Chapter 2

Having the same piece in their minds, they didn't waste any time and settled themselves. "Okay let's start, I'll play accompaniment." Naya said and they started playing together. 

From time to time Naya was looking at Keena. As she was saying, Keena is hands down good in playing violin, the violin just sounds so beautiful in her hands. Her graceful movement just show how she was into the piece. 

Gone was the childish Kenna, ang taong nasa harap niya ngayon ay parang ibang tao. Ang ganda lang ng tunog na lumalabas sa violin nito, masarap sa tenga at nakakarelax ng puso at isip. This is why claire de lune is one of her favorite piece, para itong mahinang ulan na pumapatak sa kalmadong gabi. Dreamy, peaceful, at ease, relaxed, soft and sweet in the ears, are just some adjectives perfectly describes the piece.

Before they knew it, they were down to the last notes of the piece. As their instruments stopped, they looked at each other, both pair of eyes are glimmering of astonishment. Keena thought 'as expected from Nayasha Lopez, once a champion of international piano competition.' She really admired the other to the bottom of her heart.

Naya was the first to break the silence saying, "what? Are you in love with me now?" 

As if on cue, Kenna came back to her usual childish self. "Arrggh! Stop it." Nope! She will never tell how much she admire her sister in front of her face.

Naya laughed and Kenna sulked cutely like a child who never got what she wanted. 

The two continued to play after teasing and annoying each other. Piece after piece, play to their hearts content. Focused, they didn't noticed the low knocks followed by the opening of the door.

Hindi tuluyang binuksan ni Emily ang pintuan, sumilip muna siya at baka nagpapractice pa ang dalawa't ayaw niyang makaistorbo. Nang makitang tumutugtog pa ang mga ito ay hinintay at pinanuod niya lang muna ang mga nasa loob. 

Lumambot ang puso ni Emily sa eksenang nakikita niya ngayon. Bukod sa nakakahalinang tunog na ginagawa ng dalawa niyang anak ay nakikita niyang nasisiyahan ang dalawa na magkasamang magpatugtog ng kanilang instrumento.

Pagkatapos magpatugtog ay narinig pa niyang biniro ni Naya si Kenna na kinairap ng huli. Natawa si Emily at tuluyang binuksan ang pinto dala-dala ang isang tray na may pagkain. Pagkapasok niya ay sinabayan niya ang biro ni Naya, napuno ng tawanan at saya ang music room sa sumunod na mga minuto. Di nagtagal ay lumabas si Emily ng may ngiti sa kanyang mga labi habang nagpatuloy naman ang dalawang dalaga sa pagpractice.

-

IT WAS nearly ten when Nathan came home, he saw Emily sleeping on the living room. Lumapit siya sa sofa na hinihigaan ni Emily at hinalikan ito sa noo na kinagising nito. He smiled at her when she opened her eyes.

"You came home late." Emily said in a low voice.

"Hmm," Nathan hummed in agreement. "Sorry, I attended few meetings with the clients and there were a lot of papers needs to personally review before signing for approval." Dagdag niya habang pinagsisikan ang sarili sa sofa at niyakap si Emily para magpalambing.

Emily chuckled with the child like gestures. Niyakap niya ito pabalik at tinanong kung kumain na ba ito. Nathan nodded and asked about the children.

"They're good naman, they're already resting upstairs. Naya gave me a shock since this morning, she even practiced with Kenna. They played together the whole day. That child is really opening her doors for us right?" Emily asked hoping for assurance.

"Yeah, I think so. Let's just give her time to adjust." Napangiti naman si Nathan nang maalala ang ngiti ng anak kaninang umaga. Siniksik niya ang mukha sa leeg ni Emily. He sniffed. "You smell good love."

"Silly, syempre nagshower ako eh. Halika na sa taas nang makapagpahinga kana, it's late." Tugon ni Emily na kumalas sa pagkakayakap at nagsimulang bumangon.

