Two weeks later, Leah woke up at the hospital scared and confused. From being a strong, independent woman, she suddenly needed to depend on others for all her needs. Leah began her therapies almost as soon as she was discharged from the hospital, almost three months after the accident. Because she felt frustrated about her situation, she was always in a bad mood and fought with the nurses and therapists who tried to help her. Before she was discharged from hospital, Leah's was told, "Medicines and therapies can only help you so much. You have to help yourself if you want to talk, walk, and even play the violin again."

"There's hope, Li. Don't give up." Her mom said when Joyce, her caregiver, reported about what transpired at Leah's therapy sessions.

Everything changed after the accident. The once happy and light atmosphere at home turned somber. Music was replaced by grunting and painful shouting. Even if Leah's parents tried to maintain a positive attitude, it was evident how sad and hurt they were for their daughter. On the day of the accident, a brand-new baby grand piano and a D Z Strad Model 509 violin were delivered to their house. It was a gift from her parents. They were waiting to surprise Leah with it so it remained covered in the manufacturer's packaging in the now locked music room.

"Kelan kaya tayo makakarinig ng pagtugtog ni Ate Leah ulit?" Gina, one of the young helpers, sighed.

"Bakit? Ayaw mo ba dun sa mga pinatutugtog ni Manang Yolly?" Ate Becky, the other helper, asked.

Gina pursed her lips then whispered, "Feeling ko, tatanda ako ng maaga sa pa-music ni Manang e."

Ate Becky giggled. "Kapanahunan nya kasi yung mga tugtog." She then imitates how some singers sing with a very distinct quiver (vibrato) in their voices.

Gina laughed. "Ganyan nga sila kumanta sa amin. Tapos, lahat ata ng pwedeng gawing pa-contest sa kantahan, ginawa na."

"Sumali ka?"

"Ako? Hindi. Baka bumagyo pag kumanta ako! Pero yung mga taga sa amin, naku! Nakikipagkumpitensya pa sa kambing kung maka-tremolo!"

Suddenly, loud music echoed across the kitchen. Leah screamed in anger. The music was switched off immediately, but this already affected Leah's mood.

"Sorry po, Ate. Namangha kasi ako kung paano paandarin yung ganung klaseng stereo." Mimay, another young helper, tearfully apologized. She was intrigued by the big stereo in the kitchen. Leah's dad brought it to the kitchen to show it to Leah's cousin, Andy. Andy was also a music enthusiast and Leah's dad wanted Andy to take a look at the 'old' boombox and to hopefully sell it.

"Bakit kasi pinakikialaman kung hindi naman alam kung paano gamitin?" Leah said. Leah had relearned how to speak and still did therapy to relearn how to walk.

"Sorry po talaga, Ate." Mimay replied. "Mag-iingat po ako sa susunod."

"Dapat lang." Leah scowled.

"Tama na yan." Mom interjected. "Joyce?"

"Ma'am?"

"Maghanda ka na. Nag-message yung therapy center. May bago daw kayong PT." Mom told Joyce, Leah's caregiver. Joyce nodded and went out of the kitchen.

"Bago na naman?" Leah complained.

"Kung hindi ka masungit sa kanila, hindi ka nila aayawan." Mom said.

"Eh! Hindi sila marunong. Masakit!" Leah whined.

"Masakit talaga. Alam mo naman yun, diba? Konting tiis pa..." Mom said. Months before today, she would sometimes breakdown in the bathroom. But soon she learned to show some "tough love". Leah was surprised to hear her mom talk to her that way, but she also knew that she needed to push herself harder to get back to her old self.

Leah slumped into her wheelchair and pouted. Joyce returned to the kitchen to wheel Leah to the car. Since the accident, Leah hated being out of her room or interacting with other people. She was in constant pain and always felt exhausted. She wasn't used to having someone be with her 24/7. Before the accident, she would go out on weekends with her friends. If there was an upcoming performance, she would practice for hours on end. Even if the pieces she played sounded good to her friends, family and the people in the house, Leah wanted it to be "perfect". But since the accident, the only other sounds heard around the house were the birds chirping and vehicles passing outside. Gone was the laughter and music. If ever Manang Yolly played her radio, it was very soft and when Leah was in her bedroom on the other side of the house. Leah also demanded that her violin be kept. "Kung may lakas lang ako, sisirain ko na yan!" Leah cried. "Wala na yang silbi sa akin. Di na ako makakatugtog kahit kelan!"