The ballroom music played. The loud cheers from the audience jammed the room.
"Finally, I'm able to perform in a big competition like this." In my thoughts.
"Come on Craig. Let's show them."
Chiny said after realizing I didn't walk first with full excitement. Usually, I was the one who pulled her to dance with a big smile on my face. A dance lover who always thinks nothing but to dance and show off to the crowd.
"What's wrong Craig?" Chiny asked me with a forcing smile.
"Nothing, let's go."
I didn't tell her that I was not in the mood to dance. The dancing flowers I've always seen during my dance didn't show up. Even so, I forced myself to dance.
"Ouch," I stepped on the feet of Chiny.
"Sorry," I said and continued dancing.
She ignored it and showed a happy dance couple.
I'm spacing out and always make mistakes. I fell down and most of the time I stepped on Chiny's feet. It's like I don't know how to dance at all.
The music stops and we are both seated beside the dance floor.
"What's wrong with you Craig? Tell me, it's not like you who was dancing."
She annoyingly asked.
"Nothing -,"
"Don't give me that crap."
She said and left the room.
"Chiny, wait. We still have a chance to dance."
She didn't listen and continued to leave me.
I went upstairs to take a breath. We still have an hour before we resume to dance again. I think harder about what to do with my fear. I should have said it to her or just run away again from it. I wanted to dance so badly because even at my younger age I really love to dance.
I was in elementary school when I started loving dancing. I grew up in a poor family and it's hard for me to participate in presentation dance. The costumes or props were so expensive for me. I even remember how my father was mad at me because my mother spent money on clothes in a dance contest. We didn't tell father because my mother thought I would win and could bring more money. Although I failed and I failed and always being mocked.
My mother still believes me and even rooted me everywhere. I have had Chiny as my partner since then but I didn't tell her about everything. All she knew was my cheerful smile every time I would dance. She even asked and I told her that I felt like I was free when I started dancing. The worries and the doubts of myself feel like fading and replaced with flowers that are dancing. She couldn't believe it but I let her see it by closing her eyes and trusted me to lead her to dance.
After Chiny saw it, since then she just closed my eyes every time we were dancing. She trusted me so much and she wanted to see the dancing flowers I saw every time I dance.
"AHHHHh," I shouted.
"Why happened it now, oh God?"
I nodded and let my tears fell because of frustration.
"Ouch," someone just slapped my shoulder. I looked back and it was Chiny who had an angry face.
"Idiot! Stupid!"
She stared at me tightly.
"You should have told me that your mother was confined at the hospital."
I didn't know what to say so I just replied with a "sorry."
"Don't worry now. Your father phoned me and said your mother is fine now. The Doctor will not let your mother out at the hospital for now. Don't be disappointed yet. Your father will be there to support you and want to see you dance."
After what Chiny told me I felt like I wanted to jump for joy. I'm so happy knowing that my father will be supporting me this time. I was desperate for her approval to let me dance and like a mother. He will love my dancing as well.
"Craig, what is this?"
Chiny suddenly asked when she's seeing dancing flowers. We are not yet dancing why the dancing flowers are showing up now.
I just replied to her with a smile. I handed her my hand asking them to dance with me. She smiled and we held our hands until we arrived at the dance floor.
The sway music played by Michael Bubble. It's perfect because that's my favorite ballroom music. Before Chiny accompanied me on the dance floor. I slowly walk while dancing with the rhythm to be at the center. I shook my hips. I turned around showing a big smile. The audience became silent and I handed my hand to Chiny from a distance.
Chiny slowly walked while dancing and the cheering from the crowd bombarded the room. Upon watching Chiny approaching me. I accidentally glanced at my father while his tears fell and lip-read his words.
"Sorry son. Win it."
I couldn't help it but became emotional as I saw my father smiling and seeing me dancing. The crowd became speechless as the dancing flowers filled the whole room. I feel like I'm overwhelmed with joy. I give all my best and I made sure the judges and the audience will love my dancing. The crowd is kept on cheering and clapping to all of us who are dancing. Then the music stops.
"The winner in this inter-town ballroom contest is--"
The announcer announced it with the microphone. Everyone is silent and waiting for the results. My heart beats faster as I'm so excited will going to win. Chiny holds my hand because she feels the same.
"The winner is pair #89, Crag and Chiny. Come on stage."
I shouted, of course, I'm so happy. I noticed and heard my father shouted.
"THAT'S MY SON!"
Chiny jumped at me as I hugged her and turned around. We are walking towards the stage. The cheering and clapping deafened my ears. Actually, I don't know what's happening because I couldn't believe we won.
We received the trophy and raised it up with tears. It gives me so much happiness that I became speechless. How I dreamt of it for a long time.
END
mrnightmare