"You go first, I wanna look at the children." Nathan replied na bumangon na din. Tumango si Emily at dumiretso sa third floor. Nasa third floor ang kwarto nila, ang study room at ang sariling office room ni Nathan. Sa second floor ang kwarto ni Naya at ng kambal, pati ang music room ay nasa second floor.

Sa second floor si Nathan tumungo. Una niyang pinuntahan ang kwarto ni Kenna. Marahan siyang kumatok at nang walang sumagot ay dahan-dahang binuksan ang pintuan. Nakita niyang mahimbing ng natutulog ang dalaga. Lumapit siya dito at inayos ang kumot, hinalikan sa noo at di nagtagal ay tahimik na nilisan ang kwarto. Sunod niyang pinuntahan ay ang kwarto ni Kenneth. Marahan siyang kumatok at binuksan ang pintuan. Pagbukas ay nakita niyang gising pa ang binata, nasa harap ng computer at naglalaro ng online game.

"Hey buddy," bati ni Nathan. Tinignan siya ni Kenneth at tinaas ang isang kamay, making a wait gesture. Mahinang natawa si Nathan at tahimik na umupo sa loob at pinanuod ang binatang maglaro. Hindi naman nagtagal ay natapos na ang laro ni Kenneth, nagpaalam na din ito sa teammates at sinabing maglalog out. Nakita pa ni Nathan ang pagtingin ni Kenneth sa relo nitong suot bago siya hinarap.

"Late ka ng nakauwi dad?" Tanong ni Kenneth.

"Uhuh, late na pero naglalaro ka pa rin?" Balik tanong ni Nathan. 

Napakamot sa batok ang binata at awkward na ngumiti. "Uh, sorry po, nag-aya eh." Rason ni Kenneth.

"Yeah I understand, been there." Nathan said laughing. "Anyway, how were you today? Yung papasukan mo napag-isipan mo na ba?" Dagdag na tanong ni Nathan.

"Nothing much dad and for the school as I said still undecided but I'll take culinary or business management, I wanna help mom running her restaurants." 

Napangiti si Nathan sa sagot ni Kenneth. Kenneth is a quiet person but he knows how to show his love to his mother in his own ways. Emily on the other hand is not forcing the children to do what they don't want to do. She's just supporting the children for the field they want to take.

Tinapik ni Nathan ang balikat ni Kenneth. "Whatever you choose, we'll fully support you. You're smart, I know you'll do just fine. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks dad." Tumango naman si Kenneth na nakangiti.

Hindi nagtagal si Nathan at handa nang magpaalam pero nasulyapan si Kenneth na mukhang may sasabihin. "Anything else?" Nathan decided to asked.

"About Naya? Did something good happened to her earlier? Today.. she seems different. I mean from what I saw in the past months, she never smile or talk to us the way she did this morning. For the past months since we moved here I hardly had a chance to talk to her. Her face always shows a 'don't talk to me' face or 'stay away from me' face. I don't really complain about that since I don't really like talking in the first place. But the her today is good too." 

Nagulat si Nathan sa medyo mahabang litantiya ni Kenneth at sa maingat na pagbigkas ng mga salita na parang ayaw makaoffend kahit wala naman sa silid ang taong pinag-uusapan. Noon, akala niya di kinakausap ng kambal si Naya dahil ayaw ng dalawa sa anak niya at dahil baka mag-aaway lang ang mga ito pag nagsimulang bumukas ang bibig sa isa't isa. Hindi niya akalain na dahil sa pagmumukhang pinapakita ni Naya kaya ganoon ang kambal. Naya just unconsciously made the twins afraid of her with her face.

Natawa si Nathan sa naisip na ikinakunot lang ng noo ni Kenneth. Natatawang tinapik tapik ni Nathan ang balikat ng binata. "Nothing, I mean I don't know what really happened. Siguro it's her call, hmm... how do I put this? Maybe she just realised that our family is worthy of a chance to be happy."

