Strings of Memories

eight string

"Wow, sobra naman po. Thank you..." nahihiya pa akong ngumiti sa kanya at hindi maiwasang matuwa sa sinabi.

"I'm sure Mr. Villaroel will be impressed, too. Ang ganda ganda mo pa, kung lalaki lang ako, tayo na agad!"

Nagtatawanan kami sa kanyang sinabi nang bumukas muli ang pintuan. Nagulat ako dahil akala ko si Miss Jee lang ang bagong dating, ngunit tumayo si Thyrone at bahagya akong sinenyasan.

"Mr. Villaroel!"

Tumayo ako habang inaayos ang suot at lumingon upang bumati na rin. My heart went wild, not because I'm frightened by the Mr. Villaroel in front of me, but because Zaviel is Mr. Villaroel! With his all black suit, he looked very manly and professional. Di maikakailang may-ari ng isang kilalang kompanya. Nakita ko sa mukha nito na nagulat din siya sa akin.

His expression quickly changed and he immediately flashed a smile on me. I wanted to disappear, but it's too late.

"Huy! Si sir lang 'yan." ang lakas ng boses ni Thryone! Bulong mo na lang next time, please?

He chuckled once before introducing himself to me, "I am Zaviel Villaroel, the co-owner of Vera Records."

"Malia Monteverde, sir." nag-aalangan kong pakilala habang nag-iiwas ng tingin sa mata nito.

"Upo na tayo! Why is there a tension?" pinaypayan nito ang kanyang sarili at agad akong tumingin sa lalaking nasa harap ko, umasang hindi niya narinig si Thyrone.

Tumawa lang ito at tumingin ng seryoso kay Thyrone.

"I believe Thyrone asked you to come here for a reason."

Magsasalita na sana si Thyrone nang unahan siya ni Zaviel.

"And I know what that reason is. I saw what you saw in her, too...." tumingin ito sa mata ko nang sandali at binalik kay Thyrone ang tingin.

"In fact, more than that..." my heart warmed with the way Zaviel said it, that is why I did not bother to look into his eyes.

"So, I assume you immediately knew what she needs sir?"

"Uh-huh..."

Bumalik ang nahihiyang si Miss Jee paglipas ng ilang sandali. Nag-uusap silang tatlo habang ako'y naninibago pa sa mga nangyayari. Tango lang ako ng tango sa t'wing tinatanong ni Zaviel ang opinyon ko.

I can't believe that the owner of one of the most successful record company in the Philippines is the same man that I—.

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa napagtanto.

Paano niya kaya nababalanse ang pag-aaral at pagtatakbo nitong kompanya?

So many questions are stuck in my head which hindered me from listening and paying attention to the meeting.

"Yes, there's more to her."

"I agree, vocal lessons are needed in order to extend her vocal range."

Based from the information that I've gathered, I'll be having trainings from a vocal teacher consistently this month. Bukod doon, hindi ko na alam kung tungkol saan ang ibang mga bagay.

"Now that  you're oriented with your schedule for this week, here's my number. Just call me whenever you have a question, Malia." Thyrone said to me.

Tumango ako at inilagay ang kanyang numero sa aking phone.

Teka lang, schedule? Ayan ang napapala ng mga taong hindi nakikinig, Lia. How could I be unattentive during an important meeting like this?

"Yes, Thyrone. I'll see to it that Malia will never be late during her trainings. Thank you very much, Mr. Villaroel!"

"Thank you, Mr. Villaroel." mahina kong sambit nang nauna na si Thyrone at Miss Jee sa labas.

Tumango ito at humakbang patungo sa akin.

"Are you okay? You're spacing out during the meeting."

Ilang beses akong tumango bago siya ngitian, hindi ako nagsalita nang ilang saglit kaya naman siya na ang bumasag sa katahimikan.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get the chance to talk to yo—."

"Okay lang, Mr. Villaroel." iwas ko sa usapan.

"But, I'm worried about you."

"There's no need to worry, sir." I smiled to assure him.

"Okay then, I'll be looking forward to your trainings." nakapamulsa nitong sabi.

Today is the first day of my training. I can't believe it! Kagabi ay sinigurado kong nakapagpahinga ako ng maayos at pinilit kong matulog ng maaga upang hindi mamaga ang mata sa puyat. I promised myself that I will do whatever it takes to reach this dream of mine.

"Malia!"

"Tyra!" the same girly and cheerful voice made me smile today.

"Ssh. Thyrone muna ngayon." I laughed at his statement.

Umakyat kami sa ika-apat na palapag ng building. Narito ang mga recording studios.

"Miss Hailee will be your vocal coach! She has trained so many local artists that are now producing their own albums and are currently being marketed by the company."

I was asked to sing a song of my choice inside the recording studio so that Miss Hailee can determine what are the different vocal techniques that she can offer me. I picked a song that is a little emotional but I guess this will help me deliver a meaningful performance.

"Whenever you're ready." I just nodded at the guy in charge with the sound system.

I breathe deeply and closed my eyes.

"I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to save me." 

"This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy."

"I need somebody to heal, somebody to know.

"Somebody to have, somebody to hold.."

"It's easy to say, but it's never the same. I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain."

"Now the day bleeds, into nightfall."

"And you're not here, to get me through it all."

"I let my guard down, and then you pulled the rug. I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved."

I opened my eyes, and behind the transparent glass in front of me was Zaviel. My cheeks suddenly turned red, I'm sure of it! Wala naman kasi siya dito kanina noong simula ng kanta ko. Ngayon ko lang napansin na nanood pala siya.

Nakahalukipkip siya at tipid ang ngiti. His eyes were staring at me differently across the mirror. His hazel eyes were a bit sad, but it looked at me gently. That is why, it didn't brought me nervousness and panic. Instead, it warmed my heart and I can't believe I'm thinking of this but... I'm glad he's here today.

I smiled genuinely at him.

For a second, I thought Zaviel was going to smile back. But then, he just looked away...