Melancholic
Star
A
Short Story
Rhythm of Regret
You
comforted me and held me tight,
You made me strong, you made everything all right.
I'm sorry for the pain.
I'm sorry for leaving you.
If there's only one thing to do, I'll make it up to you...
I promised to love you even more than before.
-Jonjay Damz
A Change of Heart
She remembered it
so well. It was the 5th of February 1984. It was another successful theater
performance. She has always been the big star. Her so-called friends celebrated
the success of the theater act. She was so overwhelmed by joy because many
people came to watch her show.
Being
an actress had always been her greatest aspiration. Now that she's well-off and
famous, what more could she ask for? She has everything! People adore her, a lot of folks love
her, her fans would worship her--she is, without a doubt, a 'legend'.
Her
success is due to her uphill struggle and devotion. She's indebted to no one
for her accomplishment so she deserves all the prestige.
Currently,
they're having this mind-boggling party. It's 7:00 PM and she's sitting on her
own chaise lounge--laughing, giggling, smiling, talking and cheering with her
friends.
They
were having a grand festivity when suddenly; her friend named Romero entered
the room. She was busy chatting with someone when he approached and handed over
her a telegram.
"This was delivered this morning." He said.
Out of
curiosity, she opened it promptly. The minute she had done reading it, her
world became dark and gray. She couldn't comprehend the emotion she was
experiencing. It
was like a murky space alone and in segregation. Everything appeared to be in
slow motion; she could not hear the people around her. All she can take notice
of are the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"How did I forget him?" she asked herself a
dozen times. Then out of the blue, everything seemed to be clear again.
Afterward,
a light of flashback appeared in her mind.
The Dream
The day he took her
to the theater was the day she realized she also wanted to be an actress.
Seeing people perform and act on stage was just magical. She also dreamed to be
up there performing. When she told him about her desire, he was so delighted
for her. He was once an actor so he taught and told her things on how to become
a good actress.
He helped her develop her skills in singing and
dancing. She became better every day. He was very supportive. She loved him so
much that she always did her best to make him proud. He was indeed everything
to her.
On day,
she auditioned for the Dorothy play in London. Fortunately, she passed the
try-out and was given the lead role. On that time, her desire to become an
actress was no longer a simple pipe dream.
Parted Love
It was the 8th of
March when she last saw him. He had grown old but he still had the same gentle
smile. He was watching her by the distance. Although she was acting on stage,
she still managed to take a glimpse of him. While he was observing, she couldn't
help but remember the moments when she used to practice monologues in front of
him.
When
the play was over, many people approached her for an autograph. When she looked
back to see her other fans, she saw him smiling at her. He extended his arms
and reached for her hand. She got hold of his too but the crowd was too thick. So
she disregarded the idea of grasping and went inside her dressing room with her
talent agent.
The man
waited for a long time. But she was nowhere to be found after the show. She
totally forgot about him being there. He was left lonesome and poignant.
The Painful Truth
Five years elapsed.
She set off her own path without him on her side. She was blinded by the
influential and luxurious people who made her vain and insensitive. She has
forgotten the real her in just a short span of time. And most importantly, she
disregarded the only man who loved and cared for her when she was still a
nobody.
Now,
everything is so lucid. "How did I forget him? Him, the man who taught me everything I need
to know. The man who believed in me when no one did, the man who loved
me for who I am?" her heart was torn into a million
pieces upon reading that telegram. She couldn't help but cry upon realizing her
mistakes.
It was
too late for an apology. She supplanted him over fame and riches, she replaced
him over diamonds and gold, she traded him over name and power. She has
forgotten the only man she ever loved.
She
stood up flouting the puzzled look of everyone. She ran out of the room and
left the building. It was raining outside but she moved out anyway. She wanted
to escape from the things that blinded her for years. She soaked herself in the
rain, weeping.
Moreover,
wishing she could turn back time and just be with her beloved father once
again.
***END***
All rights reserved © Shiya Tamasao 2016
