I woke up and went to make myself some breakfast when I heard Vinyl outside getting the mail. She walked inside and as usual always had her headsets on. She went though the mail and after about a minute, she handed me one of the mail.
"I wonder what this is about." I asked, curious.
She shrugged and continued to look though the mail. I open it and saw it was a letter. It appeared to be from someone I wasn't acquainted with. Maybe it was one of my fans. It read,
Dear Octavia,
I'm sure a lot of people have said this, but you an inspiring musical goddess I have ever seen in my life. Believe it or not, you has changed not just my little sis's life, but my own as well. I hope you will take your time reading this, as it is a story of how you changed our lifes.
Our mom died and our dad left us when my little sister was just just a kid. I was left to take care of her while maintaining two jobs. My little sister was the one who had found your music and became a fan of yours. She first heard of you on TV and after seeing you for the first time, she became a avid fan and started to fill her MP3 with your music and nothing else. She would listen to you every day, even while at school or just relaxing at home. She even a violin in honor of you and at one point, brought it to school.
She was separated from others when it comes to music, but she didn't mind as long as she hears your violin playing. She convinced me one day to give it a listen which at the time, was been busy studying for college. so hard, to listen to one of your songs. She played one of your songs and forcefully plugged the earphone to my ears. It was then I realized how you, despite not being physically here, played with such passion and care, I could stop listening to it. Since then, I became one of your fans, along with my sister.
My sister and I would always check online to find songs played by you. Other times, we would listen to other music like techno but most of the time, we were listening to you. When she saw your concert on one of the videos, she was so excited and glowing with energy. She could finally see you, even though it wasn't in person.
When she got out of school, she would tell me a story about how some bullies would harass her about what she liked. They would said things like, "You're listening to someone who does it for fame?" And she would answered, "So what? You listen to music because you like it, right? I'm sure you don't listen to songs just because the singer is popular, you listen to it because it makes you feel good, and it makes your heart glow with love." Despite their harassment, she continued to look up to you.
One time, she draw you with your violin. When I looked at her drawing, it felt like you were here playing for her. She even submitted it to her teacher as her homework assignment and she got the highest score.
She would practice playing the violin everyday. At school, at home, just about any chance she gets. She was a really happy kid, despite both our parents being gone. Unfortunately, everything changed. One day, we were walking home and as we crossed the street, she ran in front of me and a speeding car hit her. Lucky, the other cars stopped and one even took her inside the car and drove her to the hospital.
We ran inside and she was rushed into the operating room. I waited for about two hours before I was able to see her. When I got into the room, I saw her wearing white dress, awake but she had patches on her head and chest, and she was wearing a breathing apparatus. The doctor told me that she had a brain damage and the damage was to great, and that she would only have a short time to live.
She only had about a week left to live.
She kept tell me that she was fine but it seems she doesn't know the full damage from the accident. I tried to keep a brave face but to be honest, I was on the verge of tears. First our parents and now she was going to be the next. I thought I was going to be alone.
She was unable to leave the hospital and was stuck in bed everyday. Despite her condition, she was always smiling when she was listening to your music. One day, after I was done with college, she asked me if I could talk to her about something. I listened to her request and she talked about how you were her inspiration, and that anytime she felt down, all she had to do was listen to you. You were the one giving her hope and teaching her that life has much to offer. Sadly, though, she won't live long enough to experience it... She also asked if I can promise her one last wish.
I asked her what it was and she said she wanted to see you live and that you were playing in a few days. She showed me a panflit that she got before she was put in the hospital. It was a day before she would die. I promised her that I would get her there and she smiled as I said that.
I worked like crazy for the next few days at work with little rest. I would never stop to rest, only when I would need to eat or drink when I had a break. Her wish was the only thing on my mind. Finally, I got enough money and asked my boss for a few days' leave. After explaining my situation, he let me go.
A day before the concert, I bought front seat tickets. She was so excited and glowed like the sun. Finally, the day of the concert arrived. We asked the staff if she could leave for a few hours. They approved and we got into a car and head out.
We arrived early and people slowly started to filled the theater, and a moment before you appeared, I held her up so she could get a better view. When you appeared and started to play, she couldn't contain her excitement and shouting so loud, she must've forgotten about her head injury. It was nice and relieving to see her being happy despite what happen. All throughout your concert, she was humming and following your movement along with you, and even said, "I love you, Octavia!" several times. I was sure you saw her; since she was the only one in the front standing out amongst others. When the concert ended, I received a call tell me to come back to the hospital, but she stopped me and said, "Let's stay here. I want to see her more."
I will admit that I was hesitant at first but it was her wish. I had no right to stop her happiness. If we had gone to the hospital that moment, she would have an extra day to live but, that was it. She decided that her last day was today, your concert day.
I told myself that this was her last living moments… I didn't want to break that happiness so after everyone left, I asked my sister to stay at the front of the stage as I went to the backstage. I asked one of the crew members to show you on the stage, even if she won't sing or talk, just being there would mean the world to her.
They disagreed at first, but after I told them about her condition, they agreed. And so, you appeared on stage, and her face brightened. I was surprised when you actually talked to her, thanking her for liking her music and reassuring her about her sickness. I was in the background seeing her crying and smiling. We left after that and started to head back into the hospital. I remember the last words she spoke.
"Thank you. You really are great."
She closed her eyes and died in the car. She was only nine years old and her life was taken. I cried for about a month and it is then I realized something. Even when she was going to die, she never stopped smiling. She died seeing her favorite musician.
Even to this day, I couldn't help but think about how you were there for her when I could not. You were at the moments when she was sad and I was far from her to console or do anything to calm her down. You gave her inspiration and hope when she needed one.
All she needed to hear was your music. All she needed to see was you. Even if you don't remember that day, I always will. You were her best idol in her life, and you were the one that shed light every step of the way, even though you never were physically there.
So I want to take this moment to thank you, Octavia, for inspiring and giving light to my sister and making her sadness and death a painless. As one of your fans, I am happy to have met you, both you and your music and so is my sister.
With all love and respect,
Midnight.
I closed the letter and started to cry. I remember that night. How could I forget meeting one of my fans? I didn't know it was serious and the story touched my heart. I knew my music was good but I didn't think it touched their hearts like that.
"Hey, you ok?" Vinyl asked, concerned.
I nodded and said,
"Yea, just a letter from a fan."
I smiled and realized that if they loves my music even after what happened, then I should keep playing. For them and everyone else... I went up to my room and put the letter up on my desk to remind me of how my music helped someone.
