Hi there! I know that you want to see the adventure begins but it's coming, I promise. In this chapter, it will be anxious before it turns to sadness.

I want to say special thanks to Crimson Priestess of Miracles for helping with an idea of this chapter.

I do not own Kingdom Hearts. I only own my OC.

Chapter 5: Aggressively Forbidden

Laila's POV

During dinner, I told my family what happened at the party, and they were shocked and laughed at the funny moments. Like I said before, I didn't tell them about the glowing light, they'll might think I'm imagining things once again.

Then after dinner, I was helping mom washing the dishes while she put some leftovers in each container to put in the refrigerator. Sometimes I don't like to do that, especially putting the dishes in their places after drying, it's hard being the only girl and youngest in the family while my dad and brothers barely helping me and mom around the house, but I guess I have to get used to it.

As soon I'm done with the dishes, I dried my hands with a paper towel and was about to head back to my room until mom spoke up.

"Oh Laila! Before you head to your room, I want to tell you that your dad and I are taking you and your brothers to another family reunion tomorrow." Mom said, with her back facing me.

"Oh. Well, that's good, mom. Never thought this day could be full of surprises." I calmly said, standing on one of the open doorways to the kitchen.

Mom continues "Speaking of surprises, the family reunion is going to be at yours and Leo's childhood park."

I flinched a little to the location place, I thought at first, it's going to be my previous park I visit because I went to many parks back then, but I get a gut feeling that she might be talking about 'THAT park'. Only one way to find out.

"Which childhood park, Mami (mommy), if I may ask?" I asked in anxious.

"Why, the first one you and Leo played over there a lot along with your cousins when you were little and we lived in an apartment for a while before moving here, and that big gazebo. Recuerda ese lugar? (Remember that place?)" Mom answered.

I froze up with my eyes shimmered in distress. I stand corrected, she's not talking about the previous park one, she mentioned the one where…that 'brown cloaked man' appeared and when I first have those strange visions!

"Aren't you excited?" Mom questioned enthusiastic.

"Um…y-yeah yeah, I'm happy that I'll get to see my park again." I replied in unease.

"I'm glad you are. You can also invite Sophie to join us, too." Mom said.

"Sure, I'll let her know right away." I said, looking down at my feet.

"Very well. Make sure you have something very nice to wear for tomorrow, you don't wanna look raggedy in front of your Tía (Aunt)." Mom said in significant.

"Sí mamá, como siempre, yo sé yo sé. (Yes mom, as always, I know I know.)" I rolled my eyes in amused.

"Bueno pues. Descansa un poco, Laila, la diversión comenzará a primera hora de la tarde. (Well then. Get some rest, Laila, the fun will begin in the early afternoon.)" Mom said as she is done cleaning the kitchen.

"Sí mami." I softly said.

I walked away from the opening doorway and headed back to my room. Unbeknownst, the look on Mom's face changed into a worried frown before she went to hers and my dad's bedroom.

I've returned to my room, and I leaned against the door once I closed it, letting out a sigh and look up at the ceiling. Why? Why of all places does it have to be that park? I mean, I love that park so much when I was little, but it also holds some bad memories. Who knows what will happen if I go back there?

On second thought, maybe if I do go back over there, it might give me the answers I'm seeking before. It will be tough, but it's the only place option I have in mind.

I picked up my smartphone from my bed and dial my best friend's number. After 3 rings, she answered.

"Hey girl, what's up?" Sophie spoked through the phone.

"Hey um I have plans for tomorrow, you see, my parents and aunt are having a family reunion at the park where I…had that incident." I said.

"Yikes! Never thought you're going back to your memory lane." Sophie said.

"Yeah, it happened suddenly when my mom tells me the location. But maybe if I go back there, I might get some answers that I'm looking for." I said as I sat on my bed.

"Are you sure?" Sophie questioned, sounded concerned.

"…Yes, I'm sure." After being silent for a few minutes, I replied to her. "I'm tired of sitting around and do nothing while I'm being eerie by that incident. That Park is the only place I have left to search."

