Strings of Memory

Chapter 29

I froze as I felt his warm embrace.

"I'm so happy that you're finally choosing to move forward, Wynther. I was so worried about you, don't you know that? You were gone for almost a month, and when you came back to school, you were beaten up. But I didn't want to pry and make you uncomfortable, so I waited. And now, I'm really thankful that you're okay." Marahan niyang hinagod ang likod ko. "Thank you for telling us your story."

Humiwalay siya sa akin at inilagay ang mga kamay niya sa pisngi ko, wiping something off.

And that's when I realized—I was crying, just like him.

"I didn't know you were such a crybaby," he teased before laughing, making me chuckle.

Pinunasan ko ang luha ko, ganoon din siya, bago siya pumwesto sa may keyboard.

Then, Zeira stepped forward. Nagtitigan kaming dalawa, and I noticed how bloodshot and puffy her eyes were, as if she had just been crying.

"You will also need a good guitarist to perform on that dream stage of yours, Wynther," she said, her voice hoarse.

Tumikhim siya at ngumiti. "So let me join you in that journey. We'll make sure to keep our dreams alive—including Luna's dreams."

Pagkatapos ay binigyan niya ako ng isang yakap bago magpunta sa pwesto ng guitarist.

Then, my attention shifted to Elliot, who was just looking at me. Nagtitigan lang kami, neither of us speaking, until he sighed and finally took a step forward.

"Well... you might have a hard time becoming famous if I'm not part of your band," he said, quoting what he told Luna the first time he joined.

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya, and that made him smile too. Then, his smile turned into laughter.

Nang tumigil siya sa pagtawa, tumikhim siya. "I'm sorry for what I told you when you came to talk to me. That was really insensitive of me. There's no excuse for what I said, so... I'm really sorry, Wynther."

Then, just like always, he went back to his joker self.

Nginitian niya ako at nag-beautiful eyes. "Will you forgive me?" tanong niya gamit ang ipit na boses.

I burst out laughing. He's really crazy.

And seconds later, he laughed too, hanggang sa sabay na kaming nagtatawanan.

Naputol lang ang tawa niya nang magsalita si Zeira.

"Gross," she muttered, looking completely disgusted.

And just like that, war broke out between the two of them.

Napailing na lang ako, pinanood silang mag-asaran, at ngumiti. I missed this.

Nang matapos ang kulitan, sinimulan naming ayusin ang kantang ginawa ko. They started creating melodies for their parts, and we all played. And it was so heartwarming because, even though Luna's not here, my heart still managed to beat with excitement—reminding me that I'm still alive.

Of course, it still felt incomplete without her. But that's something I have to learn to live with.

"Why don't we change our band name?" Biglang suggest ni Rive.

Napatingin kaming lahat sa kanya, puno ng pagtataka ang mga mata.

Napakamot siya sa kaliwang pisngi, tila nag-aalangan. "I mean, Moonfall was our band name back when there were five of us. Pero ngayon, apat na lang tayo. I think it's only right to change it. Parang... a way of moving forward. A way to show that we're chasing after our dreams again, despite everything that happened. Like a fresh start."

Tumigil si Zeira sa ginagawa niya at tumango. "I agree. It's like a new promise, but with the same goal."

"Yeah." Pagsang-ayon ni Elliot. "So, anong ipapalit natin?"

Tumingin sa akin si Rive. "Ano sa tingin mo, Wynther?"

Napaisip ako. What kind of name would feel right? Something that represents us now, but still carries the past with it.

Then, as if on cue, something clicked inside me.

"How about Lunara?" I suggested.

Sandaling katahimikan. Then, unti-unting sumilay ang mga ngiti sa labi nila bago nagkatinginan.

"I like the sound of that," sabi ni Rive, nakangiti.

"It's been decided then," dagdag ni Elliot habang tumango naman si Zeira.

Lunara.

A new name, a new beginning. But it doesn't erase the past.

She's still a part of this journey, even if we change our name. Her influence remains—still inspiring us, still pushing us forward. Still illuminating our path, just like the moon. Even if she's no longer here, her light will never fade.