Why I Have To

Chapter 1

October 3, 2008

"One venti non-fat latte with 2 Splenda, please." I kindly said to the cashier and paid for my usual order as I fixed the strap of my violin case. I saw my friend Batchi who's currently working as a barista on that cafe and waved to her as I patiently wait for my drink.

"Tsong, ang aga mo ah. Aba at ang pogi mo ngayon!" She teased.

"Sira ka talaga!" I said while checking out my reflection on the display glass. I was wearing my favorite Beatles muscle tee, black skinny jeans, my raggedy old pair of Chucks, and my black Brixton cap. Hmm, ang pogi ko nga.

"Nakikipag compete ka talaga sa kapogian ko. Hahahaha. Busy ka ngayon, tsong?"

"Oo eh, madami akong kailangan kasi tapusin. Di naman ako makapag-aral ng maayos sa bahay kasi nandun yung mga maliliit kong pinsan. Ang cute cute nila kaya lang ang iingay eh." I laughed as I watched her operate the espresso machine.

While she's fixing my coffee, I checked on my planner to see all the things that I have to accomplish today. Papers due this week... Finals next week... Rehearsals tonight... Siguradong wala nanaman akong maayos na pahinga nito. I am currently on my first year in college at hindi ko akalain na first year palang ay magiging ganito na ka-stressful ito. You see, I am one of the few who's been selected to be part of the competitive music program in our university. Music is my first love, kaya naman nung sinabi sa akin ni Tatay na mag audition para makapasok sa program na ito ay binigay ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko. Tuwang tuwa ako ng makapasok ako dito dahil bukod sa napaka prestigious nitong program ay naging scholar din ako dahil nagustuhan nila ang pagtugtog ko. I have been playing the violin since I was six years old, although violin ang forte ko marunong din akong mag piano and guitar. Suportado kasi ni Tatay ang hilig ko kaya lagi niya akong ine-enroll sa kung ano anong music lessons kaya marami rin akong natutunan tugtugin. Bukod pa diyan eh si Tatay din ang unang nagturo sakin kumanta at tumugtog ng gitara, dati kasi siyang parte ng isang banda nung kabataan niya pero ngayon ay naging abala na siya sa pagaasikaso sa mga businesses namin.

I was staring blankly in space while reminiscing the day that I played Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto during my auditions when the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air and stopped me from my thoughts. I smiled and reached out for my coffee as Batchi placed a paper cup holder and napkin on my cup before giving it to me.

"Tsong parang lutang ka nanaman ah. Relax ka lang, ginusto mo yang course na yan eh. Ano shift ka na ba?" pangaasar nito sa akin.

"Sira! Kulang lang ako sa tulog pero kaya ko 'to. Ginusto ko ito eh, paninindigan ko 'to. Hahaha." Pagtawa ko naman.

"Sige na magpaka-busy ka na diyan. Puntahan nalang kita during break time ko."

I sat on a couch beside the window and took out my laptop and my favorite black notebook which I bring with me everywhere. Pang-apatan na tao yung nakuha kong pwesto but since wala namang tao dahil maaga pa ay nilapag ko nalang ang violin case ko sa couch sa tapat ko. I sipped on my coffee and sighed as I started working on my laptop.

Ilang oras narin akong nandito at tinatapos ang paper ko for my Music Theory class, paminsan minsan pinupuntahan ako ni Batchi para makipag-kwentuhan at kulitin ako. Tinignan ko ang oras at nagulat ako ng makita kong 5PM na kaya pala dumarami na ang tao dito, may rehearsal pa kasi kami ng orchestra mamayang 8PM kaya kailangan ko ng matapos itong papers ko. Napahikab ako at nag buntong hininga sa pagod at antok so I decided na umorder ulit ng isa pang kape. Buti nalang open at walang pila ang dalawang counters kaya nakapag order agad ako.

"One venti non-fat latte with 2 Splenda, please." Nagulat ako ng biglang may boses ng babae na kasabay kong nagsalita. Nagkatinginan kami at natawa siya dahil sabay na sabay kami at pareho pa kami ng inorder. She smiled at me and looked back at the cashier and paid for her coffee.