In the middle of the town, the different sound of noise echoing in my ears going up to my brain. It hurt as it trembles my veins in my head—like a bass when it's off a beat. Taking my steps like a metronome heading up to my school, nothing in my mind except the score I am on.
Am I able to execute this properly? Am I going to pay with a token of appreciation? Will my sleepless night be recognized?... I don't know…
*Badump!* Ouch! Bumped into the bicycle coming to my front. "Are you okay?" he asked while picking up my books. "I'm so sorry!" He repeatedly apologize. "It's okay, better to take care next time!" I respond while picking up my books. "Thank you very much!" he gently said and walks away. My uniform got stained with the lubricant of his bike. "Glad it was tiny enough to be spotted… I hope so…" I whispered. Not in a distance, Gwen approaching me as she greet me while waving her hand. I looked into her eyes, she's like an angel sent by heaven. The way she moved, the way she speaks, the way her eyes lit up, it's brilliant, brilliants as a shining star speaking up in the vastness of the night skies. Whatever approach she uses, they will always greet her warmly. No wonder boys are getting attached to her. If I was born as a boy, I'm sure I will ask her to marry me. "Hayooo!" She greets. I can't take my eyes off to her eyes, it sparks so bright, bright as a star even the sun appears. "H-hi…" I respond while slowly waving my hand.
Gwen Allison Garce, my dearest best friend. She's always there on my side even in our childhood life. She's the one who's always protecting me against the one who'll dare to attack me. I'm so lucky to have this kind of friend… She's more than enough to have.
"The intramural is getting closer, are you ready? Have you ever felt nervous while practicing?" She asks.
"I'm not sure… Though, I'm done reading the score, I also memorize it every night. I hope there are no technical issues appears to my performance" I respond.
"Just call me whether you need an accompaniment or not. I'm always there for you! My best friend!" Her energetic request while hitting my back.
We're getting into the class, I got my very first lesson by my English teacher for repeatedly making a noise in a desk with my own fingers hitting it as I imagined myself playing a piece I've being reciting on. I can't even hear it consciously because I'm imagining the sound of the score whenever I hit it.
It's time for a break, I got summoned to the faculty room. I have to deal with it.
I knock on the door and I greet all the teachers there. "Good morning, ma'am and sir!"
"Oh, it was you Hazel Sevilla, you may come in!" she said.
I walk into her desk, I have a bit feeling of nervousness and chill at the same time. It was my first time getting summoned here. "It's okay… it's alright, Hazel…" motivating myself. I'm directly looking at her eyes showing no fear. Having a confidence like that knowing the conversation will end right away. It did but in terrible way.
"With the manners you've shown earlier… I'm speculating that you are being distract by the piece you're supposed to play to your upcoming intrams, aren't you?" she asked.
With shaky hands and voice I answered "Y-yes, ma'am…"
"I'm afraid if you'll do this to your other subjects, in order to avoid that, me as your adviser together with principal, we decided to erase your name to a participant sheet." she states with a chill voice.
I don't know what to say… I don't know how to response… I'm in a state of confusion, at the same time, the only thing I hear was the compiled paper touching the ground of a desks.
What did I do to have a punishment like that?… It's so cruel…
"B-but ma'am—" I stutter.
"Enough of that, reason can't cover it." she said. "Fix your manner first and try again next year!" she added.
"But ma'am…, my hardwo—"
"Get out!" she shouts on me at front of her co-teacher.
I almost release the tears my eyes are holding of. All the teachers there are looking at us, their eyes telling me I'm the worst. Exiting the faculty with the heaviness feeling that almost crushing my heart. Walking along the aisle with my blurry vision blocking with my tears, it almost got me crazy thinking all the hard work and dedication I put just to prepare will end to… Nothing.
Worst!… The break is almost done…
Feeling blank-headed, I'm just looking out of a window listening passively to our English instructor. "Hshhh… Hazel!" Gwen whispering trying to get my attention repeatedly. She poke my shoulder. As response, my body suddenly shake. "Hey… Did something bothering you? Gwen asks.
"What's wrong, Ms. Sevilla?" Our English instructor asks.
It's obvious on the way I look at the tiles, my eyes visibly cover in tears. My body was acting weird.
"It's okay… Meet me after class, I have something I want to talk about to you." she added.
I packed up my things and ready to got out. Gwen approached me. "Are you alright? You acted weird earlier" she asks. "Nothing… I'm just lack of sleep." I answered.
"Your lips are such a liar… hmmp." She said.
"Why? Do you think I will lie to you?" I asks.
She stare at my eye with a poker face. "Thinking you'll be a burden to me to rant yourself out… You're such a liar to your feelings!" she says.
I looked down and said "I got kicked to the recital performance..." My feelings burst and I can no longer hold my tears. "M-ms Clasrissa t-told me…" I added. "What? Because of that? Is she losing her mind?" she complains. "Gwen, it's alright. I'm gonna go meet Ms. Karylle." "Hmmm… See you!!" she waves her hand and gently walks away.
I entered the faculty room, I see no Mr. Karylle but the one instructor of PE. "Hazel Sevilla from 9 Cassiopeia, right?" He asked. "Yes, sir!" I respond. "She told me this 'If you see Hazel Sevilla, tell her to got to my room, I'll meet her there!'" he said. "Okay, sir! Thank you very much!" I respond.
Walking to the room Ma'am Karylle is whereabout, with a heart pump synchronized with my step, I have never felt this, it feels like having a belt of weights tightening around your knees. It bring me down to my knees. I don't want to go but I must…
What is it, this time? I don't want to expand it at all… I want to touch my piano…I wanna go home…
"Good afternoon, Ma'am…" I greet.
"You may come in!" she said.
I stand on her back, wishing it's not all about the incident that happened…
She gasps "I heard that you'd been scolded by Ma'am Cha" she started.
Man! I don't want to talk about it!…
"Y-yes!" I respond.
"As your second mother, I never imagined her to be likat that… She's so crueld isn't she?" she asks.
"I-it's fair enough… it's my punishment after all, Ma'am…" I said unconsciously.
My tears drop off my eyes, I can't handle it anymore… Tears fall down on its own.
"I didn't considered your action, but the punishment is beyond." she explains.
"It's alright ma'am, I don't want to expand it that might cause an issue…" I said.
"W-wait a minute… Are you relative of him? The local pianist who gained more popularity and gave our country a recognition to international? Reygie Sevilla?" she asks with such emotion.
"H-he is… my father… m-ma'am…" I answered.
"Like what I guess! No wonder they've all eyes on you." She said.
"Hard? They?" I asks.
"Listen, Hazel. Do you consider yourself to have a rival here in school when it comes to a piano competition?" She ask.
"They say, I have… but I don't think…"
"Who is it?" she asks.
"Jiro… Jiro Herima"
"No wonder they have a sharp eye on you" she gasps.
"Ma'am?…"
"He perform not only in our school, he also perform at two famous musical theatre and won a trophy. He even got for a school's pride. That's why, he's been respected even the principal itself." She stated.
She's doubtless amazing!!
"However it all ended when you come 5 years ago." She added.
My eyes lit up after I heard that…
"Even the coach can't believe on what they heard. He lost his popularity in just a 4 minutes of performance" she added.
"Ma'am… Is there a way?… I want to perform!" with courage I asks.
"Sure, I'll give it a shot! I'll assure you, I'll bring you back!" she taps my shoulder..
"Thank you so much!! Ma'am Karylle!" I bowed.
"You may now go, take care!" she said.
Jiro Herima… A 8 year old boy…
Who played Rachmanioff Piano Sonata no.2 op.36
What difficult piece do you now bring?…