Strings of Memory

Chapter 13

The Fourth Note

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansin ang lungkot sa mga mata ng deskmate ko pagkapasok niya sa classroom.

Naupo siya sa upuan niya at pumangalumbaba, saka naglabas ng malalim na buntong hininga. That made me ask her a question. Normally, I wouldn't start a conversation, but seeing her like this makes me want to know what's on her mind. She was just so happy yesterday because she finally got Elliot to join, but now, she looks completely different.

And this is new—very different from her usual happy-go-lucky self. Each day, I can't help but discover different sides of her.

"Is everything okay?" tanong ko, catching her attention. She turned to face me, and I immediately saw the surprise in her eyes, probably because I initiated the conversation.

After recovering from her initial shock, she let out another sigh.

"I went to Ma'am Esquivel and asked for an application form since I already have two members. But she told me every club has to have four members to start operating, kaya hindi niya ako binigyan. I still have to look for another one," she explained, her shoulders slumping in disappointment.

Then, out of nowhere, she suddenly gave me a smile—one that made it obvious she was planning something. And I already knew what was on her mind.

"Can you join us?" she asked.

Umiling ako. "No."

If she had met me before my father died, I might have been too eager to say yes. But not now. I don't want to associate myself with the one thing I love because I know I'll only get hurt again.

"Why do you hate music?" she suddenly asked.

Saglit akong natigilan dahil sa naging tanong niya. Nang makabawi ako ay ibinuka ko ang bibig ko para sumagot.

"I never said I hate it," I replied.

Nakita ko ang kaunting panlalaki ng mga mata niya. "I... thought you hated it," sabi niya na nagpakunot sa noo ko. Mukha namang naintindihan niya ang pagkalito ko sa sinabi niya dahil muli siyang nagsalita.

"I just noticed that whenever we talk about anything related to music, you look so distant, as if you're seeing something we're not. And you always have this grim expression. Kahit na pilitin mong magpoker face, I always notice the shift in your expression."

Oh. Maybe I was too obvious. And maybe, what I thought was a lie. I kept telling myself I wanted to avoid music, but here I am, getting involved ever since I met her.

Hindi na ako sumagot sa sinabi niya at tumingin na lang sa board na nasa harapan. Napangiti ako ng mapait dahil sa naisip.

What a twist of fate.

"I found a room we could use as a clubroom. So after we eat, let's go there," sabi ng deskmate ko sa amin habang kumakain kami.

I don't know why I'm here with them in the cafeteria again. The moment the bell rang, my two classmates just dragged me along with them, pulling me to eat with them along with their new member, Elliot.

They keep bringing me along wherever they go, kahit ilang beses ko nang sinabi na hindi ako parte ng grupo nila. Pero wala, wala silang pake.

After we finished eating, my companions quickly stood up. Before I could even react, Rive grabbed my wrist and pulled me along, preventing me from escaping.

I sighed, knowing there was no way out of this, and just followed them.

We headed to an old school building, and when we reached the room my deskmate was talking about, we all stopped in our tracks when we heard a guitar playing.