"Well, when you put it that way, I trust you all the way." She replied in agreement.

"Thanks girl. And you can come with me to the reunion, my mom also wanted to invite you there." I enthusiastically said.

"Sure! I don't have any plans for tomorrow, just tell me what time you are going to pick me up from my house and I'll be ready before then." Sophie said.

"Alright, good night girl." I said.

"Yeah, bye girl, have a wonderful dream." Sophie said as she hanged up the phone.

I threw my smartphone on the side and laid myself on my back as I sighed. I thought my childhood park will be the last place I'll ever visit, but this is my last chance to get the answers I needed.

I really hope I'm doing the right thing.

Normal POV

Saturday; Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Park

In the early afternoon, Laila, her family, along with Sophie, had just parked its car in the parking lot. Laila flinched a little when she sees the park name sign, it gives her the chills in her back, Sophie placed her hand on Laila's and rubbed her thumb on the back of her hand which made Laila smiled at her in reassurance.

Laila was wearing yellow short sleeve off-shoulder layered crop top, jean shorts with crisscross design on each back pocket, and beige slip-on shoes. While Sophie was wearing a pastel pink spaghetti strap romper with matchable flats.

As the Lozano family with Sophie step out of the car and helped the foldable lawn chairs, the cooler, and seasoned prepared uncooked meat to take out, Laila's Aunt and her family had already arrived at the park as they are in the gazebo with their own stuff.

While Laila was holding the chairs, she took a deep breath and enter the entrance of the park. It felt normal around her the way she remembers, for now, but somewhere in heart, tells her to run away. She shook herself to get rid of those jitters and walks up on the ramp in the gazebo.

"Ay, mi sobrina! ¡Mira cómo has crecido! Cada vez estás más guapa como tu madre. (Oh, my niece! Look at you, all growing up! You've becoming more beautiful like your mom.)" Laila's Aunt said as she pinched Laila's cheek.

"Gracias, Tía Nora. (Thank you, Aunt Nora.)" Laila said, carefully putting the chair down before greeted to hugging her.

When they release each other, she was suddenly picked up by one of her cousins, Ricky, who has grown up into young adult, along with his brothers.

"Hey, there's my little cousin! How're doing?" He ecstatically said, swinging her side to side in the air.

"I'm doing fine, Ricky, just glad that school's over and summer started." Laila giggled, looking at him below.

"Oh yeah, you just finished middle school, and now you're heading to high school. Looks like you'll be part of the big kids level." Ricky said as he put Laila down and rubbed her head.

"Yeah, pretty wild, huh?" Laila joked, fixing her messed up hair from that rubbed gesture.

"Yup. I wish you could stay this small, but sometimes you gotta let things go." Bryan said, pretend to be crying.

"Aw guys, no matter how old I'm growing up, I'll always be ya'lls little couz." Laila said, giving them a group hug.

"That felt much better, couz, thanks." Jeffery said.

"No problem, Jeff. Now, I think you might want to say hi to my brothers." Laila said, pointing her thumb over her shoulder to her brothers.

"Oh right, hehehe." Jeffery sheepishly said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

As her cousins walks away and greets her brothers, Laila's smile dropped to a frown while thinking that this event will be uncomfortable. Then, she senses something near and looked behind her from afar, she saw the remaining big oak tree she remembers, the Tree of Memories. At first, she was frightened but remained calm and continue to help her family with their stuff.

Hours later…, 5:45 P.M

Laila, her family, and Sophie are enjoying their time for themselves, the adults are chatting around in the gazebo as the men adults were barbequing the Fajita, drumsticks, and sausages. The teens are playing their board games and dominoes they brought on the table.

While the family are enjoying the reunion, Laila sneaks away from it and slowly heads over to the big oak tree, she starting to have more butterflies in her stomach of nervousness when she gets closer to the hideout step by step. But she's not alone, Sophie was following her to where she was heading.

As soon as Laila stands before the tree, Sophie stands next to her. The two didn't spoke for about 3 minutes, she was curious of why Laila would be coming here, so she decide to speak first.

