Strings of Memory

Chapter 13

Sumilip kami sa nakaawang na pinto. I saw a girl with long black hair cascading down her back. She had bangs and sharp, narrow eyes. She had an electric guitar slung over her shoulder, playing it effortlessly. And I have to admit—she's really good.

Lahat kami ay tahimik lang siyang pinapanood. We were all mesmerized by her, until my deskmate, without any warning, suddenly opened the door and walked in. Wala kaming nagawa kundi sumunod.

The girl stopped playing as soon as she heard our footsteps. She turned to us, her brows slightly furrowed, but she didn't say anything.

"You're really good," my deskmate said, but the girl remained silent. She just stood there, watching us, as if analyzing our presence with no expression on her face.

"Join our band."

Of course, she'd say that. It wasn't surprising at all. The girl was talented, and knowing my deskmate, she'd never pass up the opportunity to recruit her.

The girl smirked. "Do you have any intention of going pro?" she asked.

"Yes." Walang pag-aalinlangang sagot ng desk mate ko.

I noticed how the two guys beside me stiffened at her response.

Bakit parang nagulat pa sila? My deskmate dreams of becoming like The Reverie, so it's only natural for her to want to go pro. Did they really think this was just for fun? That they were forming this band just to humor her, and once she got what she wanted, they could just walk away?

The girl chuckled. "You should look at your friends' faces before saying something like that." Then, without another word, she walked past us and left.

Nang tuluyan siyang makaalis ay kaagad na humarap sa amin ang deskmate ko at nakita niya na ang reaksyon ng dalawa.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya pero kaagad din naman itong napalitan ng kaseryosohan.

"We need to talk," marahan at may diin niyang sabi.

Marahang tumango ang dalawa at naglakad papunta sa gilid ng classroom kung nasaan ang mga upuan. We all sat down, forming a small circle.

"Why do you look so shocked?" she asked, her brows furrowed.

Napakamot sa ulo si Elliot. "To be honest, I never thought about it."

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Rive bago nagsalita. "I'm the same."

They're both idiots.

And why the hell am I here again? Why am I sitting in this so-called meeting when I'm not even part of their band? Ugh.

Mas lalong nangunot ang noo ng deskmate ko. Pinasadahan niya ng kamay ang buhok bago humugot ng malalim na hininga.

"If we're not going pro, then why did you even quit the track and field, Eli?" she asked.

"Idiot," I mumbled.

He really is. I thought he was thinking clearly when he joined this band, but I guess not.

"And you, Rive." She turned to him. "You know my dream is to be like The Reverie. So, of course, I want to go pro."

Rive remained silent, staring at her intently.

"What's the point of doing this if we're not aiming for something bigger?" she continued. "I don't want to force you guys into this. If you have no plans of taking this seriously, you can quit now—habang umpisa pa lang. Mas mahirap na kapag tumagal pa 'to."

Silence filled the room. No one spoke.

We all just sat there, waiting for someone to break the silence.

"When I was a kid, I always loved performing."

Napunta ang atensyon namin kay Rive nang magsalita siya.

"But I got fed up, that's why I decided to quit the piano," patuloy niya at may isang mapait na ngiti ang namuo sa mga labi niya. "I ran away from it. I ran away from the one thing I loved doing. Akala ko, once I did that, I would feel free—but I felt nothing. My days were so boring. And when you asked me to join your band, I only accepted because I'm your friend."

I glanced at my deskmate, but her whole attention was on Rive. She didn't look hurt or anything, so my gaze went back to him.

"I was happy that you finally decided to pursue your dream—the dream you've always had. When that girl mentioned going pro, I couldn't help but be shocked because it was so sudden. I never really thought about it. But you're right, Luna. Your dream has always been about going pro. About being like The Reverie. To inspire people with music, just like they did to you. And that made me think about what I want to do."

Huminto saglit si Rive bago tinitigan sa mata ang deskmate ko at ngumiti. "I want to do what I've always loved since I was a kid. I love performing, and I want to do it again. So, let's go pro."

I looked at her reaction, and a smile formed on her lips. Then, her gaze shifted to the next guy—Elliot.

Tinignan namin siya, and he seemed to notice our stares kaya naman napakamot siya sa ulo niya.

"So, it's my turn, huh? Haha." Sabi niya, at tumawa ng bahagya na parang gusto niyang maibsan ang tensyong nararamdaman.

"I'm also a fan of The Reverie," he started, flashing a small smile at my desk mate, which she returned. "I first heard them while watching TV as a kid. I became a huge fan of Youssef and wanted to be a drummer like him. The drummer sets the mood for the whole performance, and I wanted to be that person. I dreamed of performing with a band of my own."

"I tried pursuing my dream. I'd fill in for bands that didn't have a drummer, and that's how I got to play at my junior high school festival, where Rive saw me. Pero wala akong permanenteng banda na matatawag kong sarili kong grupo. Then, when I saw how hard it was for my parents to make ends meet, I decided to let go of my dream."

Pinaglaruan niya ang mga daliri niya at humugot ng malalim na hininga bago nagpatuloy.

"Until you talked to me that day, Luna. I was so prepared to regret my choice for the rest of my life kung ang kapalit naman nito ay ang magandang buhay para sa mga magulang ko pero nabago ng sinabi mo ang isipan ko. I talked to them about it, and they told me that I'm allowed to chase my dreams. That I should spend my days doing what I love. That I shouldn't carry their burdens because they're not mine to carry. It's their struggle, and I should focus on my own path."

Then, he looked at my deskmate straight in the eyes. "You're right, Luna. Why would I even give up track and field if we're not going pro? So let's do it!" he said, grinning.

Napangiti naman ang deskmate ko at tumango. Now that she finally got their answer, she didn't look as frustrated as she was earlier.

Pinanood ko silang tatlo habang patuloy silang nag-uusap, and my heart couldn't help but tighten.

Hearing their reasons, their dreams, and how they wanted to pursue them made me feel envious. I wish I were as brave as they are. I wish I could do it too.

With everything falling into place, my deskmate looked for the girl we saw yesterday, but she couldn't find her. When lunch time came the next day, she pulled us toward the room where we saw the black-haired girl, and there she was—with her black electric guitar.

Dire-diretsong binuksan ng deskmate ko ang pinto at pumasok sa loob. The black-haired girl turned to us. Nang makita niya kami ay tinaasan niya ng kilay ang deskmate ko.

"We talked after what happened yesterday, and we're serious about going pro," my desk mate said firmly.

The girl stared at us one by one before a smile formed on her lips. "I accept your offer then," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Zeira Alcarion. You can call me Zeira."

My deskmate took her hand and smiled. "I'm Luna Vega," she introduced herself.

"Welcome to our band, Zeira."