WHAT YOUR FATHER SAYS ✓

12

CHAPTER 12
Magic Flute — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Today's day started with me thinking about everything.

I think and smoke.

I wasn't thinking about anything in particular, just my life and what had been on my foggy mind lately. Nowadays, I've been thinking about the way the world works unexpectedly and what my life would be like if I was born to a different family. But I try not to dwell on what I can't control.

So I sat near my locked window, dwelling in my thoughts, on the floor with crossed legs as I blew cigarette smoke.

Two peaceful minutes later, Esmerelda had walked into my room with no warning and made me jump. I gripped the cigarette, nearly choking on the smoke. I was about to ask her if she was okay but she spoke before me.

"You need to stop this silly habit of yours."

"What? Smoking?"

"No. Running away from me." Es gave me a stern look. I recoiled and sat against the wall. "Do you want me to tell your father?"

I hate being treated like a child. "No. I'll behave from now on."

Later in the day, I was stopped by my father. "Where are you heading off to?" He asked from his seat on the couch. He was watching the news and from what I had heard, it seemed irrelevant.

I stopped in front of him. "On a walk sir." Be polite.

"Very well." He didn't look at me as I walked away.

So me and Es took our walk this morning as a change. It was different at this time. Quieter, clearer in the air yet my heart yearned for the same thing and that was of course, freedom.

As we walked along the usual street, I walked ahead and called Esmerelda towards me. "Come here." I said and crossed the road, taking notice of the dance studio.

I was intrigued by the notice board stuck outside of the studio. The studio itself looked homely and a great place to dance. Just by it's outside architecture, it was bright and welcoming with its glass windows and big doors.

After looking at the various clubs for children and adults stuck on the board, something else had caught my eye this morning.

It was Hoseok, my oh my, it was the boy I gave my bread too.

He was trying to talk to someone in front of the studio's entrance. I became intrigued immediately as it seemed like a conversation of urgency and confusion. He was trying to talk to a lady.

We were close enough to hear and Hoseok said, "I'm sorry. I'm finding it really hard to understand-" He was apologetic to the foreign woman. "I only speak English." He scratched the back of his brown hair, stressed by the situation.

I could see the language barrier which is why I walked straight over to them. "Hi." I greeted the woman directly, not taking a single glance at Hoseok who was even more confused by my sudden presence. I immediately begin to converse with the lady in French, "Quel est le problème? Je peux traduire pour vous."

What is the problem? I can translate for you.

Then, the woman began to speak and I took the moment to glance at Hoseok who was staring at me with wide eyes. His brown eyes watched my every movement and when our eyes met, I smiled. I smiled in the nicest way possible and ignored the surprise that slapped onto his face as his eyes lit up. Short eyelashes and brown orbs of glory. He was admiring me.

So the lady replied, "Je veux envoyer mon garçon à ses cours de danse. Il aime danser." i want to send my boy to his dance classes. he loves dancing.

I translated back to Hoseok who was waiting with patience. He immediately grabbed a notepad with a list of names and I directed the woman with big dreams for her child to sign her son's name.

She did and the situation was fixed. The french woman walked away and me and Hoseok were left alone, except Esmerelda was simply watching with wife eyes. Hoseok however, started to talk to me as he fixed the chains connected to the belt on his jeans. "Thank you so much." He began, stuttering with his kindness. "Wait, do I know you, have we met before?"

"We must leave." My maid dragged me away, muttering under her breath. I couldn't help but turn around and wave at Hoseok.

He waved back, despite not remembering me. I felt proud of myself for helping.

"Do you know that boy?" Es asked as we made our way back to the house.

"I wish." Is all I said.
I wish I knew someone else. I wish I knew him.