"So, this is the place where you kept yours and your brothers' written memories?" Sophie asked.

"Yes." Laila softly said, before looked down at her feet in sadness. "And this spot where I'm standing is where…that man appeared."

As she closed her eyes, Laila never forgets the words he spoke to her years ago.

XXXXXXX - QUICK FLASHBACK

"I've come to see the door to this world." An unknown figure replied.

"H-huh?" Laila confused.

"This world has been connected." He said in fascinate. "Tied to the darkness… soon to be completely eclipsed."

"Wh-what are you talking about?" Still confused, her small hands starting to sweat and so was her forehead. "Maybe it's best I tell my daddy about your problem."

"Hmph, so, it's true, you do not yet know what lies beyond the door." He spoke.

"What door? I-I don't understand." She said in a little frustration.

"There is so very much to learn. You understand so little. How will you protect the purest of hearts you were destined to be?" He disgraces her.

XXXXXXX – End of FLASHBACK

She opened her eyes with a frown and looked at the bark of the tree while having a thought.

'What does he mean by how I will protect the purest of hearts I were destined to be?' Laila thought in disconcerting.

While hugging herself on her arms, she walked behind the tree and bended down on her knees to look for the hidden rope. Sophie followed and stood next to her.

"What are you doing?" Sophie questioned.

"You'll see." Laila smirked at her.

She found the rope and pulled the secret door open. Sophie was shocked to see that movement as her head fills with new questions.

"Woah…" Sophie amazed.

"Yeah, I know." Laila giggled then crawled through the door. Sophie looked at the dimmed hollow which made Laila look back at her in curious, by the look of her eyes, she figured out what's wrong with her which made her giggled once more. "You know, I had the same reaction when I first found out about this place. C'mon, it's alright, oh and don't forget to close it from behind."

At first, Sophie was a little anxious, but then later smile and obeyed to follow her. Once inside, she's amazed how big the inside of the tree is and as soon she stood in the middle of the area, she found the walls of written letters on them.

"That's a lot of written memories." Sophie said as she grazes one of the written memories on the wall.

"Yeah, it's been ages that I haven't been here awhile. Guess my brothers keep continuing writing moments we had together while I was stuck in my studies due to failing some of my classes back in elementary." Laila said in little sarcastic.

Sophie chuckled then turns back to where she lay her hand on one memory.

Laila continues to look around to see other memories her brothers and cousins put over the years. Then, she spotted one that she never might see again, it said 'Laila seen the mysterious brown cloak man. 06-11-2003.'. She looks at it before shook her head, ridiculous as it is to write that down on the wall.

'I will totally regret writing that memory note.' Laila groaned, leaned her head back.

As she was about to scratch it away, she discovers a 7 ft. bark-shaped door in the middle of the wall, normally in front of the secret entrance.

"Huh?" Laila softly said.

She walked in front of it, which made Sophie looked at her and mimicked to find the door herself. Laila was curious of how a door like this appear out of nowhere. She never saw it when she and Sophie enter the area, it must of appear when the sun shined upon it.

"Wow, it looks like a door. I never seen like this before." Sophie astonished.

"Nor have I." Laila formally astonished.

"Ok, you need a break on those formal accent words." Sophie said, looks at her in a grumbled pout.

Laila laughed sheepishly while scratching the back of her head. "Sorry, I guess I got it over my gut."

Smiling at her best friend, Sophie shrugged her shoulders and continues to look at the wood door, along with Laila.

"Still, I wonder how it show up in this tree? I mean, no tree could do that sort of work in the life cycle of plants." Sophie explained.

"You got a point, but there's one problem: no doorknob." Laila said as points her finger on the side of the door.

"Oh." Sophie said as she found an open smooth side of the door. "Well, maybe it's somewhere around the ground, probably underneath it. I'll go look for it."

As Sophie is for the missing doorknob on the left side of the open area, Laila looks back at the door, she's only five feet away from it as she stares at it.

For a moment, she was still wondering how this door formed itself over 10 years, although, 10 years is very long. As soon as Laila was about to give up, she saw something in the middle of the door, almost in visible. A keyhole with gold swirls border around it.

