Spotlight

2

Nathan, is someone lowly and is Maria Claire's fan. Maria Claire was famous even in his home town. Nathan lived in the small town of Andong and was also a striving singer.

He didn't have proper training at least nor a decent background, unlike his rivals in their town, who'd work on their skills from time to time through their efforts.

Nathan did not finish college and is already working to provide for his family's needs. His parents couldn't support his education anymore due to poverty. He also has younger siblings which needs to get education. The decision to end his education was heartbreaking, but he knew how to prioritize others first.

Instead of just lounging around, he got a job at a retail store as a clerk. In the store, the TV would always play Maria Claire's performances and competitions, even those from when she was younger. It's not that new though since almost everyone adores her in their town.

He was always amazed by her. While he was doing his job, he'd always sing together with Maria Claire. He would even memorize the pieces she sang!

One day as he was doing his usual job and listening, Maria Claire said in her victory interview with a bright smile.

"Every one can sing! If it's your passion, go for it! You don't need to be perfect to sing, you just gotta have some guts and most of all, the heart to perform."

This immediately struck Nathan. He thought that if Maria Claire could sing he could sing too out of the blue. He thought on this after his shift and soon he was saving money for his trip to Seoul.

It seemed crazy and foolish for most, yet was there anything that could stop the flaming passion of Nathan?

One day he finally decided to talk to his parents about it.

"You gotta be crazy!" Exclaims his Mother.

"Don't you know how much it would cost, and who will support your siblings? Us? We're already getting old and we're tired!" Continues his Father.

Nathan was silent, all he thought about was his dream and how much he wanted it.

"Leave him," his Father breaks the silence, "If he wants it, let him have it, but here's one thing Nathan, once you go out to chase that foolish dream of yours, we will conisder you dead."

His father walks out and his mother trails behind him, unsure what to do or say.

These words shattered Nathan's thoughts.

He thought about how bad it would be to get disowned as he went to his room. He laid down and tears soon trickled down his face. He soon fell asleep on his tear-filled pillows, and woke up to greet another day.

He felt his alarm beside him going off suggesting he should get up and go to his job. He wiped his face with a deep sigh and rose up.

He was still in shock of what happened last night, yet he had to work. He made himself ready, and went down. His parents had already gone to their work, and his siblings were eating breakfast so he joined them.

They were all merrily eating the eggs they contently shared so that it would fit for all of them.

He loved his siblings and took care of them all the time.

"Would it be worth leaving these guys?" He sighed as he drank water.

Soon they had finished eating, and they all went separate ways. Nathan waved them all goodbye and walked to work.

At work, his boss had arrived first, yet he wasn't late. He noticed that the tv was already on, and it was still playing the same thing- Maria Claire's performances.

"I haven't heard this before." Nathan thought as he wiped the counter tops.

She sang this one song so beautifully, hitting every note and beat perfectly. Every word was filled with emotion. This song had the message of following your dreams, no matter the oppositions. This song had moved people to tears, one of those people is Nathan of course.

He couldn't hold it back anymore went to the bathroom to cried. He was stuck in his thoughts once again.

"What am I gonna do? I am just so unsure!" He thought to himself.

He bowed his head down as he sat in the toilet seat.

"No, this can't be. I have a dream, And I will pursue it!" He decided as he clenched his fist.

He soon wiped his tears out of his face and went back to work as if nothing happened.

He worked as usual, but he immediately got out after his shift instead of working overtime. He then went to a computer cafe and there he searched all about Seoul.

Seoul was a familar place. Almost everyone in their town dreamt of going there.

He searched how far it was and 191 kilometers.

"Well that's a bit far." Nathan scrolled down.

He found out that with a couple cheap bus rides, he could actually reach Seoul. He was over-joyed. His excitement was going over the moon, but soon he had to end his research because of the time limit. He didn't want to spend a penny more on the computer too.

He went home and soon got to bed, happy and excited to the core. He couldn't even sleep! For all he thought about was his trip and how badly he wanted to reach his dream. Then, a thought crept from the back of his mind.

"Isn't this too selfish?" He asks himself.

He feels like he's not thinking about the others. He was unsure for a while.

"I don't know, but we'll know soon." He said with a sigh to comfort himself

He dozed off soon with uncertainty and fear in his mind.

The next morning, the same scene was present, but this time, he dared to ask his siblings.

"Hey, do you think it's too selfish of me to leave you all behind for my dream?" He quietly asks in whisper.

"I don't know." His younger sister at the age of 12 firmly answers.

"What's selfish?" His younger brother at the age of 7 asks.

His youngest brother at the age of 3 nods along with the question and says, "yeah, what is a dweam?"

His words stumble as he hasn't went to school yet.

He smiles as an answer, and looks at the clock. He noticed it was already 6:17, and he has to be at work at 6:30.

"I'll answer that when I get back. You should hurry, the bus will pass soon." He eats up his meal quickly.

He smiles and leaves the table with his siblings.

He jogs back to his workplace.

"Good morning sir!" He greets his employer who was sitting outside, reading the daily newspaper.

He's been with this man for a couple months already, he's been kind and he doesn't have any complaints about him.

"Good morning." The man smiles.

He goes inside and does his daily chores.

Later on the day, as he was having some ramyeon for lunch.

"Boy, there's a competition here at the town soon. You should join." The employer shows up behind his back.