Strings of Memory

Extra 2

"He asked me to listen to a song he wrote."

His eyes widened, and for a moment, he just stared at me. As if he couldn't believe what he just heard.

Then, slowly, his expression softened.

It was so gentle. It was an expression I had never seen him make before.

"I'm glad," he murmured. His voice was warm, sincere. He was really glad.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Ha?" Naguguluhan kong tanong.

Ngumiti siya bago umiling. "Nothing."

Tinapik niya ang balikat ko.

"You should follow your heart, Zeira. Do what you truly want. Huwag mong isipin ang utang na loob or anything else. Just do what makes you happy. I'm sure the people around you will understand."

Pagkatapos ay ginulo niya ang buhok ko.

My heart pounded at his words.

Ngumiti ako. "Thank you, Uncle."

Ngumiti siya pabalik. "You're always welcome, kiddo."

I followed his advice. The very next day, I went to my bandmates. I know I could've just messaged them, but I wanted to tell them my decision in person. They deserved at least that much after being so welcoming to me, after treating me as if I truly belonged.

Taking a deep breath, I bowed my head. "I'm really sorry," I said, my voice steady but laced with guilt. "I want to follow my heart... and my heart wants to pursue music with them."

A brief silence followed before I heard someone clear their throat.

"First, lift your head," Kuya Rab said, his voice calm but firm.

Nag-aalangan man, ginawa ko pa rin. Nang tumama ang tingin ko sa kanila, I braced myself, expecting disappointment—maybe even anger. But there was none. Not a trace of resentment in their expressions. Instead, they were all smiling at me.

A pang of emotion hit my chest.

Kuya Rab smiled, his usual warm and reassuring one. "We understand. You don't have to be so sorry for it. Narinig na namin sa uncle mo kung anong nangyari sa dati mong banda, and we get it."

My vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes.

"We all felt it," Kuya Makki added. "You've been holding yourself back too much with us. Parang may laging pumipigil sayo, and we don't want that for you. We want you to be able to express yourself fully, to enjoy music the way it's meant to be enjoyed. And if that means leaving this band and going back to your former one, then it's okay. Follow what your heart wants."

Kuya Rab nodded. "That's right. Make it count. We wish you luck."

A single tear slipped down my cheek. Mabilis ko itong pinunasan bago ngumiti sa kanila. My heart swelled with gratitude.

"Maraming salamat," I said, pouring every ounce of sincerity into those words.

I made a decision following my heart, and I didn't regret it.

A few days later, I found myself standing inside Uncle's garage once again. This time, I wasn't just visiting. I was here because I belonged.

Napangiti ako habang tinitignan ang mga kasama ko. The same people I once called my bandmates are now once again standing beside me. It felt surreal—like the universe was finally putting me back in the place where I was always meant to be.

Tumikhim si Wynther bago nagsimulang kumanta.

"Can light, break this greyish haze and melt away?"

The first line barely left his lips when my heart clenched. I knew exactly who this song is for.

Luna. It's for her.

As the song continued, I felt my chest tighten. My hands curled into fists as I forced back the lump forming in my throat.

Then, he screamed.

It was raw. Painful. Full of emotions too heavy to carry alone. And as soon as I saw the tears slip down his face, I lost it. My own tears fell, one after another, until I had to cover my mouth with my hand just to keep myself from sobbing out loud.

Even with his eyes shut, I could feel it—the agony radiating from him, from every word, from every note. But he kept going. Kahit na sobrang sakit na nito para sa kanya, hindi siya tumigil. He poured everything into this performance, his grief, his love, his regret—until the very last note faded into the air.

Then, as the silence settled, he finally spoke.

And in that moment, he didn't just sing. He told us a story.

His story.

A story that revealed why he knew my uncle. How he learned to play the bass. Who taught him. His dreams. His regrets. Everything.

And suddenly, I understood him so much better.

As Rive walked away, I took a step toward him.

"We'll make sure to keep our dreams alive," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Including Luna's dreams."

Without thinking, I pulled him into a hug. A brief but tight one—just enough to let him know that he wasn't alone in this. That we were in this together.

Then, I stepped back and walked to my spot. Doon kung saan naroon ang gitara.

I slipped the strap over my shoulder, my fingers brushing against the strings. My heartbeat pounded against my chest—not out of nervousness, but excitement.

This is where I belong.

I looked at my bandmates—no, my family—and felt my lips curl into a genuine smile.

It felt right. It felt real.

And as we stood together, ready to play, I knew—this time, we were moving forward. Toward the dream stage we once promised each other.

Together.