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The letter balloons have been taped to the walls neatly to spell out “Happy Bday, Nic!”
Mr. Lacsamana and I admired our hard work while Mrs. Lacsamana was in the kitchen making dinner. It had been so long since I’ve visited this place. I forgot how vibrant it was here.
I thought of how Nicole would react to this little surprise I planned for her. Hopefully, she’ll love it.
It took some courage for me to talk to her parents again, but they have been so welcoming and understanding. I have realized they must have always been this way. Eager to move forward from any misunderstandings and forgive mistakes.
Nicole must have learned from them, as I had just recently learned from her. I held something against her for so long, but deep down, I regretted it so much. I’ve been trying to make up to her every day. And I really hope she’d seen my efforts.
I checked the time and knew she would be arriving soon. I could help in making dinner, so I inched my way towards the kitchen.
Without even looking, Mrs. Lacsamana spoke out, “You should rest, Mark.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I insisted, “I could he–”
“No need, dear,” she said with a motherly tone, “Could you, maybe, play us a piece?”
My eyes darted to the piano by the stairs. “S-sure!” I exclaimed.
I made my way to it and sat down. I could feel my fingers trembling, and I had to take deep breaths.
I was unsure why I was so nervous. I was the president of the music club after all. I play the piano regularly, and I even tried my hand at teaching new members how to play.
Suddenly, some memories came back to me. I remembered the times Nicole had taught me how to play Grieg’s Wedding Day. She was strict, but I needed to improve and play so well during the audition.
It had been a long time since I played that piece, so perhaps I could use a refresher.
I fixed my posture and relaxed my fingers, just as Nicole taught me to do, and started playing Wedding Day. I stumbled in the beginning, but muscle memory kicked in, and I entered flow state and played flawlessly. I closed my eyes as I could feel a sensation in my head that I had grown familiar with.
/////
“Does your wrist still hurt?” Nicole sounded concerned.
I lightly shook my right hand, feeling that slight tension in my wrist, but nothing I couldn’t handle.
“Yeah, a bit,” I answered, “Don’t sweat it. I might’ve been pushing it too much.”
She giggled. God, she sounded so cute when she giggled, “Ugh, my fault for being so harsh to my apprentice.”
“You know what they say. No pain, no gain.”
“I’ve been through that too, you know. Totally part of the process.”
She knew all about it, I bet. Given how smart and talented she is on the piano. Then that lingering thought came into my head again, but I didn’t want to make things awkward.
But I wanted her to stay here, I really did. Having her around just made everything we do so much better. My jokes are funnier because they made her laugh. Perhaps she laughed the loudest at my jokes, but that could just be me.
I didn’t want to let her let go of this great opportunity for her, for us. I needed to let her know that we need her here. That… I need her here.
“But hey…” I gulped, “A-are you really not gonna consider applying? They’re gonna close it off soon.”
I saw her hesitate for a moment, like she was considering it, “I know, but–”
“You’re so good at it,” I interrupted her, “You’re the only one Carlo can’t say shit about.”
I watched as a slight grin crept up on her face.
“And we all love having you there. Isn’t it kind of a waste?” I bit my tongue.
She stared at me before getting up from her chair and walking toward the window.
“Y-you wanted to begin again, right?” I asked, but she remained quiet.
Something she told me when we first met, “You wanted to find that spark.”
I heard her sigh, “I… I guess.”
“W-what do you mean?”
She continued staring outside, “I do want to begin again.
Isn’t that what I’m doing now? Playing again?”
A breath, “Teaching you?”
I felt my cheeks blush, “But d-don’t you wanna be with… With us?”
“I…” she hesitated, “I do. But…”
We were silent for a few seconds until she finally spoke out, “I can’t…”
“Ugh, I told you,” she said, “I’m a mess.”
Maybe she was, but she was a mess I was willing to put up with. To be patient for, to change and be better for. She had already done most of the work for me by being my mentor.
“But you’ve been getting along with everyone here. W-why give that up now?”
She looked at me, “‘Cause… I can’t seem to…”
I felt my stomach drop when I realized what she was gonna say.
“Find that spark…”
“No…” my voice trembled.
/////
I couldn’t remember much after that. But the emotions ran through my body as they always did after a relapse.
It had almost been a year, huh? Ever since I’d forgotten what I now realize was the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my whole life.
Who would I have been if not for Nicole Lacsamana? What would my life have looked like if I had never tried remembering her?
It was terrifying at first to have a stranger look at you like they’ve known you their whole lifetime.
If only I knew, right?
I didn’t even realize I was close to finishing the song until I started to slowly open my eyes.
The dim yet soft color of the lights covered my hands on the piano. I started to smell the meal that was being prepared right then.
But before I realized anything else, a familiar scent caught my attention. That vanilla perfume that I had grown fond of lingered behind me.
I smiled as soft hands covered my eyes, “Guess who?” her angelic voice laughed aloud.
“My Valentine’s,” I quickly responded as I grabbed Nicole’s hand and watched her cute reaction.
She was visibly flustered, even if the room was dark. But a smile crept up on her face before finally embracing me.
“Happy Birthday, Nicole!” I greeted her.
“Thank you, Mark.”
“Do you like what your dad and I made?” I pointed at the balloons on the wall.
She scoffed, “Did you have trouble finding enough letters?”
I laughed, “Yes. but also–”
I pulled out a small box from my pocket, and Nicole gasped.
“Calm down, Nicole,” I joked, “I’m not proposing. Not yet, at least.”
I winked and watched her blush.
“But this is something I’ve wanted to give you since…” I cleared my throat.
I stared into her eyes, and I knew she immediately understood. She held my face and smiled warmly at me. I felt like melting into her, to endlessly apologize for everything I had put her through.
But before I could utter another word, she pulled my face towards hers and kissed my lips. “Thank you, Mark.”
I giggled, “You haven’t even seen it yet.”
I opened the box to show her the necklace I bought for her. It was a simple silver treble clef pendant. Because she was the one who brought music into my life.
“Awww it’s beautiful,” she said before she picked it up to admire it.
I went around her and helped her wear it, and as she turned around, the pendant shone amongst the darkness, complementing her dashing eyes.
“I hoped that after all this time,” I said, “You had found your spark again.”
She laughed, “After all the countless lifetimes, Mark Borja,” she said, “You’re the spark I will never forget.”
I wiped a tear from my eye and wanted to plant my lips on hers, but suddenly the lights turned on, and her parents started singing her happy birthday, so I joined them.
Instinctively, Nicole immediately played the piece on the piano. A lively rendition of an already happy song.
I admired the way she played anytime her fingers danced on the keys. No matter how short or long the pieces she was playing, I could listen to them all.
“Happy birthday, Nicole!” We all finished.
Mrs. Lacsamana was holding a cupcake with a small candle on it. “We couldn’t find your favorite cake flavor, so all we have is this chocolate cupcake.”
“It’s more than enough, Mom,” Nicole replied, “Thank you very much, all of you. I really appreciate it.”
“And how could I forget this?” I grabbed the bouquet of roses her dad secretly passed behind her back.
I pulled it out and held it in front of Nicole. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Nicole.”
I watched as tears formed in her eyes as I handed the flowers to her, “Aww, Mark…”
She embraced me, and I kissed her cheek. “I love you, Nicole.”
She looked at me and pinched me on the cheek. “You know the rest.”
I smiled, “You know I do.”