It had been almost 3 weeks since Kento's diagnosis. Aside from medication to restore his health, Kento underwent therapies and exercises on a regular basis. His support group consisting of his parents, Ate Ai, Kuya Dondi, Leah, and Lucas, all learned how to do the therapies so that Kento's muscles would not atrophy from non-use. According to his doctors, Kento was lucky that they were able to diagnose and start treatment very early. Although he presented the classic symptoms of the tingling sensations on his fingers and feet and the 'traveling' paralysis from his feet, upwards, Kento's face was not totally affected by the paralysis. And although he could not breath on his own for almost a week, his breathing was slowly improving that they didn't need to attach a tracheotomy tube to his windpipe. It was only a matter of time when he'd plateau and return to 'normal.'

It took Leah several days to allow the helpers to rearrange her bedroom and return the mattress to the guest room. Leah could not fully understand or explain how she became so attached to Kento even though they were only physically together again for just a few days before he was put into a medically induced coma at the onset of his confinement in the ICU. She was also present most days of the week at his bedside or just outside his door.

Leah tearfully gathered Kento's things and put them into his bag. She deliberated whether to return it to his parents or just keep it until Kento wakes up. Carrying the backpack, Leah looked at the doors of her bedroom cabinets. She tried to envision its contents and recalled that there was not enough space left. She went to the guest room and opened one of the cabinet doors. The lower portion had enough space to store things. In fact, most of their extra linen and pillows were stored there. Because the guest room was an extra bedroom, the cabinets were also designed to store clothes. On the racks were the family's winter clothes which they accumulated over the years of travel abroad. Many of the dry-cleaned clothes still had the laundromat's bags and hangers. There were quite a few gowns and formal dresses which belonged to Leah and her mom. Leah's favorite was a "princess" gown which she wore at her very first violin recital. Leah suddenly recalled that all the other kids were nervous before they were called to the stage while she was calm and confident. Even her mom, who was going to play the piano for her was also a little nervous. In the end, she was given a special award after.

After over a year of 'banning' music in their home, Leah nervously entered their music room/den. She had just put away Kento's bag in the closet where their formal wear and thick coats were stored in the guest room where Kento stayed for one night. Leah was surprised to see the brand new baby grand piano in the middle of the room. Before her accident, they had an upright piano outside in the living room. A music stand stood next to it for when Leah practiced playing the violin. Most of the time, her mom or dad would play the piano while she accompanied them on the violin. On other times, Leah would sit at the piano and play. Leah cautiously approached the piano and saw the wrapped box on the piano bench. It was rather big and sat diagonally across one side of the bench.

"Congratulations on another wonderful performance! We can't wait to watch your next solo performance. We're so proud of you! Love, Mom and Dad"

Leah tearfully tore off the wrapper and discovered a brand new, top of the line violin inside. Leah suddenly remembered her parents always mentioning that she should change her violin to a newer one since the one she was using was already old. She had had it repaired so many times already for various reasons.

---

"Anong oras nga pupunta si Leah sa ospital?" Manang Yolly asked Joyce. They were in the kitchen preparing the things Leah would bring to the hospital.

"Mamayang 4 o'clock pa po." Joyce replied while looking at the clock on the wall.

"Eto namang si Mimay e. Ang hilig makialam sa gamit ng may gamit." Manang Yolly said, annoyed. "Mimay!" she called out.

"Nasa labas po, nagwawalis" Gina, the other helper, replied.

"Eh sino ang nagpapatugtog ng radyo?"

Gina shrugged her shoulders. "Nabilhan nyo na ba ng battery yung radyo nyo?"

Manang Yolly remembered that she had not had the chance to get batteries for her radio yet. She went to the maids' quarters to check followed by Gina and Joyce. They found the radio switched off. Leah's house was in a big subdivision and theirs was the only house they knew who had a violin player and enthusiast.

Perplexed, Manang Yolly turned to the two girls and asked, "May bagong lipat ba dito na kapitbahay?"

Gina shook her head. "Hindi ko po alam. Pero bakit parang ang lapit at lakas ng tugtog? Baka naman TV sa garahe?."

"O baka si MImay...baka kinalikot yung TV sa taas..."

"Po?" The tree ladies were surprised to see Mimay in the room. She walked to her closet to get some clothes so she could shower and change. "Nagwalis po ako sa labas. Maliligo lang po ako tapos iaakyat ko na po yung laundry ni Ate Leah. Diba bukas na po ang uwi nina Ma'am at Sir?" The three ladies looked at each other and walked past Mimay and out of the room. "Bakit po?" Mimay wondered. She followed the ladies out of the room. They followed the music. In the music room/den, Leah concentrated on the piece she was playing, with tears streaming down her face.

They entered the room and quietly watched Leah play. The melody was very emotional that all of them started to tear up as well. When the piece ended. Leah opened her eyes and saw her 'audience'. Manang Yolly approached her and hugged her.

"Manang! Si Kento!" Leah wailed.

"Shhh! Gagaling si Kento. Wag kang mag-alala." Manang Yolly consoled and assured her.

---

At the hospital, Kento's fingers slightly moved. When Leah came into the room an hour later, she was surprised to see him uncovered and his blanket on the floor. Just a while earlier, as Leah approached Kento's door, she noticed a nurse come out with a small tray. Leah knew that there was nobody else in the room except for Kento who had remained motionless for many weeks.