PERFORMANCE

I carried on driving along the boulevard. Her arm hanged from a ceiling handle and her back was slouched. Past the theater, her eyes stared at the open sea. I thought that what had happened was a bit cruel of me. I'm not used to an atmosphere like this when we're together. I cleared my throat to break the silence. "So, how was your tour?" I asked.

Her pupil dilated, and her mouth became agape in an instant. Her shoulders sent a shimmy down to her legs to the point of her almost standing up. "You can't believe how the audience loved it!"

"Ok calm down a little bit. The car's shaking!"

"No! There was even a time the lead actress went sick and so I replaced her and became the lead role instead. I'm not happy she got sick alright but it's because of the opportunity! I still clearly hear the round of applause I got when I bowed in front of the audience. They loved it, Arthur!"

I opened the windows to let some air in. The winds hiss and blew quite nicely — soothing actually. The thin streams of air carried her hair. Her delicate fingers navigated from the outset of the strands 'til just halfway for a knot. The scenery outside then bestowed its natural colors upon us.

With her eyes closed, she had her screaming mouth point closer to my ears. "Even the director loved that one time that I do believe I will have a chance to tour again as the lead role. Not just that! There were lovely fields of flowers in one of the locations. That area is very infamous for its flowers for export. Guess where was it. Come on! Ok, I'm being carried away now. How I wish you were there to see all of those!"

"Yes, I'd love to see where we're going; with safety. Calm down now. That would be a relief."

She rolled her eyes and looked at the sea instead. With both of her arms rested on the open windows, she wallowed in the breeze.

"Alright, here we are."

We immediately alighted the car. Cypress was standing at the other side of the school's gate, feet stomping, forehead scowled and fingers tapping. That gave a jarring contrast against her puny pink tutu and little white swan headband.

"Daddy, where have you been?" she kept shouting. She was shaking the steel bars furiously, eyes almost crying, "Daddy, hurry!"

"Oh, dear. I'll be quick!" I exclaimed.

"See, we almost missed it," said Claire.

"Yeah, right," I said as I gently laugh out my dismay.

Cypress grabbed our hands and dragged us towards her classroom. Our dear's arms were sweaty and slightly quivered.

"You're right on time. We almost thought you guys couldn't come," greeted her teacher upon us arriving at the door. "Take the vacant seats at the front door and we shall regroup the children immediately."

Claire patted Cypress's back and I gifted our daughter with a kiss of good luck, "Go get it, dear."

Claire and I had settled as Cypress took her tiny steps towards the stage. This will be tough but I know she'll be able to pull this off. Our dear's hands and feet continued to tremble. With a last gaze on her teary eyes, the whole auditorium darkened leaving only the spotlights to shed some sight.

Claire clenched her fist. "You can do it," she whispered and then smiled at me. And with that, Cypress became calm and had regained her composure.

Cypress bowed down, extended her arms low beside her hips, crossed her legs with her right feet in front of the left. She stayed like that — like a life-like statue carved by the greatest of sculptors, and then the music kicked in. Ten-ten-ten marked the start of the dance of the little swans. She raised her chin then started walking sideways lead by her right foot with knees bent during every step. Her toes looked like a swan swooping some water with its webbed feet. I can see and feel that's she's a bit stiff, maybe nerves were still going against her way. Claire also felt the same for she had held her hands together right by her lips. The dance was then followed by extending her right leg straight as she jumped, with her other feet becoming afloat as the former land. It's as if a swan wades the shallow waters. She was alone in my sight but I could see you dancing with her. Your hands were at her waist, lifting her as she leaped and then put her back down with great care. Our dear then continued dancing alongside you. She became calm and much gentler. I saw a swan flapping her wings, playing with the splashes of water during that entrechat quatre relevé passé. Moon rose from above, gleaming with its rays towards the lake of floating lotus. You were there, soaring above like an angel bestowing its beauty upon the little swan and gliding through the fog with your feathers falling like fairy dust. Everything was going so well.

I made a slight glimpse at Claire to see how she would react to my daughter's performance. After all, the best art critics are the ones that use it for a living. Her captivated eyes assured me that my Cypress is doing pretty much fine. Besides that, seeing her face again after a long time makes me feel comfortable and relieved.

With a few more steps, my daughter's performance came to an impressive end. The spotlight dispersed and the room then gleamed once more. From Cypress, the stage expanded and showcased her co-performers as well. Their bows were reciprocated by the applause of her classmates, their parents, and the teachers.

The appreciation she's getting is too much for her little heart. She's still right there jumping and wriggling from exhilaration. She truly is a prodigy at such a young age. Cypress then dashed towards us, but to my surprise, she had gone first to Claire.

I leaned forward to them, "You know that would make me jealous, Dear."

"You forgot your father was here," said Claire.

I turned my head away from them.

"Go on, hug your jealous father, Cypress."

Cypress had her hands crossed and nose wrinkled. "Oh, Dad! You're actually here! I thought you were late. Just like always."

"Just like always?" I sent my furious hands and gave Cypress a tickle that she will remember for the rest of her life. "How'd you like that?" We just found ourselves laughing.

Our dear looked at me with teary eyes. Her chest beat rapidly, and her head and arms move over the place with abrupt stops. Her lips pouted and shivering. Claire patted her back and took her attention anew. She copied the gestures, raising her palms gradually while inhaling deep.

"You did great. Don't worry," said Claire. "Do you mind if I treat you to ice cream?"

"That's not a question!" raved Cypress like an actress capable of a millisecond character shift. "Let's go. Our teacher promised we can go home early after this."

I just smiled and unloaded a heavy breath.