The Other Half of a Song

Prologue: Aika

May 2005 – A memory

I've had lots of memories with Lola Regina. Every summer, my parents and I will visit and stay with her for a week or two in her home in Marilag. She would always teach me how to play the piano, effective vocal techniques, reading music, and composing music. That was how our summer often goes, and I love every minute of it.

My best memory of Lola Regina was when I was ten. She just turned 70-years old then. I recall she had her graying shoulder-length hair pinned into an elegant bun and she was wearing her favorite yellow floral blouse that made her fair skin glow.

She was lovely. She had always been so lovely. And beautiful, very beautiful. Especially when she smiles, which she often does.

When my parents and I arrived at her home in Marilag, she was sitting on a swing in her front porch. She was waiting for us enthusiastically to arrive and when she saw Dad's car parking in front of her home, her smile widened.

My mother, Alison Davis-Ferrer is her only daughter. She didn't have any other children after Mom was born and grandfather died early. He served as a military doctor, was assigned to Vietnam during the war, and died during the Battle of Saigon.

Being so, I am also her only grandchild. And she loves both of us so much. We are her only family after all.

Thus, explaining the enthusiasm she expressed as she awaits our arrival.

After graduating from high school, Mom left Lola Regina and went to Manila to study. Since then, Mom hasn't stayed in the province with Lola aside from the occasional visit. She became so busy with her career and life in Manila that she decided to stay there for good.

Mom wanted Lola Regina to come with her but, Lola doesn't want to. She wanted to remain in Marilag and stay in her parents' home. But she didn't want Mom to let go of her career and life in Manila.

And so, she let Mom stay in Manila and have a life there with the deal that she visits often. A deal my Mom religiously obeyed.

Despite Mom's departure, Lola Regina did not live alone though. She has Aling Joana, the housekeeper, and her children to serve her and keep her company. Them being there, and the fact that Marilag is just a three-hour travel from Manila, consoled Lola Regina.

"Ali! Aika!" Lola Regina called us as Mom and I went out of Dad's car. Mom smiled at her and waved. "Ma!" she called and Lola stood up from the swing and rushed towards us.

As soon as she reached us, she enveloped us in her warm hug. Lola Regina had always been an affectionate person. This makes me miss her more.

Anyway, after hugging each of us tightly, she ushered us towards the dining room where a feast awaits us.

"Wow! So many food!" I remember saying when I saw four variants of homecooked meals on top of Lola's dining table. I rarely see homecooked meals on our dining table because aside from us being just a family of three, both my parents really don't know how to cook. Yup, take-out all the way.

"Of course! I just turned seventy and my daughter and granddaughter are visiting me. I have to celebrate!" she replied while putting her arms around my shoulder.

Lola Regina decided to celebrate her birthday that day, instead of the actual date which was a week ago, because she wanted to celebrate it with us. And only on that week did Mom and Dad finally got off from work.

After the dinner feast with her, we went to the parlor where an upright piano is situated. Lola and I always love to stay in this particular part of the ancestral house because of that thing we have in common: our love for music. Hence, the music lessons with her.

Whenever we visit, Lola and I often bond in the parlor, by the upright piano. The parlor was our spot. Lola will play songs in the piano while I sing for her. Sometimes, she asks me to play for her too and she will sing. Sometimes, we sing a duet.

May it be a pop song or a kundiman, whatever song pops in our head, we include it in our repertoire. Oh, how I miss her voice. She had a lovely voice.

Even when Lola Regina aged, her voice was still as clear and tonal as I believe it would have been when she was still young. She really was that talented.

So, that night, we sang and played songs while Mom and Dad watched us. I remember being so happy and grateful for a family like that during that night. For me, back then, everything was perfect.

When the grandfather clock in the left side of the parlor rang, Mom told me to go to my room and sleep. But I begged her for another thirty minutes. I just wanted to stay with Lola Regina for as long as I can.

Lola Regina supported my request too which made my Mom say yes. She can never resist my grandmother's requests. "OK, but only until 10:30. Do we have a deal, Maria Anika Karylle?"

"Yes, Mom!" I replied, silently cringing when I heard her say my full name. She only does that when she's serious like when something grave happened or when she's freaking mad like that instance I lost her favorite Tupperware. It's a long story. Anyway, why did she have to give me all those names? I can never understand.

Still, I was glad I get to stay with Lola even for just another thirty minutes.

"Let's sing our favorite song?" she asked when Mom and Dad already left the parlor and I nodded. She played "Minamahal Kita" which was composed by Mike Velarde and we sang the song together.

When the song ended, Lola asked me "Aika, do you want to hear a song I wrote?" "

"Yes!" I answered, excitement so evident in my tone. Seeing my reaction, she started playing an unfamiliar tone.

As she was playing the song, she smiled, a different smile. A smile I've never seen in her face before. It wasn't like her usual happy face. It was something more. It was like she was transported back in her younger years. Back when she was young, carefree, spirited, and... in love.

But then, she stopped singing and I was left hanging.

"Lola, why did you stop?" I asked.

"The song's incomplete." She answered.

"Why? Can't you finish it now?'

"The other half of this song... is entirely lost to me." I was confused. 

"Lost? How? Did you forget it?" she shook her head. 

"That's not what I meant."

"Can't you just write a different one? Just to finish it?" Lola just gave me a sad smile that I couldn't understand back then. What she said next is something I still remember vividly until now, but still I didn't understand what she meant by it.

"Even if I write a different one, it will not be as perfect as the other half that I lost." 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: HELLO, WORLD!!! So, this is officially my first story and I'm very glad to share it all with you. I hope all of you will like it. :) Btw, this story is going to be set in two different timelines: the 1950s and a fictional 2020 where COVID-19 doesn't exist :D Yup, this has been my escape.

"Minamahal Kita" by Mike Velarde is posted above in case you're curious what it sounds like. :) It sounds very similar to that song in Up. What the ancestral house in Marilag looks like is also on top, but feel free to imagine what kind of house they have :)

Keep safe, everybody! Wash your hands! Keep your distance! :)