Strings of Memories

eight string

"Kung ganoon, kailan po?" I never remembered singing in front of Miss Jee prior to that.

"When I heard you sang at the backstage. I don't exactly remember the title of the song.." she smiled at me.

"..but I know what I felt when you sang it, dear."

Nag-init ang puso ko sa papuri niya at halos mapunit ang labi sa tuwa.

I hugged Mama Jee and immediately felt that maybe, just maybe this one is good news!

"I don't want to spoil it yet, but I just want to say that tomorrow is a big day! Ako ang mag-aayos sa'yo bukas, okay?"

I felt like crying as I nod in agreement to her statement.

Kinabukasan, maaga akong pumunta sa bahay ni Miss Jee. Umakyat ako ng hagdanan patungo sa kwarto niya at sumalubong sa'kin ang kanyang ngiti. She's always been so supportive, and I am grateful for that.

Miss Jee made me wore a black button down skirt and a white sleeveless turtleneck tucked in it. Ang buhok ko naman na lagpas collar-bone na ay binlower lang upang pumaloob ang hibla ng aking buhok.

She only applied minimal makeup on my face and finished my look with a lip-glow.

"Ang ganda! Tang*na!" sumigaw ang anak na lalaki ni Miss Jee mula sa pintuan.

Nagulat naman kaming dalawa ni Miss Jee at nagtawanan.

"Bawal ka mainlove dito hoy! Parehas ko kayong anak." sigaw nito sa anak niyang nakatingin pa rin sa akin hanggang ngayon. Nahihiya ko itong nginitian.

"Joke lang 'yon Ma, mas maganda yung nag-aayos."

Niloko pa nito ang kanyang nanay bago magpaalam at umalis.

"Let's go, Malia?" 

"Saan po tayo?" hindi ako pinansin ng katabi ko, imbis, hinawakan niya ang aking kamay at bumulong. "You'll see."

Bumaba kami ng sasakyan at bumungad sa amin ang isang napakalaking building. It has a simple yet very modern design. Sa bandang itaas ay nakalagay ang pangalan ng record company. Matagal akong napatitig sa gusali nang mapansing wala na si Miss Jee sa gilid ko. Agad akong naglakad ng mabilis papunta sa kanya bago pa siya makalingon at baka mahuli pa niya ako na nagmumuni-muni.

We went inside the building and I can't help but be in awe with its interior. May sumalubong agad sa amin at sinamahan kami papunta sa meeting room. Napansin kong may dalawang meeting room, ngunit doon kami iginiya sa mas maliit.

"Kindly wait na lang po for Mr. Villaroel. He's currently on his way from another meeting."

Tumango ako sa babaeng nasa harapan ko at ngumiti. I felt anxious after the lady left and Miss Jee must have felt it.

"Calm down 'nak, mabait ang mga Villaroel."

"Thank you, Mama."

Tumunog ang pinto, senyales na may taong papasok. Nilingon namin ito parehas, bumulong naman ang aking katabi na isang talent scout daw ito.

"Hi, Malia!" isang payat at matangkad na lalaki ang nagpakilalang si 'Thyrone'.

Lumapit ito at nilapit ang bibig sa aking mukha. "Tyra na lang," he whispered in a girly voice. I just smiled at him and shook his hand.

"...and you must be, Miss Jean Jacinto?" baling niya sa aking katabi.

"Yes, I am. Pleasure to meet you Thyrone!"

Maya maya'y nagpaalam si Miss Jee na pupunta muna ng rest room. Buti na lang magaan kausap si Thyrone, medyo nawawala na ang kaba ko.

"Girl, I saw you countless times at different bars! From the first time I heard you sing, you became exceptional in my eyes." puri pa nito sa akin.