Serenade

The first time Kiran learned that she couldn't carry a tune was in kindergarten, when the teacher taught them a song that the class was supposed to sing in a school program in front of parents. She was the first one to memorize the lyrics of the song but no matter how much she tried to sing the notes, it always sounded off. A teacher had to give Kiran private lessons just so she wouldn't embarrass herself too much. In the end, the loud singing of her cheerful and proud classmates covered up her shamed and silenced voice.

It was a relief that her parents weren't in the audience. They were both busy with earning money for their financially challenged family. Her mom arrived at school to pick her up after the program had ended. They then bought cake to celebrate her first stage performance before heading home.

Kiran avoided singing in front of people after that. And in group presentations in primary school where she had to sing, she either mouthed the words to pretend like she was singin