O L I V I A   V A L E Z

When the music played, the sound was created, the melody and rhythm chased the darkness away. The beat of the song where you feel lost and floating provided a whole new universe in which no suffering and solitude could join. All the lovely things were even lovelier. Music is a way to free ourselves. It shelters us from the people who hurt us.

Music is like an ocean so deep that it can drown you, and vast like a sky that can sweep you off your feet. There are a lot of things that can define music. It could be anything for us, but for me, music is the way to tell our well-kept emotions inside of us that we can never voice out. It was like breathing fresh air where we can heal.

I continued walking inside the music store as I ran my fingers to the instruments displayed. A small amount of dust got into my finger. I stopped at my place when I felt something inside me, as my fingers pointed at the perfectly glistening brown violin hanging on its stand. It was like love at first sight.  The way it was perfectly curved, how its four-string shine light a blade under the sun, and its F-hole elegantly lay on its body. It was perfect. 

I cannot take my eyes off it. 

If I were going to compare it to the other violin in the store, I won't be able to see any difference, but I got this feeling when I saw it that it will be perfect for me. That we will be able to create incredible music together, and we will take everybody's breath away. May mga bagay talaga minsan na hindi natin maipaliwanag, it was our guts talking to us pursuing us to make an irrational decision, yet a fulfilling one. 

I was looking at my Love intently when suddenly the store's door opened in a forceful way. Fast hard footstep stopped beside me, and heavy hands made their contact with my shoulder. I know that in a second it will leave a bruise, but I don't care, sanay na naman akong mabigat ang kamay ni Prima.

"O, titig na titig ka naman diyan? Tutugtog ba 'yan katitig mo?"

I rolled my eyes and shrugged off her hands on my shoulder. I gave her a dead look in the eye and smiled sarcastically. Nakataas ang kilay ni Prima habang ngumunguya ng bubblegum. Her hair was now in color green and the other half of it was purple. She has now a nostril hook that made her looked cooler. Prima was even sporting that cat eyeliner that made her green eyes popped, and her dark full lip was made her pale skin glow. Damn, I wish this style also suites me.

"Maybe? Don't you know that I have superpowers?"

Napansin ni Prima ang tingin ko sa kaniyang buhok. 

"You like my hair?"

"No, I love it."

Prima gave me a satisfying smile and kissed my cheeks. "Aw, I wish my Mom and Dad were also like you." 

"Why, they didn't like your hair?"

"Duh!" she rolled her eyes and flipped her hair. Prim tiredly put her forehead on my shoulder and said, "As if, you know my Mom... She likes a daughter like you. You know... Someone who is prim and proper, so she can tell her elite friends proudly."

Prima's mom was a former Miss Universe back in her time that's why her standards were high, as in skyrocket high! And Prima felt so pressured, idagdag mo pang retired military and Dad niya. Bawat galaw niya ay napupuna kaya madalas siyang nasasakal. 

Hinampas ko siya sa braso, "Iba-iba naman tayo ng style 'no! At saka kahit ano pang-isuot mo maganda ka pa rin naman."

"Aw! I know naman 'no. Hindi ko naman sinabing pangit ako!" 

Tinawanan ko na lamang siya, at tumawag ng mag-a-assist. Dahil mukhang iisa lamang ang tao sa shoppe ngayon kailangan pa naming lumakad sa counter. Sa Isang local store lang kasi ako nagpunta, I believed that most of their instrument was made by hands with the assistance of machinery. I think that's what made all the instruments here special kaysa sa mga mamahalin. When things were hand-made the maker's heart and soul were in there, and that will guide us to our journey together with the thing they made. 

"Hi, I would like to see that violin." Itinuro ko sa babaeng employee na nagpatutugtog ng music sa counter.

Sinilip niya ang tinuro ko at may kinuha sa drawer bago naglakad. Nakasunod lamang kami ni Prim sa kaniya, and I saw how was Prim checked the girl's behind. Pinitik ko ang tainga niyang punong-puno ng piercings. She said 'aw' without a sound, and glared at me.  Nilakihan ko na lamang siya ng mata habang tinuturo ang likuran ng babae. Prima just smirked at me. 

"This one?"

"Yes!" I said enthusiastically.

My eyes glinted with happiness when my Love is finally in my hands. Feeling ko ka-holding hands ko ang first love ko! Ganoon ang pakiramdam na ibinigay nito sa'kin. Parang gusto ko pa nga itong halikan kaso ang awkward naman dahil hindi ko pa nga nabibili ito.

