The Album & The Letter

Chapter 3 - The Vision

SOMETIME AROUND NOVEMBER, 2008

A young lady is walking towards a bench under a tree above the walls of Paco Park. She sees a young man standing just beside the bench, she is overjoyed for he is her one and only and likewise, she is as well for him.

A huge gust of wind pushes them near the walls and her umbrella is swept away turning it inside out. The tree above showers them with dead leaves as he rushes to help her.

Just like old people. Just like married couples.

"Cess.. join me.. I need you.."

Before they can hold each other's arms, the wind blows ever harder and both of them held on the walls for dear life. Suddenly, below them, a guard dressed in old Spanish era uniform cups his palm to his mouth and yells.

"Hoy!!! Gumising ka na!!"

Cess wakes up and slaps her alarm clock.

"Ugh"

Blue Sky by Hale plays in the background

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.

.

Do you ever feel uplifted during an early morning? When the light of the sun just hits right and is reflected upon everything that it touches..

Every passing day we fail to acknowledge the beauty of life and the world that God has created. Whether you believe in something or not, these little details, if focused with just the right mood, just the right intentions.. just the right openness to feel.. it gives us hope.

Cess closes the curtains and jumps back to bed.

A few seconds later, the alarm rings again and Cess shakes on the bed like a worm sprinkled with salt.

She exits the room to go to her drum set in the garage. On the seat of the drums she spots a letter and reads it.

"Hi Princess!!!"

Cess (flustered): TSK, MOM!

"I noticed that you haven't played the drum set in a while... I want you to know that we love you very much and we're sorry if we're not able to spend quality time together as a family because of work.. We really really miss your smile. We love you lots and have the brightest day ever!"

Cess is confused. A bit disgusted.. but not because of the letter itself but to her reaction to it. She drops her arms and stares at the ground. She notices the sunlight reflecting on the back of the paper, revealing that there's more content on the back.

" P.S, Please drink your milk honey!

Dad here! And don't forget your buddy crackers!!

Cess: Kaya ako namumutla eh.. puro nalang ganito binibigay niyo sakin.

Cess drinks and eats the crackers and smiles softly. She starts playing the drums.

*2 HOURS LATER, MATH CLASS*

Math Teacher: Okay class! For the third time this quarter, si Princess lang nakakuha ng perfect score sainyo and it wasn't even close for the others! Guys I'm gonna need you to focus more okay?? Specially you Mr. Cruz!

Jam (smiling): Hehe.. sorry po sir!

*1 HOUR LATER, PIANO CLASS*

*CESS ARRIVES LATE BECAUSE SHE SAW A COOL BUG AT THE SCHOOL GARDEN*

Cess barges in without an expression on her face. This has been happening for a month now.

Piano teacher: Princess! Dumating ka pa!

Cess: Sorry po ma'am, May I go now?

Piano teacher: Actually, you don't even have to be here. *Turns face*

Cess: Thanks. *Closes door*

Random student: Ma'am, bakit niyo po siya pinapaalis palagi?

Piano teacher: Princess already completed the assessments for this quarter perfectly. She has an extremely exceptional talent for music.. but her mind maybe flying somewhere else! That goes for all of you! I need you to be better class!

While walking down the hallway, Cess notices someone following her. She looks behind and Jam hides behind a pillar.

She keeps walking and looks back again to see Jam looking at the school hierarchy as if it was a museum masterpiece.

She keeps walking and takes a left to go up the stairs. Jam follows but immediately gets pushed back as Cess is already staring at him. He backs away smiling awkwardly as Cess corner walks him down.

Cess: Do I know you?

Jam: Yes actually! Magkaklase tayo, Haha.. *gulps*

Cess: Oh? Ikaw ba si Mr. Cruz?

Jam: Yes!! Ako nga! Haha, paano mo alam?

Cess: Lagi ka kasi na ca-call out ni sir kasi lagi kang bagsak.

Jam (Dying inside): Ahahaaa...

Cess: Anong oras na, malalate ako sa Violin class ko. See you around weirdo.

