Sing!

'Is Lyka coming? Come one girls we have been waiting for her for like, 2 and a half hours!' Lacey complained as she impatiently looked at the time on her iPhone.
'She hasn't replied on my message that I sent an hour ago.' Courtney shared.
'I think she's working hard again,' Geneva commented.
'It's obvious, but she was suppose to leave work about three hours ago! Like, seriously? That boss of hers need to give her some time to breathe. Last night she came home five hours past office hours. This has been happening frequently lately. Wouldn't she just leave on time? Her work isn't even a minute away from here!' Lacey complained once again as she took a sip of her mocha frapuccino.
'Their office needs more staff.' Courtney said as she looked as her wristwatch. Not a minute later, the subject of their conversation had finally arrived.
'Oh Lyka! Finally!' Lacey exclaimed. She got up from her seat and had a beso (cheek to cheek kisses) with Lyka.
'I'm sorry girls. The boss had a lot of assignments for me today. I haven't had finished yet, she wanted me to stay longer.' Lyka said exhaustedly as she took her seat between Courtney and Geneva.
'Don't worry girl. One more day and you'll be out of the office for our summer escapade. Just hold on, you can do it.' Courtney winked and caressed Lyka's hand.
'What did you tell her?' Geneva asked. 'Didn't she get mad when you had to leave earlier than when she wants you to?' Geneva asked worriedly.
'Well, I just told her that dad's been waiting for me for like, 2 hours. She felt embarassed so yeah. Had to lie like that. I'm overly exhausted.'
'We can see it. Don't worry. Just a little more time.' Courtney said. Lyka smiled at her.

Lyka Lapid is a 24-year old Filipina working in an infant showroom for laptops and computers somewhere in Quezon City. Since the company was just starting there were no overtime pays yet, and sometimes she had to work past office hours to finish the office works provided to her by the manager. Lacey, Courtney, and Geneva are her bestfriends. Both Lacey and Courtney are supermodels from America and took some time off to meet their friends Lyka and Geneva in the Philippines, and also to spend the country's summer with them. Geneva is a Filipina nurse working in a well-known rehabilitation center in Manila and will also be taking a seven days off from work for their summer getaway.

'Okay so let's stop talking about your work, Lyka. You invited us over to discuss about your stepmother.' Lacey said.
'I don't know, girls. She just has this bossy attitude and she feels like she is the queen of my parents' house. I never liked her from the very beginning and this attitude of hers makes me hate her even more.' She fanned her eyes with her hands as she was about to cry. 'I think I'm gonna have a break down,' she said as she wiped her tears away from the corner of her eyes. 'All those stuff at work and that, that--'
'No words can describe, huh?' Courtney asked.
'Yeah,' Lyka said as her voice was shaking. 'But I have to be strong for myself, and for mom.' She sniffled. 'Oh I miss her badly.' She sniffled once again. 'I wonder how she's doing now.'
'Don't worry sis. You'll be seeing her in a couple of days.' Geneva smiled at her.
'I know. Thank you.' Lyka smiled back.
'Let's go find you a boyfriend soon!' Lacey interjected.
'No, that would be an additional burden on Lyka.' Courtney said with concern in her tone. 'The three of us are enough to make her happy. Right, Lyka?'
'Oh girls, what am I gonna do without you?' They leaned forward and formed a group hug.
'I'm sure your mom's so looking forward to see you. You need to be happy!' Lacey suggested when they let go from the embrace.
'I know. I need to shake all the stress away. I need her to see me unburdened with that, that--'
'Okay, no need to talk about her, let's just sip and chill.' Lacey said.

The following day, Lacey took all her energy and put all of them to work. She was supposed to be working from 8 am til 5 pm but on her last day before she takes the vacation, she worked up until 10 pm to finish everything. Her boss gave her good compliments for that and even offered to drive her home. But she refused. Lyka could not wait to set her sight free from her boss, from the office, from the signage of their establishment-- everything that has something to do with work.

'Dad, are you sure you wouldn't want to hire a maid? Look at all the mess downstairs! She never. Moved. A muscle. All. Day. Can you see?' Lyka whispered at her father in a strong tone of voice. She was talking about her stepmother who, apparently, remained seated in the living room sofa with her feet reclined on the center table. There were junk food wrappers scattered, an empty box of pizza, and some empty can of beers when Lyka arrived. Her father was in his room upstairs, doing some take home paperwork for his job.
'I'm sorry, Lyka, we're trying to save money, remember? Just let her be.'
'All the money you've been saving gone for her unhealthy food. I can't wait for you to feel what I feel for her right. Now.' Lyka said firmly and walked out of her dad's room and proceeded to hers. She slouched on her bed, then tears started bursting out from her eyes.
'Mom, what happened?' She cried as she stared at their family picture on the wall across the room.
She took a deep breath and picked up her phone.

Hey girls. I need to stay calm tonight before packing my bags or else I might pack my whole closet. Can you suggest something that I can do? Like, do you know an app or something that could take away my anger?
Lacey is typing.
Lacey: Sing.
Sing what?
Lacey: There's an app called 'Sing'. It lets you record your singing voice with some pre-uploaded music. Makes you feel like a recording artist.
Ooooh.
Lacey: Or if you don't like that, just sing while you pack your clothes. Or listen to music. That might help. But with sing it allows you to listen to your own voice like you have an album of your own. Your choice.
Thank you. I find your suggestions interesting but I'll try Sing. Thanks Lace.
Lacey: You're welcome. And if in case you're curious, yes, I do sing. 😊

Lyka exited the chat application and went to her phone's app store. She searched for 'Sing!' and downloaded the first on the list, 'Sing by Smule.'
Less than five minutes later she found herself scrolling through the suggested songs wearing a headset, and selected All Out Of Love duet with a certain Mr. Soultoucher. She cleared her throat and listened for Mr. Soultoucher to start the song.

I'm lyin' alone with my head on the phone.

Not even reaching the second line of the song and Lyka was breathless.

What a beautiful voice, she thought in awe. Okay. Let me try to keep going and just listen until my part comes.

I want you to come back and carry me home. Away from these long lonely nights.

Shortly after she published the song, she got a notification saying that Mr. Soultoucher liked their 'duet'.

Oh, no. He liked it? Is it possible that he listened to it too? No way. I only opted to sing along with him, because I didn't want a solo song which would require me to have long breaths! I don't want anyone to listen but me! Oh, how do I take this down? Oh, yeah. Here. Okay, deleted. Lyka talked herself out of panic.

*** Author's note. 'Mr. Soultoucher' is just a made-up Sing by Smule. For fiction purposes only.