"What the…" She whispered.

Laila walked closer to it until she's close to it. As she was standing there, she looked at the details of the keyhole, but once she sees the middle of it, her mouth opened 'O' and she is in a trance when both of her eyes had a reflection of the keyhole.

'You are the key…' Mysterious feminine voice spoke.

"I'm…the key..." Laila said in monotone.

She raised her left hand and slowly reached to touch the black hollow of the keyhole. As soon as she barely touches it, she was once again got interrupted.

"Laila!" Sophie called, coming over to her friend.

"Huh?" Laila said, snapped from her trance and her eyes returned to normal.

"I was saying that maybe-Hey, where's the door?" Sophie said, looking at the wall.

"What?" Laila said before she turned back to door, but it turns out that it's gone in front of her especially the keyhole as she gasped. "Wha- where is it?!"

"Where is what?" Sophie questioned.

"The door! T-The keyhole! There's a keyhole in the middle of the door just a minute ago!" Laila exclaimed as she franticly touching different places of the spot with both of her hands.

"Uuuumm, girl, I don't see any keyhole." Sophie said, while shook her head.

"But it was RIGHT there! I swear it!" Laila yelled, outstretching her arms at the spot.

Franticly, she looked at the bark wall one last time and starting to think she's becoming crazier than ever. Every time when she is seeing things out of nowhere, it disappeared for few minutes. How long will this continue to harass her?

"Sophie…do you think I'm going crazy?" Laila softly said, frowned.

"What?! No, never in my life I've ever think about you being crazy." Sophie disbelieved.

"I mean, every time when I see things for a moment, I thought I could find something that will be useful and interesting, but instead, it just vanishes like the wind blow the sand away." Laila said in frustration, clenching her forehead with her fingertips.

A heavy silence has begun as she really did not know what to do about this situation. Only she had concluded that she was talking to brick wall. It was clear that no matter what she heard or found, she found nonexistence.

Laila shed a tear of frustration on her cheek, Sophie took notice of her state and comes over to her to place a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, you may have been seeing things on your own, but that doesn't mean you are a deranged person. You're smart, creative, generous, kind, talented, and best of all, you're imaginable, girl, I've ever known." Sophie softly complimented of reassuring.

After the supportive friend cheer her up, Laila gave Sophie a small smile in return. Everything seemed hectic in thought at first, but she knows that as long as she's with Leonel and Sophie by her side, she'll be better no time.

"C'mon, I think your dad and uncle are finished barbequing, maybe the food will help you take your mind off things, besides, I can't wait to try drumsticks chicken that your mom marinated." Sophie gently smiled.

Laila was unsure at first because of what recently happened, but she nodded to confirm. Then Sophie escorted her back to the entrance door, but before she exits, she took one last look at the bark wall where the door was.

'I don't know what's going on, I'm so confused right now, well wherever that door was, it's gone…for now.' Laila frowning thought.

As that being said, Laila turned and exit the tree along with Sophie. The girls were outside and put the rope and move the bush to its rightful place as usual, they walked back to the gazebo to get dinner.

'Laila…'

Laila gasped and quickly turned around to see what it was, but alas, nothing. Sophie notice that Laila was standing there looking for something.

"What is it?" Sophie asked.

"It's that mysterious feminine voice again, I'm sure of it! Hello, is someone there?" Laila called out in the open.

Even so, there are no response from the source of the voice. Laila frustratedly groan with a facepalm over her eyes, Sophie frown as she places her hand on Laila's shoulder and turned her around to continue back to the reunion.

Laila's POV

6:00 P.M, Dinner…

True Colombians always love to barbeque fajita, chicken, and sausages, sided with rice and guacamole. I'm sitting on one of the benches that is close to the railings of gazebo while Sophie sits next to me on my left side, holding my plastic plate filled with exotic grilled food along with a can of lemon flavor soda and plastic silverware. Sophie got her plate with a can of grape flavor soda, my brothers and cousins was sat on another bench close to ours, and the adults were sitting on the other side of the benches.

