The Mysterious Book Of Alia Madriana | COMPLETED

Kabanata 25: HIS LEFT MESSAGE

THE PIANO instrumental kept touching my soul. Nakapikit lamang ako at pinakikinggan ang bawat tunog na ginagawa nito mula sa recording ng iPod mp3. Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses ko na itong pinakinggan pero wala akong balak itigil.

This thing was given to Kieffer before Harriela died the same night. Wala siyang ibang sinabi tungkol dito at basta iniwan kay Kieffer. I didn't know what this means but what I'm sure at, Raven was the one who played this.

Wala ng ibang tao ang pumasok sa isip ko. The fact na siya ang nagmamay-ari nito at ang tunog ng piano, hindi ako maaring magkamali.

I can still remember the day that I first heard him played this instrument. It was the first time and I can't deny that... that I got swayed and dwelled by it. Hindi ko lang kayang tanggapin na 'yon ang huling beses na maririnig ko siyang tumutugtog ng harapan.

Muling tumugtog sa umpisa ang recording. Walang pagbabago at sa tingin ko'y hindi 'to umaabot ng three minutes, kumpara sa normal na kanta. Though, it still good to hear to the point that I felt addicted to it.

How I wish I can hear him singing... again.

Hindi na mabilang sa kamay ko kung ilang beses ko itong pinakinggan. Halos masaulo ko na at mabigyan ng sarili kong lyrics. Same tune... same keys... same rhythm... same notes... it keeps playing.

Wait—

Napapitlag ako ng biglang gumalaw ang kamang sinasandalan ko. Kusa akong napatayo at tiningnan ang dalawang taong binabantayan ko sa kalagitnaan ng gabi.

Kala ko nagising na sila pero laking pagkadismaya ko nang makitang nakapikit pa rin ang kanilang mga mata at malayang natutulog.

I gave a small smile as I lowered by head slightly. Nakaupo lang ako kanina sa ibaba ng kama ni Kailra habang pinakikinggan ang record. I can't sleep on my room that's why I decided to stay here and look for them. Hindi rin ako makatulog dahil pakiramdam ko'y lalamunin ako ng bangungot kapag ginawa ko 'yon.

Malalim na ang gabi at heto ako ngayon, parang kwagong gising na gising. Even though I feel tired because of the swords fight that me and Kieffer have done to forget everything just for a short period of time, my mental is unexplainable and I can't do anything about it.

I took a step forward, walking between the two beds as I gripped the iPod in firm while it's still playing. Sa bawat yakap at mabagal na kumpas ng nota ay sumabay ang aking mga hakbang habang nabubuo ang isang ideya sa isip ko.

"Kailra, this wasn't just a record, right?" I talked to her, wishing she would answer. "Raven knew that this day would come... and... and this was the only one he left for us."

It's weird and odd. I know it sounds crazy but the record, it isn't a song. It doesn't even complete a minute and half.

"There must be some sort of a message."

Nang bitawan ko ang mga salitang 'yon, mabilis akong tumakbo palabas ng kwarto at nagtungo sa great hall. Tinahak ko ang mahabang hallway at agarang bumaba papunta sa lugar kung sa'n ako nakakita ng grand piano. Hindi naman ako nabigo dahil ito ang unang kumuha ng interest ko.

Napatigil ako sa pagtakbo nang mahagip ng mata ko ang isang taong hindi ko inaasahan. Madahang nagbaba at taas ang aking balikat habang pinagmamasdan ko siya, hindi kalayuan.

He was just sitting there quietly, locking his eyes on the piano as he chose not to touch it. Bigla ko namang naalala ang sinabi niya kanina.

"I love the music... but it doesn't love me back."

I felt sad for him. Masakit talagang mahalin ang bagay na hindi para sa atin.

I took the courage to walk towards him. Makailang buntong hininga pa ang aking ginagawa bago nagsalita dahil mukhang hindi niya nararamdaman ang papalapit kong presensya.