Lumapit ang mukha ni Prim sa'kin at bumulong, "You looked like a love-sick fool."

Siniko ko siya nang mahina sa sikmura, "Shut up."

Agad kong binili nang hindi nagtatanong kung magkano. I don't care how much my Love is, as long as I can have him, I will do anything to own my Love! I feel like hopping my way out of the store as I hug my violin named Love. I feel like walking into a field of daisies and sunflower as the wind caresses my face. 

"Why do I feel like na bibigyan mo pa ng kwarto 'yang violin mo?" pinalobo ni Prima ang kaniyang bubblegum at pinutok ito. 

"That's actually a good idea! Parang hindi sapat itong contoured case ni Love."

"What? Love who?" gulong-gulong tanong ni Prim sa'kin.

Itinapat ko naman sa mukha niya ang Love ko na nasa loob ng case niya, "Si Love!"

"That's why you should find yourself a boyfriend. Kung sino-sino at ano-ano na lang ang tinatawag mong love diyan."

I don't know why, but that old man's face suddenly popped up on my brain. Kainis! Parang gusto ko nang magpalit ng utak dahil napadadalas na siya rito. Tinatambayan pa nga minsan, at hindi na ako natutuwa. Parang gusto ko na talagang bumili ng bagong utak o hindi kaya ay makipagpalit. Nakititira na nga sa bahay namin ang Atlas Mate na 'yon tapos gusto pa pati ang utak ko. Hindi maari!

"Whatever."

Tinitigan ako ni Prima nang matagal, making me felt uncomfortable, kaya iniwas ko ang aking mga mata sa kaniya.

"What?" napalunok kong sabi.

"Ghoti."

Tumikhim na lamang ako at niyaya na siyang magmeryenda. Nakahihiya namang hindi ko siya pakakainin, e, ako naman ang nagyaya rito. After naming kumain, at mag-ikot sa kalapit na mall ay umuwi na rin kami. Hindi na sumasakit ang paa ko dahil sanay na sanay na akong mag-shopping nang matagal. Kung talent ngang matatawag 'yon, ay baka isinama ko na sa mga slumbook. I love shopping so much! Isa 'to sa mga stress relievers ko. 

When the full enticing glowing moon stood up in the dark sky like darkness is nothing compared to it. My Dad came home with the violin instructor, and I wasn't expecting it. Ilang araw pa lamang noong sinabi kong gusto kong mag-aral tumugtog, pero nandito na ang magtuturo sa harapan ko. I wasn't prepared. Nakapambahay lamang ako at hindi naka-ayos, despite that I know I look fine, however not presentable. 

I hated whenever someone caught me off guard or when I was not ready for something. 

Hindi naman na ako pwedeng biglang umakyat sa kwarto para lamang magpalit, that would be disrespectful. Tumayo na ako mula sa pagka-uupo ko sa sa'ming sofa para salubungin si Dad at ang bisita. With my white shorts and silk polo tucked in, I went to them. 

"Welcome home, Dad." I kissed his cheeks and hug him.

I move away and faced the visitor, and smiled at her. "Good evening."

"Good evening, Dear Olivia! I'm your music instructor, Ms. Sally Roma. It's good to finally meet you." 

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong yakapin at besohin ni Ms. Sally. I mean it's good that she's this welcoming and friendly, but most of the instructors that I have met were more...formal. Maybe, because most of them were old women, kaya mas strict at formal sila sa'kin. Honestly, mas gusto ko nga ang ganoon kaysa sa masyadong friendly. I want them to teach me what I need not cuddle me. 

Hindi nakaligtas sa'king paningin kung paano si Ms. Sally lumingon kay Dad pagkatapos niya 'yong gawin, at kung paano niya hinaplos ang braso ni Dad nang marahan. I hate her. My mind suddenly said. She even batted her thin and full of mascara eyelashes as she smiled sweetly at my Dad. Ew, disgusting. Hello? Oliver Valez's daughter is here. Kapal ng mukhang magpa-cute sa Dad ko.

I mentally rolled my eyes as I looked at my instructor. I sign and prayed that she should be a good violin instructor and not just a flirty woman. Ngayon ko lang din na pansin ang suot nitong mini dress na OA sa pagka-mini. Well, I really don't care kung ano ang trip niyang suotin, as long as she's comfortable then why not? Kung makapagtratrabaho siya nang maayos ng ganiyan ang suot, okay lang din. Just don't use that kind of style in seducing my father. 

