Talk To Me

"What was that?!" My father asked in a loud whisper. "We had a deal! And you didn't fulfill it." He intensely took the violin from me and I suddenly jerked in fear. "Have some decency! We're in public!" My mom gripped my dad's forearm, subtly glancing at Alicia. "You're the one behind this, again." He yanked his arm away from her. "Stop corrupting my son with your fantasies!" His strong grasp on the violin made the wood cry in pain.

My mother's eyes widen. "Corrupt? He's happy! And there's no deal. It's just you and what you want!"

"What I want is for his studies to get better! For his life to be less miserable!" Their bickering slowly turns into a full-blown fight. I bit my lip as my mouth trembled. I fiddled with the hem of my shirt to somehow ease my anxiety as my childhood memories forcefully came flooding back.

"I'm a failure", he said. "I'll never amount to anything", he said. They all looked at me with their superior gaze, pinning in my heart that I was not good enough. I've never been good in school. Not now, not ever. I tried, though. Especially when my passion for playing was on the line.

I was not really angry at my father when he blamed my passion for the violin as a distraction. He just saw that as a hobby. A hobby that wouldn't be useful in a company. A hobby not worth mentioning when your son is pulling a C average in school. My mother was in pain in supporting my dad's decision. However, her regret was much more noticeable when my grades didn't improve that much. I was sad when my father's colleagues kept comparing their son's A's to my straight B's and all he could do was stay silent in the corner, fuming with rage while they degrade him and his genes.

"You have to stop!" My mother's breathy voice rang like a hawk, snapping me back to reality. "His life is not your own. He's not entitled to save your fragile ego! Let him go. Let him be happy." She forcefully put a new brochure of the music university in his hands.

I just closed my eyes. My taste buds soured when I tasted a metallic taste in my mouth and a liquid dripped on the floor. I felt someone put their hand on mine. It's Alicia. She wiped the blood off my mouth affectionately. She doesn't say anything but her actions speak louder than words.

They both stopped, looking at us. My mother's worried face pierces through my heart and I can see my dad's expression changing subtly. My father broke into a sigh. "Ok. I'd like to have a deal." He whispered. My mother covered her face in irritation. "Not again..."

"A proper deal this time." He approached me with an intense gaze. "I want you in my company. Be rich there. Settle down with a wife." He looked at the surprised Alicia. My mouth fell open to contradict him, but I couldn't dare interrupt him.

"But... Your mother is right." She suddenly jumped in joy, screaming with restrained excitement. "I'm always right, aren't I?" My dad shakes his head. "I'm going to give you a chance. You'll go to whatever place this is." He looked at the brochure. "France?!"

My father surprisingly looked at my mother as she shrugged. He cleared his throat before continuing. "I'm giving you a full year to succeed. To give me the validation I need that I'm not wasting my money on you. I want you to be famous as a violinist. Do whatever you can. Or..." He stops, looking at me with an indiscernible face. "Or you'll come back home, train to become a worthy successor, and I wouldn't hear a thing from you or from your mother. Is it good enough?" My dad glanced at me and my nodding mother.

"Don't worry! I'm always right!" My mother hugged him. "Thank you bubby... Now go kill that stage!" She slaps him in the ass before he fixes his coat. "Anything for you, Qīn'ài de (Darling)." He kisses her before hyping himself, taking the stage with confidence like that 'talk' didn't even happen.

My mother sighs in relief. "Yes!" She suddenly hugged me. "Now you're officially going to Paris! Yieeeee! I hope Alicia doesn't mind." Al shakes her head immediately. "Not at all Mrs. Chaotan." My mother blushes. "God is truly good. Now! After we go home, I'll help you apply to the university. Ok?" She prances off, not even waiting for an answer.

"That was wild," Alicia said with a whisper. "Yeah... I'm sorry I couldn't stop them though. For the 'wife' thing." I replied with a disappointed tone.

"No worries. I know this is important to you. I have one request though." She dropped into a hushed tone as she leaned on my ear. "Please keep my confession a secret. I still can't come out." She looks at me with pleading eyes. "Of course." I hugged her, giving her a comforting heat.

I definitely knew how to have a conservative parent. I know cause I have one.

"Your secret's safe with me," I reassured her.

However, I'm still curious who her girlfriend is. I thought we couldn't keep secrets from each other even if we tried. I'm definitely curious how and when she got a girlfriend.

My phone rang multiple times. "Who is it?" Alicia asked. "It's from an unknown number." Al pesters me to open it and our mouths both dropped.

~~ "You're in danger. Stay away from secluded areas and always have someone with you. Lay low or run away. I repeat. YOU ARE IN DANGER!" ~~