Chương 4: A Sudden Reunion
"What a joke! I can't believe I have a famous childhood friend all this time!" hindi makapaniwalang pahayag ni Keanne habang naglalakad pauwi. "That's just amazing! I wonder how the competition is going on right now…"
Binuksan ni Keanne ang kaniyang telepono at hinanap sa internet ang update ng kasalukuyang kompetisyon na sinasalihan ng kababata.
[Philippines, Valerie Salvador is set to take it all and represent Asia in the upcoming World Youth Piano Competition at Warsaw]
(News: TOKYO, Japan---In what was truly an exquisite evening of music as Valerie Salvador qualifies as a finalist in the World Youth Piano Competition – Asian qualifiers and has shown the world that she's capable of living up to the name that was given to her.
Named as the Pearl Prodigy from Nowhere, Valerie had shown the world what she's capable of by showing immense talent and prowess during her road to glory over the past few days. She is set to be the first Filipino Pianist who managed to earn the top 4 spot in the said competition after other contestants before her falls short only in the top 8.
Only the Top 3 Asian countries can represent the continent during the World Youth Competition that will take place at Warsaw, Poland next year. Based on their past performances, Valerie outshined her other competitors and is on the verge of taking the Top spot during this competition. Despite being someone new to the international stage, she seemed like a veteran in showing her skills. She is most likely considered as a true prodigy without the training of renowned instructors and then facing offs veteran opponents with ease.
Min-Jun Kim who, the South Korean representative which is on his second year gives praise to the Filipina artist saying that "her talent is top notch" and that even as a veteran, he even has doubts if he can even take a higher place than her. Nonetheless, the other two contenders namely Chen Changying from China and Sawamura Akira from Japan offers their statement saying that despite what the media are sharing across the world, they will give their best shot to win the competition and represent Asia in the upcoming Worldwide competition.)
"Whoa, she really made some serious noise out there huh!" namamanghang sabi ni Keanne.
"Krrriiiinnng!" tunog ng telepono ni Keanne.
"Ah yes tito? Ano na pong update?" tanong ni Keanne sa kanyang Tito Neil na nasa linya.
"Well here's the thing, pagkatapos naming ma-examine ang dugong nasa crime scene, we found out that hindi lahat ng dugong nandoon ay galing kay Ray. Posibleng may isa pang duguan sa pangyayari. And unfortunately, mahihirapan tayo sa paghahanap sa kaniya sa mga oras na ito. But don't worry Keanne, we'll still continue the investigation at our best," ang sabi ni Neil sa pamangkin.
"How about those cartridges that I found po?" mabilis na tanong ni Keanne.
"Good question. About that, it came from someone else's pistol. We even examined the tree and found out that a sniper bullet had grazed its trunk. Unfortunately, hindi pa natin ma-identify kung sino ang may-ari nito. We believe the rifle was purchased illegally," eksplinasyon ni Neil.
"I see. Thank you tito for your hardwork. May idadagdag pa po ba kayo?" tanong ni Keanne.
"Uhhm, I'm truly sorry for what had happened. If only we were aware na ganun na pala ang sitwasyon, if only we came sooner, we could've saved his life," malungkot na sagot ng kaniyang tito.
"It's fine tito. Walang dapat ibang sisihin dito kundi yung taong pumatay sa kaniya," pahayag ni Keanne.
"How are you feeling? Are you with your mom right now?" tanong ni Neil.
"Mama is fine po, nandun po siya sa bahay ngayon. Pauwi na rin po ako, may dinaanan lang po ako saglit. Well as for me, I'm confused but also fine tito. I believe he's still alive though. Despite everything, I don't believe that my father is already dead. At least inside my heart," nakangiting tugon ni Keanne
**********
Papasok na ngayon sa bahay nila si Keanne. Habang hinuhubad ang kaniyang sapatos…
"Keanne anak!" muntik nang matapilok si Keanne sa gulat nang bumungad sa kaniyang harapan ang inang walang tigil sa pagtalon. "Anak, bilisan mo na sa loob! Yung kababata mo, si Valerie! May interview siya anak. Bilis na!"
"Woah. Easy lang ma. Tinatanggal ko pa tong--- Aray, aray!" hindi na natapos ni Keanne ang sinasabi dahil kinaladkad na siya ni Maria sa loob ng bahay.
Sabay silang umupo sa sofa at nilakasan ang volume ng TV.
