Chapter 6: Unforgettable Day.

(TANYA)

I sat down on the hammock in our back porch listening to some music in my ipod while drinking some hot chocolate suddenly I felt someone sat beside me. I took off my earphones to listen to whatever they’re going to say.

“It’s a peaceful day, isn’t?” my Dad said.

“Yeah it does,” I smiled.

“I hope tomorrow will have a fair day too.”

“It is tomorrow,”

“You’re going to come?” he asked softly.

“Nah, I’ll just stay in the shop,” I declined.

There is a long silence before he sighed, “You never visited your mom’s grave.”

I didn’t say anything.

“Tan,” he placed his arms around my shoulder, “It was never your fault. I’m sure your mom will be happy if you would visit her grave.”

“I still can’t see her anyway, what’s the point of going there?”

“Tanya,”

“Just drop it Dad. I’ll be fine in here, promise,” I smiled to reassure him.

***

Today is the 8th of August, the day when my mother died because of the car accident, the day that supposed to be a happy and memorable turns out to be the most heartbreaking day, still memorable though, memorable because it can’t be easily forgotten. Every detail still haunts me, that’s why I never visited her grave. I can’t see it anyway.

My Dad always wake up early in this day prepares himself to spend his day with Mom. He spends all day at the grave and return late. He always invites me to come with him even though he already knows my answer. I know that he’s still hoping that maybe I’ll change my mind.

I wake up late since the shop is close. It’s always close on this day, it’s like Mom’s day and our world stops in this day. I ate the breakfast that was prepared by Dad, alone. It was quiet, there’s no sound that you can hear. It was deafening.

Mom used wake up early to cook breakfast for us. I can still remember those days when I can smell the delicious food that was prepared by her. As I climb down the stairs I can see her smiling face. It was contagious. She would greet me “Good morning” and kissed my cheeks. She would scold Dad for waking up late and the only thing I can hear is my own voice laughing at them. It was noisy but very happy mornings. Those mornings that will never be repeated.

My feet started to bring me at the shop, where Mom has lots of memories. Those times that I was running fast just to come home early because I was always greeted by her loving smile. It was in this shop, when she will welcome me with her big hugs. After that she will play the piano for me and I will constantly starts to play with her too. Dad would hear the beautiful music and will join us by singing. I would always laugh because Dad was never a singer, it was outrageous. Those are music to my ears, music that I know that will forever disappear.

My fingers touched my Mom’s grand piano, her favourite instrument. I played a piece that she taught me, Childhood Memories by Brian Crain. I closed my eyes even though I know that if I open or close my eyes what I see is always the same. I let the music carry me. It is a sad music. Every tone that escapes the piano creates a marvellous music which brings back sad memories. However, I can still remember it. Every piece of it.

“That was beautiful,” my eyes immediately opened upon hearing the voice. I know that voice.

“Our shop is close for today,” I frowned, standing up from my feet.

“I read the sign but I can’t help myself upon hearing the beautiful music,” he answered.

“I didn’t hear you coming inside.”

“Your thoughts are into your music,” his Italian accent’s escaping.

I put my hair behind my ears. That was embarrassing.

“What are you doing here?” I changed the topic.

“Your face is red,” he commented. He’s making me more embarrassed.

“B-because it’s embarrassing,” I’m trying not to stutter.

“Why would you be embarrassed? You should not be ashamed of what you did. It’s so beautiful,” I heard the tap of his shoes meaning that he’s coming forward.

I stand my ground. He’s making me uncomfortable, “What are you doing here, Sean?” I firmly asked.

“I’m going to buy a flute,” he replied.

“Then the next day, you’re going to buy a drum. Then the next day after, you’re going to buy a piano?” I chuckled, finding his silly reasons funny, “Oh Sean, I know you’re not here for the instruments.”

I can feel his eyes on me. It is intimidating, “You are here for the envelope,” I seriously stated.

“You knew?” his voice is always so calm but composed.

“At first, not a single clue but I remembered your voice and your touch,” I replied, “You were chasing the man who bumped me and I found the envelope at the mall on the same day. It just clicked into my mind, you’re rich and in the envelope it has a big amount of money. You spoke Italian which I don’t understand and inside the hard drive were words that Olivia and I don’t understand. My instincts are always right,” I explained.

