Momo, at the age of two and a half, had a low vocabulary count in comparison to other children her age. In a nutshell, she was a late-talker. When trying to communicate, she would rather point at things or make grunting noises, and she would cry out of frustration if she was misunderstood.
She was also a very energetic child. Rather than listening to her school teacher or governess, she’d go dancing on her own even without music. She danced first before she was able to form complete sentences.
Hirai Momo grew up with parents that are both doctors. Her father is a surgeon while her mother is a pediatrician. Despite their busy schedules, they always tried to spend some time with Momo, especially since she’s an only child.
Momo's parents, unfortunately, are used to a fast-paced environment due to the nature of their work. None of them took the time to fully observe the developing child and quickly concluded that Momo was intellectually challenged. Quite ironic since her mother is a pediatrician. But the thing is, she is day-in and day-out treating children under the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities. Sadly, due to the short hours, she gets to spend with her own child, she misjudged Momo.
As a student, Momo is that kid that’s usually dozing off or looking out the window, daydreaming. She also struggled in her academics. She hated maths. Hated everything that everyone tells her as an absolute truth or exact science.
On the other hand, Momo loved to move. She loved music and rhythm.
She imitates a bird’s flight.
She imitates trees that sway where the wind blows.
She imitates the movements of a stretching cat.
She imitates a dog wagging its tail.
But since she had no proper training, all her parents saw when they look at her is a kid being weird, inattentive, unintelligent based on their standards, and slow. Because of their preconceived notions, Momo’s parents failed to recognize that their only child is very talented in performance art and that she is a very creative kid.
With every good intention they had for Momo, but with all the wrong assumptions about how their child is, they raised her as if she is incapable of handling herself.
Whenever Momo makes a decision on her own, her parents jump in to second-guess and find fault, openly criticizing her. It was never constructive. They got into the habit of thinking that whatever Momo does isn't the best thing for her and that because they love her the most, their decision would be better.
Momo, unfortunately, grew up dependent and lacking confidence in herself and decision-making abilities.
It’s true, what Albert Einstein said: “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
Momo struggled in her early years of school because her abilities were measured by what she could do by the books. Her classmates mocked her. When there are group projects, she is not chosen. They thought she was the weakest link, and Momo, sadly, agreed.
With this kind of upbringing, Momo became someone who always felt like she isn’t enough;
That what she can give is substandard.
That she needs to always do extra to be deserving.
That she is most of the time not worthy.
That she is nothing special.
People like this sometimes hold back so much in love and life. Because even when they find the best and most beautiful thing they could ever ask for, they have this nagging feeling deep inside that says, "Am I even worth it?"
At Momo’s lowest point in school, she was transferred to a different class. Her teacher hoped that by this change, she’d get to meet new friends.
Momo, on the other hand, was already well-known for being a favorite target of school bullies. Even after her transfer, her new peers were hesitant to befriend her or choose her to be a member of a team.
All except one.
Minatozaki Sana was a popular girl because of her good looks and intelligence. She has a big heart and a strong sense of responsibility for anyone who is treated unfairly or unjustly.
One day, as a school activity, they were told to pick a dance partner for a presentation. As expected, a lot of the boys lined up to ask Sana. One by one, she rejected them all until Momo and she remained without a team.
“Be my partner?” Sana asked, blocking Momo’s path as she was about to walk out of the classroom.
All of the shuffling and random conversations of those still inside the room came to a halt. There was a collective wave of whispering at first, but it soon died down so that everyone could focus on the two girls' interaction.
Momo understood what she meant, but out of habit and pure disbelief, she responded with “Pardon?”
Sana chuckled lightly. “I asked if you could be my partner. Do you have one already?”
“Well, n-no.” Momo stammered.
“No as in you don’t have someone else yet, or no as in you don’t want to be my partner?” Sana tilted her head inquisitively, her eyes playful searching Momo's as the other girl alternately shifted her weight on each foot.
“No, no! I mean — yes! I mean, uh, no I don’t have a partner yet!” She spluttered.
Sana laughed her musical laugh and took Momo’s hand, surprising the other girl.
“Great! So it could be you and me, right? I’ll give you two choices: Yes, or yes?”
Momo couldn’t help but melt at this adorable girl’s charm. “Wow. You are one heart-shaker, aren’t you?” she laughed. “Yes. I'd love to. And thank you.” Momo said with a grateful tone.
