Captured Melody

1

Caleb~

As usual, I'll be chilling in my spot in the park.

After every band rehearsal, I usually come here because it is calming here, at least for me. There are a lot of people here sometimes, and sometimes, just a few.

I'm a musician. Well, not professionally. I've been in a band with my friends for 8 years. We call ourselves The Rule Breakers. I'm the band's lead guitarist, by the way. I also do back up.

I was enjoying the breeze, then I decided to check the time. It's late and I need to go back to my apartment. I also have to feed my cat.

I stood up and took my things and started walking my way to the exit of the park. My apartment is just a one-ride-of-the-bus far. I put on my headphones and set my playlist on full blast.

Now, I'll just walk peacefully and mi--

"OH SHARDS!"

A rushing girl just suddenly bumped into me. I didn't notice her either, so I guess I'm at fault too. Everything just went so fast for me. I even dropped my phone.

"Oh my God! I am so sorry." She said.

She seems to be in a hurry, and she sure carries a lot of portfolios. She hurriedly picked up all the things she dropped and, of course, I helped her. As I was helping her, I noticed one of her portfolios was open. It was a portfolio of Polaroid pictures. I kind of wanted to take a look but she immediately picked it up. So I just brushed it off and, instead, picked up my phone.

"I'm really, really sorry for that. I didn't mean to bump into you."

"No, it's fine."

"I was in a hurry so I didn't, kind of notice you." She explained.

I can see how she felt bad about the inconvenience. But really, it was not much of a big deal to me.

"Just be careful next time," I said.

"I will. I'm really sorry. Gotta go."

As soon as she turned her back on me, I started walking away. After a few walks, I heard my headphones disconnected from my phone. It's Bluetooth headphones so, yeah.

I was about to reconnect it but when I turned on my phone, I was shocked to see the different wallpaper on the screen.

This isn't my phone.

"Hey!"

I turned my head and saw that girl again, running towards me while waving the phone or, rather, my phone that she was holding.

"We had our phones swapped."

"I see that."

"We have the same phone. I didn't notice that." She said while giggling, "Well, I guess I gotta change my phone case."

Hmm, I notice how lively she speaks. It's as if everything she's saying is filled with positivity.

We exchanged phones and she then waved goodbye to me while apologizing, again. I just nodded to her and went on about my way.

I took the bus and endured the one-hour traffic. As soon as I arrived at my destination, I immediately walked my way to my apartment. I took out my keys from my bag and opened my apartment door. I sighed when I was finally inside.

Home sweet home.

I sat down on my couch for awhile. I noticed how messy my apartment is. My clothes were thrown everywhere, my game console was not properly put in place, some dishes weren't washed, everything was just a total mess.

meow~

Cleo, my cat, greeted me and rubbed herself on me, "Yeah, I know you're hungry."

After a few minutes of recharging myself, I stood up and did all the things I needed to do. I picked up all the dirty clothes and put them in the hamper. Then I put my game console, which was scattered all over the floor, in its right place. I then swept the floor. After that, I took care of the dishes, fed Cleo, cooked dinner, ate and then, took a shower.

When I got out of the shower, I heard my phone ringing. I checked who might be calling me and I wasn't surprised to see my Mom's name on the screen. I answered her call.

"Hello, Mom?'"

"Caleb? How are you? Have you had your dinner yet?"

"Yes, Mom."

"You're taking good care of yourself, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay. That's good to hear. Anyway, I called because.." She stopped. I know why she called. She wants me to go home.

"Mom? We have already talked about this."

"Caleb, are you seriously going to waste your potential with that band?" She annoyingly said, "you should've graduated by now. You could've had that degree already. I've always seen you inheriting and looking after the family business."

I stayed quiet the whole time she was talking. I really don't understand why she can't see that this is what I wanted in the first place. She's never been supportive of me. She always hates it when she sees me holding my guitar. She even told me that I have no future in doing music. I even get compared to my cousins.

My family owned a fishing port and it has always been a successful business.

I don't have anything against the family business. In fact, it's the reason why we have a good life. It just sucks that my Mother wants me to handle it and give up my love for music. Forever.

"Caleb, honey, please. Come home." She pleaded.

I was too speechless to say anything to her at that moment.

If only you were here, Dad.

"Mom, please. I don't want to keep repeating myself over and over again. I'm sorry. But, this is what I want."

"You're making the wrong decision, Caleb."

"I'd rather take a risk, Mom."

"Well, I hope you won't regret it," she said.

"I'll go ahead. Bye, Mom." I said, then hung up.

My family is rich. We already have two branches of fishing ports operating. And, a third one was actually being built in a different city. The business was actually passed down to my Father. But since he's gone now, my Mother is the one handling it now.

I have a sister, Charlotte, who is currently studying at a university. She's pursuing a career in business. I've always seen her to be the one inheriting the business, since she's more capable of it. But somehow, our Mom wants it to be me.

"I wish you were still here, Dad." I whispered as I was closing my eyes.

And just like that, I fell asleep.