Japan: Skinny Love

Chapter Five

X's POV

And then, I started playing.

Every note I played, nakapikit lang ako. I felt every one of them. Ang ganda talaga ng kantang to.

I kept on playing, nakalimutan kong kinakabahan pala ako kani- kanina lang. This is what I love, what I always dreamed of ever since I was a kid. And in here, in Japan, I finally achieved it. That's why I really love Japan.

As I was playing, I reminisced those times when I just started learning to play the piano. I know nothing about the keys, the difference between the black keys form the white ones. All I know is that I really really want to play a piano. Lucky enough, I found Master Yiruma's class and he teaches me from the very basic up to the various techniques and skills. I also gained friends from the class who are also like me, eager to learn. All this, is all thanks to Master Yiruma and my friends who believed in me. One tear fell to my cheek. I can't just believe it.

And as I pressed the last key, I looked at crowd. I saw them looking at me with a satisfied smile in their faces. I smiled too, in satisfaction.

One tear dropped in my cheeks, I never knew I could actually make one of my bucket list come true.

Bumaba na ako sa stage at sinalubong ako ni Mika ng yakap.

"Ateeeee! You were so good out there, ate! Finally, nakapag- play ka na ng piano in front of many people!" She squealed.

Niyakap ko din siya. "Oo nga, Mika! Natupad ko na rin yung pangarap ko! It feels so good! Kyaaaaaah!" Tili ko at tumalon- talon kami ni Mika habang magkayakap.

"Uhrrrm."

Napatigil kami nang tumikhim si Maam Manager namin. Tinitigam niya ako at biglang niyakap niya ako. Nagulat ako sa inasal niya.

"X! You were so good up there! I never knew you play the piano so good! I'm so proud of you!" Tili ni Maam.

"Thank you, Maam." Yakap ko din sa kanya. Kumalas siya sa yakap namin.

"If I had known you play the piano, I should've recommended you to Big Boss a long time ago!" She beamed.

"Uh- hehe." Sabi ko sabay kamot sa ulo ko.

"Big boss is here and he saw your performance."

Lumaki ang mga mata ko. Anooo?

Tumango si Maam. Hala!

"Yes, he saw your performance and he said, you're now our official pianist! Congratulations, Xanthem!" Anunsyo ni Maam.

Tumingin ako kay Mika at katulad ko, nanlalaki din ang mga mata niya.

"Really, Maam?" Tumango si Maam.

"Arigatou gozaimas!" Sabi ko at yumuko.

"You deserve it, X." Ngiti niyang sabi at tinapik ang balikat ko.

Kanina pa umalis si Maam pero ako, nakatulala pa rin.

"Mika, kurutin mo nga ak— aray!"

"You're not dreaming, X if that's what you're thinking. Congrats, Ate!" Sabi ni Mika at niyakap ulit ko.

"Yeah! Meaning tataas ang sahod ko, mas lalaki ang maipapadala ko kila Mama at Papa!" Sabi ko.

Tumango si Mika. "You really love your family Ate."

"Sobra. Sobra- sobra, Mika at miss na miss ko na sila." Sagot ko at pinunasan ang pisngi ko.

"Ikaw talaga, Ate! Ang iyakin mo! Crying is prohibited tonight, because this is your night! Let's celebrate, Xanthem Rose Santillan!" Sigaw ni Mika at sinayaw- sayaw ako.

Napatawa nalang ako at tumango sa kanya.

Thank you, Lord for another blessing.

"Excuse me, Xan." Putol ni Harry samin.

"Bakit, Harry?" Tanong ko.

"Mr. & Mrs. Haruma wants to see you. They want to personally thank you for your performance tonight. They are very delighted, especially Mrs. Haruma," sagot niya.

"Okay. Thanks Harry." Tugon ko at nginitian siya.

~

Hinila muna ako ni Mika sa loob ng rest room at nilagyan ng polbo at inayos ang buhok ko.

"Bakit mo ako inaayusan?" Kunot- noo kong tanong.

"Ano ka ba, X! Kailangan presentable ka na humarap sa kanila nu! Kaka- promote mo lang ngayon tapos haharap ka sa kanila ng ganyan?! You look horrible kaya!" She exclaimed.

"Ouch! Edi ikaw na maganda!" At ipinasa ko sa kanya ang invisible crown. Haha.

"I knew. Thenk yeo!" Pabebe niyang sagot.

"Che! Haha!"

"Oh go na Girl!" Sabi niya at tinulak ako palabas.

~

Okay, this is it.

Huminga muna ako ng malalim at ngumiti at pumunta na sa kinaroroonan nina Mr. & Mrs. Haruma.

"Oh! There you are!" Salubong sakin ni Mrs. Haruma at niyakap ako.

Pinaupo nila ako sa table nila. Nginitian ko ang lahat nang nasa table, ngunit napako ang tingin ko sa kaharap ko. Siya yung lalaking wierdo!

Nagsalita si Mr. Haruma na nakapagpabalik ng tingin ko sa kanila. "Xanthem, you did so well earlier. My wife almost cried at your performance."

Uminit ang mga pisngi ko sa turan ni Mr. Haruma at napatingin uli doon kay Mr. Wierdo.

"Yes, Xanthem. I felt every note you played. I heard from your Manager, it's your favourite too?" Mrs. Haruma said.

Nginitian ko siya at tumango. "Yes, Maam."

"Where did you learn playing the piano and when?" Tanong niya.

"Last year, Maam from Master Yiruma's class." Sagot ko.

Napatigil sila at tinitigan ako. "Just last year? And you already played well." Puna ni Mr. Haruma.

"You must have really the talent then."

Napatingin kami lahat sa nagsalita. Itong lalaking nasa harapan ko. Nakangiti siya sakin.

"Oh! Sorry, son. We had forgotten to introduce you to this beautiful lady." At tumawa silang lahat. Ako naman, napayuko nalang.

"Xanthem, this is our grandson, Y. Yandro Haruma. Y, this is—"

"X." Putol niya sa sasabihin ng lolo niya.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya at pati rin silang lahat.

"You already knew each other?" Tanong ni Mrs. Haruma.

"Yes, yes." Sagot naman ni Y. Y daw pangalan niya e.

"But, we haven't formally introduced each other yet. So.." Tumikhim siya at tumayo.

"Hai, I'm Yandro Zeat Haruma but you can call me Y. Nice to finally meet you, X." Sabi niya at nilahad ang kamay niya.

Tumayo na rin ako. "H- hello. The name's Xanthem Rose. Nice to meet you, too Y- y." Sagot ko at tinanggap ang kamay niya.

I felt a sudden jolt of electricity as we hold hands at bigla nalang bumilis ang tibok ng puso. Pagtingin ko sa kanya na nakangiti, napangiti nalang din ako at nanghina ang mga tuhod ko. And then right there, I felt as if we're the only ones in the place. No one else, but us.

Gad, when did I last felt that?

-------------------------------------------------------------

FINALLY! NAG- MEET NA SILA! ❤ KEEP ON READING, THANK YOU! :)