Strings of Memory

Epilogue

I glanced at her, catching the way she was just staring at me, as if taking in my words. Pero ilang saglit lang, ibinalik niya ang tingin sa harap, kaya ginaya ko siya.

Now, the scene playing was the one where we performed after I gave them my pointers. I could see the smile on my own face, the way my eyes seemed to light up as we played.

"You look really cool while playing that bass," she suddenly said, pulling my attention back to her.

Agad akong lumingon sa kanya, and I caught her watching me with a small smile.

"I mean, you already looked cool when you went up to us and told us to perform again," she continued. "Pero mas lalo kang nagmukhang astig habang tumutugtog ka."

My breathing hitched, and suddenly, many emotions flooded my heart. Suminghap ako at mabilis na umiwas ng tingin nang maramdaman kong uminit ang mukha ko.

I'm definitely blushing right now.

The scene shifted again—to the next day, when I accidentally brought my bass to school.

"Why did you look so flustered back then? Were you staring at my face while I was sleeping?" I teased, watching as the moment played out—the part where I woke up and saw her.

Biglang namula ang mukha niya. Napayuko siya bago marahang tumango.

So that's why she was acting that way.

"Did you already fall for me that time?" I asked, a teasing smirk still playing on my lips.

This time, she met my gaze head-on before answering.

"Yes."

Natigilan ako.

Now, it was my turn to blush.

Kumabog nang malakas ang puso ko, kaya humugot ako ng malalim na hininga, trying to calm myself down.

Ngumiti siya at wala nang dinagdag pa. Then, she turned back to the scene playing in front of us.

And just like that, I did the same.

The scene continued to when she dragged me to the clubroom and introduced me as the bassist kahit na hindi pa naman ako pumapayag. Then came our celebration, and finally, the day we presented the band name we thought of.

"Luna is the Latin word for moon," Rive said, raising a brow. "Tell me, Wynther, was she on your mind when you thought of that name?"

"I never really got to know your answer dahil nakialam ako that time," Luna said. "Was what he said true?"

Napalunok ako bago bumaling sa kanya. She was looking at me, waiting for an answer.

"Yes." I answered honestly. There was really no point in lying now. And I didn't want to—lalo na't alam kong limitado ang oras namin na magkasama. I'd only regret it if I didn't tell her the truth.

"I chose that name because I thought of you. How you illuminated my path. How I managed to find my way back to my dreams because of you. I know I always act like I don't care or that I'm annoyed, but to be honest, that's not what I really feel. I'm truly grateful that you kept dragging me as you chased after your dream. You reignited my desire to dream again, and for that, I'm truly thankful."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Thank you for everything, Luna. You've been thanking me nonstop for helping you, but you don't realize how much you've helped me, too. Because of you, I was able to pick up the bass again. I was able to return to what I love—to what connects me with my dad. So, thank you. From the bottom of my heart."