Strings of Memory

Chapter 18

"You just need more practice. Kulang ka lang sa practice dahil sa paghinto mo. Once you get back to your prime, I'm sure you'll produce more refined sounds. Ikaw pa ba? We know how much of a monster you are! We know you can do it. We believe in you." Patuloy niya bago guluhin ang buhok ko.

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. They believe in me. So, I have to do my best to meet their expectations.

"How long have you known Wynther, uncle? Kahapon pa ako nagtataka kung bakit kilala niyo siya," biglang tanong ni Zeira, kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

Nakakunot ang noo niya at puno ng pagtataka ang mga mata. Tinignan ko ang iba kong kabanda at nakitang nagtataka rin sila.

"Matagal na naming kilala si Wynther. As to why? That will be a secret," sagot ni Youssef, his tone teasing.

Magsasalita pa sanang muli si Zeira, pero hinawakan na siya ni Elliot sa braso at inilingan.

Napabuga naman ng hininga si Zeira. "Fine."

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang hindi na siya nagtanong pa. Thank God. I still don't have to courage to talk about my connection with The Reverie kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa ginawang iyon ni Elliot. I know that they are all confused. Halata naman 'yon sa mga mata nila pero hindi pa talaga ako handa na magkwento sa kanila. And I'm thankful that they are not trying to probe too much.

Bumaling muli sa akin si Youssef. "And one last thing," sabi niya bago lumapit sa akin at bumulong.

"Stop being distracted. I saw how many times you almost stopped playing earlier."

Sinulyapan niya ang deskmate ko na nagtatakang nakatingin sa amin.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Magsasalita na sana ako, pero naunahan niya ako.

"You're too obvious, Wyn," he said with a smirk. "I'm not saying that liking someone is a bad thing, but don't let it distract you from playing."

Shit. He noticed.

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko at marahang tumango. Napatingin ako kay Harrison at nakitang nakatingin lang siya sa amin na may ngiti sa labi.

I bet he noticed it, too.

Lumapit siya sa amin at ginulo ang buhok ko. "Binata ka na talaga, Wynther," biro niya bago tumawa na nagpainit naman sa pisngi ko.

Damn it.

Mabilis din naman siyang tumigil nang kausapin ni Youssef si Elliot.

"Just like the others, you still lack practice. Your timing is inconsistent. Remember, drummers are the mood makers of the band. If you're too fast or too slow, it ruins the whole performance," seryoso niyang sabi, dahilan para mapayuko si Elliot.

Those words must have hurt, especially coming from someone he looks up to.

"Don't let your emotions get the best of you. It affects your playing. There are times that you hit the drums harder dahil sa excitement," patuloy niya. "But I'm not saying that letting your emotions lead is entirely bad. There are times when you can let yourself be affected-but not always. As the mood maker, you have to be consistent."

Hinawakan ni Youssef ang magkabilang balikat ni Elliot, dahilan para mapaangat ang ulo niya.

"Don't feel down. I was the same when we were just starting. I messed up a lot and got scolded even more." Ngumiti si Youssef. "Don't worry, I'll definitely teach you some tricks later and help you practice."

Parang biglang nagningning ang mga mata ni Elliot sa narinig.

"Thank you so much, Youssef!" Excited niyang sabi, dahilan para mapangiti si Youssef.