"If it was for anyone else, I would have declined. But I believe Lumi and I are bound by fate," Daniella answered.
She turned around to the piano and played the chorus of My Soul Will Go On. I was patient, though I did not like the game of chicken.
"It's not because of her talent." Daniella paused and turned to me. "Do you remember what she first said to me?"
My mind drifted to a week ago, when we first met at the grocery store. I did not recall something meaningful in particular, except Lumi accepting her snacks. Lumi had mumbled a word of thanks; that was their first exchangr together.
I pondered a little harder before I connected the dots.
"Your relationship with your family… Ella. You don't like your name, do you?"
Daniella gave me a grin that was full with hurt. "Yes," she admitted. "I mentioned the patriarchy in my family. They are extreme about it. They wanted me to be born a Daniel. It was a long and hard compromise we had to have my name changed at eighteen."
"It's been hard for you."
Daniella rolled her eyes. My words of consolation were a bit shallow. "Oh, you have no idea. That's why I say she and I are bound by fate. Or she's perceptive, I don't know. But no one has ever called me Ella during our first meeting. I always have to ask them to call me that."
"Lumi is special," I agreed. "But I too believe you too share something. I thought it would be great if she took you as a role model when we first met."
Daniella followed the direction of my glance.
"Dumpling, get out here and stop eavesdropping!"
"A-ah?"
Lumi stepped out after a moment of hesitation. She raised her snuck and snuck a careful at Daniella, whose expression hardened for some reason I did not know.
"Sister Ella… a-are you angry with me?" Lumi mumbled. Then she turned to me.
What were the two of you talking about, Dad? I-it seemed pretty serious…
Lumi could read my mind of what had happened, so I hesitated on whether I should recount our conversation. But Daniella had other ideas, and she was decisive in acting on them.
"Dumpling… is that your nickname?"
Lumi stuck to me, giving her careful nods. "Dad gave it."
The corner of my lips could not help but furl into the slightest smile. It was an unconscious act.
Yet the smile froze as Daniella fired a question. "Ice cream. My nickname is better, right?"
I stood straighter like a defensive cat with all its fur pricked upwards. "Blasphemous! Dumpling is much more of a thoughtful nickname! Isn't that right, Lumi?"
Daniella preyed on Lumi's slowed, startled reaction. "No, little Lumi is like an ice cream, so sweet! She melts your heart as ice cream would melt on a summer day."
"Ice cream is cold! Lumi is warm, like a steamy hot tray of dumplings!"
A rare look of panic flashed across Lumi's face. "Stop, Dad, sister Ella!"
We complied at once and stared at her, demanding her decision. But she did not expect her words to be so effective, and the pressure of our gazes was too much. Her neck shrank downwards, her voice as frail as a mouse.
"B-but I don't like either of them," she muttered. "Can't you call me Lumi, instead?"
"Nope!"
"Impossible."
Only when her cheeks ballooned into another pout did we relent. Daniella was first, pulling her towards the piano bench. She kneeled in front of her and held both her hands.
"Ice cream, it's okay! We didn't talk about how to tease you together. Your dad asked me to be your teacher!"
"Yes, Dad can't teach you much anymore. Your sister Ella is a professional. You heard how good she was, right? She'll help you be the singer of your dreams!"
The pout disappeared as fast as it came. Lumi's eyes beamed with surprise. She jumped out of the bench and almost hit herself on the piano.
"Careful, there! Yes, you are very, very talented. Like how we can combine snacks to create the ultimate delicacy, I'll help your voice charm more than only your Dad!"
"Hey," I protested. "You can bring me out of this now."
Lumi giggled. "Then let's start! I want to sing with you again, sister Ella."
"Okay, tell me which song. I'll see if I know it on the piano."
"This one, and this one…"
I exhaled the heavy breath I held onto since the disaster of the situation with the life insurance. Things were back on track. Straighter tracks. With Daniella's earnest help, I knew Lumi would improve by leaps and bounds.
The baby steps towards our dream was complete with proper singing abilities. With progress made, our wish was not only a wish anymore.
I clenched my jaw and fists in determination. It was about time I worked on the next step, too. But before that, I would have to take care of our financial troubles.
With quiet steps, I made my way out the apartment, careful not to disturb them two. Money was what I had in mind. It was all I focused on.
Daniella was doing such a big favour teaching and being a friend of Lumi it could not go unreciprocated. Even though I was confident she would reject the pay, the gesture was what is worth.
Furthermore, I found out money was more than essential to our second step of building exposure for Lumi.
Yes, I planned on her busking, completing commissions, or live-streaming covers online. Of course, that required equipment. I realized this as I saw the instruments lying around in Daniella's place. She mentioned speakers and tuners during the scare, as well.
My empty wallet could not afford even food, not to mention these expensive equipment. I did not exaggerate. I repeat, I had zero savings.
This was a desperate situation, but I was optimistic. I was not the supernatural type, but after this past week with my rebirth, I could believe anything.
Since I received the special honey from Meteor, I wished from him everyday. Yet he never showed me his magical pouch again. But I had an inkling today things would be different.
The wishes I made during the past week were obscure, often without purpose. They never contained the same level of depth and desire like the first time. You could call me crazy, but I believed Meteor would grant me a wish today.