While everyone is enjoying themselves and their meals, my dad, Lázaro, stood up from his seat as he appeared as a young adult, medium skin, dark brown eyes, short-soft curly brown hair, short mustache, and taller than my mom. He walked to the middle of the gazebo and spoke to the family.

"Mi familia, ¡podría tener su atención, por favor! (My family, may I have your attention please!)" My dad spoke loudly.

Everyone stopped their chats and bites as they looked at my dad.

"Quiero daros las gracias a todos por venir a esta barbacoa de reunión. Estoy rodeado de hermosas familias que conozco, especialmente mi propia familia. (I want to thank you all for coming to this reunion barbeque. I am surrounded by beautiful families that I know, especially my own family.)" Dad said.

My mother, brothers, and I are smiling back at him with affection. He may be hard on himself, but I'm proud he's doing his best for me and my family to live happiness.

"Desde que conocí a mi hermosa esposa y tengo hijos maravillosos, me he convertido en un hombre nuevo con honor y lealtad. Así que, después de mi duro trabajo y se paga, tengo un anuncio para que esta familia sepa. (Ever since I met my beautiful wife and have wonderful children, I had become a new man with honor and loyalty. So, after my hard work and get paid, I have an announcement for this family to know.)" Dad continued.

My families are excitedly curious what it is as I was quietly curious about what news it is as well. Swallowed her bite of fajita, Sophie wanted to know what my dad said since she's just a beginner; so, I translated for her.

"I wonder what the news is your dad is talking about?" Sophie questioned.

"Well, only one way to find out, let's just hope it's not bad news for me." I said in a little anxious.

Sophie glance at me with worry but remain calm before the announcement proceed.

"Pues bien, la noticia es algo... relacionado con mi familia. (Well then, the news is something... related to my family.)" Dad continues as he is eyeing on me.

I raised my eyebrow as to why he is looking at me so tense… wait a minute! Is the news he's saying is referring to me?! Could this mean… is he doing what I think he is doing?

"Algo que hace la música en mi corazón. (Something that makes the music in my heart.)" Dad smirked at me.

Oh my gosh! I think he is, he's finally going to get me a piano! And where there's music, there's piano. I just know it! I raised my fists close to mouth in excitement, I guess this wasn't bad news after all.

"Mis noticias para la familia son... ¡Elizabeth y yo vamos a visitar nuestra casa, Colombia! (My news for the family is... Me and Elizabeth are going to visit our home, Colombia!)" Dad enthusiastically answered, while placed his arm around mom's shoulders for a side hug.

My excitement then turned into shock expression, I could almost hear a big loud honk from a big truck heading straight for me and shattered my heart like glass. Everything is spinning slowly as everyone cheered and congratulate to my parents.

"¡Cali, Cali Bella! (Cali, Cali Beautiful!)" Papi chanted.

I snapped out of my trance and continue to glare at my dad. He looked happy and I get the feeling once again he forgot his promise, I was right all along he only cares about himself! I bet he use the money he saved for the piano to pay those airplane tickets! My fists have turned white knuckles as how angry I am at him.

"Hey", I turned to face Sophie who spoke to me in concern before turn back to dad as she put her hand on my arm. "Are you ok?"

"I'm… fine." I gritted growled; I crushed my now empty soda can with my right hand.

"You don't look fine." Sophie said in sheepishly uneased.

"What makes you say that?" I questioned to her.

"You just crushed your soda. I mean, you never done that before." Sophie answered.

"Oh, I guess I am shockily surprised… very surprised." I said in a small smile before lowered my voice and stare at dad.

Sophie followed my direction and thought that I was happy and angry at the same time.

"Your dad blew your promise again, didn't he? Look girl, maybe there's an explanation of why he is doing this-" Sophie tried convincing.

"No." I interrupt her without looking away. "I know my papi very well and he will do anything to see his birthplace. And I mean ANYTHING. I hate broken promises… I can't believe he would do this to me."

"Well, I hope you're wrong." Sophie softly said.