Napangiti naman si Kenneth sa naging sagot ng stepdad niya. Their family is indeed worthy of happiness. After what Naya and Nathan had been through, after he, his twin and his mother had been through they deserved to be happy. Mukha man siyang walang pakialam pero before even knowing what Naya and Nathan had been through years ago, he had seen the pain in Nathan's eyes whenever he saw him looking at Naya. 

Though the tragic events made it headline and made noise for weeks, he had not known about it. It was only later when they moved in the house and when he saw pain and sadness in Naya's and Nathan's eyes he became curious. He asked his mother. Emily told him about the kidnapping years ago and the death of Naya's mother during the kidnapping. Sinabi ng mommy niya na nabalita yung nangyari at gumawa ng ingay.

Nung gabing din yun ay nag search siya ng balita sa nangyaring kidnapping. Habang binabasa niya ang mga articles ay pasikip ng pasikip ang d****b niya. Sa kalagitnaan ng pagbabasa, may isang linya ng mga salita ang kumuha ng atensiyon niya; Yannie Lopez, the pride of classical music industry and the wife of a business tycoon, Nathan Lopez of Lopez Group was shot dead in front of her daughter.

Nanghina si Kenneth sa nabasa. May nakita pa siyang video noong pagkatapos na tagumpay na narescue si Naya sa kamay ng mga kidnappers. Sa video, he saw how devastated Nathan was, kneeling while hugging his daughter like a fragile glass afraid to break it. Though the face of the child was censored he saw how lifeless it was, parang nakatulala lang ito, nakatayo lang at ni hindi yumayakap pabalik sa tatay nito. The video was short because the security had forbidden the media to continue any further.

After the incident Naya was never seen in public again. Some people speculated that Nathan had hid his daughter for her safety and some says the child had major trauma and is suffering from serious mental problems. Kenneth had not saw any articles about Naya's condition back then. He only read the speculations through the comments. He'd thought that Nathan had suppressed any news that had his daughter's name on it.

Di alam ni Kenneth kung gaano kasakit ang pinagdaanan ni Naya dahil hindi siya ang nasa kalagayan nito. But thinking about it he was hurting for her. One of the reason he had not really talk to her was because he was afraid to open Naya's old wounds. Na baka may masabi siya dito na di dapat sabihin, na baka sa sobrang komportable niya dito ay may masabi siya na nakakasakit na pala para dito.

Kaya masaya siya sa nakikitang pagbabago nito nung nag agahan sila. Di man halata o di niya masabi ng harapan ay gusto niyang maging masaya si Naya pagkatapos ng lahat ng pinagdaanan nito, na pwede siya maging masaya sa piling nila na bagong pamilya niya, na kahit sinong tao ay deserving maging masaya pagkatapos ng dagok na pinagdaanan sa buhay.

Tumingin si Kenneth kay Nathan at ngumiti. Nagpaalam nadin si Nathan pagkatapos nitong magbilin na matulog na siya dahil late na, na sinunod naman niya. Nag good night muna siya dito na nginitian ng dad niya at tinugon.

Nang makalabas si Nathan sa kwarto ni Kenneth ay dumiretso siya sa kwarto ni Naya. Tulog na din ang anak niya pagkapasok niya ng kwarto. Napangiti si Nathan ng makitang mahimbing ang pagkakatulog nito. Maaliwalas ang mukha at may bahid na ngiti sa mga labi. Matagal ng hinihintay ni Nathan ang muling pagbalik ni Naya sa dati nitong sarili, masayahin at mapagbiro paminsan minsan. He would never want to see her in her weakest state again. Nathan's hands slightly trembled remembering the past tragedy.

