Variation 5: Bringing Music to the World

Chapter 2: It begins

All I could see is darkness. Pitch black. It was like that for a while but as I awoke, my eyes adjusted to the bright light. It cleared a little. I somehow ended up in my room. Wasn't that a dream? No. It can't be, right? It must be real. I don't think there would be a secret passage behind our books case. Our house is brand new, very modern-like.

I felt my stomach weighted as it was sinking into my rib cage. I lifted myself up and groaned, as Pochi was sitting on my stomach. Although he is a chubby cat who likes to invade people's spaces, it annoys me so much. "Pochi. Get off." I commanded. He jumped off from my flabby stomach to the beige carpet, walking off as he let off a soft purr.

The sun was mid-high in the clear, blue sky. It is unclear since I still don't know what happened behind the bookshelf. It must an illusion. I gazed upon my travel-themed calendar. Squinting at the month of June, I spotted the day that was decorated with celebrant doodles and fancy writing. Shit. It is my mother's birthday. All of this questioning and worrying is making me forget her special day. I'm glad I saved enough money for a perfect gift. Nothing expensive or cheap, but something to make her happy. Mother is a not your typical, normal, overly protective, doubting-Thomas, who cares about your academics and thinks your social life is being possessed by the outside. She is more than that stereotype. Mother takes care of all of us, our savior. Although, her physical features are similar to mine: her hair, skin, sometimes personality, but I know that warm heart of hers fills me with joy.

I brushed my long, black hair, including my bangs, since they are all over the place. I'm in my usual clothes ever since this morning; a baby pink blouse, black skirt, and my black and white knee-high socks. I hop out of my bed and opened the creaking door and entered the hallway with no being in sight. Down the stairs I go and shuffled to the living room. I spotted my mother in her favorite yellow sundress. I don't mind her wearing it again, but it has been since last Easter. She looks beautiful as always. There was a flash coming from the kitchen. Peeking through, she was getting her picture taken by my younger sister Alex, as she blew out yellow, individual candles from a fresh batch of buttermilk pancakes, with whip cream and rainbow sprinkles. Mother looked up, noticing I came and smiled.

"Did you sleep good?"

I nodded. I still don't know how I ended up in my room. It's strange. "Happy Birthday, Mom." She kissed me in the cheek, leaving a red kiss mark, but I wiped it off anyway. "Do you like my gift?"

"I actually do." She said. "Thank you my dear." The gift was actually a silver, heart-shape locket with a picture of our family. Inside is my mother, Alex, and me. My mother is located in the middle, sitting in a luxury, red velvet couch, looking fancy as ever. My sister,Alex, and I stood in opposite sides of our mother. It's funny how Alex used to be that bubbly, optimistic kid back then. She was that kid with that much imagination and fantasy. Most importantly, she smiled a lot. Everyday, she would have a huge smile on her face, no matter what occasion. And you were wondering where our father is. The thing is, mom never told us anything about our father. It's a mystery if we have one or not.

I came up to Alex, who was holding her favorite white Polaroid camera. Alex has a love of taking pictures, not because she wanted to but the obsession for keeping memories. Sometimes, there is always a memory that holds a place in your heart and whether you came across that some day in time, you just wanted to go back and do it again. I can see regret through the look in her eyes. She stood there with a blank expression. Now you see when I say "used" to her past personalities. Alex doesn't have the urge to converse with anyone, including me. It's like her life is dull. "Did you get mom anything?" I asked, wanting to start a conversation.

"Yeah." She said, bored.

"What?" I was concerned.