Five Guitar Strings

Right, they must be six. But now, how can I play, when one string seems to be missing?

It's been almost three years ago since I got hold of my first guitar and had my first strum on it. I was then so clueless - clueless on how to play it, clueless on how to take care of it, clueless on what it would be to me. But it was an uncertainty I ventured myself into, because it promises music. And music is the solace in times of solitude. It guarantees no loneliness, or at least a company in times of melancholy.

However, it was a venture I did not fully succeed in. Not that I did not learn how to play, I actually did, though not confident enough to play in front of a big --and a scrutinizing-- crowd. Nevertheless, it remained true to the promise I saw in it. That day I bought my wooden, acoustic Fernando guitar was the day I had found me a new best friend.

I remember, on its early days, getting home from school at lunch time (because I only have one class for the day), and I would grab my guitar immediately, watch some episodes of Death Note and play on it again. I've even brought it to my tutees' house to give them free guitar lessons, (although I am not an expert nor a professional guitarist) which eventually, sometimes, becomes the highlight of the session. A number of times my guitar has experienced the difficulty of commuting to be able to go with me to school; to spend breaks singing with friends and looking forward to the end of the day when we would go from CBA to NIGS to offer some music to a friend.

It's been almost five months since we've had one serious play. The many changes I have to adjust to have not been so kind to spare me time to give it a good strum. In fact, I have vetoed myself a little constraint in playing it, for the primary reason that at this point, there are far more huge and crucial lessons I have to study, and more important skills I have to practice. And it pains me. I no longer am the student who runs home, throws his bag on the floor, grabs his guitar and plays it at the sofa the entire afternoon. I no longer am the tutor who extends his time at some Korean boys' unit trying to introduce  to them the wonders of the six strings. And there isn't anymore a friend in the sciences I and my guitar would play to.

This morning, I tried to play with my guitar. I strummed ordinarily, but it sounded oddly. For a G, it sounded like only five strings sang, and one of them is mute. It felt like one string is missing, and I don't know how to bring it back. Or when..