Strings of Memory

Extra 1

She squeezed my hand before adding, "I'm so proud of you for finally choosing to fight for what you really want. Don't mind your father. He's not the one living your life. Ikaw 'yon. And because it's your life, the choice is yours alone. No one can ever dictate what you should do."

Her words struck something deep inside me. Parang may humaplos sa puso ko, and before I knew it, my eyes welled up with fresh tears.

I did what my mother said. I stayed at her friend's condo unit for the meantime. And as I stepped out of our house—knowing there was a chance I might never come back—surprisingly, I didn't feel sadness.

Instead, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

For the first time in a long time, I could breathe.

With that, I faced the band with a new resolve. This was my fresh start.

Wynther joined us after our performance. Or let's just say, Luna charmed him—just like she said. Napatawa ako nang sabihin niya 'yon, lalo na nang makita ko ang reaksyon ni Wynther. The disbelief on his face was priceless.

We had a mini celebration sa clubroom after class. Then, nagpunta pa kami sa isang fast food restaurant para ituloy ang celebration.

Kinabukasan, tinipon kami ni Luna sa clubroom dahil may mahalaga raw siyang sasabihin. But when we found out what it was, no one reacted.

I mean, I wouldn't blame them. Tama naman kasi si Wynther—masyado pang maaga para pag-usapan ang tungkol sa festival. Ang dami pa naming dapat pagtuunan ng pansin bago 'yon.

Then Zeira brought up the fact na wala pa kaming band name. So napagkasunduan naming iyon muna ang unahin. When we presented our ideas, I couldn't help but tease Wynther and Luna. Masyado kasi silang halata—especially Wynther.

Moonfall. Tanga na lang ang hindi makakapansin na inspired kay Luna ang pangalan na 'yon.

Nagsimula silang mamula—parang hinog na kamatis—nang tinanong ko si Wynther tungkol doon. Luna quickly came up with an excuse, at sinang-ayunan naman ito ni Wynther. But we all knew the truth.

But I decided to drop the subject.

"Okay. Yun ang sabi niyo e," I said, smiling playfully.

Once everyone agreed on the name Moonfall, we started talking about our dreams. Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa isip ni Luna at pinagawa niya 'yon, pero bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. It felt real now—like I was finally chasing the dream I had always wanted.

Then, the day before the Christmas vacation started, we met in the clubroom to talk about our practice sessions.

And I saw something between Wynther and Luna again—something that fueled my ship. My ship was sailing, and I was here for it.

Luna was obviously jealous nang makitang nag-uusap sina Wynther at Zeira, at si Wynther naman, parang napaso at agad na lumayo kay Zeira. If they ever get together, I already know what their dynamic would be—Wynther, the understanding boyfriend, and Luna, the sunshine girlfriend. They complement each other so well, and I can't wait to see their love story unfold.

Nang malaman namin kung bakit nag-uusap sina Wynther at Zeira, Luna finally calmed down. And as usual, Elliot—being Elliot—tried to find a way to make sure that whatever Luna wanted, Luna got.

Isa pa 'tong halata. Lagi na lang naka-agree sa kanya. And of course, my lovely childhood friend was as dense as ever. Hindi niya ramdam na dalawang lalaki na ang may gusto sa kanya.

But I couldn't help but feel sorry for Elliot. Luna clearly liked Wynther. I just hope this won't affect the band.

Later on, we all decided to help out at Zeira's uncle's beach house. And that's when we found out that Zeira's uncle and his friend were actually members of The Reverie.