Oh no, I'm not wrong. This is the worst family reunion moment I have ever had.

As I was angrily throwing away my trash in the trash can, without knowing, my mom looked at me with worried frown.


Normal POV

8:00 P.M, Lozano's Home

The Lozano family returned home with smiles on their faces, except one. As they're enter the living room, Laila sadly looked down as she walks slowly while following her brothers behind and sits down on one of the couches. Lázaro and Elizabeth had finished putting the leftover barbeque in the kitchen while the boys had finished putting the lawn chairs back in the garage. Besides Laila, the family talked about the trip plans.

"I'm really glad you got the chance to go back to see Colombia again, Mom and Dad." Herman said, grinned.

"Si hijo (Yes son), it's been years since me and your mother left our hometown to start a new life here." Lázaro said.

"Well, that's good, that way you can see our grandparents again and the rest of our family. Don't you think, baby sis?" Herman said.

But there's only silence which made him, and the rest of the family looked at Laila. She remained a frown ever since the news of the travel, her head was turned away to the side to ignore the look on their faces.

"Uh, princess, are you ok?" Lázaro concerned to his daughter.

"Say something, sis, you haven't said a word since we were in the car." Leonel said.

As everyone waited, Laila slowly turns back to face her parents, especially her father. Her sapphire blue eyes glimmered in sadness and disappointment which made them surprised as they never want that to happened since her eyes are one of the things that she is special.

"… Papá (Dad), did you plan this trip for over years?" Laila questioned him in low voice.

"Why… yes, Laila, I did." Lázaro answered.

"How did you buy the tickets?" Laila said, raise her voice a little.

"Well, simple, after I took my friend's shift to get paid-" Lázaro said in gentle smile, gesturing his hands only get interrupted by Laila.

"You used the money of the piano I want for the plane tickets, didn't you?!" Laila yelled as she shot up from the couch to stand.

The family flinched at their daughter/sister's expression, Laila's brothers looked at each other in worrisome and her mother held her intertwined hands in front her chest as she knew that this was going to happened.

"Please, just tell me the truth." Laila eagerly begged.

Lázaro and Elizabeth looked at each other with nervousness and face back at their impatient daughter. They both love her very much, but they have no choice to reveal their secret.

"… Yes, I did use it." Lázaro slowly said.

"So, after all these years of keeping the 'promise', was all just for taking a vacation back to Colombia?!" Laila angerly exclaimed. "I can't believe you use that promise as an excuse to get what YOU want!"

"Nena (Baby), you don't understand." Elizabeth said in a small frantic as she shakes her hands in defense.

"Si princesa (Yes princess), you see, I've been getting unexpected requests from your aunts and uncles for months, but this time, it has something to do with your grandparents. Your grandpa is sick, and he can't do the errands of his and your grandma's house payments, so I have to help him." Lázaro explained.

"Oh my gosh! This is worse than I thought, so this is more about business work to ignore the things that you love in life!" Laila disbelieved.

"It's not like that, sweetie." Her father said.

"Well, it is to me." Laila said as she turned her back to them and crossed her arms. "Look, I love abuelito (grandpa), I understand about his sickness, and you're doing the right thing to go. But what's wrong, is that you used every last penny of what I want the most in life to pay those tickets!"

"Not all of the money, just half of it." Lázaro said as he shrugged his shoulders.

"That's still wrong, dad!" Laila turned back again and shouted at him.

"Hey! Don't shout back at me, jovencita (young lady)!" Her father shouted while pointing his index finger at her.

"Lázaro, por favor, no la hagas sentir más frustrada. Te dije que era una mala idea, tal vez deberíamos reconsiderar esto, amor. (Lázaro, please, don't make her feel more frustrating. I told you this a bad idea, maybe we should reconsider this, love.)" Elizabeth calmly said.

"No, Eliza, ya me he decidido! ¡Lo que está hecho, está hecho! Había esperado mucho tiempo de planificación de este viaje para que volviéramos a nuestro antiguo hogar. (No, Eliza, my minds made up! What's done is done! I had waited a long time of planning this trip for us to return to our old home.)

