Strings of Memory

Chapter 29

Rewriting the Chorus

For the next few days, I busied myself writing down the lyrics of the note that had been playing in my head.

I also worked on the chords, using my bass to craft the melody for the song.

I spent multiple nights staying up late just to write it down. And kahit pagod na pagod na ako, kahit parang sasabog na 'yung ulo ko sa sakit, my heart wouldn't stop pounding with excitement.

Once I was finally done, the first thing I did was talk to my former band members.

If I'm going to chase my dream again, I need them by my side. Sure, I could look for new people, but that won't do. I want to perform with them. They've already become a part of my dream, and without them, it just wouldn't feel the same.

So, the day after I finished the song, I went straight to Rive. Since magkaklase kami, siya na ang una kong kinausap.

Nang mag-break time, lumapit ako sa desk niya at tinap ito para makuha ang atensyon niya. Kita ko ang gulat sa mukha niya nang makita akong nakatayo sa harapan niya.

"Can we talk?" Tanong ko.

Seconds passed, then a full minute, pero hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita. Nanatili lang siyang nakatitig sa akin, para bang hindi makapaniwala sa ginawa ko.

I get it. Even I know this is out of character for me. But I don't care. Kailangan ko siyang makausap.

Nang sa wakas ay makabawi siya, marahan siyang tumango at tumayo. We went to the back of the building para doon mag-usap.

"Anong pag-uusapan natin, Wynther?" Tanong niya.

Bigla akong napalunok, at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.

Shit. Where's my bravado from earlier? Ang confident ko pa kanina noong nilapitan ko siya, pero ngayon, kinakabahan na 'ko.

Humugot ako ng malalim na paghinga. "I want you to join my band," I said seriously, meeting his gaze.

He looked stunned. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya, halatang hindi in-expect ang sinabi ko.

He blinked a few times before letting out a deep sigh. "Why now?" He asked, almost a whisper.

Nagtaka ako. "What?"

"I already gave up that dream," he said. "When you left us, we all agreed to stop. So I went back to my old life. I went back to my father, and I decided to follow the path he chose for me."

His voice was steady, pero may lungkot sa mga mata niya.

Natigilan ako.

Guilt crept in, tightening around my chest. I really shouldn't have left that day.

Pero imbes na ipakita kong naapektuhan ako, I kept my expression serious.

I swallowed. "Is that really what you want?"

At dahil sa tanong ko, para siyang natauhan. Napasinghap siya, napakurap, bago mabilis na inayos ang sarili.

Ngumiti siya, pero hindi iyon umabot sa mga mata niya. "It doesn't really matter."

Tinitigan ko siya at inaral ang kabuuan niya.

He looked exhausted. Halatang puyat—he has dark circles under his eyes. And the usual playful and flirty Rive? Wala. He just doesn't look like the Rive I knew.

I know that what I'm doing is kind of insensitive. After all, ako 'yung umalis. Ako 'yung nag-walk out sa kanila noon. Pero kung may paraan lang para ibalik ang oras, I wouldn't have left. I would've stayed. I would've talked to them, and together, we could've found a way to keep going without Luna.