Strings of Memory

Chapter 17

He still has beef with her even after all these years. They never changed-and I'm happy they're still the same.

"So, you finally managed to find band members," Youssef said after a few seconds, making me freeze. "I remember how you were so busy looking for members back in junior high."

Napangiti ako nang maalala ang mga panahong halos araw-araw akong nagrereklamo sa kanila dahil hindi ako makahanap ng maayos na kasama sa banda.

Marahan niyang tinapik ang balikat ko. "I'm happy for you, Wyn," he said sincerely, making my heart pound.

Then, I felt another hand on my other shoulder. Pagtingin ko, kamay iyon ni Harrison.

Tumingin ako sa kanya. He was smiling.

"We're happy for you, Wyn. And we're so proud of you for finally taking the first big step towards your dream," sabi niya.

Naramdaman ko ang kaagad na pag-init ng mga mata ko dahil sa mga salitang binitiwan nila.

I couldn't help but be reminded of my dad while looking at the two of them. They looked so proud and genuinely happy for me. And I couldn't help but think-ganito rin kaya ang mararamdaman at sasabihin ni Daddy kung buhay pa siya?

Yumuko ako nang maramdaman kong tumulo ang luha ko. Mabilis ko iyong pinunasan at tumikhim.

"Y-yeah. Thank you," mahina kong sabi.

Nang makabawi ako ay pinapasok na nila ako sa loob. They let us rest first before giving us instructions on what we would be doing.

Youssef has a restaurant, and we were tasked to serve the customers. Game na game naman ang mga kasama ko, lalo na sina Elliot at ang deskmate ko. They were all smiles while serving customers, while I maintained a poker face.

"Sige na, mga miss. Sumama na kayo sa amin. We're going to have lots of fun," I heard one of the customers say.

I was about to ignore it, thinking they were just talking to someone they knew, when I heard a familiar voice.

"Ano ba?! Ang babastos niyo ah!" Malakas na sigaw ng deskmate ko.

Mabilis akong lumabas ng kitchen at nagpunta sa kinaroroonan nila. Nadatnan ko ang isang table na puno ng mga lalaki, kasama ang deskmate ko at si Zeira. There were a couple of bottles of alcohol on their table-a clear sign that these men had been drinking. One guy was gripping my deskmate's wrist habang pilit niyang binabawi ang kamay niya. Zeira was behind her, trying to protect her from those pigs.

Lumapit ako at marahas na hinawakan ang kamay ng lalaking may hawak sa deskmate ko. Pinilit kong alisin ang kapit niya, at nang magtagumpay ako, agad kong itinago ang dalawang babae sa likuran ko.

"I have to ask you to leave, sirs. You're causing a disturbance, and it's making our customers uncomfortable," seryoso pero malamig kong sabi.

Tumayo ang lalaking hawak ko, dahilan para mabitiwan ko siya. Bigla niya akong kinuwelyuhan, pero imbes na matakot, mas inalala ko ang mga kamay na kumapit sa likod ko. When I looked to see who was holding onto me so tightly, I saw my deskmate, worry evident in her eyes.

"Aba't gago 'tong bata na 'to!" sigaw ng lalaki bago niya ako marahas na hinila.

Napasigaw ang deskmate ko at si Zeira.