"And I have waited over 9 years for the piano!" Laila exclaimed.

Leonel and Herman are glance at each other once more as they're worried more of their sister than to father. Elizabeth tried to calm her husband down, but her nightmare continues for a father and daughter to argue.

"9 years, papá (dad)… 9 YEARS! Almost going to be 10! Dad, where is your compassion for me with music? You love music ever since I was a toddler and it's like… you lost your passion for it. Don't you think it's better to do the things you love to do once again? Music is apart of us." Laila voice cracked to give a reason.

"I have no idea what's your reason, but you are not making any sense. The point is I'm going to see my home again, that's what matters to me." Lázaro carelessly said.

"Well, the piano is what matters to ME! I wanted a piano ever since I was 5, remember?! And what did you do over the last 9 years… NOTHING! You broke the promise you made! All you did is pay those stupid bills which will only last until next year or some months and ignore the things you love to do!" Laila exclaimed as she lazily raising her arms up and down to slap her thighs in anger.

"Only for the matter of living from our home after paying! And why do you care about the piano?!" Lázaro argued.

"Because pianos are the most attractable music instrument I have ever seen in years! And music is what I care and love in life!" Laila retorted.

"Then you're wasting your brain away over that thing and not facing reality in life! As of now Laila Lozano, you are FORBIDDEN to listen or play music!" Lázaro shouted to his daughter.

Laila, along with her family, sharply gasped in horror of the father/husband's outburst. Her heart has once again been shattered and the blood of her body had turned down in coldness, Lázaro's face went red as a lava from a volcano and he's breathing out heavily.

"Dad!" Laila shouted in stunned.

"Lázaro!" Elizabeth shouted in stunned.

"What?!" Herman shouted in stunned.

"No!" Leonel shouted in stunned.

"I mean it! You are forbidden from music, starting NOW!" Lázaro exclaimed at her.

Laila widened her eyes more of shock, realizing this made her lower her head. Few tears rolled down her cheeks and her whole body shook with sobs. Her family except Lázaro were surprised as Laila's hands slowly turned into fists that made her knuckles white.

"I may be wrong about one thing, but I was right about one another: YOU ONLY CARE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR SELFISH NEEDS! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A STUBBORN OLD MAN!" Laila voice cracked in anger.

Laila ran to her bedroom in tears while her mother called out to her. Slam! The whole family only heard of the loud door closed, they stood there froze as the echo sound of the door slam vanished until Elizabeth, Leonel, and Herman whipped their heads and angry glares look upon the man who is responsible for this. Lázaro stood there speechless at the last words Laila said, he never knew this would come out of his daughter.

"Puede que me guste volver a ver mi casa, amor, pero usar el dinero para el piano que ella quería fue una mala idea. (I may love to go back to see my home again, love, but using the money for the piano she wanted was a bad idea.)" Elizabeth growled.

Then, Elizabeth walked away from her mad husband and left the living room. When she did, Herman walked away a bit and stand on the doorway to the hallway while placing his hand on the wall frame of it for a moment and looked back at his dad.

"Pops, you're wrong." Herman lowed voice in disappointment, while Leonel slowly shook his head dismay with him.

Both brothers dismissed the living room to go to the family room, leaving the king of the house slumped on the armchair and frustratedly exhale as he places his right hand on his face, messaging his forehead a little.

Laila's POV

The only sound I hear in my room is sobbing. No music… why? As I was laying on my stomach, more tears coming out from my eyes, and I pressed my face onto my heart shaped pillow once more as my hands were holding on to it on either side. I just can't believe my own father order to not allowing me to do the one thing I love in my entire life! He knows I'm only speaking the truth, but instead, his stubbornness gets the best of him, he's not my dad I once knew before; smart, creative, respect, and loyal.

My music is what brought joy to my family in home, even mom and dad enjoy their salsa music when they're young which is one of the reasons how I got the passion for music from them, especially dad. And now, he took it away and without it, I feel… empty and lost.

