re just making Clint think! ” Ben stated.
We were silent for a moment, then looked at each other.
“There! The three of us are overthinking now! F**k you, Nick! Let’s go to bed! We need to be early tomorrow!” Ben said as he stood up in his chair.
“Ahahay! You see! Our friend’s smile cannot be erased! What if it’s true? It’s crazy, but it’s a lot of fun! Haha! Clint is simply excited! ” Nick muttered, “So we’ll keep an eye on Clyde tomorrow! We need to find out if they have a coffee shop! Okay?”
I don’t know why I seem to be so happy with the thoughts, even though I don’t have enough proof. I suddenly felt relieved and Clyde suddenly entered my mind. I have a strange feeling of excitement about what will happen tomorrow. It was as if everything suddenly came to me, even though I had only thought that everything was very different.
“Haah.. I’ll ask him again tomorrow,” I said, smiling.
June_Thirteen