We heard footsteps coming from the stairs. Three heads faced his way, and Atlas Mate was sporting ripped black fitted jeans and white half tucked-in polo like mine. He was combing his long sun-kissed hair and yawning as he took steps. Mr. Mate stopped midway when he noticed that we were watching him. My eyes automatically went to Ms. Sally Roma. I saw how her eyes glinted, and how she was surpassing her smile. Slut. 

Gosh! 

Atlas's eyes met mine and I just rolled my eyes at him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero nasira na ang mood ko ngayong gabi. I don't want to be rude towards our visitor, but she gave me a bad impression. The first impression lasts.  

I closed my eyes for a second, as I turned my head towards my Dad and to Ms. Sally who was still touching my Dad's arms, my lip has its sweet smile.

"I think the dinner is already ready." I smile sweetly as I said that like I wasn't pissed off to Ms. Sally. 

Good, Olivia. You have mastered this kind of show for many years. Don't let them see your ugly side.

My brow shotted up when Ms. Sally sat on my chair. I always sat on the right side from where was my Dad always sat. Seeing her took my place on our dining table irks something bad inside me. I felt my blood boiled and rose up. I clenched my fist, and I saw how Mr. Mate who was still standing, saw my clenching hand. I put it behind me, and looked at him, and gave Atlas a smile. He snorted and shook his head. 

Dahil ayokong tumabi kay Ms. Sally, at baka hindi ako makapagpigil, at biglang mapunta ang kamay ko sa buhok niya at hilahin 'to kaya tumabi ako kay Atlas. He stood up and pull the chair for me. My lips wanted to smile from his gesture, but I surpassed it by biting my lips. 

"Do you like this?" 

Mr. Mate asked me when all the dish for tonight's dinner was served. May dalawang katulong na nakatayo sa magkabilang gilid, at naghihintay na utusan naming mga kumakain. As I looked at Mr. Mate his heavenly deep blue eyes were staring directly at my unfathomable deep set of black eyes.

"Yes," I said absent-mindedly as I got lost in his eyes.

"Do you like brown rice?"

Still lost in his sky-like eyes I said, "I like blue."

"What?" 

Natauhan ako nang makita ko ang pagkunot ng kaniyang noo, pati ang pagsalubong ng kaniyang kilay. I gulped when I realized how stupid that was. Another embarrassing moment in front of Atlas Mate. 

"Where in the world do I have to get that?" takang tanong nito, at napalingon pa sa mga katulong sa gilid. 

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang katulong namin at napakamot ng ulo. Napatigil din si Dad sa paglalagay ng pagkain ganoon din si Ms. Sally. My cheeks painted color as I recalled my stupid answer. Really, Olvia? I close my eyes tightly and fakes a cough.

"Darling, is that a new trend in food?" Dad asked concernedly. "I'll tell our cook to learn how to make that."

"N-No...what I mean was, " I roamed my eyes on the table, and thanks, god! There was Cordon Bleu. "I like some Cordon Bleu." my lips turn upward forming a smile.

I saw Ms. sally looking at me intently with her ugly lashes assessing me. I smile more at her to make her think that it was nothing like I wasn't affected, and got lost in Mr. Mate's mesmerizing eyes.

I drummed my fingers on the table, then took a sip on the cold water. As gulp the water, I also gulp away the embarrassment I was feeling. I looked at Mr. Mate and pointed the Cordon bleu, kahit na nalilito at nahihiwagaan pa rin ay kinuha niya ito at nilagyan ako. I said my thanks and took a bite of it, para mawala sa'king isipan ang katangahang ginawa.

"I think you need to eat. Blue rice, huh?" 

I mentally rolled my eyes, "I said I liked to have Cordon bleu, not blue rice."

Nakaiinis! Alam mo 'yung pinipilit mo na ngang kalimutan ang katangahang iyon, tapos ipapalala pa sayo. I hated how his lip formed a annoying smirk! 

Pero baka nga tama siya, baka nga kailangan ko na talagang kumain, at baka kulang lang ako sa kain.

~TBC~

Kaya kayo kumain nang maigi ha?

I didn't proofread any chapter of this story. Kindly bear with me.

Feel free to share your thoughts, and keep safe everyone!

Love lots. :>>