Home has always felt cold to me, whether if it's December or in the midst of March, it has always been cold. But, as I pressed the keys, I felt a calming warmth radiate from them. The soothing melody of the piano brought the house to life for me and made me feel at home. It's almost as though the notes are drifting all around me, kindling a fire that keeps me warm.
I ended the piece. I felt good after completing my practice of Moonlight Sonata. My piano's tiles got frigid in August's cold breeze. I put my hands on my shoulders and held them there, kahit naka sweater na, nanlamig parin ako.
I closed the piano lid and went to the kitchen to fetch myself a glass of water. Uminom ako, then my phone rang. It was Mel.
"Yes?" Sagot ko sa kabilang linya. Her call came at such a strange time. Even if it isn't late, it's unusual for her to call at nine p.m.
"Nasayo ba 'yung pink notebook ko?" She asked.
"Yep, I borrowed it earlier sa'yo kanina." I calmly spoke. I heard her dramatic sigh.
"Tangina, 'kala ko nawala!" Sabi niya.
"No worries, It's with me." Her pink notebook is her sketchpad. Mel is an Architecture student, a close friend of mine. She usually draws portrait of me and her classmates. I borrowed her notebook this morning kase she drew me a portrait.
"Kukunin ko siguro iyan sa Friday, sa umaga." Sabi niya.
"Hindi ako available sa Friday morning. I have an early class niyan. Bigay ko nalang 'to sa'yo bukas sa hapon."
"Sige! Thank you so much! Shet, lilibrehin kita, mahal gas niyan." Sabi niya. I unconsciously smiled, narinig ko rin ang tawa niya sa kabilang linya. My school is far from her school.
Holly tapped my back. She is a classmate of mine. "Papunta ka ba sa faculty?" Tanong niya sa akin.
"Uhm, yes. Why?" I showed her my folder containing my written assignment for this week.
"Pass mo nalang to sabay sa'yo, please!" She said, she handed me a folder, our written report from last week. "Late kase ito! Takot pa naman ako kay Sir Cabustas."
"Sure." Kinuha ko ang folder galing sa mga kamay niya. She jumped in happiness.
"OMG! Hulog ka talaga ng langit. Pwede pakilagay nalang patago sa pile niya kung saan ang written reports ng mga classmates natin, kunyare hindi late. Haha!" Sabi niya. I awkwardly nodded at her. She just showed me her thumbs up before drifting away from my sight.
Pagkatapos kong pumunta doon, I headed straight to the parking area. Before driving I texted Mel na pupunta na ako.
To Mel
im coming na
She did not reply immediately, probably nasa class pa or may ginagawa. I started the engine then went on my way.
My phone beeped while nasa traffic ako.
From Mel
Sige sure. LOL nahiya ka pa sa mga Carolinians. maghahanda pa kami ng welcome greetings para sayo
To Mel
baka nakalimutan mong outsider ako
From Mel
traydor ka, spy ka siguro noh!!
I chuckled and chatted her na malapit na ako.
Their campus is bigger than ours. Back then, lagi akong nawawala dito. This is also where my second eldest brother studies. I have three other siblings, and they are all boys. I'm the youngest and the only girl.
The distance between us isn't as great as one might think, though. Or perhaps I should say that I don't have a close relationship with either of my brothers. My mother already passed away. She was the only member of our family to whom I was close with.