Hindi mapigilan ni Keanne na mapangiti dahil sa ina. Dahil sa sayang ipinapakita ng ina, masaya na rin si Keanne.
"Anak naman, sa TV ka manood hindi sa akin!" napipikon ngunit tumatawang sabi ni Maria.
"Hahaha. Sorry po ma." Keanne held his mother's arms, smiled at her and finally concentrated on the television.
(On TV)
Reporter: And now, live here in Tokyo, Japan, let's hear the Philippine's representative, Valerie Salvador!
Good, evening Valerie!
Valerie: Good evening po and to all those who are watching right now.
Reporter: Well Valerie, how does it feel to be able to have a huge chance of representing our country for the first time in the World Youth Piano Competition? Do you feel the pressure of carrying your countrymen's hopes during the competition?
Valerie: Umm, I'm really blessed to have this opportunity. As an underdog and as a contender who managed to be on the top spot. The pressure is there of course, but all I have to do is to carry on their hopes with me and represent their passion towards my performance. I'll just do what I need to do and hope for the best.
Reporter: Wow! I believe that the final performance will be assisted by the Harmonic Orchestra of Japan?
Valerie: Yes that's true! At pangarap ko noon pa ang makapag perform ng ganito, kaya it's an honor.
Reporter: Magaling! So Valerie, what is your motivation in achieving this feat?
Valerie: Uhhhm, palagi kong iniisip na para ito sa mga kababayan ko, sa mga Filipino fans na palaging sumusuporta sa akin all throughout my journey; and of course, to my family and friends as well. Ibig ko rin pong pasalamatan ang isang taong pinangakoan ko nang isang importanteng bagay. Keanne, I'm still looking forward into going back home and keeping that promise. You better not forget!
Reporter: Ayiee. I wonder what the promise is. Well, thanks for your time Valerie. Good luck on your competition tomorrow. Mabuhay ka at mabuhay tayong mga Pilipino! This is George Gayla, reporting back to studio.
"Anak! Ang ganda ni Valerie sa TV!"
Hindi maka-imik si Keanne. Nakatulala pa rin siyang nakatutok sa telebisyon, hindi makapaniwala sa kanyang napapanood.
Maya maya pa…
"Ma! Totoo nga!" nananabik na sabi ni Keanne habang inaalog ang ina sa balikat. "Akala ko talaga imbento ko lang 'yun! I thought that scene, the day we made the promise, I thought it was all made up! Akala ko dahil sa aksidente four years ago kaya ko naiisip ang araw na iyon! But it's freakin' true pala ma!"
"Keanne anak, relax," nakabusangot na sabi ni Maria sa anak.
"But the sad thing po is---"
Binitawan ni Keanne ang balikat ng ina.
"Ano?" sagot ni Maria.
"Hindi ko po maalala kung ano ang promise na iyon. I can only remember that we talked while walking after we had our music class. But I can't really remember what we talked about," malungkot na sabi ni Keanne.
Maria moved closer to Keanne at ginulo ang buhok ng anak. "That's okay. You can always talk about it pag nakabalik na siya dito sa Pinas."
"Yeah," napabuntong hininga si Keanne. "How are you ma? About last night---"
"Sssshh. I'm fine don't worry," Maria answered while smiling tenderly. "Everything will be fine anak. Soon."
Niyakap ni Keanne ang ina. "Yeah. It will."
**********
Kinabukasan ng gabi, excited na tumutok sina Keanne at ang ina sa TV.
"I wonder how this goes," hindi mapakaling sabi ni Keanne sa sarili.
Maya maya pa…
"Anak, ayan na! Si Valerie na ang sasalang! Oh my God anak!" nanggigigil na sabi ni Maria habang pinipisil ang braso ng anak.
"Aray ma!" reklamo ni Keanne. "Mas excited ka pa sakin eh---"
"Sshhhh! Yiiiee, andyan na siya!" pagputol ni Maria sa anak.
**********
"This is it. This is for you Keanne." Valerie can't stop pacing back and forth in the backstage. She keeps on saying silent prayers and keep repeating to herself Keanne's name.
"Ms. Valerie, it's your turn now," tawag sa kanya ng floor director.
"I will nail this!" With her proud heart and the burning desire to win, Valerie confidently walked towards the center of the stage where the beautiful piano was set.
Ang lahat ng tao sa hall ay nakatingin lamang sa kanya. Hindi maiwasang mamangha sa natural na ganda ng isang pilipina. Wearing a sparkly red gown and hair in a messy bun, Valerie is indeed the 'Pearl Prodigy'.
