Heart Note

Chapter 2

Sa academy na ‘to, sa pagiintroduce mo, may kasama ka dapat na gagawing “sample” para makita nila yung mga kaya mo. Wala ka ring dahilan para hindi mag-perform sa harap dahil may mga nakahandang instruments sa gilid lang ng room.

“So class, as we all know, you are in the Heartstrings Division. It means you’re now part of the greatness that is within.” She started grabbing a harp. As she started to play it, we all stared at her graceful presence. I mean, pati ba naman professors dito ganito kagaling?

Natapos niya yung kanta at lahat kami natahimik. Para akong nakinig sa pagtugtog ng mga kasamahan ni Kupido at parang gusto ko ng main-love sa katabi ko. Wait, babawiin ko. Lalaki pala parehas katabi ko.

“Now, let’s see what you all got. You’ll all choose whether to sing or play an instrument. Doing both is also considered an option.” Kinuha niya yung parang listahan niya at nagtanong, “We’ll start by picking one randomly.”

She took three dice out of her pocket and rolled all to her table. “This will decide who’ll go first... Three. Five. Four. We’ll start by calling number twelve to go in front.” Tinuro niya yung nasa kabilang side ng mga upuan. “Introduce yourself.”

“I- I’m Cynthia Lustre. First-year student.” She seemed lost and nervous out there. Think she needs something to calm her down.

Cynthia then walked to where the piano is. Sat down like a robot. Though she started to look upbeat after having her hands on the keys.

Then, she started. Her hands took control of each note while playing something very familiar in our ears. Might be her own version of the famous “Canon In D”

She began slowly, making us feel like she’s telling a story. As she gets some grip, she started playing notes that are not even in most covers. It’s like something only she can play. Her own version of the song. Rather, it’s really her own song.

Taking us to different thoughts as she played simply with the piano. I saw others with their jaws dropped while watching her. She’s not that so attractive, but her heart-felt passion for playing her song made her even more interesting than what she already was.

I found myself thinking of Italy. Running around the Eiffel Tower. Roaming around Paris. Moving to different places using a kayak from Venice. This piece is wonderful. Sadly, it must come to an end.

All clapped. I felt that I have this need to know where her passion comes from, yet I need to hold myself back for I can’t just go and approach everyone I meet here.

She sat down, and our professor rolled three dice once again. Medyo nangamba na ko this time. Para kasing may pakiramdam akong ako yung susunod.

“Five. Two. Four.” Oh... Wait! “That’s eleven. Come down here, mister.” She pointed, nearly close beside me. Well, I thought it would be me. Guess, gumana yung repellants ko ngayon at hindi ako tinatablan ng kahit anong klaseng pagpadikit ng mga dice at pagbilang ng ‘yan.

The guy just two seats away from me walked down to the stage. He sure seemed ready though. Dumiretso ba naman kaagad sa beat box na nakalagay lang sa may gilid ng mga gitara. Nilagay ito sa gitna at inupuan.

“Five, four, three, two!” sigaw niya’t nakarinig ako ng isa pa ulit na kantang medyo pamilyar sa beat. Officially Missing You? Pwede, kaso beat pa lang eh. Teka, paborito ko ‘yun ah!

Nagsimula na siyang kumanta. Maayos naman. “Maayos” kasi hindi naman sobrang galing, hindi rin sobrang pangit. Kumbaga tama lang sa tenga. Pero maganda naman pagbi-beat box niya. Problema lang ata na sa bawat pagpalo niya, nawawala-wala siya sa pagkanta.