Exiting the conference venue, Nathan decided to call his wife and daughter para kamustahin ang mga ito. Hours ago, nagpaalam ang dalawa na mamamasyal at magshashopping, na di naman niya tinutulan dahil palagi naman yun ginagawa ng mag-ina niya. When the call connected, Nathan was confused when it was answered by a man, nagpakilala itong pulis at sinabing may nangyari sa asawa niya. Kinakabahang dinoble check niya ang numerong tinawagan at baka namali lang siya ng dinial. Nang makumpirmang numero iyon ng asawa ay tinanong niya kung nasaan ang asawa't anak at kung anong nangyari. Sinabi ng pulis na mas makakabuting pumunta siya sa address na ibibigay nito. Anxious, he bolted to his car and drove his fastest speed to the location.

Nang makarating sa lugar ay may mga sasakyan ng pulis at ambulansiya ang nakita niya, he walked further and there he saw his wife's car, sira ang windshield at may bahid ng dugo sa loob. His whole body was trembling and weakened seeing prints of blood, hinablot niya ang pulis na kanina pa lumapit at nakasunod sa kanya na di niya pinansin and asked for his wife and child. 

Nagpantig ang tenga ng marinig na may namatay sa insidente, the police led him to a stretcher where a person is lying covered by a white cloth. Nanghihinang nilapitan niya ito, gamit ang nanginginig na mga kamay hinawi niya ang tela. Nakita niya ang maputlang mukha ng asawa, hindi humihinga at maraming dugo sa ulo at mukha. With shaking hand he caressed her face and begged for her to wake up and come back to him, that he can't live happily without her and that she can't leave him and their daughter.

Remembering his daughter, Nathan tried his very best to maintain his sanity and asked the police about his daughter and what had happened. The police said it was kidnapping and Naya, his daughter was the target. The police said the kidnappers had it thoroughly planned, following the target and waiting for the right moment and security camera's blind spot before taking actions. The police added that as of the moment they didn't have any lead and he only have to wait for the kidnappers to contact him for ransom. After hearing the police statement, Nathan wanted to lashed out and asked how could he wait when his wife had just died and his daughter was alone in the kidnappers hands, how could he just stand around when his daughter's life is in danger. He wanted to shout at them but doing so will not help their situation.

Twenty four hours had passed and the kidnappers hadn't contacted him, Nathan was so close in losing his sanity. He hadn't rested, he searched for his daughter like mad. It was only after two days when the kidnappers had finally contacted him. After the call was trace, the police had began planning for the rescue operation.

Fortunately the rescue was successful, the kidnappers had died during the operation when they tried to fight back. Nathan rushed to his daughter after seeing her in the police's arms, the police gently put Naya down. As he saw his daughter it was like he can't hold his emotions any longer, he gently encircled his arms around his daughter and his tears just started to pour. With tears in his face, he forced a smile facing his daughter. His already broken heart was shattered into pieces seeing Naya's face devoid of life. Nakatulala lang ito sa kawalan at walang pakialam sa nangyayari.

Right after the incident, Nathan looked for the best doctors for his daughter. They tried to talk to her, he tried to talk to her but Naya remained unresponsive like her time had stopped. Losing her mother in front of her was a major blow. He hired a private nurse to took care of his daughter. He doesn't have the time to be tired, he can't show weakness in front of his daughter, he have to stay strong. 

Grieving for his wife and taking care of his child, who was at her weakest, are the things Nathan have not thought he'd experienced. Just days ago they were a happy family, just days ago they were laughing and having the most beautiful time together. He never thought he'd lost it all in a snap with no warning.

In his wife's burial, the music and entertainment industry had mourned with him. Naya was not there, with media everywhere he didn't want them to feast and gossips his daughter's current condition.

Tatlong linggo matapos ang insidente ay ganoon pa din ang kalagayan ni Naya. Isang araw habang nasa trabaho si Nathan ay nakatanggap siya ng tawag mula sa private nurse ng kanyang anak. Sinagot niya iyon kahit nasa kalagitnaan siya ng meeting. After the call, he adjourned the meeting at dali-daling umuwi ng bahay. Sinabi ng nurse na umiiyak daw ang anak niya at paulit ulit na binabanggit ang salitang 'mommy'.

