Shall We Dance by Joana A Park - HTML preview

Shall We Dance

 

 

 

 

Joana A. Park

 

 

** This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or real is purely coincidental.**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2018 JAP/PJJ/PPK

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 1727306546

ISBN-13: 978-1727306545

 

 

 

DEDICATION

 

 

 

To my sweet Kaia Rei, you inspire me, I love you MeeMee…

 

Jordan, Kelsey and Alannis, I’m lucky to have such great kids. Thank you for loving me. I love you 3 to pieces.

 

To my mom and pa, I think about you every day. I love and miss you terribly…

 

Choua Vang Lee, thank you for reading my nonsense and not laughing or judging. You are the best sister ever. Thanks for your love and support. I love you…

 

Kim JunMyeon, even though his book is inspired by Kai. You are my true inspiration.

You influence my mind create beautiful stories.

Thank you for being such a great person and leader.

 

I love you…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

 

 

Special thank you

 

 

Special thanks to Roger Tresemer, Kelsey Park, Soora Park, Choua Vang Lee, Diane Haas, Kristen Pasistor, Dr. Kim and family, SM Entertainment, Park Productions Korea, Mischief Books & ExoLs Worldwide

 

 

(Kai),

(ChanYeol), (SuHo), (BaekHyun),

(Xiumin), (Chen), (D.O.), (Lay) & (SeHun),

…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shall

We Dance

 

 

 

As a little girl, I totally loved music boxes. They seem to be so mystical. I loved watching my little ballerina in my music box. This music box was special because my mother had given it to me shortly before she passed. So it always reminded me of her.

I’d sit there for hours just listening to the sweet melody and watching her twirl.

Sometimes my father would come in and asked me to dance and he would twirl me over and over again until I got dizzy then we’d just sit and listen to the melody.

In my mind I was going to be a ballerina like her one day.

 

As I grew up, my parent encouraged me to dance. They would sign me up for dance lessons and even had me participate in a few recitals.

I wasn’t very good at it and I knew it but they always said I was going to be a Prima ballerina one day.

 

One thing we always did as a family was go to the ballet. My mother and I loved it.

I don’t think my father liked it much but he endured it for us. I felt it was one of our favorite bonding things. I watched the ballet and my father would watch the glimmer in my eye.

He knew I had aspirations of becoming a ballerina but after the accident, we both knew it wasn’t meant to be.

I had lost my mother and my ability to dance.

My father was so strong.

He dealt with my mother’s passing and then cared for me and my stability, never complaining.

Every day he’d push me to get up and live, even when he felt like dying himself.

He even enrolled me in ballet classes to keep my hearts illusion going. But it was also to keep his mind from snapping after all we had gone through, this was his release. Watching me do what I loved calmed the pain in him.

 

After a while, my body grew out of my ballerina dream but my heart didn’t.

I went off to school and put that all aside.

Now and then I would go to the ballet but I tend to stay away from it because I longed for it so much.

 

Upon my graduation, my father surprised me with the most beautiful gift ever, tickets to our favorite ballet, “Romeo and Juliet”.

I say “our” favorite ballet because my father introduced it to me as a child.

Tickets were impossible to get because of the danseur who was dancing for Romeo. He was young and super talented, everyone wanted to see him. So I appreciated that my father gifted me with them.

The excitement in me was overwhelming.

 

The night of the ballet, I dressed in a flowy black dress and I wore my mother’s shawl. I felt when I wore it she was there with me. My father looked so handsome in his tuxedo.

 

“Oh Appa, you look so snazzy.” I said as I fixed his bow tie.

 

“Camilla, my prima ballerina. Shall we dance?” He asked as he twirled me around.

 

I giggled and gave him my hand.

 

“You are going all out Appa, even flowers?” I said with a giggle.

 

“Those are not for you. There for one of the dancers.” My father replied with mystery in his voice.

 

“You have a crush on a ballerina, Appa? Who is she?” I said jokingly.

 

“Camilla, they are good luck flowers, you will see.” My father responded with a smile.

 

As we arrived at the theatre, it was overflowing with people in fancy clothes.

This was more extravagant than anything I’d ever been too.

There were so many cameras and reporters. Everyone had come to see a new danseur who was taking the world by storm.

Since I had been out of the loop so long, I had no idea who everyone was fussing about. He had to be young because there were a lot of young ladies excitedly trying to catch a peek at him.

 

We entered and walked past the balcony entrance. Then past the general admission entrance, straight to the VIP section.

 

“How much did you spend on these tickets, appa?” I asked with curiosity.

 

 

“It doesn’t matter, as long as you are happy, cost is not a worry, Princess. I want you to enjoy it.” He replied kissing my forehead.

 

We quickly were escorted to our seats.

“Oh wow! V.I.P. appa? How did you get these tickets, did you sell your soul or something? They are spectacular.” I whispered.

 

“Well of course not. I’m witty not crazy. Plus no Prima Ballerina sits in the high balconies. Now please stop asking questions and enjoy your gift, Camilla.” He whispered back with a smile and a wink.

