Strings of Memory

Extra 3

He's so mysterious. He's part of the band, but we don't really know much about him. We don't know his reasons for joining or how the members of The Reverie even knew him.

That's why, when he first arrived in the clubroom, ang awkward talaga. I tried making small talk, pero wala pa rin. But then, I decided to talk about Luna. And that got him to speak. Napakwento rin ako, and I got to see a little more of him-like he was opening up in his own way, kahit kaunti lang. Somehow, it made me feel more comfortable around him.

Being comfortable with him and getting closer made it easier to talk to him. Kaya minsan, tinanong ko siya kung gusto ba niya si Luna. Pero imbes na sumagot, tinanong niya rin ako pabalik. I already knew the answer. I just wanted to hear it from him. Kaya nang sinabi kong mag-confess na siya, he answered me with another question.

"Why would I do that? Why don't you do it instead?"

I smiled. "I already did."

That was a lie. I never confessed. I never even got the chance to. Kasi bago pa man ako makapagsimula, alam ko nang talo na ako. I knew I'd just get rejected, and it would only ruin the band. Luna would feel awkward around me if she knew about my feelings, and I didn't want that.

I didn't want to ruin what I had with her. With everyone. The band mattered more to me than these feelings I knew would never be reciprocated.

The day before the festival, I decided to do something para mapilitan si Luna or Wynther na mag-confess. Kahit sino sa kanila ang mauna, alam ko na ang magiging ending. The other person would definitely confess back, and they'd finally have to figure out what to do with their relationship.

Pero base sa naging usapan namin ni Wynther, pakiramdam ko hindi siya ang mauunang umamin. So my bet was on Luna.

I sent them both a message to meet me in the clubroom. Pagkatapos non, lumabas na ako ng school-only to find Rive standing by the gate, as if he was waiting for someone.

Pagkakita niya sa akin, agad siyang umayos ng tayo at lumapit.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Kitang-kita ko ang pag-aalala sa mga mata niya.

Nagtataka ko siyang tinignan. What is he talking about?

Napabuntong hininga siya. "I know what you're planning."

Napaawang ang bibig ko bago natawa. He really is quick-witted. Alam niya ang plano ko. And even about my feelings. Pero alam kong naaawa lang siya sa akin. I know that, like me, he's rooting for Luna and Wynther to be together.

"It's okay," maikli kong sagot, nakangiti. Pero kahit na ganon, hindi ko mapigilang maramdaman ang sakit sa loob ko.

Tinitigan niya ako, parang kinikilatis ang reaksyon ko. Nang makita niyang ayos lang ako, muli siyang napabuntong hininga at ngumiti.

Inakbayan niya ako. "Let's go. I'll treat you to some ice cream."

Napatawa ako at sumunod sa kanya.

That day was bittersweet. Masaya ako na may kaibigang nag-aalala sa akin at handang ilibre ng ice cream para lang matulungan akong maka-move on. Pero masakit pa rin. Hindi ko lang hinayaang lamunin ako non. I knew I could handle it.

And then, the day everything starts to fall apart came.

Pagdating ni Wynther sa clubroom, agad kong napansin ang strap sa bass niya, and I couldn't help but smile. But at the same time, may kung anong kumurot sa dibdib ko.

Alam kong bigay 'yon ni Luna. Siya lang naman ang may ganong strap sa bag. I also saw her holding it before, so she must have given it to him.

Tinanong ko siya kung nag-confess na ba siya. Pero ang sagot niya? Hindi. That made my smile disappear. Sa itsura niya, mukhang hindi rin nag-confess si Luna.