Nang makarating ay halos takbuhin niya ang kwarto ng anak, nakabukas ang pinto at naririnig niya ang iyak nito. Nilapitan niya ito, niyakap at nagsignal sa nurse na tawagin ang doctor.

"I'm here baby, it's okay, daddy's here. You're okay, you're safe, daddy's here." Hinahagod niya ito sa likod para iparamdam na nasa tabi siya nito at di ito nag-iisa.

"Mommy-- mommy-- dad si mommy it's all my fault--mommy." Naya said in a hoarse voice, crying and sniffing.

Nathan's heart shattered by his daughter's words. He cupped Naya's face, isinantabi ang buhok na nakatabing sa mga mata na nabasa ng luha.

"No, it's not your fault. Baby look at me, it's not your fault, mommy protected you. She doesn't want you to be hurt, mommy loves you so much. It's not your fault okay? Mommy loves you so much." Nathan tried his hardest to make his voice stable in front of his daughter. 

Pero umiling lang si Naya, pinagpatuloy ang pagsisi sa sarili. Na kung di siya nagpilit lumabas ay buhay pa sana ang mommy nito. Nathan kept comforting her saying it's not her fault and to stop blaming herself. Naya just kept on crying and calling for her mother. 

The doctor came and injected sedative because the child kept crying non stop. Unti-unti ay kumalma si Naya at nakatulog sa pagod sa pag-iyak. Inayos ni Nathan ang pagkakahiga ng anak, hinalikan ito sa noo at maingat na tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo mula sa kama.

Tinanong ng doctor kung paano nila napaiyak ang bata. Sinagot ng nurse na bigla nalang itong umiyak nang marinig ang pagbagsak ng basong may tubig na aksidenteng masagi ng nurse. The doctor said to Nathan that it was good that his daughter had cried and responded, though her condition is still not good, it was better than being unresponsive. Marami pang sinabi ang doktor na mga posibilidad na maaaring lumala o magiging stable ang kalagayan ng anak sa mga susunod na mga buwan.

Two years, it took two years for Naya to gradually recovered. The first few months, Naya's words and actions showed post traumatic stress disorder symptoms. However, the symptoms are not severe and life threatening. Having Nathan by her side, who never failed to remind her that she did nothing wrong and that her mother loves her so much, plus the well-timed sessions from her mental health therapist, Naya's condition gradually became better as the symptoms lessens. Nathan was relieved, he somehow felt proud of his daughter for also fighting her inner battles by herself. 

The first time Naya visited her mother's grave, she would cry saying sorry all over again. The first time she stepped foot to the music room and saw the piano, she would cry and can't even play nor touch the instrument. Slowly, her condition became better, though her face is dull and her eyes is full of sadness, she can visit her mother and play piano without crying. Nathan, of course stayed on his daughter's side when all that happened. He would accompany her and comfort her every time she broke down. He have to stay strong because it was part of the process of his daughter's getting better.

In later years Naya was home schooled, suggested by Nathan and was agreed by his daughter. He never let his daughter set foot outside if it wasn't important. Naya never complained and was only obediently following whatever he said.

Almost four years after his wife's death, Nathan met Emily. They became acquainted and later on became good friends. Nathan at first denied his feelings and didn't want to believe that love has once again have knocked on his door. But Emily was his saving grace, she made him happy and show him that he is worthy of being love and deserving of happiness again. So they dated and married the next year after meeting.

When Nathan talked to Naya about Emily, he saw confusion and disbelief in her eyes but it disappeared instantly. She asked him if he was really happy with her and love her, he nodded and said yes. Naya's eyes smiled and said she's happy for him and that she's okay with everything as long as he's happy.

Nathan knows, he knows that Naya is somehow still blaming herself for Yannie's death. His daughter might not say it but he knows that his daughter felt like the culprit for taking his wife away from him and for taking away his happiness. She might not say it but he knows that partly the reason for accepting Emily was because his daughter felt like she owes him his happiness.

