Strings of Memory

Extra 1

The weeks passed, and I went back to being a robot. Just blindly following my father's orders without voicing my opinions. And honestly, it was easier compared to before.

This is for the best. I made the right decision.

Then, Wynther went back to school. Pero nung nakita ko siya, mas lalo lang bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. His eyes were lifeless, and he was beaten up. His lips were busted, his cheeks swollen.

I was worried. I wanted to talk to him, but I chose not to. Hindi pa pwede. Hindi pa siya ready.

And so, I went on with my days, just doing whatever I was told. Not minding my previous bandmates as they went on with their own lives. Parang bumalik lang kami sa dati—strangers. And it hurt.

Pero wala akong magawa.

We were all still hurting.

We still needed to heal.

And maybe, just maybe... one day, we could go back to being friends.

"Can we talk?"

Gulat akong napatingin kay Wynther. He's not the kind of person who would initiate a conversation, let alone ask someone to talk.

He asked me to come with him, at kahit na naguguluhan pa rin ako sa nangyayari, pumayag ako. We went to the back of our building, and that's when he told me something even more shocking than him talking to me first.

"I want you to join my band." He said seriously.

I was stunned. My heart started to thump—my heart that had felt so heavy since Luna died suddenly beat loudly again. Parang pinapaalala sa akin na hindi pa patay ang pangarap ko. Na hindi pa ako patay. That I'm not a robot, and that I still have a mind of my own.

But I knew I couldn't pursue it like before. I declined him, but he was persistent. And as he kept insisting, I was reminded of Luna. That's why I asked him—if he was doing this because of her dream.

But his answer shook me.

For the first time since I met him, he opened up—even if just a little.

And right then and there, I knew. I was going back to the dream I had abandoned. That I was willing to walk that thorny path again.

"You're still saying that?! What is it about being in a band that you're willing to throw away your future?! Wala kang mararating diyan!" Malakas na sigaw ni Daddy, galit na galit habang nakatitig sa akin.

But unlike before—unlike the other times that I'm under those burning eyes—this time, I met his gaze head-on. I didn't look away.

I understand his anger. Naiintindihan ko kung bakit siya nagagalit. His son, who had already given up being his successor once, came back only to walk away again. But I don't care.

I've made up my mind. I'm determined to go back to that thorny path. I'm determined to chase my dreams once again.

"If you walk out that door and still choose that stupid dream of yours, then I'll disown you." His voice was firm, full of warning.

To be honest, I didn't really care.

I gave him a nod and turned toward the door.

"Are you really going to do this?!" Sigaw niya.

I didn't answer. Instead, I let my actions speak for me.

Lumabas ako ng silid at napabuga ng hininga. I heard the sound of things crashing inside—Daddy throwing things in his rage—but I didn't look back. Hindi ko na pinansin iyon nang makita ko si Mommy.