Episode 45: The Right Way Out
" How may I be of assis- "
" We want to sign up for the singing competition! " I interjected before the woman at the counter could finish her sentence.
There was only five more minutes left before the registration ended.
Shock was registered on the woman's face for a moment before she smiled and produced a registration form.
" A last minute entry, I see, " she remarked.
I nodded wordlessly, as I scanned the form frantically and scribbled down my particulars. Not that I have a great deal of it, mind you.
" Hikari, please leave mine to me, " Senritsu informed me.
" Alright, here, " I said, handing her the slip of paper and the pen.
In a few seconds, both of us were done with registration.
" Thank you, " the woman replied once she accepted the registration form back from
us. " Now, you have to listen closely. The competition will commence at nine sharp and the both of you will be the last ones up on that stage since you signed up at a later time. We work on a 'first come, first serve' basis. And, you have to be on time or even better, earlier if possible. Dress code must be formal. "
" Yes, I understand. Thank you, " I answered, bowed politely and left.
" So, how was it? " Kurapica asked me, the moment we reached him.
I gave him, a thumbs-up.
" We were just in time as the last ones to register for it. "
" Great! " the seventeen-year-old responded, grinning happily. " So, are you going to practice now? "
" Yup! " I answered happily.
" But I can't sing and the both of you know that very well, " Senritsu spoke up.
" Don't worry, Senritsu! You'll play your flute! I'll- "
" Oh no, I don't even know what to sing! "
It was at that moment that I realised that we were in a fix. I had signed up on an impulse.
With only two hours left before the start of the competition…
" What do we do now?! " I exclaimed.
Senritsu looked at Kurapica glumly from her perch on the couch.
" Just sing anything will do, Hikari, " he sighed, for the umpteenth time.
I stopped pacing, back and forth and turned to him.
" That's exactly why, Kurapica-san! " I cried out. " I don't know what song! "
The seconds were ticking away and time can never be recovered.
I've gotten everyone into mess without even bothering to stop and think it through…!
The only thing that I could think about, at that time, was the dateline, ten minutes away…!
Why
am I always so rash…?
"
Ooooohhhhh! "
I sank down to my knees and clutched my head with both hands, trying to crack my head to think of a good solution out of this.
Maybe I should just give up…
But I need the money…
It is not the matter of just wanting it…
I need it…!
And really badly…
It has always been the matter about how badly you wanted something…
And how much effort you are willing to give in order to get it…
I have never forgotten that phrase, Daddy…
It's what you will always tell me whenever I wanted something from you…
Be it toys…
Snacks…
New clothes…
Or even that watering can specially designed for my own use…
Daddy had always made sure that I put in that effort…
Before he gave me anything…
At that time…
I was only but a small and helpless child…
The only thing that I could do was to sing for him…
Sing him that lullaby that my mother used to sing for her whole family every night…
Before bedtime…
Before both my parents retired to bed…
But…
Unfortunately, my beloved mother died of tuberculosis…
That was a long, long time ago…
But…
Why now…?
Why am I remembering such things now…?
And that lullaby…
I thought hard and tried to remember the lyrics of that lullaby. However, the more I thought about it, the more the lyrics would elude me.
I glanced at Kurapica from the corner of my eye. He appeared to be deep in thought, as if concentrating on something. His eyes were closed and his brow was furrowed.
Then, I looked over at Senritsu, who was now leaning against the back rest of the couch, her eyes half-closed.
It was that it struck me.
That other song…!
How could I ever forget such a magical and unforgettable one at that…?
The one where the both of us made…
For me to sing…
I stood up, more determined than ever.
Sensing my sudden movement, both of them returned their attention back to me.
I grinned at them.
" You chose your song? " Senritsu asked me, hopefully.
I nodded with utter excitement.
The woman smiled back.
" You go up there and do your thing, Hikari. I'll play with accordance to your heartbeats, my dear child… " she told me, mysteriously.
" Uh-huh! " I agreed, nodding, my smile still in intact. " We'll do this together! All three of us! "
With that, I held up my hand, palm facing outwards towards them.
They took it as the cue.
With a wide grin, both of my friends slapped hands with me.
Yes…
We'll always do everything together…
Be it sharing anyone's pain…
Or laughter…
I'll never have to worry…
Cause we'll always be together…
And we are always there for each other…
Note from 'moi': Thank you CrumblingApple for your much appreciated reviews…I wanted to thank you in the last chapter but guess I kind of forgot bows low…I'm really sorry…btw, many thanks to my faithful readers out there and not to mention Stelra and Ritsikas!! Love ya guys! )