Piano music filled the small apartment. Nanay was humming along while washing clothes in the laundry area out back. Tatay smiled broadly as he worked in the garage. The little kids were happily dancing next to the piano. When the music stopped, the kids shouted, "More! Play ka pa, Kuya!"

At around the time Leah moved her foot voluntarily, Kento suddenly felt the urge to play happier and upbeat pieces. Everyone was already enjoying the happy, lively music from the piano, but they were happily surprised to hear a more upbeat tune.

"Anong title nung tinugtog mo kanina?" Tatay asked when they sat down for dinner.

"Anna po."

"Anna?" Nanay asked.

"Opo. Kinompose po ni Louie Ocampo at kinananta naman po ng Apo Hiking Society."

"Sya nga?" Tatay replied. He liked the catchy beat.

"Opo." Kento smiled.

"Anna ba ang pangalan nya?" Nanay teased minutes later.

Kento didn't answer. He just smiled and continued eating. They finished their meal and Kento washed the dishes. The family watched TV together before turning in for the night.

---

Kento walked toward the therapy center after having coffee wtih Lucas. He checked his watch when he saw someone enter ahead of him.

"Ang aga nyo yata." Kento said to Joyce when he saw her at the receptionist's lobby.

"Ah opo. Andun na po si Ate Leah sa loob."

Kento felt a little strange. It wasn't a nervous feeling but more of excitement. He went to the employees locker room first before proceeding to the activity area. Moments later, he saw Leah on the floor next to her wheelchair.

Kento rushed to Leah and immediately bent down to assist her. "Did you fall?"

"No. I'm fine. It's okay. Aren't we supposed to start with the balance ball anyway?" Leah said then looked toward the big exercise balls nearby. These were used to help patients practice their balance and strengthen their core muscles.

"Ah. O-oo. Wait." Kento was about to move to get one of the balls when Leah said, "Wait. I want to show you something."

"Huh? Ano yun?"

In his shock to see Leah on the floor, he didn't notice that she was holding her phone. Normally, patients are not allowed to use their phones in the activity area. She held out her phone and shared a video.

"Whoa! Wow! Kelan to?" Kento exclaimed.

"Last night." Leah replied. They both looked at her outstretched legs and a few long moments later, she was able to command her foot to move!

Surprised, Kento lunged at Leah and hugged her. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks!" Leah replied. She was surprised by Kento's hug that it took her a few seconds to react and put her arms around him, too. Then, overwhelmed with emotions, she began to cry. "I've waited for this to happen for a long time!" Leah sobbed. From that day, she was more determined to complete her therapies even if they were challenging and exhausting.

---

Mommy, Daddy, Andrea, and everyone else started to notice that Leah was slowly returning to her old, jolly self. She complained less and smiled more. One day, she even requested for Manang Yolly to bring out her radio and play some music in the kitchen. Although she had yet to play music again, Leah was slowly relearning to enjoy it again.

Since the day Leah voluntarily moved her foot, Kento always gave her notes of encouragement at the end of the therapy session. "Ano yan?" Leah asked when she saw the note stuck to her wheelchair. In fact, it was only now that Leah noticed the same affirmation posters on the walls of the center.

"Just something to make you smile. You look better when you smile." Leah said when she picked up the note from her wheelchair before Kento helped her in it.

"Thanks." Leah said, smiling hesitantly. Deep inside, she felt giddy.

From then, Leah looked forward to the small notes from Kento. She treasured all these.

---

"Why?" Leah asked when she noticed Kento staring at her fingers while massaging her hand as part of her therapy.

"Kelan ka tutugtog ulit?" Kento said softly. He assumed that her music was a sensitive topic. He knew about her skills from her files plus he had seen her perform prior to the accident. But still, it was only Lucas, his best friend, who knew more about how Kento felt toward Leah.

Leah quickly pulled her hand away. One of her recovery goals was to be able to play the violin again. However, she still didn't have the confidence to try.

"Sorry. But sayang naman yung talent mo." Kento said. "I'm sure a lot of people want to hear you play again."

Leah didn't reply. She had not told anyone, but her mentor and other orchestra-mates had been messaging her, asking when she would be coming back to be with the orchestra again.

"Don't you miss performing?" Kento continued, bringing Leah back to the present.

"Hmm."

"I'd want to hear you play." Kento said, almost whispering.

Kento had not formally said anything about his feelings toward Leah. Leah, too, was a little apprehensive about being in a relationship especially in her present condition. In her mind, she didn't want to be an added burden to anyone else.

---

Music was Kento's stress-reliever. He played the piano as a hobby. He also dreamed of performing before, but this was put aside when he needed to earn to help support his family. When he was still a student, he sometimes played at bars and hotels to earn some extra cash. He was able to find work at the therapy center of the hospital after graduation.

"Nak?" Nanay called out.

"Sandali lang po." Kento replied. He was in his room looking for something.

"Lumabas ka na diyan at kakain na tayo."

"Opo."

But it took Kento another 20 minutes before he joined his parents at the table.

"Gumagawa ka ulit ng therapy plan para sa pasyente?" Tatay asked as he passed the plate of rice to Kento.

"Ah. Hindi po. May hinahanap po ako."

"Ano yun?" Nanay asked.

"Blank music sheets po."

"Ano yun?" Nanay asked.

"Yung papel po para sa piyesa."

"Ah. Tingnan mo dyan sa upuan ng piano. Baka may naipit sa mga piyesang nakatago."

Kento glanced at the piano and tried to remember the contents of the piano bench. After dinner and washing the dishes, Kento found the blank sheets he was looking for. He went to Nanay and kissed her.

"Huh?" Nanay said, surprised. "Bakit?"

"Wala lang. I love you, Nay!"

"I love you, too."

"Tay!" Kento called out to Tatay in the living room.

"O?" Tatay looked at Kento and Nanay who were in the kitchen. He had moved to the sofa to watch some TV.

"I love you po, Tay!"

"Ah. I love you, too." Tatay replied. Then, he took a second look at Kento. "Teka, may kailangan ka?"

"Po?"

"Bakit bigla-bigla ka naman nag a-I love you?" Nanay asked; her arms were around Kento's waist.

"Wala naman po. Masaya lang po ako. Pero kahit na hindi ako masaya, love ko pa rin kayo ni Tatay."

"Masaya ka? Hmm...si Anna ba to?" Nanay whispered.

"Po?"

"Sus! Kunwari ka pa e bistado na kita. Namumula yang mga tenga mo o."

"Ah eh. Halata po ba?" Kento said, slightly embarrassed, scratching his ear.

"Kelan namin sya makikilala?"

"Kaibigan ko pa lang po. Di ko pa po nililigawan."

"Aba! Dalian mo na! Gusto ko na magka-apo!"

"Nay! Ang dami nyo nang apo o." Kento nodded toward the framed photos on the wall. Kento had an older sister, Ai. Ate Ai had four children aged 2 to 9. Their framed photos were proudly displayed on the wall.

"Hmm. Eh sa yo? Nakakamiss kayang humawak ng sanggol."

Kento let Nanay sit on a chair and he sat on her lap. "Ako nalang kaya buhatin nyo?"

"Ang baby damulag ko na maasim ang kili-kili!" Nanay said, teasing and pinching Kento on his side. Kento winced and laughed.

After a few moments, Nanay asked, "Gagawan mo ba sya ng kanta?"

"Susubukan ko po." Kento said. "Sana magustuhan nya."

"Sigurado akong sasagutin ka nya!" Nanay said.

"Di ko pa nga po nililigawan e."

"Ah basta! Malakas ang kutob ko!"

*video from youtube

I couldn't find a pure piano version...