 

My eyes were mesmerized by the closeness and how beautiful the sets looked.

 

Everything was so magical, so breathtaking.

 

Suddenly the lights dim and the soft enchanting music began. I felt my heart pause for a second. I smiled at my father and he smiled back.

 

From the darkness arose a figure.

He seemed to be 10 feet tall.

I gazed in amazement as he flowed across the stage like an angel.

I had never seen anything like this.

My heart began racing and all I could do was smile.

I could feel my father’s eyes watching me but I could not move my gaze from the stage.

 

“There is more for you after the ballet.” My father whispered in my ear.

 

I smiled with delight.

I don’t think I had blinked the whole time.

The storyline was so intense.

And his dancing was out of this world. I could see why everyone came to see him.

He was magnificent!

The ballet seemed so short but it actually lasted 2 hours.

 

As the lights rose.

I sat there motionless. I was filled with satisfaction. I was totally engulfed in it.

My father tapped my shoulder and motioned for me to follow him.

“Where are we going?” I asked with curiosity.

 

“Just come on and bring the flowers.” He said as he pulled me by my hands.

 

“Are we going backstage?” I said nervously.

 

My father smiled and winked.

 

“No way, Appa. How did you get us backstage?” I mumbled as the guard at the door let us in.

 

I watched in amazement as the ballerinas walked around in their beautiful tutus. Everything was so soft, gentle and beautiful.

 

“Camilla, wake up!” My father said as he stopped in front of a room door.

 

I still watched the ballerinas as my father knocked on the door.

 

“Come in.” I heard a deep voice say from behind the door.

 

“Camilla!” My father whispered as he entered.

 

I followed behind him closely.

 

“Hello Mr. Nam, how are you? It’s been such a long time.” This sweet deep voice said.

 

“I’m very well Kai. Yes, since you were this high.” My father motioned a little boys height.

 

“6 years old? If I’m not wrong.” My father added.

 

“Yes that’s correct, Mr. Nam.” The voice replied.

 

“Your performance was spectacular. I am so impressed. You father has reason to gloat.” My father said with a laugh.

 

Kai laughed with a deep sweet giggle.

As my father step to the side, there he stood. The danseur everyone was talking about.

He wasn’t 10 feet tall but he still was glorious. He didn’t even look real. He was so perfect.

His skin was so tan and that smile, what can I say, it was spellbinding.

 

“This is my daughter, Camilla. The one I told your father about. My Prima Ballerina. She loves ballet.” My father added.

 

I stood frozen. My father motioned for me to hand him the flowers.

 

“Hello Camilla, I’m Kai.” He said with his hand extended.

 

“Hello. These flowers are for you.” I whispered dazed as I touched his hand while handing him the flowers.

 

“Oh thank you! You didn’t have too. I hope you enjoyed the ballet.” He said with a soft smile.

 

“The flowers are for good luck! Oh my, the ballet was beautiful. You were exquisite, totally amazing. Now I understand what the big deal was about.” I babbled as I bowed to him with excitement.

 

“Oh thank you.” Kai said with a giggle in a shy modest tone.

 

I smiled and looked away.

“Will you be travelling with this ballet?” My father asked.

 

“I am hoping to. I have worked very hard for this placement. I trained many years to lead up to this moment. I’d love to show my dancing to many.” Kai said modestly.

 

“You definitely deserve it after seeing you dance. Im super impressed. You are spectacular!” I replied with a smile.

 

“Thank you so much, Camilla.” Kai replied shyly with a glance.

 

We remained looking at each other.

 

Well… we will let you rest. Thank you for seeing us.” My father interrupted.

 

“It was my pleasure, Mr. Nam, you and Camilla are welcome anytime.” Kai replied with a smile.

 

I smiled and bowed but still continued to look at him because he was so gorgeous.

 

As we walked out I was still in wonderment.

So this was what my life would be like if I had realized my dreams.

This night was definitely unforgettable.

 

As we rode home that night I had nothing else on my mind but how handsome Kai was.

He belonged in a fairy tale.

He reminded me of the Prince in my music box.

 

“Where did you meet him, appa?” I asked curiously.

 

“Who Kai? He is the son of a good friend of mine. His father and I were in the military together.” He replied.

 

“I bumped into him at the market and he was bragging to me about how Kai was succeeding in ballet and I asked him for tickets. You know to see for myself.” He added.

 

“Oh Appa. Just like that. So bluntly.” I scolded.

 

“Of course not, I have my ways. I said they were for you. My daughter, the ballet fan.” He replied with a laugh.

 

I giggled and pushed my father’s shoulder.

 

“Well that is definitely the impression Kai got. I acted like a dork.” I stated.

 

“Were you trying to impress him?” My father asked.

 

“Of course not but first impression are lasting impressions. You told me that.” I added.

 

“I have taught you well.” My father complimented.

 

I giggled and looked out the window.

 

“Did you have a good time?” My father asked.

