Strings of Memory

Prologue

As I took in his appearance, him staring up with closed eyes and dropped shoulders, I could almost hear what's going on inside his mind.

Letting go of something you truly love must be incredibly painful.

Huminga siya nang malalim bago tuminging muli sa bass atsaka lumabas ng kwarto.

He stepped outside, and I knew I should follow him, but I didn't. Instead, I stared at the bass he left behind and felt a weight settling in my chest.

It felt as if something heavy was placed on it, making it ache. I put my hand on my chest and clasped my shirt tightly.

As I stared at the bass, the scene changed again.

This time, we were no longer in the guy's house. I found myself watching his back as he walked up the stairs.

I studied him and noticed that he's much taller now than in the previous scene, and he's wearing a different uniform.

I looked around and realized we were in a school, and the path this guy in front of me is taking leads to the rooftop. A place I always went to every time I wanted to escape the noise.

The world around us remained unchanged, still devoid of color.

He paused, which made me stop as he opened the door leading to the rooftop.

Halos mapapikit ako nang tumama sa akin ang liwanag na nanggagaling doon. Mabilis akong sumunod sa kanya nang pumasok siya.

Nang maabutan ko siya ay pareho kaming natigilan nang makita ang isang babae.

A warm gust of wind swept through the rooftop. Hindi ko dapat 'yon maramdaman dahil nasa isang panaginip ako pero naramdaman ko pa din kagaya ng lalaking nasa tabi ko.

I turned to the girl standing about five meters away.

The wind is blowing her short hair as she gazes up at the sky while wearing headphones. I focused on her eyes, which seemed lost and serious, as if whatever she's listening to consumed her thoughts.

I felt a shiver kasabay nang pagtibok nang malakas ng puso ko at unti-unting pagkakaroon ng kulay ng mundong 'to.

My heart thumped louder and faster as I studied her face. It's like my heart is going to burst out of my ribcage from the intensity of my emotions.

She looked so angelic and beautiful.

In that moment, I knew I should run before it turns into something crazy, but I didn't. Unlike the guy beside me, who chose to run away, I remained there standing, transfixed, absorbing every detail of her presence.

He's so stupid for not appreciating this scene in front of him. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but he chose to run away. What a coward.

Another rush of warm wind swept, enveloping my heart in its embrace.

I stood still, mesmerized by the most breathtaking sight I've ever seen.

A powerful force began to draw me closer, and so, I surrendered to it. I walked toward her, stepping into the warm wind that surrounded her.

And as I continued to walk, the world I was in started to crumble, signaling that it's the end of the dream.

No! I ran towards her, panic rising within me, terrified that if I didn't reach her in time, I'd never see her again.

I tried calling her, but she didn't turn in my direction. It's like she's not aware that I was there with her. It's like there's an invisible barrier separating us.

I called her again, but no sound came out of my mouth. I touched my throat, desperately trying to speak, but still, nothing.

I looked down at my feet as the ground beneath me began to crumble.

No. It can't end just like this.

I glanced back at her, and she was starting to disappear.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at naramdaman ang pamumuo ng luha sa mga mata na naging dahilan para manlabo ang paningin ko.

No. This can't be happening.

The ground where I stood collapsed, so I reached out and grabbed onto the edge that hadn't collapsed yet.

This dream can't end. I haven't reached her. Not yet.

Tears streamed down my face as I clung desperately, but it wasn't enough. My desire for this world to continue wasn't enough. It still decided to end on its own, even though I didn't want it to end.

Because that's reality, the most painful truth that I need to accept. I had to wake up and face it, whether I was ready or not.

No, no... please... just let me reach her. That's all I need. Give this to me. Just this once.

But this world was really cruel because the ground I am holding onto began to crumble beneath my fingers.

Pinanood ko itong gumuho hanggang wala na akong mahawakan.

It's the end.

I fell into nothingness, and then my body jolted as I woke up.

I slowly opened my eyes, and I was greeted by the dull, grey sky that doesn't seem to have any color, unlike the blue sky from my dream.

I sat up, glancing around at my surroundings. My eyes stopped at the spot where she stood in my dream.

The girl was gone. The space was now empty.

"A dream?" I mumbled, the words barely escaping my lips as I stared at the emptiness. My heart sank as reality settled in.

"Yeah, it must have been a dream."

Because if that's not a dream, then I will still be seeing you standing there. Staring at the sky, looking so serious and lost at the same time.

I clenched my jaw and looked down on the floor beneath me.

"Fuck!" I slammed my fist against it, feeling the sting in my knuckles as the tears welled up in my eyes.

A dream. A beautiful dream that will never ever happen again. No matter how many times I wish for it to happen.

I bit down hard on my lower lip.

"It's so unfair!" I yelled, the words trembling as the tears finally broke free, streaming down my face.

I looked up at the grey sky, tears mixing with the air as I cried out.

"Luna..."