DAYS WE DANCED

VIII

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Ophelia's life soon changed back to normal. Her trip only a distant memory. Life became hard again very fast. Her grades hit her in the face as well as her practice.

She tried to do better, be better. Studying wasn't her strong suit but she recited her lectures every free moment. Her legs were always moving, doing a stretch, or just hanging in the air.

She did her best. Grades were going up and Coach and parents were more proud. So she continued. Doing her best. But soon realized it wasn't enough.

She was struggling. A lot. Her days consisted of asking her friend for help with schoolwork, studying, going to practice, and more studying. The feeling in her stomach never left her. The feeling of losing herself and everything she knew was always present, haunting her like a ghost.



A tournament was around the corner. Ophelia spent all her free time in the practice hall, only taking breaks when she felt like passing out. Coach Gael was concerned about her well-being but kept quiet. The tournament was her only way to the national. She knew that now wasn't the time to slack off. Go big or go home just like Mr Liang told her.

"Come on! Yes! Amazing, keep going! Move your front leg faster. Yes 'Phelia! Come on, breathe. Protect your head!" Coach Gael yelled from the sidelines as Ophelia fought with another coach. She was improving, that much was clear.

"Ok, ok, time! Water break!" Coach Gael called. Ophelia feeling exhausted and too fragile to move. Her coach saw that and got her some water.

"You did good. Not just good, amazing. 'Phelia you improved so much in such a short time." Coach told her after handing her the water.

"I can tell how exhausted you are. You are free to go home. No practice tomorrow for your good. I mean, you did train two extra hours today so rest up a bit. You deserve it." He told her.

"Thank you, Coach. I'm off." Ophelia got up from the floor and bid her goodbyes.

The changing room was empty and the only thing inside was her bag. Changing into dry and more comfortable clothes felt amazing. She exited the building and stood in shock. It was already dark outside. How did she not realize that? 

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Her house was quiet but she knew everybody was home. Old, dirty shoes in the hallway told her that her father was also home. The kitchen was calling her name and she didn't care what was there to eat. She needed at least something.

While she looked through the fridge another persona was present in the room.

"Eating this late?" A deep voice called behind her. She could tell it was her father's.
"I had a long practice." Ophelia answered simply.
"We didn't save you any dinner. I thought you would sleep in the practice hall and found no need to save the leftovers." Her father answered sharply. Ophelia realized he was angry at her.

 What was she supposed to say?

"You're never home at dinner. Ophelia, how am I sure that you're really at practice? I mean, look at you. You never hang out with your siblings anymore." Her father continued.
"I have a tournament coming up. I need to practice. And I don't have time to hang out with 'Mena and Aless. I need to fix my grades." Ophelia answered forgetting about her rumbling stomach.

She lost her appetite.Her father said nothing. Ophelia took that as her cue to leave so she did. That night she didn't sleep. The only thing on her mind was the conversation she had with her father in the kitchen. 

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"Hello, Mr Liang." Ophelia greeted the man.
"Oh, Ofela come. Come inside." The older man said. He never got her name quite right but she didn't mind.
"What a surprise. I make tea. Sit." He was soon gone in the kitchen.

 Ophelia sat down on the sofa in the living room.

She was inside this house numerous times but she still admired it every time. The house was decorated with beautiful pictures of Chinese landscapes and many red ornaments. It looked absolutely stunning. It had the vibe of an old-fashioned Chinese restaurant. Just that this was a house she could visit all the time.

"What bring you here?" Mr Liang asked walking inside the room with a tray. 

Ophelia took one cup filled with tea. It smelled like nature; like blooming flowers in spring and the trunk of newly chopped trees. Just like the pictures on the walls.

"I missed you so I decided to pay you a visit." She answered after taking a sip of the magical tea.
"Ah, so kind child. I sense you have busy time. I understand. You lot pressure. No good for brain." The man said. His grammar is not the best but the message is still clear.
"No worry child. Light come soon to life and you bloom like flower. You life will shine." He ended his short speech by sipping his tea.

Ophelia felt calmer. She already knew things would get better with time but hearing it come from Mr Liang felt much better. 'Light come soon to life'. Ophelia repeated that part in her head.

 She wasn't sure what he meant by that. Will she meet someone or will she shine alone?

 Numerous questions flooded her head but she didn't dare ask.

After chatting with Mr Liang she went to school. Her time at Mr Liang's house always felt magical, like all time stops and they are the only ones in the universe. His aura making Ophelia forget all her problems. That is one of the main reasons why Ophelia loved the older man's presence.

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The school felt like any other day. It was already the middle of November and everyone was wearing long clothes. It rains a lot during the days and the school halls are filled with water fallen from students' shoes. The weather affected the mood of almost everyone. No one was super energetic, people were mostly calm and tired from studying.

The halls were much quieter. Ophelia loved the quietness. Her head didn't ring every time she was in the hall. She could sense her patience returning. Her heart peaceful at the moment. That's all she needed right now.