Page 68 - You Only Live Once [BooksLD]

‘Something? As in? I did not get you?’ she retorts in surprise, her voice
louder than usual.

‘While playing with one instrument one should be prepared. Focus on
more original songs, as that is the spirit of Ricky’s Beach Shack. You may
come down here during the day and practice with Shiva. Shiva plays the
guitar for us.’

‘Okay.’
‘What is it that sets some journeys apart from the others?’ I ask, curious
to see who answers first, and of course better! That’s one of the tricks I

learnt from my mother.
Alara volunteers, ‘All of us have the traits of a hero within us, and ideally
all of us are heroes. Each one of us experiences the negative emotion of fear
at some point in our lives, just like the heroes whose journeys we’re
celebrating. What makes a difference is to make a move or take an action to

overcome it.’
Aarav quips, ‘I don’t believe that all of us become heroes, but it is
important to set out on the journey of a hero.’

‘So, what are you waiting for?’ Alara and I say in unison. Thereafter, we
laugh at the coincidence.

‘Does she remind you of Elisha?’ Aarav breaks the silence. He looks at
Alara and continues, ‘I hope not. Otherwise, your weekend employment is
cancelled. He hates her.’

‘Who is she?’ Alara replies.
‘She can’t remind me of Elisha. Her voice is perfect but songs lack the
depth of emotions and the beautiful stories that Elisha told through her
music,’ I say.

‘My music teacher told me to write down what I feel during sleepless
nights. It will help me heal. That’s what I do! It’s hurting to know that you
feel I am not good enough.’

‘If you plan to do something, you have to be the best at it. You will
survive being mediocre, but it is a whole other ball game to go beyond that.
Expecting you to be better next week.’ Her face turns visibly red. She must
assume that she’s the best, but she isn’t. I have certainly seen the best and
she is not it.

‘Hmm,’ she replies.