Heartstrings and Harmonies: A Tale of Love and Music

Prologue

Simula

"I told you, Aria, you don't have to leave. I can give you money so you can start your own company." My dad lamented as he followed me in my room.

Nag-iimpake ako ng mga gamit na dadalhin ko pauwi sa Pilipinas. It has been almost 5 years and I have already finished my MA here in Canada. After I finished my college degree, I flew here in my father's house in U.S. Kasama niya ang bago niyang asawa at ang anak nito. Thankfully, mabait is Tita Mariam at ang anak niyang si Adam na halos kasing edad ko kaya hindi ako nahirapang mag-adjust. Sila rin ang tumulong sa akin para makapag Masters ako kaya I think its time to pay them back. Not that sinisingil nila ako, ang totoo nga e willing pa silang mag fund para sa gusto kong itayong company pero nakakhiya na masyado.

"I already told you, daddy. I don't need the money. Ang dami ko ng utang sa inyo ni Tita Mariam. Panahon na para magtrabaho ako. Two years din akong pa-travel travel lang dahil kay Adam. Hayaan mo na ako, Dad." I told him as I hold his hand.

I know he's just worried that going back to the Philippines might trigger something horrible and painful which happened in the past. But I am fine. Those two years travelling with Adam for business healed me and I think I am okay now.

"But... What if-"

"No buts, no what ifs, dad. Kaya ko na po." I assured him.

He sighed heavily and tighten his hold on my hand and pulled me for a hug.

Matagal din bago ako nakapag open kay Daddy mula nang dumating ako dito. It took me almost a year to get close to him again. We had heart to heart talks on how he's very sorry he did not contact me after he and my mom broke up and how he's willing to make up for the times we lost our communication. I told him everything about what happened during my last years in college and we both cried. He was very sorry he wasn't there, and that is why he's worried and I understand and love him for that.

"Fine, just take Adam with you." He said which made me frown. "No buts, or I'll go with you."

"Fine." I sighed defeatedly.

After that, I was left alone in my room and I continued packing my things. Naisip ko ang mga naiwan ko sa Pilipinas. After I left five years ago, hindi ko na sila nakausap pa o kinamusta man lang. I deactivated my social media accounts, but I created new and dummy accounts to stalk their profile just to check on them. I never gave them an opportunity to check on me and remained not active on social media.

Sa limang taon ko dito, wala akong naging kaibigan, bukod ofcourse kay Adam na step brother ko. It was hard for me to socialize and build relationship with other people because it will take time for me to overcome my trauma on being left alone.

Nakita ko ang isang box sa ilalim ng kama ko at binuksan ko ito. Nasa loob ng box ang mga gamit na nadala ko noon papunta dito. Kinuha ko ang journal at tiningnan ang mga nilalaman non na mostly ay mga scribbles ko at mga sinulat kong kanta nung college.

Gusto kong ipagpatuloy ang pagkahilig ko sa mga kanta that is why I took Masters in Audio Engineering. Pumasok ako bilang isang intern sa isang recording company dito sa Canada at nagustuhan ko iyon kaya gusto kong ipagpatuloy sa Pilipinas. I want my own company but I know I need more experience in manipulating audio equipment and software to create music and other recordings before I start my own company kaya mag-apply ako sa isang sikat na record label sa Pilipinas. I think I have the credentials naman para makapasok kahit intern muna.

I still remember how my life before revolved around music. I believe music has the power to bring life to everything. It has the power to bring joy, peace, and healing to our lives. Music can be a source of comfort, inspiration, and hope. It can help us express our feelings, inspire us to be creative, and provide a way to connect with others.