Unbelievable.

Okay, so in the past few weeks most of my posts have been on drumming.... I can't help myself to do it. I remember crying while telling my closest cousins that my parents - especially my mom - were against my passion for the drums. I never understood why.

Things drastically changed.

It was yesterday night during the Sunset Band practice that I went through my usual practice time of five minutes *sob*. And I had to get back to the keys. Eight-something, my mom and Narin came to church just to see how I was doing. But this time, they did not sit next to the vocalists. This time, of all people, they sat next to Uncle Erik - the drummer.

I became curious. And from my keys I looked over their side. There was a lot of talking and laughing... and some sort of fascination. Uncle Erik was doing another mixture of 16-beat and doubles, with an extra punch ! - and that made my heart race. And then came the groove section. Uncle Raymund was just figuring the bass line while Uncle Erik took to the drums. Mom and I were somehow observing him - his dexterity, his passion, everything. Thirty-eight pairs of eyes were fixed on him.

And then came the part I liked most, the bass drum, floor tom and crash cymbal were struck together loudly : boosh.

And again, and again. Boosh. Our maestro then executed another drum solo, much to my surprise. Awesome.

Once again, I felt the need to play the drums, but I silenced myself - for fear that my mom would nag me. I waited...... until practice was over. And once practice was over, mom, Narin and I - we took to our heels and quickly walked to the car. Deep in my heart, there was that mighty "boosh" sound--- like a calling for me to take the drumsticks and flail away. A soul kicking, screaming and crying. I wanted to beat out the rhythm to make it something like this... ever since I was a three-year-old with a whole roomful of toys and a diaper problem.

So, with that sadness inside, I leaned over to Narin and asked for a hug. Okay, I had to admit that I was quite sticky as I spent the whole day outdoors. I hugged her anyway. And then I asked her about the talking and laughing. She said,

"Nah, it was Chachi (a Punjabi manner of calling aunts). She was looking at Uncle Erik and she was admiring him. His playing, that is. And she was like, 'no wonder Annette loves playing drums so much.'"

I was shocked. Open-mouthed.

It was hard to believe that mom actually said yes. A genuine yes. And Narin was there to tell me everything about it. Deep inside me was a rhythm of love. A state where the drums just kept on pounding. That night, and the day after, I was praising God for giving me hope. And I still praise God. I seriously wonder what is going on in mom's mind right now. Or rather, I wonder what would happen on the day I turn seventeen...

One step closer to realising my dream, I hope.

Oh, and by the way, for your viewing pleasure (if you are a Christian, and a drummer, take this seriously !) :
http://drummerforchrist.com/annette_pretiba/annette_pretiba.html