 

“Did I have a good time? Appa, you know I did. Thank you so much. It was one of the best gifts ever.” I whispered as I kissed his cheek.

 

 

Adagio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After being away for a year with my first job placement, I returned back home to care for my father. I found another part time job at an office.

Of course the job was not what I really wanted to do or studied for but my father needed help and I was willing to do any job to help him.

 

Every day I would pass the dance studio I used to attend as a child.

For months I’d just pass and look at it from across the street. I’d sit at the café and watch the ballerinas through the windows.

I guess not being able to fulfill my ballerina dream was bittersweet.

 

Today for some odd reason I felt different. I decided, for me to be able to accept it, I’d go inside. What did I have to lose, right?

 

As I walked across the street, the building seemed so small. I remember it being a huge building full of rooms.

 

I stopped and stared at the building before entering. There were ballerinas rehearsing inside.

You could see them through the windows dancing inside.

I slowly walked in and just watched as I did as a little girl.

The music was so mesmerizing.

I wandered the halls, looking in from room to room at the different dancers.

It went from little girls learning the basics to full grown seasoned ballerinas.

My heart felt warm.

 

As I passed a room with no windows I heard a thump, then a loud painful moan.

 

“Oh someone miss a jump.” I said to myself.

 

I stood there, looking around quietly to find out where it was coming from. Then I heard the moan again. I ran towards the door but it said private session.

 

“Oh damn, this isn’t good.” I heard a hurt male voice say from behind the door.

 

“Oh my goodness, should I go in? Maybe they need help.” I said to myself.

 

I lightly tapped on the door and opened it. There lay a dancer on the floor.

 

“Oh my goodness! Are you ok?” I asked immediately as I approached him.

 

“No.” He replied looking away trying to get up.

 

“Wait! Let me help you up, please.” I offered.

 

He looked down at his already swelling knee as I tried to give him leverage to stand.

 

“Your knee looks horrible, let me get you some ice.” I said as I sat him back down on the floor and rushed out of the room.

 

He continued moaning in pain.

 

“Hey, that was Kai. I wonder if he remembers me.” I thought as I ran down the hall and returned with an ice bag. He smiled as I gently put the ice on his knee.

 

“What happened?” I asked.

 

“I was attempting a Grand Jete and as you see, I didn’t succeed. I landed very wrong. Very very wrong” He said with a laugh and a moan.

 

I smiled with concern.

 

“This doesn’t look good, you should go see a doctor.” I mumbled.

 

“I’ll be ok. No doctor needed. I’ll just wrap it and walk it off.” Kai assured.

 

“Are you crazy? You can’t walk this off, you need a doctor. You knee is twice the size it should be.” I scolded.

 

We both sat on the floor in silence.

 

“I met you at a ballet a bit ago.” I blurted out.

 

Kai looked at me confused.

 

“Ah Yes, I remember you.” He said softly.

 

I smiled while trying to wrap his knee.

 

“Camilla, Camilla Nam right?” He added.

 

I smiled and nodded with surprise that he remembered me.

 

“Is there anything I can do for you? You will not be walking out of here today.” I asked.

 

“Can you help me to my car?” Kai responded.

 

“To your car? Are you crazy? You can’t drive. You can barely walk.” I scolded.

 

“How do you expect me to get to the medical center?” Kai replied with a pained face.

 

“I can take you. I’m going that way anyways. I volunteered.

 

“To the medical center?” Kai asked jokingly.

 

“No, in that direction, silly.” I replied miffed.

 

“NO, that’s fine. I can drive. I promise to be careful. I can drive with one foot.” Kai said.

 

“No way! Let me do this for you. It’s the least I can do.” I pleaded.

 

He nodded ok.

 

As we hobbled down the hall, everyone came out of their rooms to see what had happened. He was a lead dancer so the concern grew because he had pending performances.

 

“The medical center downtown, right?” I asked.

 

“Yes, please. And fast, this pain is awful.” He replied with pain.

 

I helped him into my car, he moaned in pain all the way to the center. We arrived to his trainer waiting with a wheel chair to take him inside. While he went to see the doctor, I remained outside and called my father.

“Appa, sorry I’m late. I was at the ballet center today and as I was there Kai got hurt so I’m with him at the medical center downtown.” I explained.

 

“Kai? My friend’s son? Ok? I was worried. Thank you for calling me sweetheart. When will you be home?” My father asked.

 

“Yes him. I’ll get home as soon as I get him to a safe place. Ok?” I replied.

 

“Yes, please be careful. Text me when you are home so I can rest.” My father ended.

 

As I returned to the room, the doctor and trainer were out talking in the hallway.

Kai had a worried look on his face.

 

“What’s wrong? Is everything going to be ok?” I questioned.

 

He nodded no with a pout.

 

“What did the doctor say?” I added.

 

“He said I will need extensive physical therapy. He does not guarantee full recovery because it’s a bad injury to my knee. I have a meniscal tear. It might require surgery.” He explained.

 

“Wow! That’s awful. I’m sorry.” I said in shock.

 

Kai lowered his head in disappointment.