CHAPTER 2
Since it’s still too early to go home, pumunta na lang ako sa session hall sa may left wing ng school and played my cello.
I played a piece called Adagio Moderato composed by Edward Elgar.
To me, this is a song expressing longing and a bit of sadness, every time I play that piece, I can’t help but get carried away.
Nasaan ka na?
I’ve been dying to see you.
What’s your name?
Why did you leave without saying goodbye?
These were the thoughts that came out of my mind as I tore through note by note, playing my cello.
I stopped playing. And I heard the sound of footsteps from the doorstep of the room.
“Who’s there?” I asked.
An old man wearing polo and khaki pants came out of nowhere carrying a pouch containing musical sheets.
“Ok you caught me.”
“Nataranta ba kita? Keep playing. Paminsan lang ako nakakakita ng mga musicians na tumutugtog sa room na to maliban kay An- uh-UH.“
All of a sudden the old man clutched his chest and breathed heavily grasping for air. He fell to the ground.
As soon as he fainted, I rushed outside the room looking for help. Luckily, some seniors from the sculpting arts department saw me looking for help, and lifted the old man to the nearest school clinic.
At the school clinic.
“Ok lang naman sya, nagkaroon sya ng acute respiratory failure, saan mo ba sya nakita?”
“uh, at the school session hall, sa may left wing po.” I replied.
“Thank you for bringing him here bata, kung hindi nyo siya nadala agad, his condition might’ve gotten worse.”
“Ah-eh, Ma’am, I have to go fetch my cello dun sa may hall, thank you for treating him fast.”
“Ok kid. Ah! Before you go, What’s your name?”
“Leann po, Leann Christopher”
Then I came back for my cello, and it was starting to get dark, so I decided to go home. I wouldn’t want auntie and uncle getting worried.
As I was putting my cello in its case, I saw the pouch that the old man carried before he fainted.
It had lots of sheets both tattered and scratched, they were unfinished compositions.
I walked back to the clinic to give the pouch back to the old man and I overheard him talking to a girl.
“Lolo naman kasi e? Diba sabi ng doctor, you have to rest and relax for a while? Tung lolo ko naman feeling bata din, pagala-gala pa dito sa school grounds. Pag walang student na nakakitang humahandusay ka na sa sahig? Ano ba sa palagay mo ang mangayayari sayo? Lolo, please don’t get me any more worried.” Alam mo namang may sakit ka, won’t you just stay inside the house until your condition gets better?”
She had a soft and warm voice. It was like listening to a song. My heart was beating fast the moment I heard her speak.
“Analisse, Hindi kita narinig kaninang umaga kasi hindi ako nakadalo sa ceremony because of my condition. Will you sing for me my dearest apo?”
“Ok lolo, but promise me. Huwag ka nang umalis ng bahay without my permission, mag tatampo ako sa’yo pag ginawa mo pa ulit to.”
“I promise.. My princess.”
The girl named Analisse sang the old man a song.
*hums*
Leaves would fall down from the trees during fall,
Flowers would bloom in the midst of the spring,
Feeling alive from the warm summer air.
Happily dancing as winter bells ring.
*hums*
She sang a classic.
Her singing made my heart flutter. Then I realized she was the girl who sang during the ceremony earlier this day. She sang the same melody but with different lyrics.
I lost control of myself for a second.
“Anali-“
I spouted half of her name out of the blue.
“OH SH-!”
I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I left the pouch hanging at the door knob of the clinic. I heard her calling out, asking if someone was there.
But I didn’t mind it.
By the time I got to the gates of the school I was dripping wet from sweat because of the run.
“What the heck was that Leann?! Andun na sya eh? And you just ran? What’s wrong with you?!” talking to myself as I strolled the streets.
But I couldn’t hide the feeling, I couldn’t suppress the happiness. I finally found her. After 10 long years.
