Music and Love

Chapter One

      The school bell rang, marking the end of classes. The whole high school department had one more thing to do before officially launching their semestral break: Attend to an exclusive concert inside their auditorium.

      “Students,” Intercom speakers strategically placed all around the building resounded. “Please silently proceed to the auditorium and wait for ‘The Flock’ concert to begin – quietly.”

      Boys and girls formed several straight lines toward the auditorium. The intercom speakers kept going off, reminding students to be in their proper behaviour during the concert.

      Once everybody was settled and silent inside the cool auditorium, the lights suddenly went off.

      “AHHH?” Somebody screamed in horror.

      “It’s a blackout!!” Another one yelled.

      “Oh no!”

      “Shh!”

      “Oi, oi! Quiet!”

      “Please rise for the National Anthem.” A teacher’s voice spoke through the speakers. Just as the music began to play, the lights turned on. A student was on the centre stage, waving the National flag. Everyone sang the anthem with honour and mixed feelings for the semestral break.

      Right after the anthem, the voice spoke once again. “Please take your seats.” Everyone followed the order. The lights went off once more.

      “Ladies and Gentlemen,” A male voice with an accent spoke through the speakers as eerie music began to play. “Please welcome as we present, ‘The Flock’.”

      One can hardly see a group of people slowly making their way towards the stage. Once the stage lights turned on, a group of young male kids and teenagers were on stage, all clad in white: white shirt, white trousers, and white shoes. They all started to sing.

      “Oh, Melba!” Mary exclaimed as she and Melba walked through the field towards their classroom. “Am I glad to pay two hundred pesos for the concert! Lucky you – you were seated on the front row!”

      Melba gave a smile. “Hey – at least I wasn’t able to sleep during the concert. It would be sooo... embarrassing.”

      “I think we’ve got to hurry up or else the Music Room will be locked!” At once, they dashed through the strolling crowd in hopes that they will be able to go inside the Music Room before the janitress locks it up.

      The ‘Music Room’ is just like any other music rooms of different schools and universities, but Melba and Mary call it as their ‘piece of heaven’. They both share a passion for music: Mary can play the guitar, while Melba plays the piano and the guitar.

      Once inside, they place their knapsacks and file cases on the vacant chairs.

      “My ‘baby' ...” Melba uttered as she approached the baby grand piano in the very centre of the room. “This will be the first time that I’ll play you being sixteen years old.” She said as she slid her left hand across the top of the piano.

      “Will you stop saying that?” Mary laughs as she fetched for the old acoustic guitar placed at the very back part of the room. “Do you even have to say that once you see the piano?”

      “As a matter of fact, I do. That’s why it’s called the ‘baby grand piano’ ‘cos it’s my ‘baby' .” Melba uncovered the piano a bit, only exposing the keys.