Withering Love

Famous Dance Team from Korea Visits Philippines

Geo's POV

I am really confused what to do. I don't know what contribution I can give to my dance team. I searched online since last night. I even slept at 1:00 a.m., but I can't find anything. I found one website and I don't know if it was just a scam or they can really help me solve the problem I am facing now. I know that it will not be a problem for everyone, but for me it's already a problem.

I left early for school. Now, I saw Ivan walking very fast. Maybe he has something to give to the team. Something is holding me back. I can't show my face to the team for now. I have nothing to give apart from what I taught them already. But I saw that all of them have something to share.

"Geo, why are you still outside?" Diego is here.

"I am just thinking of something."

"What is that something?"

"Something I can share to the group."

"There's no need for that, dude! Your suggestions yesterday is more than enough. And don't hassle yourself, we are still in the first year of high school." I was convinced by what he said, so I enter the dance room.

"Everybody, here is our team leader." They're all clapping their hands. I don't understand. They're all smiling at me.

"What's the matter, dudes?"

"We're just grateful, Geo!" said one of them.

"Yes, Geo! You made some changes and we like it very much." I am satisfied with their comments.

"So, are we ready for a long and heavy practice?"

"Yes!" They all responded.

"So,what are we waiting for?"

Each of them shard the product of their research yesterday. I enjoy watching them. It was almost time for dismissal when someone called. Number, no name indicated.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Are you Geo Roosevelt?"

"Yes, I am."

"We just want to inform you that we receive your email and we plan to visit the Philippines."

"Really?"

"Yes, and we will train you for the competition."

"Ouh, thank you God!"

I am overjoyed, and now everybody is looking at me.

"What's the matter?"

"What news was that?" Ask Ivan.

"Uhh...guys, gather! It's just for a while."

Their ears are already prepared to listen, and all their eyes are looking at me. By just looking in the eyes, I can see that they are excited and happy.

"I just received a call from the Korean Famous Dance Team. They will be coming here in Philippines. Their team leader also told me that they will train us and develop our dance steps." I paused for two seconds, then continue. "That means to say that we have the higher chance of winning the contest." It's very clear in my voice that I am excited too.

They're talking to each other. I can't hear them, but I know that they like the good news and that they're excited also.

"For now, guys, you're dismissed!" But I did not dismissed them for nothing. I also gave them the task to still do some research.

I am home already, sitting in the red couch hugging my pillow and trying to foresee the outcome if it happen that they will visit us.

"Oh, Geo you're already home, no class?" Uncle Ricky used to ask me that if he sees me at home very early.

"We just have our practice, and we don't have class this afternoon. Our professor in Arts is in Baguio to attend to his wife who just have a baby recently. He will be back after a week." I answered.

"But how was your practice, good?"

"Yeah, and we have visitors tomorrow."

"Really?"

"Yes, and they will train us and help us win the competition."

"Wow! Well, that's good for you and your team."

Uncle wants to say more and spent time with me but my aunt ask him to help him in the farm. And I am left alone. The third among the ten children came and say:

"You're becoming near to my dad, hey don't forget that you're just abandoned and we let you eat here."

I did not answer him because I know that the money spent in my study and for my daily consumption comes from mom and dad. I just keep myself quiet and did not mind what other things he was saying. Instead of listening to his criticism, I went inside the room. I locked it.

I can't sleep. There are a lot of thing inside my mind. It's difficult to become a leader of a group. I grab a pen and started writing about my short term goals. In my age, 13 years old, it is not normal for a young boy like to have such thinking, but since my mother left me when I was 10, this gives me the idea to step a single pace ahead.

After writing, I take my blanket and cover myself with it. I close my eyes but sleeping is very difficult for me since I accepted the role as a leader of the team. Plus, Kaila is not with me anymore. I wonder what she is doing right now. I wonder if she can't sleep too because of the heavy baggage that both of us is carrying. I mean, it's not easy for the two of us. Anyways, there's a time for that.

I grab my cellphone on top of my cabinet. I am checking the inbox, email, messenger. Then, a message comes out, sent recently:

We're on our way to Philippines, please be on guard.

We might call you later.

- Korean Dance Team!

I can feel the heat of joy inside me. I am overjoyed that the bulb in my room got shut down. I hit it with my head.

I can't imagine the my bed will bounce me that high! I'll fix it later.

I check the time, it's already 5: 49. I did not sleep back anymore. I prepare everything for this event. I have sent a letter last night to our school via email. But I don't have yet the approval of our school principal. I am always checking from time to time. I look at again the inbox, still none! Then, after five minutes of waiting, I received an email stating that the principal approves my letter.

Since I have received the permission from the school principal. I forwarded to my team the information, and I told them to prepare everything for the coming of the Korean Dance Team.

When I came to school, I saw all the students outside. They're all waiting. I can see now how supportive our school is, especially for foreigners. They're very welcoming. Thirty minutes had passed, I did not receive any call from the Dance Team. Forty-five minutes, fifty minutes, their presence was nowhere to be seen, then I heard a trumpet and drums sounding beautifully.

"There they are!" I said.

Everybody is now going to welcome, but our principal controlled them. "Not everybody should go to the gate but the team of Geo!"

"Thank you." I told her in sign language. The Koreans are white and tall. I saw Jimmy, the one who contacted me yesterday. He jump from the truck and look at me. "You must be Geo, am I right in guessing?" He smile at me, then I said yes by nodding my head.

We give them time to rest, offered snacks for them and conversed with them. After an hour, Jimmy asked about the plan.

"We plan to show you first our practiced dance steps, and if there are steppings that are needed of change or changes, you may suggest."

"So, if that is the case, what are we waiting for?" He called his team and we went together to the New Auditorium of the school. I felt good talking with the team-leader. It's a team-leader to team-leader conversation.

So, it happened. We showcased our talents, and they did the same also. I asked them to give some comments and suggestions, but Jimmy was silent for some seconds. Everybody was looking at him. "What do you think if we will compete, Geo?" That's statement was like a fire inside me. I can't. But my team was pushing me to. "Geo! Geo! Geo!" They screamed and laughed. I did compete with Jimmy, and all eyes were fixed to the two of us. Jimmy presented a very enticing presentation. As I did my part, everyone supported me than Jimmy. When I looked at them, I saw Jimmy buying all their attentions and asked them to clap. "It was not a fair competition!" I told Jimmy. "Why did you say that? I know who are dancers and not, Geo. And I saw that just a while back. You're a dancer, Geo!" He paused for a while then continue. "In fact, you're better than me."

We conversed and conversed, then we trained the team, I mean my team. They stayed with us for one week. They have helped my team a lot. "Thank you for visiting us here in Philippines. We're glad to see you all." We waved our hands to say goodbye. "Hope to see you again." I followed up. "We too, Geo! We're glad to meet you - and the team." He seems to forget the team.

We practice for another week. We applied the learnings that have gotten from them. I saw the improvement of the members, and I can see that their confidence is also becoming higher.