Summer 2012. I was eighteen, gearing up for college. Before diving into university life, my mom enrolled me in a music and theatre arts school called The Academy. I figured it would be the perfect chance to sharpen my piano skills—and spend time with Granna.
You see, I love to play the piano. Actually I can play the piano and the guitar. I can't sing though. I sound like a cat in distress.
It was time to go to Twinbrook, the town of arts—and where Granna lived. Lucky for me, I already had a place to stay.
In my grandmother's house was an old piano. I loved that piano so much and I was so excited to play that old piano again. It's been a long while since my fingers touched the ivory keys.
After 2 hours in a plane, squeezed in that small economy seat, I finally arrived in Twinbrook. From the airport, I had to ride a taxi cab for 30 minutes to go to my Granna's house.
When I got there, Granna greeted me with the sweetest smile and the warmest hug.
"Welcome back, Isha." She kissed my forehead.
"It's good to be back, Granna!" I chuckled and hugged her tighter.
"It's been five years since you last visited." We walked into the living room. It still was as homey as how it was ingrained in my memory.
"I've been busy, Granna. I'm sorry. I missed Twinbrook." I sank into the couch.
"I know. My little Isha is a very busy achiever and Granna is the proudest of all the grandmothers out there." She pinched my cheek.
"Granna!" I pouted like a child and she giggled.
"Little Isha hates the cheek pinch so much!"
"Not so little Isha anymore, Granna." I smiled.
I glanced left—and there it was. The old piano. Granna noticed. "Still works, you know."
"Really?" I grinned from ear to ear and hurried towards it. I traced my fingers along the ivory keys. It looked old, but to me, it was perfect. I pressed a few keys. The familiar, beautiful tone rang out, echoing my childhood. I sat down and started to play—for Granna.
"Granna's still wondering why Isha still needs to study the piano. You are already so good with it."
"Granna, I..." I stopped playing. My throat tightened. "I'm not that good enough. I couldn't even enter the university I wanted to go to because I'm not good enough."
"But you got into Stradford University. That's an excellent university. And you're going to study archaeology. Isn't that lovely?"
"Well, actually Granna, I wanted to enter another university. One that focuses on arts and music." I sighed. "Thistleton University. Have you heard of that, Granna?"
"I have. It's quite near town."
"Only the best musicians, theatre performers, painters and sculptors... Artists! Only the best can enter that university. I... I wasn't good enough. I couldn't go in."
"Would you still want to try again, Isha?"
"I don't know, Granna. I could but I don't think I will. Then again, I like Stradford so I guess it's okay."
"Even if Thistleton didn't take you, you're still the best musician in Granna's eyes." She gave me one of those warm, comforting hugs only grandmothers can give.
I wasn't really feeling that bad because I wasn't able to enter Thistleton. Well, at least I was able to enter Stradford. It's a really good university. And I was able to enroll in archaeology, something I'm also so fond of. So, pretty much, everything's fine for me.
YOU ARE READING
Secretly
RomanceWe've all lived a version of it-the story of unrequited love. That quiet ache, the longing without return. I thought I might escape it. I guess there's no escape. I was not an exception. It was summer, two years ago, when I met him. At first, he was...
