The Most Precious Treasure

Gita Salida's Story

Things can get crazy when you overthink things. Things that you shouldn't have to worry about. I was 16 during that time. I had red spiky hair tied back. A lot of students and teachers knew me for being a school prefect but for my kindness and mannerism. Some even thought I was an angel sent by the heavens.

Aside from my "angelic" personality, I played the violin. I listen to classical violin pieces when I was little. My mom used all of her savings to buy me a violin for my ninth birthday. I was excited to play the violin. Since that day I spend most of my time learning to adjust the tune and practice.

One day, my mom told me about a talent show at a public hall near my neighbourhood. She suggested if I could show my talent. I happily agree to it. So my mom and I drove to the hall and signed my name. While waiting for the other participants showing their talents, my hands were shaking and my heart was beating like running for a marathon. As my name was called, my heart beats even faster.

I got up the stage, with my violin in hand, began to stroke the strings. I could see all the neighbours; some I'd seen before and some were unknown to me. My hands were shaking again. It disrupted my performance; the tune was off and I dropped the stick occasionally. I could hear people whispering bad things about me.

In the end, I didn't get the highest place, obviously. Seeing everyone's eyes looking at me felt unnerving. I guess you could say I was extremely nervous to the point I stopped playing the violin. It bothered me greatly.

Fast forward to 16. I had made a lot of friends. It was alright but I will always try to avoid places that would catch people's eyes and when I was doing something I would look around to see how many people will watch me. This was where people started to judge other people so it didn't help the issue.

I was doing my daily patrol around the school hall as a prefect until I saw a gathering. I rushed there to disperse the commotion. Before I could do it, I noticed a guy sitting in front of a blank canvas with a paint tray and brush in hand. I was curious. He sat there for another few seconds then began painting the blank canvas with the brush.

Several minutes later, the group separated little by little. I could hear them saying bad things about him. Imagined if it was me sitting there. I would have stopped immediately. Despite this, yet he didn't stop. He kept on going. Finally, he finished. In front of him was a gorgeous painting of a tree on the horizon with cheerful colours. Everyone was astonished by his work. Something about him caught my attention. The way he did.

During a fine evening, the guy somehow moved me to bring my violin to my neighbouring park. I could see children were playing around and some adults sitting and talking. I found a place to sit, bring out my violin and began to play it. It had been a while since I lifted up to play again. I couldn't hear any sound nor any talk, even the sound of stepping in one point ceased to halt. I glanced my gaze in front of me as people gazed back at me, witnessing my performance.

Then it happened. As more and more people dropped by, my heart beat faster and faster, my hands were shaking. I couldn't control my breathing. Suddenly, I dropped the stick. I immediately stopped playing and started apologizing. As people already scattered about with their own things without any response, I voice summoned me; a guy standing beside me. I stared at him and it didn't take me long to realize when I noticed his beanie that he was the painter the other day. He invited me to have a drink at a cafe shop to have a little chat. I obliged since I could use a drink after the incident.

Both of us were sitting in the cafe shop. I ordered milk tea while he got mocha.

"Why did you invite me to come here?" I asked.

"Nothing really. I was in need of an accompany. Then I just so happened to stumble you playing such wonderful melody at the park earlier." He smiled.