Whirlwind

2. Fiddles and Docks

Wish I could freeze this moment in a frame and stay like this 

or put this day back on replay and keep reliving it 

Cause it's the tragic truth, if you don't feel the same 

My heart would fall apart if someone said your name

***

ODETTE’S POV:

“Congratulations. You got the lead role, Odette.” Director Cifarelli beamed, her hand reaching out to shake mine in a favorable way.

I can’t believe it. I finally got the role of Odette from the Swan Lake.

My desire to obtain the lead role started when I was a kid. My Mum was fascinated with swans and all things related to those cunning creatures. My Mum was an orphan so she used to work independently and lived near a lake, which my dad inherited from his grandfather.

On afternoons, right after work, Mum would usually stay and do some sight-seeing near the lake, where swans used to flock together and swim around the glinting waters. Dad even told me once that Mum and I are so alike that he couldn’t tell the difference between us.

 It was unbelievable because I’ll never be as graceful and as attractive as her. It was like my Mum was a swan herself in a previous lifetime. Maybe Dad saw Mum in me by how introverted I am at times and how I would show a different façade when I’m with other people. Maybe it would be too wrong for me to deny it.

Also, back then, a rumor broke down to the dwellers, including Mum, near the lake. The news disheartened Mum so much that people who visited the lake as much as her could observe her from her usual spot in dismay and sadness, but still beautiful. Dad was one of those people who noticed Mum.

From time to time, Dad would take a glimpse and admire her beauty. When Dad got all his courage together, he finally approached Mum on the docks, her usual spot, where Mum could always get her feet wet so that she could feel the coolness of the lake’s water.

At his first approach, Dad told me that Mum was a very reserved lady so in that moment, they both kept their silence. After that, Dad visited her often every afternoon and I guess you could tell that those visits developed a friendship between them. Dad was glad that Mum seemed to lose her gloomy expression after each of their encounters.

The time where Dad asked about Mum’s sullen expressions came on the time when they confessed their feelings for each other. On the happy note, Mum trusted Dad very much because he’s the only person who’s courageous enough to make a move on her so she divulged the rumor to him that’s been bothering her for a long time.   

The landowner was planning to sell the lake to some interested investors who wanted to convert the lake park into a business district. Of course, the rumor saddened Mum because she doesn’t want to lose the place that gave her the inspiration to strive harder as an orphan, especially the bevy of swans that she truly loved, who’ll lose their only sanctuary.

Mum also confessed to him that she’s trying to release her grudge against the rumor, now that she has already found Dad, her newfound inspiration.  

Dad was astonished. He was so shocked because he’s the proprietor of the park and lake, and the thought of Mum devastated because of his plans to sell the park to greedy businessmen made him feel guilty.

Of course, Dad cancelled his plan and told Mum the truth. I don’t know which one he did first but whatever’s the former should be, it still made my Mum happy. Like real happy. As what my Dad has been saying, he never regretted his decision. It was all worth it to see Mum happy.