“You opened the hard drive,” his voice was not angry but it’s still intimidating.

“Yes but don’t worry Olivia and I obviously don’t understand Italian and we didn’t look at it deeper. I swear it was just the two of us,” I assured him.

He didn’t say anything. “Do you want to come inside the house? I’ll just get it,” I offered.

I walked inside and I can hear his shoes following me. I hurriedly climbed the stairs with full of care and went inside my room. I opened my drawer in my desk and grabbed the envelope. I sighed before I turned around to go back downstairs when my face collided with a hard wall.

“Ow,” I groaned, good thing the envelope didn’t fell.

“Scusi,” Sean said which I don’t understand, “That means sorry,” he explained quickly. So the hard wall is his hard chest.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were downstairs,” I massaged my nose.

“You said to follow you,” his simple answered.

“Yeah but that doesn’t mean--- never mind, here’s your envelope,” I handed it to him which he took.

“Thank you,” his accents gives shiver to my skin.

“Welcome,” I smiled, “I was thinking to give it to the authorities so that they can find you, the owner.”

“Good thing you didn’t,” he muttered which makes my eyebrows meet, “You have a nice room.”

“Let’s go downstairs,” I hastily said as I pass him.

“You’re alone?” he suddenly asked as we reached the living room.

“My Dad’s went outside for a while,” I answered. Now what?

There is a long silence between us. I don’t want to be rude but I think I can breathe properly when he’s not around.

“Are you nervous?” he broke the silence.

“Not really but you’re somehow intimidating,” I honestly replied with half chuckled.

“I’m sorry I can’t help it,” he apologized.

“No it’s okay,” I gave him a reassuring smile, “You don’t talk too much,” I pointed out.

“I’m not really a talkative person,” he replied.

“Me too, I’m used to people talk to me not the other way around. You know, in my situation,” I was emphasizing that it’s because of my disability.

There’s the uncomfortable silence again.

“So,” I started, “What did you do to the guitar you bought?” I asked. It was the first thing that comes into my mind.

“I place it on my room,” he replied.

“Are you playing it?”

“I’m not into music but I know how to play it,” he said, “How about you, are you really blind? How can you play the piano amazingly?” he asked.

“I just remembered what my Mom used to teach me,” I answered truthfully.

Suddenly we were interrupted by a familiar voice, “Tanya! Where are you? I made some Lasagna--- oh! You have a visitor,”

“Um, this is Olivia, my best friend,” I introduced to Sean, “And Olivia this is Sean, he is the owner of the envelope,” I said to her.

“Hel—lo,” she greeted, prolonging the word.

“Good morning,” Sean greeted back.

“You have a different accent,” she stated. I felt a movement in my front, I think they are handshaking.

“He’s Italian,” I answered for him.

“Half?” she asked again.

“I’m pure, my family lived here for ages though,” he replied.

“Oh, are you an Abercrombie and Fitch model?” Olivia suddenly asked.

“Olivia!” I reprimanded then faced Sean’s direction, “Sorry about her,” I apologized.

“It’s okay, I need to go too,” he said.

“Okay, I’ll send you home,” I offered.

“No, it is okay I know the way out,” he declined as I felt his hot breath in my ear, “Grazie cara,” he whispered. I flinched because I didn’t see that coming. I heard his footsteps until I can no longer hear it. (Trans: Thank you, dear.)

“Oh My Gosh!” Olivia squealed, “Tanya, I saw that! I didn’t know you have an admirer!” she accused me.

“Olivia, stop with your wild imaginations. He and I were just,” What are we? I barely know the guy, “acquainted.” I sat on the couch, I felt bad for not asking him to sit down but I think that will make things more uncomfortable.

Olivia hastily sat down beside me, “He’s so handsome, he looks like a model! His Italian looks with his accent is to die for. Oh my, I wonder how many packs of abs he was hiding behind his suit,” she said dreamily.

“Olivia, stop that! You sounded like a pervert already,” I scolded her.

“Well, if you could just see him you’ll say the same thing,” she countered.

“But I don’t.” I’m not sensitive in my disabilities but I don’t like people pointing out what is lacking in me.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s okay you’re just in your weird world,” I chuckled and she slap my shoulder lightly, “Where’s the Lasagna you made?”

***

Beware: Grammar maybe bad.

Thank you for reading!