WALK THROUGH WALLS

TWENTY

If you ask me how I slept last night, it will be like asking how the charcoal feels when it is burnt, in short I don't know. All I know is my mental alarm woke me up at five am and I immediately rushed to the prayer room to recite the rosary and say my morning prayers. Yes, I love praying and NO,it's not because of the battle before me. I was glad to see Felix also in the chapel. After the prayers. I went to prepare breakfast for the boys before heading to my room to pack my bags and take a shower while there.

I can't believe that the long awaited day is finally here. We were given a deadline of nine in the morning to reach the venue and settle in our dorms and I believe that being that one of the judges is our chauffeur today, we will be there on time hopefully. While I was arranging my belongings, which I decided not to carry many because am planning to be coming back to the house on Sundays, Jimin came to help me out.

Our rooms are next to each other and we even have a passage way through our walk in closets so, even at night while everyone thought I slept on my bed, I went to sleep on Jimin's bed. The logic behind it has always been that why sleep in two beds far from each other and yet we can sleep on one thus saving the energy of spreading the beds that we both hate so much when done alone but together, it becomes a sight to behold.

Because Tae started complaining, I left Jimin to do the packing while I took shower. He even helped me with my bags. We went for breakfast and then headed to the parking area. The rest of the gang decided to see us to the parking lot then went to finish their breakfast.

" Please Lensah, don't be a stranger ok. If you need help with anything, please call." Bambam said while giving me a hug and then he went to little Cai.
" Try and make friends, don't be going there to isolate yourself now ok! Oh and when you are angry at anyone, step back and walk away ok? I believe in you sawasawa?" Mark said then he hugged me then Cai. I have to admit that what Tuan told me this day became like my life motto while in the competition.
" Oh and Lensah, don't hold back, give it your all." Jimin told me," little Cai, take care of my heart. If anything happens, call us ok? I hope they allow you to carry your phones."
" Don't forget that you have a home here in Korea Cai. Don't disturb your Chinese family. If you need to get away, just come back to this house. It is our safe haven." Kai said.

This was an emotional roller coaster for me to bear. The massive support from my family was life a breathe of fresh air. Little Cai was so touched that he started tearing up, leading all of us to go and give him a big hug. Then we entered the car and drove away, leaving the boys just waving goodbye at us.

" So you two have come up with the song for the open night or what? Tae asked after a very long time of silence in the car.
" Yes bro. I never thought that little Cai and I love the same music. It was Jimin who decided for us." I said while looking at him then Infront.
" Yes uncle Tae, we decided to sing a Latino melody. I hope to get my guitar at the venue. I left it there"
" We decided to sing a duet. "
" That's a good idea you two. I will stay and watch with all the passion." Tae said and then switched on the radio. The song on the radio was , party in the U.S.A. by Hanna Montana. Cai and I decided to sing along while throwing our hands up, wait,we were not singing but shouting. It took Tae switching off the radio to shut us up.

" Ok guys, we are here." Tae said as he removed the keys from the ignition and then helped us open the boot. We removed our luggages, said goodbye then he walked to the building. I knew he was in a hurry so I didn't want to bother him with questions. As we arrived at the venue, we met ushers who directed us to the registration desk to announce our arrival, register our performance and get our room allocations. They were not that judgemental but still I could not help noticing the disapproving eyes that were staring at me.

" Hello. Welcome to the competition. Can we get your names please and also your production company." One of the ushers asked while smiling widely.
" I am Cai Xukun and she is Lensah  Francisca Lee. We are not trainees of any company." Cai said.
" Ok, then where are you from?"
" I am from China while she is an African-Korean  if there is something like that."
At this moment, the people around us stopped doing what they were doing and started looking at us curiously. The guy who was registering stopped writing and looked at me.
" Why, is there any problem?" I asked while folding my arms on my chest.
" No, sorry for that. It is just that I have registered trainees from China, Taiwan and Thailand but you are the first..."
" African you are registering...  yes I know."
" It's not in bad faith. It's just that I ..."
" Shocked or perplexed or is it..."
" Mummy calm down. Hey you, are we done here or is there any formalities remaining. She is an African, deal with it. We came for a competition not an interview. Ok? you are being rude just now." Cai said.

At this moment there was a crowd forming behind us. 
"Is there any problem here. What is happening here Moon, why is the queue stagnant?" A well dressed man came to the desk looking angry
" It's nothing director, we are just about to finish. Cai and Francisca you can head to the next desk to register your performance for the open night and also for the room allocation. Welcome again and good luck to you." The Moon guy said while smiling and he handed us our name tags.

I was so pissed off that I took both our name tags and left Cai to drag our bags. At this moment I did not feel like meeting another wierd person to interrogate me. Reaching the next desk, I decided to squat down and leave Cai do the registration again. I again felt the wierd stares by he girls there but I noticed that they made sure not to make any comments least they get our outburst. At this moment my phone rang and I walked aside to receive it.
" Hi dear. How is everything there. Have you settled already." Jimin asked
" Hi you. We are still registering.  " I answered
" I can feel that you are angry, what has happened?" Jimin asked
" There are just some guy that has annoyed me but am ok. They need me at the registration desk. Let me give the phone to little Cai. I will call you later ok. Love you." And with that I went back to the registration desk and handed the phone to Cai, " your dad wants to talk to you."

Cai walked away dragging one of the suitcases with him. I was left at desk with the wierd girls who were looking at me while speaking Korean language.
" You know that I can understand you perfectly well, don't you?" I said in Korea while smiling. The face they made was just expensive. The people behind me started laughing while mummering." So which room am I allocated?"
They were so embarrassed that they just gave me the room number and handed me to one of the female ushers to direct me to the dorms.

At this moment Cai came back and gave me back my phone. We followed the ushers. We reached a diversion and Cai went to a different direction .
" Hey, let's meet here after an hour so that we go and practice our performance ok?"
" Yes mum. I will call you when I am ready. I have to head to the place I left my guitar and also look for a peaceful place to do the practice ok!"
Ok then. Try to make friends son. Remember we will not spend much time together." I reminded him.
" Yes mother. By the way dad has told me to tell you to take it easy and also try speaking more Korean than English."
" Whatever"

And with that we left with our ushers.
" Can I ask you a question but not in bad faith intended!"
" Go ahead"
" Are you sure you are African?"
" Can I not answer that please"
" Sorrry about that. It's just that it's my first time meeting an African girl who speaks Korean language better than some Koreans and you are so beautiful."
" It's you first time meeting an African right? So what comes to your mind when you hear Africa?"
" I can't say, when you talk about Africa, it seems like this wierd place and the people are..."
" Ok, I understand. Then congratulations.....!" While giving her a handshake.
" Call me Pinky.."
" Pinky, you have met an African lady.

And with that we continued walking with her just looking at me shyly until we reached the dorm area
" So here is where the girls will be sleeping. There are washrooms in every room. You will be sharing the room with two other girls. You room number is 0045. There is already a Thai girl there. I hope you will have fun here. If you get any trouble just look for me. Welcome again Lensah."
"Thank you so much. Have a lovely day too."

And with that I opened the door number 0045. My need home for the next days ahead.