Strings of Memory

Extra 1

Napalunok ako. "B-but Dad—"

Before I could even finish, his sharp glare stopped me.

I froze in my spot under his icy stare.

"You should be thankful I didn't throw your CDs away." He said coldly.

And that's when I knew—no matter what I did, I wouldn't be able to go up against him.

Just like that, my dream was shattered by the very person who was supposed to support it. By someone I loved and looked up to.

It hurt. But I couldn't do anything about it. He was the law in our house, and going against his wishes would only break me more.

I spent my junior high school years abiding by his rules. His wants. But none of it made my heart race the way playing the piano did. I felt like a robot, programmed to follow commands, without a mind of my own. Just blindly doing what I was told. And it was suffocating.

Each passing day was so dull, I wished I could do something else—anything other than learning how to manage our business. It didn't feel like I was truly living my life, and it sucked.

"Rive, tara sa school festival nung crush mo," aya sa akin ng kaklase ko.

Tatanggihan ko na sana siya, pero natigilan ako nang makita ang mga mata niyang puno ng expectations.

Tumingin ako sa paligid. My classmates were all smiling, laughing, and excited. As if life was something fun to live. And my heart ached with envy.

So, I made a decision I wouldn't normally make.

Tumango ako. "Sige."

Napabuntong hininga siya, parang kanina pa niya 'yon pinipigil. "Thank God! Akala ko hindi ka na naman sasama sa amin. We know you're busy, but we also want to spend time with you."

Namuo ang isang ngiti sa labi ko at hindi na sumagot pa.

Me too. I also wanted to spend my time doing things students my age should be doing. I wanted to enjoy, and for once, I allowed myself to do just that.

We went to the school festival, wandering through the different booths. The whole time I was laughing with my classmates, patuloy naman sa pag-vibrate ang cellphone ko. So, I put it on silent mode, not bothering with the wrath I'd receive once I got home.

"Magpe-perform mamaya 'yung banda ng crush mo, Rive! Nood tayo, ah?" sabi ng kaklase ko.

Nginitian ko siya. "I still need to take a picture with him. Remembrance man lang."

Pumunta kami sa gym para hintayin ang performance ng banda.

"This is it, folks! The one you've all been waiting for. Let's all welcome... Dream-O-Nauts!" sigaw ng emcee sa mikropono.

Napangiwi ako. That band name is too corny. But oh well, it didn't matter. I was only here to listen to my crush.

Unti-unting lumabas ang mga miyembro ng banda—vocalist, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, at... drummer.

Kaagad na kumunot ang noo ko ng ibang tao ang lumabas. Who's that guy? And where's my crush?

Kinalabit ko ang classmate ko at itinuro ang lalaking pumuwesto sa drums.

"Who's that guy?"

Ngumiti siya. "Si Elliot. A guy who goes around doing fill-ins. Siguro may emergency 'yung crush mo kaya hindi siya makakatugtog ngayon."

Hinawakan niya ako sa balikat at tinapik iyon nang ilang beses. "Don't worry, Rive. He's just as good as your crush. Or maybe... even better."

Pagkatapos ay muli niyang ibinalik ang tingin sa harap kaya ganoon na din ang ginawa ko.