The Girl who Lived

I fiercely slammed the piano keys due to agitation. Lumikha iyon ng ingay na umalingawngaw sa buong music room. My fingers were trembling not because of the cold weather but because I was stressed out.

“Nakakairita! Ang hirap! Ayaw ko na!” reklamo ko habang marahas na kinuha ang music sheet para lamukusin sana iyon. But before I could crumple it, I heard Dominic coughing so I stopped.

He’s back in the mansion again as my piano teacher. Tinawagan ko siya dahil kailangan ko ang tulong niya.

Nakakibit balikat siyang nakasandal ngayon sa gilid ng piano habang nakatingin sa akin. “Ikaw mismo ang pumili sa River Flows in You, Mimi. You like it so you picked it, right? Kaya panindigan mo,” he said but I can sense the underlying tone in his voice when he spoke. Parang hinahamon niya ako.

Napairap ako nang maalala ko na naman kung ano ang nangyari kahapon. After the photo shoot, I spent the afternoon with my event organizer and her team. She informed me about the schedule of activities and the entire flow of my birthday celebration.

As of now, they’re finishing the invitations and finalizing the lists of guests. Laking pasasalamat ko na lang talaga dahil marami rin ang tumutulong sa pag-organisa ng selebrasyon kaya hindi ako masyadong naaabala.

Everything was good but there was just a tiny complication. Nakalagay kasi roon na kailangan kong tumugtog sa aking kaarawan. My father specifically asked for it to be included in the order of ceremonies so I was left again with no choice but to grant his request.

Pero bakit pa kasi ang piece ni Yiruma ang pinili ko? This is so complicated!

“Tell me the name of the person who stated that a girl must learn atleast one instrument. I’ll really hunt him down!” malakas kong saad kaya pati si Dominic ay napaatras. He looked surprised because of my outburst. But I really felt pressured because of this. I may have learned some of the basics but I don’t think that’s enough for me to execute a good performance.

“Chill. I’ll just inform Miss Estrella that you’ll change your piece. I’ll tell her that you’ll play Happy Birthday instead. Bagay naman sa event, hindi ba?”

Napairap na lang ako sa kanya pagkatapos. “Maawa ka naman sa pride ko, Dominic! Many high profile individuals will attend the celebration and you said it yourself that I played in a concert when I was in fifth grade. Ano na lang ang iisipin nila kung 'yon ang ipeperform ko bilang intermission?”

Napabuntong-hininga muna siya bago niya ako sinagot. “Mas okay na 'yon kaysa pumalpak ka, Mimi. You said it yourself that you don't want to be embarrased so here's your other option. Madali lang matutunan ang Happy Birthday, promise.”

Uminit na ang mukha ko dahil sa galit. “Hindi ka ba naniniwala sa akin? You’re courting me but you’re not supporting me in my decisions?”

“Ha? Bakit napunta rito ang usapan?” Dominic incredulously asked while looking at me. I rolled my eyes at him again afterwards.

“Uy, sorry na. Naniniwala naman ako sa ‘yo. I just don't want to pressure you anymore. Ayaw kong maging balisa ka sa araw ng birthday mo,” panunuyo niya sa akin pero wala iyong nagawa para mawala ang pagkainis ko sa kanya.

“Whatever! Umalis ka na nga. Magseserve ka pa diba sa church? Iwanan mo na ako rito at baka mahuli ka pa,” I said while giving my coldest stare at him. Napalunok naman siya habang pilit tinatago ang kanyang takot.

“Pero maaga pa. Alas singko pa magsisimula ang misa,” sagot pa niya. I don’t know why he didn’t get what I was trying to say. Hindi ba niya maintindihang ayaw ko na siyang makita kaya pinapaalis ko na siya? It's just as simple as that!