I have always loved everything about music: the melody, rhythm, beat, message–everything. Since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated by it. I learned to play the piano at a very young age, and until now, every key and sound that resonates from my instrument warms my heart.

Years went by and music itself became more popularized through breakthroughs in technology, one of which is of course the iPod. I then wanted one, but could not afford it. I, for days, imagined how it would be like to own one: I imagined listening to any music and video anywhere and anytime! Yes, I seriously wanted one, but I did not have the money. I did not want to ask such an amount from my parents–it just seemed unreasonable for me. Consequently, I simply indulged myself on dreams of having it. It was fun to dream of having it anyway.

Thus the unthinkable equation is formulated.

One day, before dinner, my sister suddenly knocked at my door. She told me that she had a big news–that one of my photos was published (photography was one of my hobbies). At first, it was very difficult to believe. I did not submit any of my photos after all! How could that be? I needed to see it for myself. I then went to my grandmother’s bedroom to see the booklet that they were all fussing about. It was an advertising material of a well-established insurance company in the country. I flipped through the pages, and one of my favorite and prized photos was there, published without my permission, edited with the company’s logo, and credited to someone else. I became furious. I immediately contacted my former business law professor. He advised me to write a letter to the company, stating my complaint. He told me that if it did not appropriately provide the remedies to the matter, we will sue the company for copyright infringement.

I then waited for a reply. The next day, as I was surfing the web, my mobile phone suddenly rang. It was unusual for me to receive a call at that time. To my surprise, it was from a friend whom I rarely speak with. All of a sudden she told me, “It is about the issue you have with the insurance company.” I was shocked. She explained to me that it was her grandmother, an employee, who submitted my photo to a contest in the company. Her grandmother found my photo in her laptop and submitted it, thinking that it was her granddaughter’s. Simply put, it was all a misunderstanding. My friend’s family came over one night and asked me to withdraw my legal complaint for old time’s sake, and so, being a good friend, I did just that. I wrote a letter to the insurance company, saying that the whole matter had been settled. The case was closed.

Days after that, my friend wanted to see me. When we did meet at the university, she gave me a present to thank me for what I had done for her family. I did not know what it was, but I just accepted it with much gratitude. On my way home in a cab, I decided to open the gift. I pulled out a box.

It was an iPod video. I fell silent…I had a huge grin though!

Thus the equation:

Photo + insurance company + legal complaint = iPod

Isn’t the universe mysterious? Yes, I did get the iPod that I wanted, but I also acquired so much more! My friend and I became closer, my photo became popular (so did I), and I had an iPod! I asked once and it did manifest along with so many more freebies. What more could I ask? Such is the way of the universe! Such is The Secret!