Sana let out a high-pitched squeal of delight. She then dragged Momo through the doorway and began talking animatedly about what dress and color would be best for them, as well as how much fun it would be to perform as the only two-girl team.
They left the school laughing and enjoying each other’s company like it wasn’t their first time talking to each other.
Absorbed in their newly created world, neither one of them let go of the other’s hand.
-
Momo and Sana practiced their routine at the Minatozaki's.
To their surprise, Momo has a lot of awesome ideas in creating the choreography. At first, Momo just awkwardly stood there, waiting for Sana to give out instructions and take the lead. But Sana always asked for Momo's opinion and kept egging her to share her ideas.
Momo gradually relaxed and began to participate more openly. Sana was not one to hold back her compliments and words of encouragement. She showered Momo with all the positive reinforcement she could muster, genuinely impressed by her dance partner's talent.
"Wow! I can't keep up with you. You're like this dancing machine and I'm no match. Let's take a breather, please." Sana gushed while lying on the floor trying to catch her breath.
Momo chuckled and laid down beside Sana. They both stayed there for a while staring at the attic ceiling. It was the first time she had ever felt confident in her abilities. Having someone appreciate her and what she does is a foreign feeling.
Momo cast a glance at the other girl lying next to her. She can't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude for her new friend.
Days passed and the two girls became fast friends. They hung out after school to polish their presentation going straight to the Minatozaki’s. Momo has noticed a pretty girl who appears to be always busy every time she visits there. Even when Sana said she'd introduce the two of them, she couldn't muster the courage to say hello.
“Maybe some other time, Sana.”
They say that old habits die hard. And Momo grew up believing that she was constantly taking up space or wasting other people's time. So she'd rather keep to herself and try not to draw attention than be a burden to anyone.
Sana rolled her eyes. “You always say that, Momo. It’s just my baby sis. She’s really nice and sweet, but like you, she’s also a bit reserved.” she said as they stood near the door where Mina was playing the violin with her music teacher. “Come to think of it, you and she have a lot in common. She is usually quiet around others, but when she is with people with whom she is comfortable, she can be quite chatty. Despite being both beautiful and talented, she can be stubborn and lack self-confidence. The same as you. I can come up with a lot more.”
She's at it again. Momo thought to herself, smiling. “You can tone down the sweet talk and flowery, appreciative remarks. In my mind, you're already the best. If this continues, I may have to unglue my jaw from my shoulder due to excessive cringing!” she laughed.
Momo has noticed that some of her bullies are less hostile to her at school. She deduced that it was primarily due to Sana. One time, she noticed Sana glaring at her usual detractors. She suspected she wasn't supposed to see the brief staredown because Sana was a few steps behind her and she only got to see it because she looked back.
Since then, Momo felt a strong desire to repay Sana for building her confidence and for protecting her. Under Sana’s wing, she felt safe, secure, and appreciated. She felt seen. She felt heard. She felt loved.
Momo, on the other hand, rarely saw any opportunity to return the favor because Sana is an independent woman who knows how to handle her own business while also taking care of those around her. Momo feels like she's always on the receiving end of their friendship, which makes her feel bad at times.
The day of the event had finally arrived. Their class was scheduled to give a presentation in front of the entire school. Everyone was brimming with excitement and energy. Some are cramming in last-minute practice, while others are unwinding with their friends.
Sana and Mina were standing near the stage, waiting together. Mina was supposed to take the stage first for her violin recital.
Momo arrived late as usual. The lights were already dim and the audience was quiet when she walked into the auditorium. It's a good thing Sana texted her where she was sitting because otherwise, she wouldn't be able to see her.
As she made her way towards Sana, she came to a halt as the spotlight fell on the stunningly beautiful girl in a white dress, at the center of the stage. She recognized Mina right away. She hurriedly took the seat Sana had reserved for her and gazed in awe at Mina's recital.
After a few more performances from other students, it was finally Momo and Sana’s turn.
Their peers expected something cute and bright from them because they were the only pair with both girl best friends as partners. Momo and Sana, on the other hand, chose a rather daring performance, defying all boundaries and stereotypes.
Sana took the stage in a red dress that accentuated her curves and her exquisite collarbone. Momo stood next to her in a simple black pantsuit, but the shirt she wore inside was cut in a way exposing her midriff.
Everyone expected Sana to be stunning, but no one anticipated how hot the shy girl named Momo would be.
The music began, and Momo's flustered expression vanished in the blink of an eye. As she placed her hand on Sana's waist, a half-smile appeared on her face.
