Strings of Memory

Extra 1

He told us to perform again.

And we did.

My heart pounded louder, faster, as we played on that stage. This time, with a single goal in mind: to prove that we were good enough.

And in that moment, a new dream started to bloom inside me.

A dream of performing with them on a bigger stage. A stage filled with a sea of lights, where more people than I could count would be watching us.

But just as that dream started to take root—almost immediately, it was threatened to be cut short.

"You've been going around playing again instead of attending your lessons here!" Sigaw ni Daddy pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko sa study room niya.

He must have seen me earlier, or maybe someone told him they saw me performing. Hindi malabong may nagsumbong—he has eyes everywhere.

"You better quit whatever you're doing, or else I'm going to do something about it!" Banta niya, his voice laced with warning.

Sinalubong ko ang nagbabaga niyang tingin kahit ramdam kong nanginginig ang mga kamay ko. My heart pounded so hard against my chest, pero pinilit kong kumalma. I clenched my fists and took a deep breath.

No. I can't be scared of him now. I have to do this. For myself. For my dream.

"I'm not quitting the band." Mariin kong sagot. "I want to perform with them, and I don't want to inherit your company. That's what you want me to do, but it's not what I want."

Marahas siyang napaharap sa akin at, bago ko pa maiproseso ang galaw niya, his fist landed hard on my right cheek.

Napaupo ako, hawak ang sumasakit na pisngi. The sting spread fast, but the sharpest pain wasn't from the hit—it was from knowing that he actually did it.

"Get out of this house right now! I don't need you here!" Sigaw niya, puno ng galit.

I gritted my teeth before forcing myself to stand. Walang salita akong lumabas ng kwarto. Pagkasara ko ng pinto, agad kong narinig ang pagbagsak ng mga gamit sa loob.

He's venting his anger. Smashing things, like always.

Naglakad ako papunta sa kwarto ko, hawak pa rin ang pisngi ko. Ramdam ko ang tahimik na mga titig ng household staff, pero walang lumapit sa akin. I'm sure they heard everything, and they knew that serving me right now would only get them into trouble.

Pagkapasok sa kwarto, naupo ako sa kama.

What now? Where should I go?

I know Dad wasn't bluffing. Hindi lang iyon pananakot—he meant every word. And kahit na nagkunwari akong hindi ako naapektuhan, his words stung more than his punch.

Sumikip ang dibdib ko, parang may pumiga dito. My eyes burned as tears started to build up. Then, just as I was about to completely break down, the door to my room opened.

Mom walked in and went straight to me. She wrapped me in a warm embrace, and that was all it took for my tears to fall freely.

Marahan niyang hinagod ang likod ko, not saying anything—just holding me. Nang humupa ang paghikbi ko, she gently pulled away and wiped the tears from my face. Then, her hand cupped my cheek, her fingers brushing over the spot where Dad had hit me.

Punong-puno ng pag-aalala ang mga mata niya, pero sa kabila noon, nagawa pa rin niya akong ngitian.

"My friend has a condo unit, and walang nakatira doon since she's abroad right now. Pwede kang tumuloy doon habang naghahanap ako ng condo na mas permanenteng pwede mong tirahan." She took a deep breath. "And don't worry, I won't let you go through this alone."