Cess walks up the stairs leaving Jam behind. As she gradually takes steps, she notices the light fading away.. just then, she hears Jam below telling her to wait. Suddenly, a bright light envelopes before him reflecting on the shiny floor blinding Cess.

Jam (Desperate): Wait!

Cess (Whispering to herself): Anong ginagawa -

Jam (Pleading): I want you to join my band Cess!

Cess: Band?! Huh??

Jam: Yes! I've been watching you.. Not in a weird way no! But like.. Basta sumali ka na!!

Cess feels something deep. A weird emotion that she cannot fathom. As she stared down at Jam, she saw desperation.. but more importantly, she saw determination in his eyes.

Jam: You're the most musically gifted person I have ever met.. I'm sorry for being awkward, I know you'd hate these types of moments.. but I can't let this opportunity go to waste..

Cess.. join me.. I need you..

Cess widens her eyes and walks up the stairs frantically.

The scene cuts to Cess taking her violin class. She wears a blank face, still trying to process what she felt earlier at the stairs with Jam. Her mind flies away as she plays the violin harder and harder until the strings snaps along with her thoughts. She looks around the classroom and notices everyone being impressed but surprised at the same time.

Cess leaves the room without saying anything.

Walking towards the gate, she spots Jam trying to look for her outside the school premises. She thinks to herself.

"He's just standing there.. like an idiot.. gosh that was embarrassing earlier.. what does this guy want with me? And why do I feel.. weird.."

She continues to walk towards Jam, letting him see her.

Jam: Hi Cess!! Hinihintay kita eh, nalate ka ba? Sorry kung na late ka hahhh

Cess: Listen. I don't know who you are and I don't know what your deal is. I want you to stop following me around like a weirdo.

Jam: Oh.. I'm sorry, I just figured I should atleast try to ask you-

Cess: Ask me what?? To join you? Why would I join you? I barely know you.

Jam: I don't want you to just join me in my band.. I want you to follow me.

Cess: What does that even mean?!

Jam: I want you to understand something. I have listened to you create such wonderful music.. but that's not what I need. What I need is you, your passion that no one seems to acknowledge. Everytime I ask about you all they say is that you're weird and you're good at instruments, THATS IT! AND I HATE IT!

Cess: Why?! Why does all of these things matter to you??

Jam: Because! I'm weird too! I'm good at some instruments too! Not nearly as good as you, hell not even close! But I have a vision that I want to fulfill.. and I need you to fulfill that vision with me.

Cess: What're you a fuckin prophet now?! Why should I care about your vision?!

Jam: It's not mine.. it's the vision of the band I imagined! You'll be part of something great, something that will change the lives of many! Something that will change.. even you.. I promise you!

Cess starts to feel the same thing again.. more powerful than before. She looks away and starts panicking.

Jam: Cess..

Cess (Hyperventilating): Shut up for a sec..

Jam: Oh my god, okay ka lang?

Jam offers her water. She takes his bottle and sips.

Cess (Calming down): Thank you..

Jam (Smiling): I'm sorry Cess. I'm glad I was able to tell you a piece of my mind. Thank you for listening to me.. I'll stop bothering you now.

Jam walks away waving goodbye to Cess.

Cess: Wait!

Jam: Hm?

Cess: You forgot your water..

Jam: Oh! You can have it it's okay haha

Cess takes a bus ride home. She fidgets her fingers having nothing to do. She keeps thinking about what happened today and how her logic and way of thinking was somehow dismantled by such a goofy character. Before she can think of anything else, she starts to feel something again the 3rd time this day.

A few minutes in the bus passes, she sees Jam walking home alone, uncaring of his own safety and still wearing that gut wrenching smile he always had. Cess stops the bus and exits on the other side of the street. Jam notices Cess and looks at her confused.

Cess notices Jam pointing at something.

Cess (whispers): What? My bag?

Jam signals to Cess "No"

Cess (Shouting): Eh kung magsalita ka kaya!

Jam: Sorry! Yung violin mo naiwan mo sa school!!

Cess crosses the street and the street lamp turns on.

She drops her bag to the ground.

Jam: What's wrong?

