Trial 3: Play my Skill

I was greeted by the sunlight; signaling me that it's time to get up. The time reads 8:00 am.

I checked up on my phone and it showed that there's an unread message. Upon reading the message, in delight, I squealed, "Yes! I am going to a job interview and assessment tomorrow. It says the work will be every weekend only which works perfectly for me. I guess it's the reason why the interview is tomorrow."

I did my usual house chores before I left to shop for my one-week supplies and to drop by a music store.

It was already five in the afternoon when I got back.

"Today's shopping deals are great especially the one at the music store. I'm excited about that electric keyboard's delivery. I just need to wait for an hour. I wish shopping deals are always as great as today's."

As I wait for the delivery of my newly purchased keyboard, I organize my supplies and then, begin preparing for dinner. At 6:03 pm, the delivery person arrived and brought in the keyboard. I couldn't contain my excitement so I immediately set the instrument up. I want to start playing the instrument right then and there, but I decided to have dinner first. I ate faster than usual as though imitating a tornado passing by at a speed of light. At last, I got my awaited practice time. It's been almost a year since my last practice so this time, I spent hours practicing until I felt satisfied.

The next morning, I got up to have breakfast. Then, I head out to attend a Sunday mass like the old times. When the mass ended an hour later, I rushed myself home to continue my practice until my stomach growls out of hunger. I ate a light lunch and took a short rest after; and without more ado, I step out of my apartment for my interview and assessment.

In the job interview, I was asked the usual questions, whereas, in the assessment, I was asked to demonstrate how I would teach playing the piano to a beginner. At that moment, I remembered the way mama first taught me how to play the piano, and I did the demo class exactly that way. My playing skills were also tested; from playing simple songs up to some more complex ones. I performed the "Happy Birthday Song," "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Mary Had a Little Lamb," Sebastian Bach's "Minuet," Frederic Chopin's "Fantaisie Impromptu," and Franz Lizst and Niccolo Paganini's "La Campanella."

Though tiring, my efforts came to fruition because sooner than later, I received favorable remarks from the interviewer and was hired for the part-time private piano tutor post. Albeit it is supposed to be an all-weekend class, the interviewer instructed me to have my first day of work on the following Sunday, and starting the following week after that, I will report on both Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The job interview and assessment exhausted me so, I opted to ride a taxi to go back home. All that fills my mind while onboard the taxi is having dinner and going straight to bed. Tough fate though, my soothing thoughts were interrupted when the driver halted the car and pulled over to a parking lot near a small park at the plaza which is about two kilometers away from my apartment.

"Um, sir, what's the matter?" queried me

The taxi driver replied, "You see, Miss, I didn't eat lunch and now, I'm feeling its effects. Could you wait on that park's bench over there? I just need to fill my stomach. Don't worry; I'll be back in a jiffy."

I reluctantly agreed and alighted the car. I settled on the park's bench that the driver pointed out and waited patiently for his return.

It took exactly seven minutes before the driver had returned, holding meals for two people.

The taxi driver cleared his throat, catching my attention. He uttered, "Here, miss, take the other one."

I answered back, "You didn't have to buy another meal just for me. Besides, I'm not yet that hungry so thanks but no thanks."

The taxi driver clicked his tongue, then, threw a question, "You don't expect me to finish these two complete meals, do you?"

In response to the question, I retorted, "I said nothing of the sort, sir."

"Whatever, miss, just take it and eat it. And relax, there's nothing weird in it," pointed the driver.

I remained unconvinced and didn't do anything with the other meal even when the driver started eating.

My action made the driver speak again.

"Look, miss, this park is public. If I were to drug or poison you, shouldn't it be in a more deserted place?"

It took me a minute of consideration before joining the driver to eat. The meal includes a Bruschetta, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Pasta, Chicken Piccata, Spinach Salad, and Vanilla Chocolate Panna Cotta plus bottled water.

Around twenty-five minutes later, we finished eating.

The air remained silent for a couple of minutes until the taxi driver loudly burped causing me to comment, "Excuse you, sir."

The taxi driver responds with a click of a tongue and says, "Sorry, if my burp is that nasty to you."

I quickly apologize and explain, "I didn't mean it that way, sir, and sorry anyway for offending you."

The taxi driver just nods in acknowledgment.

"So, I guess you're all full now, sir and you can continue driving me back to my apartment?" I questioned

"Not yet, miss. I hope you'll consider giving me time for a little walk in this park," replied the driver.

I snort and say, "Okay, just make it quick. I'm dying to be home."

The taxi driver then grabs my left hand and starts walking.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

The driver contends, "Come on, would you rather wait, doing nothing and bore yourself out of it? Besides, you'll suffer indigestion if you remained seated after such a heavy meal."

I flushed in embarrassment with the driver's last statement and agreed to go along with him.

Our walk lasted for about a quarter.

Then, at last, we're back to where the car is parked. And just then and there, the driver suddenly kneels onto the ground, grabs a small box out of his pocket, and says, "Miss, how about you marry me after this and get away from all these predicaments?"

I thought I heard it wrong so I lean down to almost reach the driver's level and ask, "Did you just propose?"

The driver draws out a whistle and quips, "Perfect miss, you heard me right. Now, just say yes and I'll whisk you away from all these agonies."

I guffaw at the response from the driver, and declare, "No, I won't marry you, sir. I am not yet in my wits' end for me to welcome a marriage proposal from someone who I just met or who just met me. May I kindly suggest that you go seek professional help, sir? You seriously have some unscrewed screws in your brain. Thanks for the meal and goodbye! I hope your brain gets fixed."

I scram the place and head home.

The driver seems to be watching my retreating form while shaking his head.

Back in my apartment room, I thought about all the things that happened during the day and lamented, "Goodness me, I shouldn't have said those things to that poor driver. Life probably went so hard to him to the point of marring his normal cognition. What he did cracked me up though. I went all cranky because of that. Sure, he was wrong but, I still wish I could apologize to him for my actions. I guess I'll just pray that he gets well soon."

Feeling exhausted, I fell asleep at the drop of a hat once I laid on my bed.