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It was one thing for an actor to go up the stage for his debut musical. He was an actor; he was supposed to get used to it, albeit not being as quickly as he'd wish it to. But it was another thing for an actor's six year old daughter to go up the very first stage she'd go up to.
ZEN, the name that caused so much controversy and noise around the theater industry when the user had been accused of harassing someone. Nearly a decade down the road, the name ZEN was the name of a musical actor, television actor, model, and product ambassador of several C&R projects. But the man behind ZEN wasn't as proud with the success of the screen name than with the success of his real name.
Ryu Hyun, a loving husband, provider of the family, and a caring father of one little girl named Ryu Ji-Hae. Hyun cared a lot for his daughter and he loved her with his every being while she was inside her mother's stomach, more so when she gave birth and he saw that his daughter caught his dazzling white hair. That day, he swore to never let anything make his precious princess cry and, if ever they did, he'd make sure that by the end of the day, his daughter was happy and felt cared for.
But how was a musical actor going to fight with stage fright?
Ji-Hae's chin trembled as tears went down her face. It was nearly her turn to introduce herself but she was still crying her heart out, Hyun trying to assure her that it will be alright.
He hugged her tightly as he weakly patted his back. He seriously didn't want this to happen to his dear precious princess. He promised to fight anything that'd make her cry!
"Shh, shh, it's okay, sweetheart," he spoke softly, "Papa's here and he'll be watching you when you go up there. He's gonna be really proud of you because you're a big girl who can do anything."
"I don't wanna!" The child cried louder and Hyun turned to the place where MC sat
She looked over at them with worry. She wanted to go there but no one would save their seats. And besides, Zen instructed her to stay and take a video of everything that was happening to his baby girl's first time on stage.
The line cleared and it was Ji-Hae's turn to go up. Hyun pulled away from the hug but held her by her shoulders.
"You have to go up there now, sweetheart," he said, "Papa will be here, okay? Nothing bad is gonna happen to you up there because I will be here."
Ji-Hae's sniffles made Hyun want to cry too.
"I don't wanna," she repeated herself
"If I go there with you, will you feel better?" He asked and she nodded
Zen smiled at the little girl then let her grab his hand as they went up the stage. Ji-Hae's tears had subsided and she watched with nervous eyes the crowd that watched her back.
"My name's Ryu Ji-Hae and I'm six," she spoke weakly, "When I grow up, I wanna be as strong and brave as papa who isn't afraid of going up the stage. Thank you."
They went back down and Ji-Hae made a motion that she wanted to be carried. Zen obliged, making sure that his princess was secure in his hold and went back to his other princess. MC gave Zen a kiss on the cheek and Ji-Hae a kiss on the forehead.
"You were so good up there I thought you were the actress last week," MC said to her daughter
Ji-Hae laughed weakly, "Mama, papa was better. Tell it to him too."
"Hm, why should I?" MC asked
"Aw, mama, I was good too," Hyun replied with an adorable pout
"Well, papa was good too," MC admitted
"Praise me more," Hyun responded which made MC chuckle
"Shut up, babe, I've praised you enough for this lifetime and the next."