Cess: Ikaw. You're what's wrong.. but I want to see how and why this "wrong" works because I don't understand what the hell just happened today.

Jam: What are you talking about?

Cess: Explain to me what this "vision" is all about. What do you need me for and why do I matter to you?

Jam: I told you earlier.. you're the most musically gifted person I have ever seen. I need talent and skills like yours.. but the thing that I really need from you is your passion to create music. As a creative myself, I empathize with how you're feeling.. You're not looking for the blind acknowledgement of thousands, you just need someone to truly listen and understand what you're doing.. or what you're feeling.. and I can help you with that with the songs I have written. As for the "Vision" it doesn't exist yet.. I mean, it'll just happen when the entire band is formed.. maybe instantly, or gradually.

Cess (Reluctant): No stupid.. tell me what it is specifically and maybe then I'll consider joining..

Jam: Hmm.. well it's not a song that's for sure!

Jam tells Cess about his vision and what he truly means by it.

For a rare moment in her life, Cess feels seen. The raw emotion slamming against her punk armor is enough to make her convulse. She doesn't understand what she's supposed to do, supposed to say and supposed to think. Her entire mind, body and soul wanted to leave and avoid the tiring hassle of having a conversation with someone she barely knows. But for the first time in her life, she finds the will to stay and talk.

Cess: How long have you been watching me?

Jam: Oh! Hmm, I wrote it in my notes here, wait..

Cess: Enough. I'll join you.. but in one condition.

Jam: REALLY?! WHAT IS IT?!

Cess: I'm expecting something good to come out of this. And so if I sense that I'm wasting my time, I won't even warn you.. I'll just leave.

Jam's demeanor changes from the clueless figure to a determined leader. He smiles with pride and Cess notices something new from the weird lanky kid to a passionate song writer. She sees the fire in his eyes.

Jam: You can count on it.

The next day.

Cess is looking outside the window. She ponders what it means to feel something entirely different than what she's always feeling her whole life. Is there really more to life than just plainly existing? She thinks to herself. She knows she's been dreaming of something more but she feels guilty thinking about it.. thinking that she is not worth the effort.

The same golden light she avoided yesterday enters her room. The alarm clock rings.

Cess enters the garage and looks around.

Cess: No notes this time.

When given something, Cess' outer shell would throw it away or refuse it. People adjust to Cess' behavior in order to give her things. But her inner self quietly yearns for these things, she doesn't know how to act. Because of this, she feels alone in the world. Living in her quiet little shell, not ever coming out.

Until he peaked her interest.

*1 HOUR EARLY TO PIANO CLASS*

Cess places her bag on top of the piano and sits. She starts to play beautifully with each note and bar fulfilling this quiet yearning for something and anything which in turn slowly and gently fills the room..

Just outside the building below, Jam is wandering about trying to look for this majestic tune. He sees Cess playing the piano on the 2nd floor. He sits beneath a tree facing the building and quietly eats his apple.

He takes out his notebook and begins to write.

30 minutes later, Jam opens his eyes having slept on the grass below the tree. He immediately see Cess sitting beside him looking at him confused and quite annoyed that he woke up.

Jam (Nagulat): CESS!! Nagulat naman ako sayo!

Cess: Jam, if you're gonna need me to sing these lyrics, I'd rather just play keys.

Jam (Blushing): GIVE THAT BACK!!

Cess (Laughing): That has to be the cheesiest lyrics I've ever read

Jam: I think it's alright!!!

Cess: Not only is it NOT alright, it also doesn't work with ANY instruments because of the pacing.

Jam: What do you mean? It reads like a poem! Perfectly counted by the stanza, the word count and even the hidden rhyming scheme!

Cess: That's the point Jam, it's too.. closed off. What I mean is that the song won't be able to breathe. Your lyrics are gonna suffocate dude. Here, let me fix it for you.

The two spend time laughing, talking about music and sharing ideas. Jam, perfectly in sync with nature, let's his thoughts run wild with his music all the while Cess begins to appreciate life more than just existing. Realizing she knows a lot about music by teaching Jam the basics, she starts to appreciate her talents and skills. For the first time in her life, she begins to act autonomous.

END