Chapter 19 — The Mother Who Stole Her Dream

20 The next morning at seven o'clock, I was woken up by Duong Duong. In her hand were soy milk, eggs and a box of steamed dumplings.

"Miss Lam asked someone to bring it to her."

“You said not to go for a checkup on an empty stomach.”

I sat up, my ankle still swollen. Duong Duong squatted to change my medicine, his movements were much steadier than last night.

“Does it hurt?”

“Pain.”

“Can we go?”

“Okay.”

She raised her head and looked at me.

“Don't be stubborn.”

I nodded.

“I know.”

This time, I no longer hide the pain behind the words "it's okay". Before going out, Ms. Lam personally came to pick me up. The dean also arranged the academy's vehicle. Ha Minh Triet was waiting next to the car. In his hand was a new set of documents, inside there was a list of evidence that had been arranged since last night. I originally thought my mother would block me at the school gate. But the school gate is very quiet. Ms. Lam said:

“The school has notified the security department.”

“She can't come in.”

When the car drove away from the school, the sun had just risen. The heat from the breakfast restaurants on the side of the road rose up. Looking at people lining up to buy food, I suddenly felt like everything was unreal. It turns out that when a person lives too long in a ruined life, even an ordinary day becomes a luxury. The testing location of the City Dance Troupe is located in an old theater. In front of the door is a selection sign. When I got off the bus, as soon as my ankle touched the ground, I was in so much pain that I trembled slightly. Duong Duong immediately helped me.

“Go slowly.”

I nodded. As I walked to the registration desk, I saw a gray-haired man standing on the steps. His figure is very thin but his back is straight. Ms. Lam said in a low voice:

"Maybe that's the person in charge of the old records of the Nam Thanh Dance Troupe's youth training class."

The man saw me, his eyes stopped for a long time. Then he walked towards me.

“Khuong Le?”

I nodded.

“Yes, it's me.”

He looked at my face, in his eyes was late regret.

“Just call me teacher Luong.”

“When I was sixteen years old, the teacher himself sent me the admission notice.”

My fingers tightened on the file. Teacher Luong sighed.

“That year, after I finished dancing, my teacher told my colleagues that this girl's physical condition was not the best, but her eyes had power.”

“Unfortunately, what we received later was a waiver from the parents.”

My throat tightened.

“I didn't receive the notification.”

“I already know.”

He said:

“Last night, after reviewing the documents, I reported the old file to the City Dance Troupe.”

“Today's test is not a compensation.”

“I still have to rely on myself to stand on stage.”

That statement on the contrary made me feel reassured. I'm not afraid to rely on myself. I'm just afraid I won't have a chance to stand up there. When registering, the staff checks the temporary identification card. The state in the system has been restored. My name appeared again on the test list. Just as I signed my name, there was an argument outside the door. My mother still comes. She was stopped outside by a security guard, holding up several psychological counseling files in her hand.

“I'm his mother!”

“I have the right to clearly say that his health is not suitable!”

The officer in charge was clearly a bit awkward. Ha Minh Triet stepped forward, his voice calm.

“Miss Dinh, last night the police filed a case.”

“If you continue reveal her personal information, I will immediately add documents.”

My mother gritted her teeth.

“I speak the truth!”

Teacher Luong went down the steps. He just looked at her once.

“If you really cared about her, you wouldn't keep agitating her before the test.”

My mother was speechless. Master Luong continued:

“We evaluate the condition of the candidates themselves, not based on parents crying and causing trouble.”

Her face was sometimes blue, sometimes white. I don't look at her anymore. I went into the dressing area behind the stage. Duong Duong helped me fix my hair and then tightened my ankle strap.

“Khuong Le.”

“Yes?”

“You don't need to prove it to her today.”

She looked at me, her eyes red.

“Just prove it to yourself.”

I nodded. When it was my turn, the theater was extremely quiet. Five people sat at the judges' table. Teacher Luong sat outside. Ms. Lam and Duong Duong sat in the audience seats. Ha Minh Triet stood next to the door. I submitted documents and presented the situation. The main examiner finished reviewing the medical department's assessment and asked:

“Can you complete the test today in your current physical condition?”

I said:

“Maybe.”

“What if the pain increases midway?”

“I will stop.”

As soon as I said that, I was stunned. Before, I always felt that stopping meant losing. But now I understand that this body also belongs to me. Don't destroy it just to prove it to someone. Music rang out. Not the song “Road Home” from the show. But the basic technical combination is specified on the spot. The first half is controlled movements, the second half is jumping and spinning.