When Everything Fails (De Chavez #2)

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR

KAUNTI LANG ang puwedeng gawin sa office kaya naman no'ng natapos na 'ko roon ay agad na akong naglakad patungo sa Gymnasium. I was left with no choice since that annoying Kei got my bag from me. Kung hindi lang siguro niya nakuha ang bag ko ay malamang sa malamang hindi ako pupunta roon. I will never opt to watch a sport that does not interest me at all. Besides, I don't want my eardrum to explode from the chants and screams of the students.

As I walked along the empty hallway, the amber shaft of the sun cut through the window. I craned my neck to see the outside. It was getting dark. The sun was about to kiss the horizon and dusk was ready to take over. As the soft and bleak wind slips in, crawling through my bare skin, I almost shiver. I embraced myself as I graced the hallway, did not mind the way I was taking. One note from a piano made me stop, my heart clenched painfully, squeezing it until it was left with no blood to pump.

Mozart's Twelve Variations on Ah Vous Dirai-je, Maman. I whispered as I tried to will away the images that tried to raid my mind. I bit the back of my cheek as I pivoted intending to stay away from the Music Preparation Room to avoid hearing any of those!

Pero hindi pa ako nakakalayo ay may tumawag na sa aking pangalan. I stopped and looked at the person who called me.

"Mr. Juarez..." I called and slightly bowed my head.

Mr. Juarez is my piano teacher when I was young. Aside from my Mother, he was the one who taught me a lot of things about the piano. I remember, he was the one who told me that I can compete in International Piano Tournaments and I might get to study at Juilliard in my College if I will continue to play since I had the talent. Unfortunately, I can no longer do the two above mentioned.

"Good to see you here, Aisha!" He smiled and moved toward me, "You want to come to the Music Room? We have some freshmen—"

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, Mr. Juarez, but I can't. I'm heading to the Gym and I was kinda late," I smiled, "Nice to see you,"

Hindi ko na siya hinintay na magsalita. I immediately ran as fast as I can. Hindi ito p'wede. I have to neglect it. The piano is her; she symbolizes the piano; she represents the piano; she is the piano. I tightly closed my eyes to restrain the tears that threatening to fall. It was sad to think that the instrument that I used to enjoy is now one that causes pain in my chest.

I hate it.

I hate her because I need to hate the thing that makes me happy.

Instead of wallowing into the chasm of helpless devastation and decaying light of hope, I stood straight and fumbled for the remnant of strength that had been scattered. Pupunta pa ako sa Gym at kukunin ko ang bag ko na kinuha no'ng lalaking asungot na 'yon. Right now, I could feel my teeth gritting and my fingernails digging into my palm. I was visualizing myself punching Kei for trapping me into his little game.

The hallway to the Gym was left with nothing but a gleaming floor. Walang estudyanteng naglalakad, siguro ay naroroon na sila sa Gym at nanunuod ng game practice ng basketball team. Siguro ay ako nalang dito ang hindi interesado sa kahit anong sport. Kaya noong malapit na ako ay hindi man lang ako naexcite pagkarinig ko sa hiyawan ng mga babaeng estudyante.

"Kei Alexander!!!" His fangirls chanted, perfectly annoying.

I snorted and winced as I pushed my way toward the Gymnasium. The Gym was packed mostly with girls and gays. It was difficult to see a vacant seat especially right now that the game practice had begun. I tiptoed to spot a bench where I could sit and when I spot one, confusion lined a crease on my forehead. Sue was there, sitting silently, watching the basketball practice. This should not surprise me since she was one of those who go here to chant for their basketball player crushes. I felt a pang of guilt slowly eating me when I realized how neglectful I was.