Strings of Memory

Extra 3

At the end of her words, I found myself crying again.

This time, not because of guilt-pero dahil sa sobrang pasasalamat.

I was grateful.

For them.

For being my parents.

For supporting me.

And so, with my parents' support behind me, I joined the band. And ever since then, each day has been so much fun. Being in a band with people who shared the same dream as I did-it was exciting.

Having a band I could call my own... warmed my heart.

Then, we had our first-ever performance as a band. And that was also the first time I heard Luna sing.

Her voice made me shiver. It sent chills down my spine, made my heart pound loudly and fast. And at that moment, I finally understood-she wasn't born to be an athlete. I was wrong to think that she would feel free if she tried track and field. That she would find happiness in it. Now, I'm sure.

She was born to be onstage. Born to be a singer. To be an inspiration to people. That's what truly set her free. That's what finally let her escape the cage she had been trapped in for so long. And the person who helped her do that... wasn't me. It was Wynther. He was the reason she was able to spread her wings.

Hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng sakit habang pinapanood kung paano marahang pinunasan ni Wynther ang mga luha ni Luna. Kung paano niya siya kinomfort. Kung paano niya hinarap at sinagot ang vocalist ng bandang kung ano-ano ang sinabi sa amin. He looked so cool doing that, and I couldn't help but envy him. He was able to do that for her, while I-stuck in my position at the back-was too busy getting mad at the words thrown at me instead of going to her.

I've always loved being in the back. But right now, I couldn't help but dislike it.

And my jealousy didn't end there. It continued when Wynther joined the band, during our celebration at the fast-food restaurant-because I saw how happy she was looking at him while he just stared at her with the gaze of a man who was falling. It continued when we picked the band name, when I saw how the both of them turned red after Rive teased them.

And then at the beach house. When Wynther protected Luna and Zeira from those drunkards. How Luna hugged him from behind. How he couldn't help but smile, knowing she was that worried about him. And the next day, when I heard him leave our room in the middle of the night.

I couldn't sleep that night either, so I decided to go out of the house. A decision I immediately regretted.

I saw them. Sitting on the sand, by the shore. Luna was looking at the moon. Wynther was looking at her.

Muli kong naramdaman ang pamilyar na sakit na paulit-ulit kong naramdaman nitong mga nakaraang araw.

Just like a drummer-the backbeat of the band-I could do nothing but watch them from behind. Watching their feelings for each other unfold.

And I knew then that I never stood a chance. I never did.

Ah. It's time to give up now.

This feeling was so fleeting. I didn't even get the chance to pursue it. What a shame.

Naiiling akong bumalik sa loob ng bahay at pinilit na lang ang sariling matulog-kahit na lalo lang akong hindi dinalaw ng antok dahil sa nakita at napagtanto ko.

When I first joined the band, I felt awkward around Wynther. With the way we first met, it was obvious why. I would often try to talk to him or joke around, pero laging maikli lang sagot niya. But that was okay. I just wished he would open up more. Hindi lang naman ako ang tinatrato niya ng ganon-pati sa iba, ganon din siya.