Sana looked Momo in the eyes, but she didn't recognize the girl in front of her. They'd gone through the routine hundreds of times during practice, but she found herself drawn to this new person.
[Music: Crazy In Love]
I look and stare so deep in your eyes
I touch on you more and more every time
When you leave, I'm begging you not to go
Call your name two, three times in a row
Such a funny thing for me to try to explain
How I'm feeling and my pride is the one to blame
'Cause I know I don't understand
Just how your love can do what no one else can
Got me looking so crazy right now, your love's
Got me looking so crazy right now
The beat continued as their bodies moved in time with the music. A smile spread slowly on Sana’s face as she savored every moment, pride and awe mixed as she watched Momo do her thing.
Sana stepped out of the spotlight with three graceful turns. Momo remained in the center and proceeded to command the audience's attention with a riveting solo dance that highlighted her toned abs and dancing prowess.
The two dance partners rejoined in the middle eliciting excited cheers from the audience, and by the time they ended their performance, the crowd was already going crazy.
“Momo-chan, what was that all about? You didn’t even warn me about your plan on burning the dance floor!” Sana laughed as she hugged her best friend tight. “You were sooo hot.” She added in a whisper.
Momo blushed, clearly pleased with the compliments she'd received from classmates and other students.
“It’s mostly because of you, Sana-chan. Thank you for building me up.” Momo returned the embrace.
In the corner of her eye, she saw Mina edging closer trying to get to them through the crowd. When their gazes met as she untangled herself from Sana's embrace, Mina froze and looked away, allowing a swarm of giggly girls to pass in front of her.
Momo’s popularity began to rise as people got to know her as the ‘Dancing Mochine’.
Things at school improved dramatically, allowing her to enjoy it much more than before. She also began to know herself better, which led her down the path of self-actualization.
Momo realized at this point that she wanted to learn more about the human mind and how it influences behavior. Furthermore, she desired to pursue a career that would allow her to assist others in dealing with life challenges to improve their lives.
She wanted to make a difference. She may not be able to fully express the gratitude she feels towards the people who helped build her up, but at the very least, she wants to pay it forward by being someone that listens and understands.
-
Loving Mina felt as natural as breathing. Momo couldn’t believe her luck when Mina agreed to be her girlfriend.
Momo had always felt more at ease with Mina before they became a couple. Sana will always be her best friend, the one who dug her out of the ground when she was sinking, but she has always felt that she receives more from Sana than she can ever give back.
Sana fought her demons for her, and no matter how much she loved Sana as her best friend, there was nothing she could do for her. That's a big deal for someone like Momo.
Sana helped her find her own voice and reflection by bringing out the best in her, but Mina made her accept all her flaws. It made her feel seen, even if she didn't have to prove her worth over and over. It made her feel relevant even though she didn't have to maintain the image of a show-stopper.
Mina also made her feel needed. She trusted Momo with her vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and fears. That is no easy task, but Mina bared her soul to Momo, inspiring her to protect the other girl and fight all her monsters for the rest of her life.
We are endgame, Mitang.
It felt good to feel loved, and have the power to reciprocate it. A love that is equally given and received.
📌
Most of the chapters will be song titles that made me feel the flow. In this particular one, I felt the need to dig deeper into Momo's story.
Elbert Hubbard once wrote, ‘If men could only know each other, they would neither hate nor idolize.'
There are times when we feel more drawn to another person's story because we recognize snippets of ourselves in it. But by taking a step back and looking at the big picture, by trying to understand another person's perspective and point of view, we may be able to gain a better understanding of why things didn't turn out the way we wanted them to.
Maybe by doing so, we get to reconcile the "what ifs" with the "what is".
Maybe then we'd find peace.
-
Another beatiful story❤
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate it a lot! <3
DeleteWahh. This is so nice. ❤
ReplyDeleteThank you!! <3
DeleteWow! Thank you for this wonderful story! ❤️ Another heartbreak pero worth it nmn Hahaha. Btw, may I ask if you have a copy of "Before the sunset" by Nabongsbunny? I really want to read that one😭 but I can't find it😭😭😭
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by! Unfortunately I don't have that one. I only have Adore You with me, also given by a fellow fan of that story 🥺
DeleteAww😢 Thank you, Sorry for the inconvenience 😅 btw I love your stories 😍 Keep it up 😉
DeleteNot an inconvenience at all! I would also love to read that, tbh ❤ and thank you so much for reading my work. It motivates me to do better. Hugs! 🤗
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