Nathan gently grabbed Naya's shoulders and looked intently into her eyes. "I love you okay? I don't blame you for something you too had suffered. I'm doing this for us, you'll love her. I know because she herself made me, me Naya, a person who thought is incapable of loving another woman, made me believed and made me felt alive again. I promise you everything will be okay." Naya just nodded and said okay.

Nathan then planned to renovate the house for them to start anew. The music room which was originally on the third floor was now on the second, suggested by Naya saying she wants the music room near to her. The master's bedroom and Nathan office was now on third floor, which was once on the second floor. For some people it might be just a house renovation, but for Nathan it serves as his and his daughter's new start.

Though Naya's condition had been better, they noticed some of her main fears remained. Naya is afraid hearing glass breaking loudly and the sound of a gun. She would pale, tremble and frightened hearing them. Kaya ingat na ingat ang mga katulong sa mga galaw nila sa tuwing malapit si Naya sa kanila. Nathan also noticed how Naya became different over the years. She's dull, gloomy and always had a stoic face and sad eyes. Gone was the sparkling daughter whenever she plays piano or facing him. She became distant like she was afraid of letting anyone enter her world. She's always silent, only talking when he asked her questions. She would always stay in her room or in the music room isolating herself from everybody else.

Nathan heaved a sigh while gently looking at his sleeping daughter. He's glad, he is glad Naya is making a progress. He is so proud of her, she's strong and brave for passing such hurdles in life. He kissed her forehead and exited the room with pleased expression. 

-

DAHIL NAPAGDAANAN na niya ang audition sa nakaraang buhay niya, ay di na kinakabahan si Naya. Nagbigay siya ng tips kay Kenna tungkol sa mangyayaring audition na tinanong nito kung paano niya nalaman. Dinahilan ni Naya na nagresearch siya at nakalagay iyon sa website ng Duveen na di naman mali dahil may ibang impormasyong nakalagay sa website ng Duveen na magsisilbing guide ng mga aplikante kaya naniwala si Kenna sa kanya.

Sa mga sumunod na araw, puspusan ang pagpapraktis at paghahanda ng dalawa. Prinaktis nila ang lahat ng posibleng mangyari sa audition. Tinanong ni Kenna si Naya kung pwede siyang maging accompanist nito sa mga piece na patugtugin na di naman niya tinanggihan dahil parehong araw naman ang audition nila. Naalala pa ni Naya na sa nakaraang buhay ay iba ang accompanist na dinala ni Kenna dahil di naman masyadong maganda ang relasyon nila noon.

Sa araw ng audition ay kinakabahan si Kenna. Ang tagumpay niya sa audition ang magiging tulay niya sa pagpasok sa Duveen. Dream school niya ang Duveen kaya't naging seryoso siya sa paghahanda at pagpraktis. Ito ang pangarap niya, ang pangarap nila ng yumao niyang ama. Pinakalma ni Kenna ang sarili at paulit ulit na sinasabi sa sarili na magaling siya, na kakayanin niya ang lahat para sa pangarap. 

Sumulyap siya kay Naya na nakatingin sa labas mula sa bintana ng sasakyan. Nasa sasakyan sila patungong Duveen. Naalala niyang ito ang unang beses na pupunta si Naya sa pampublikong lugar at haharap sa ibang tao pagkatapos ng nangyari maraming taon na ang nakakaraan. May tatlong bodyguards silang kasama. Ang isa ay kasama nila nagdadrive ng sinasakyan nila, habang ang dalawa ay nasa isa pang sasakyan na nakasunod sa kanila kung nasaan ang mommy nila at si Kenneth. Tumingin si Kenna sa stepdad niya at napangiti. Napakaoverprotective nito kay Naya, sa kanila. Di nito hahayaang may isa na namang trahedya ang mangyari sa mga taong mahal nito.