Once Upon A Balloon

Two

Napaisap na naman tuloy ako ng malalim. Ginagawa ko naman lahat para maging isang sikat na violinist. Wala akong absent sa simbahan. Overtime akong nag pa-practice. Binubuhos ko lahat ng kaya ko kahit practice pa lang. Pinipilit kong hindi maramdaman ang pananakit at pangagalay ng katawan ko. Hindi ko rin naman napapabayaan ang studies ko. Higit sa lahat malapit nang mag isang taon na ginagawa ko ito.

Mr. Rick has been working so hard for me. Pero ako, eto parin, lutang. Dalawa lang naman ang wish ko, pero bakit hindi ko man lang makuha. Ano pa ba ang kailangan kong gawin?

Ano pa ba ang kulang?

Natigil ang pagda-drama ko nang marinig ko ang ringtone ng phone ko. Sino naman kaya ang tumatawag sa panahong ito?

*Mr. Rick Brown calling*

"Hello, Pitch?" He said over the phone.

"Good morning Mr. Brown!" I smiled kahit di naman niya nakikita. Gwapo kasi talaga itong teacher ko. Ay loka, joke lang. Landi mo te. Pero totoo naman, marami nga nagkakagusto dito eh. Lalo na pag nagtitipon yung mga music mentors pag may showcase kami. Nako, lahat ng mga babaeng teachers din ng ibang students naglalaway at nahuhumaling.

"I need you to go to the registration area at the coloseum right now. You've been practicing so much lately, so I think it's time."

"Time for what, Sir?" Pa blind mode naman tayo dito. Kahit alam ko na kung ano, hindi kasi mag sync-in sa utak ko. Hindi pa ako handa...

"Pitch, you already know what I mean. I'll give you time to think. But please, consider this oppurtunity. Just call me back."

"Y-yes sir. Thanks." Binaba ko na ang tawag. Yes, he's right. I already know what he's talking about.

England Violin Competition. Mananalo kaya ako? Or let's just say, can I even perform well?

Hindi ko alam.. Pero, wala namang mawawala kung susubukan ko diba? Siguro panahon na para maipakita ko na kung ano ang resulta ng mga pinaghirapan ko. I think Mr. Rick is right. I need to consider this oppurtunity. I'm going to show them what I am now.

So, I'll take the risk. I need to do this.

Kaya tinawagan ko na ulit si Mr. Rick.

"Sir, I have decided. I will join the competition." I uttered with strength in my voice.

"Good. That's a big step, Pitch. But I need to make sure that you are really willing and nothing's holding you back." Halata sa kanyang boses na gusto niyang marinig na willing talaga ako. Don't worry sir, I am willing.

"Yes, Sir. I have finalized my decision." Sigurado na talaga ako. This will be a big step for me to pursue my dreams.

"Great, just ready the requirements and do not forget your biodata. Just proceed at the registration area in the coloseum and pass the requirements, then you're in. Tomorrow evening will be the deadline for the requirements. Make sure you'll pass it on time. "

"Okay sir. Thank you very much."

This is a big risk. I'll gladly accept the consequences. Sana nga tama talaga tong naging decision ko.

Since tomorrow evening na ang deadline, I should prepare the requirements nalang.

I scanned my room only to realise that my biodata is missing. Not now. Kainis naman, ngayon pa na kailangang kailangan ko sa panahong ito. Nandoon pa naman din naka file yung iba kong records. I can't just make my own biodata right now.

Ugh. I need to look again baka nakaipit lang sa mga gilid. I can't give up now. The competition's not even starting, and yet tinatadtad na ako ng pagsubok.

I looked under my pillows, under the bed, the clothes I wore yesterday - pero wala pa rin... Saang planeta ba nakatago 'yun?

Pitch, think outside the box. Think. Think. Think.

*Ting!*

Right! Maybe in my email, baka naka save dun yung biodata ko. It should be there. Dahil kung wala, I really don't know what to do anymore. Yun nalang tanging pag-asa ko.

I turned on my computer and signed in into my new email account. I immediately looked for my draft, kasi doon naka save yung biodata na ginawa ko. But before I clicked it, I noticed something odd.

I have a new message? How? This email is new. Not even my family or friends knows this new one. Hindi ko pa nasasabi 'to sa kanila. I wonder who this person is. I checked the name, pero wala. Wala ring email nakalagay. In short, it's a stranger.

This is really creeping me out right now. How did this stranger even know my email?

Out of curiosity, I clicked the message with a photo attachment to it and...--

It felt like my eyes would jump off from my face by any second.

I can't believe this.

A photo of my 237th balloon, with my wish written, and my biodata.

WHO.IS.THIS.STRANGER?!