Just as I was about to cry more, a knock on the door sounded, and opened slowly to reveal my mom in a sad smile, but it's not only her, Leonel and Herman were behind her.

"Hey Laila, how are you holding up?" Leonel softly said. But his response was only a whimper. "Mind if we come in?"

"Mm-hm." I nodded against the pillow.

I can hear their footsteps closing in towards me and feel the shift on my left side. I think my brothers are only standing while mom is the one sitting next to me.

"Ay, mija (Oh, my daughter). I know your papi (daddy) did was very wrong, but you didn't have to say those last words to him." Mom softly said as she rubbed my back.

"All I did was telling the truth behind his true color." I sadly said as I turn my face to the right to avoid their faces.

"Uh, true colors?" Mom said in confusion.

"It means to reveal one's real nature or character, mamá (mom)." Leonel replied.

"Oh." Mom spoke.

"Anyway, just because dad forbid you to listen or play music you like, doesn't mean it's the end of the world." Herman said, while leaning against the wall.

"Well, it is to me. For my talent world. He has no right to do that to me." I said, while shook my head a little.

"Your dad is a hardworking man that I know in years, but the reason why he isn't himself like you knew is that he is overworking sometimes. I tried talking to him to have a break, but you know how he is. I'm pretty sure he didn't mean what he said to you, Laila." Mom said in comfort.

"Says the man who shouted at my face and no sense of melody." I retorted as I raise my index finger up before limping back down, which made my mom sighed. "When are you leaving?"

"Nos iremos el lunes por la mañana temprano, Herman estará pendiente de ti y de Leonel mientras tu padre y yo estemos fuera. (We'll be leaving on Monday in early morning, Herman will be looking out for you and Leonel while me and your dad are away.)" Mom replied.

"Ok." I spoke.

"Intenta relajarte durante el resto de la noche antes de acostarte. (Try to relax for the rest of the night before going to bed.)" Mom comfort me as she gave me the last gentle pat on my back before leaving.

As soon as mom left, my brothers sat on either side of me and comfort me more while give me something to cheer me up.

"Hey sis, we brought you 2 chocolate chip cookies and 2 brownies. We don't know which one you want so we decided to give you both since they're your favorites." Herman said, giving me a small plate of them.

I looked up and saw it then I sat up to face my brothers, I grabbed the plate and place it on my lap while Leo gave me a glass of milk with a napkin which I appreciate it. I gently smiled at them which responded them to smile back.

"Thanks, big bros. That's very sweet of you." I replied in a small smile.

"No problem." Leonel said.

"Look sis, I know things have been rough between you and dad, but maybe his trip will calm him down. And who knows, maybe he'll bring music permitted again." Herman explained.

I want to believe it, but I think what dad said really meant it. I looked down sadly at my sweets and released a small sigh.

"You'll think about what I said." Herman sheepishly said. "And one more thing, you are not wasting your brain away and you really are facing reality. It's just that dad's not the one facing our reality lives."

"Yeah, big bro's right. Don't listen to what dad says about you, you're the most imaginable and talented girl I have ever had, and that's what makes you so special. So, keep your talent, it could be useful in some problems." Leonel agreed and compliment.

At the moment, I still can hear my dad's outburst, but thanks to my brothers' kind words, I think I'll be fine, for now. I nod to them for accepting their words and they stood.

"Well, we'll leave you now, baby sis, I gotta finished my last paperwork from college before summer begins. See you in the morning." Herman said as he rubbed my head then leaves my room.

"You enjoy your desserts and get some rest, Laila." Leonel said.

"Okay, and thanks. Buenas noches (Good night), Leo." I said to him.

"Buenas noches, Laila." Leonel said.

Leo closed the door as I sighed when I hold it in for a while, I took a bite of the brownie, sip some milk, and place the plate with the cup of milk on my nightstand. I head over to my window and place my right hand on it, I'm looking at the night sky with the small full moon up there while thinking about what I will do next week once mom and dad leaves for Colombia.

I stared at the moon with a frown on my face.

If only there's a world where I can do what I want like… an unusual adventure.