"Damn Val, why so beautiful," namamanghang komento ni Keanne sa kababatang pinapanood.
Ngunit, kahit presentableng tignan ang ayos at postura ni Valerie sa stage, mahahalatang kabado ito at tila ba hindi komportable.
Kitang-kita sa camera ang malalaking butil ng pawis sa kanyang pulang mukha.
"What's wrong Valerie?" pag-aalala ni Keanne.
Tinignan ni Valerie ang buong hall, pinikit ang mga mata at inalalang muli ang mukha ng tumatawang batang si Keanne. Napangiti si Valerie.
Huminga siya ng malalim at sinimulan na ang laban.
Umpisa pa lang, kuhang-kuha na ni Valerie ang keys ng piyesa. Manghang-mangha ang mga nanonood sa kanya.
"She's a prodigy for a reason," nakangising sabi ni Keanne sa sarili.
Nanatiling kalmado si Valerie hanggang sa kalagitnaan ng performance.
"Keanne, are you listening? I hope you are!" ang nasa isip ni Valerie habang tumutugtog.
Ang malamig na musikang sinasabayan ng orchestra ang siyang bumalot sa tahimik na music hall. Tila ba dinadala sa isang paraiso ang kung sinumang nakakarinig nito.
Ngunit, lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na nahihirapan nang kontrolin ni Valerie ang nararamdaman.
Pinagpapawis at hirap na rin siyang ikalma ang mukha at katawan.
"What is this? My head is heavy. My God, help me!" ang sabi ni Valerie sa sarili habang patuloy na tumutugtog.
Nahalata ni Keanne na mas nahihirapan na si Valerie. Tila ba humihingi ito ng saklolo gamit ang musika. Hindi niya maiwasang mag-alala.
"The music! No, her music, it's calling out to me!" natatarantang sabi ni Keanne sa sarili habang nanonood. "Oh God…"
Malapit nang matapos ni Valerie ang piyesa. "Konti na lang. I'm coming home Keanne."
Dalawang measure na lang ng piyesa at matatapos na si Valerie nang biglang…
"Blam!" biglang nahimatay si Valerie at sumalampak sa piano.
"Oh my God" "You can't be serious!" napatayo si Keanne at ang ina sa gulat.
**********
Matapos ang ilang oras, ibinalita na ang dahilan ng pag-collapse ng Philippine representative ay dahil sa crustacean powder na inihalo sa kinain nitong hapunan kung saan allergic ang pianista. At sa kalagitnaan ng kanyang performace ito umatake.
Dahil sa nangyari, bigong nakapasok ang Pilipinas sa top 3. Itinanghal na kampyeon ang South Korea at sinundan ito ng Japan at sa huling pwesto, ang China.
Naging malaking usapan ito sa Pilipinas. Marami ang nagpakita ng simpatiya kay Valerie ngunit mas marami ang nagpakita ng pagkadismaya sa batang pianista.
Ilan sa mga negatibong komento sa kanya sa social media ay:
[Pearl in the rough? Well, seems like it will never be polished!]
[Fake prodigy!]
[Too much pressure for the lame prodigy! LOL]
[Anubayan! Parang allergy lang eh. Tsk! Mas magaling pa 4 years old sa kaniya.]
[Sayang lang ginastos ng gobyerno sayo!]
**********
Makalipas ang ilang araw, habang naglalakad si Keanne papunta sa canteen upang bumili ng egg sandwich at juice, hindi pa rin mawala sa kaniyang isipan ang performance ng kanyang kababata. "I wonder what she's doing right now. Hope she's okay."
"Isa pong egg sandwich te," sabi ni Keanne sa tindera ng paborito nitong stall sa canteen.
"Paborito mo pa rin talaga yan ha. Sana ganyan nalang kinain ko nang gabing yun para hindi ka nag-aalala sakin ngayon," sabi ng boses sa likod ni Keanne.
Hinanap ni Keanne ang may-ari ng boses. Sa paglingon niya, "ouch!" tumama ang isang daliri sa kanyang mukha.
"Hahaha! I'm sorry" the girl in front of him apologized, still sticking out her point finger. "Hello Keanne, it's been a while," she smiled.
At sa pangalawang pagkakataon, ang tanging nasambit ni Keanne ay ang mga katagang "Damn Val, why so beautiful."
[End of Chapter 4]
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