Strings of Memory

Chapter 12

The Third Note

"How did you know that he can play the drums?" Tanong ng deskmate ko kay Rive.

"Do you remember the time when I went to the school of my crush because it was their festival?" He asked.

Tumango ang deskmate ko. "Yeah. Yung crush mo na drummer."

Napangiti si Rive sa sinagot ng deskmate ko.

"I went there to watch him play, but I ended up getting disappointed dahil hindi siya yung kasama ng banda niya. Si Elliot ang nandoon," sabi niya, at natawa ng bahagya na para bang naaalala niya ang nangyari noon. "Elliot left a mark on my mind because he replaced my crush in that band. I remember being really salty about it. I kept telling myself that he wouldn't be as good as my crush bago pa man sila magsimula sa performance nila, but he proved me wrong. When I heard him play, nawala lahat ng pang-iinsultong nasa isip ko. He made me realize why he was there instead of my crush through his skills."

Humugot siya ng malalim na paghinga bago nagpatuloy. "Elliot could be our next member, but we both know this will be difficult."

He's right. This next step will be really difficult. I'm sure he will decline her offer just like how she kept declining him.

At hindi nga ako nagkamali habang pinapanood namin ni Rive ang pag-uusap ng dalawa.

I wasn't supposed to be here, but as soon as class ended, pinagitnaan ako ng deskmate ko at ni Rive. They linked their arms with mine and pulled me to where Elliot was.

"I'm not joining you, Luna," seryoso niyang sabi. "Bakit ba ako ang inaaya mo diyan? You already rejected my offer, and I respected your decision. Alam mong nasa track and field na ako. I can't leave it just to join you."

It started out with him asking her to join him, but now, he's the one being asked to join her club. I would understand if he got angry at her because this is quite insensitive of her.

"But you were in a band back in junior high. I heard from Rive that you're really good, so I want you to join our band, Eli," sabi ng deskmate ko sa kanya.

Saglit siyang natigilan bago niya sinulyapan si Rive, na nagpeace sign lang sa kanya.

Pumikit siya at humugot ng malalim na paghinga bago tinitigan ng seryoso ang deskmate ko.

"That was before, and this is now," seryoso niyang saad. "I already gave up on my dream of ever performing because it won't do me any good."

Kinagat niya ang pang ibabang labi niya bago nagpatuloy. "Being in a band won't help me with my studies. I'm not rich. I have to work hard to get good grades so that the hard work of my parents won't be in vain."

"I don't have the time to pursue my passion because it won't bring food to the table. With me being an athlete, I can get a scholarship to a good school that will surely help me get opportunities in life—opportunities that I won't get if I try to follow my dream."

We were all speechless because of what he just said.

He's right. He's future path will be better if he continues being an athlete. It will help him in many ways. While being in a band is just full of uncertainties. He won't know if he could become successful if he follows this path. If he chooses to be an athlete, he will have a chance to succeed.

And I understand how much it must have hurt him to let go of his dreams. Kahit na magkaiba kami ng sitwasyon, I can perfectly understand how he feels. Having a dream really is a curse.

Nanatili lang kaming tahimik. Kahit ang deskmate ko ay hindi nagawang magsalita dahil sa sinabi ni Elliot. I know she can be stubborn, but maybe she should stop trying to recruit him. This is a life-changing decision, and she shouldn't carelessly ask people to go along with what she wants because it will affect their whole life entirely.