Maven of the Strings

Chapter Twenty-four

Arkin POV

Three days pass . . .

New Year is coming. I spend my pass days at my mother's house again at Velez with my other siblings. Likewise on Christmas. That time, we had a Skype conversation with my eldest sister Vanessa which a dentist abroad, destined at Nashville, Tennessee. Knowing how we spent our Christmas here. Back then, how she celebrate it with her co-workers. Then after some cam-to-cam conversation, I walk away for a while, leaving my mother with my eldest sister's conversation.

I start to play guitar on the backyard, singing Fight Song.

For that moment. I start singing this song. Last song syndrome is real. All my memories stuck on the Maven every time I heard this dedicated song.

I really miss the Maven. How is she right now? I hope all is good. I'm texting and calling Nicolette but she won't answer. I had to make such things to tell that I really care. I have to do something to saw her again. The give my care proof! To prove that I always here for her.

That very moment, I will do what I've said.

My phone wallpaper was her. I call upon Metal Depression to send for favor. I will prove to Nicolette, and to the Maven's entire family how important their daughter for me. On how I care of her too much. And yes! I got an idea!

A concert for a cause.

Then I planned that I will do this before New Year's Eve! Yes. The plan must be proceed for less than three more days planning and preparation. Yes, I do mistake but I won't let our friendship ends on that. Maybe on the other side-like I said before, maybe her parent is angry to me but they just understand my faults. All my concern was the happiness and care of the Maven. I just wondering, why they hide that condition? If I just know it early, maybe it will be prevented. But no, time's enough because what happen in past was a mistake.

I remember that she wants to ride on a Ferris Wheel in Ayala Grand Carnival. I remember that! I never forget that. I'd said too, that it will be happen to her. Yes! That will make her happy.

"My son." Mom said. Calling upon me.

"Yes mom?"

"Your sister's asking for you. Come on here." She said excitedly. Then I came. And by that, we start again another conversation until 3 PM. I already tell about the Maven and I never tell the real name. She was sad about this, she tells me what to do, and she likes my plan. This is great. She motivates me about this.

Around everything there is hope. But in wrong move, it makes faded. Some are secrets that hard to reveal. Something are unsure. No assurance! You must know this things. Do your best! This is what I've learned in people around me. And yes! It came helpful. Be careful on what we do. Indeed! The word itself, be careful.

I shall proceed the plan. It'll never been postpone. Yes! I should do it.

"I have to go."

"Where you go, son?" My mother asked.

"To my band mates, to Dennis." It was Dio. That time she gave me a shirt. A grey Aeropostale shirt that fitted to me. For last year, she gave me a Levi's.

"This is my gift for you that I didn't give you on Christmas."

"Thanks mom! Thank you so much!" And I'm happy leaving the house to go at my bandmates.

I went to Dio's crib. A place to beat sadness with his rooftop. I reach Dio's at 6 PM and he was there. Alone and unwinding at the rooftop with a bucket fool of iced and an Alfonso.

"Zup dude." He greet. Drinking his favorite brandy.

"I'm good. What the reason why you drink?" I answer and asked back, confusing on what I've see.

"Want to drink, man?" Inviting me to have drink.

"No thanks. Anyway, is there a problem?"

"No. It's just cold that's why I drunk. Later, Rin will came here." I think too much that something went wrong. Then I'd been kidding that moment.

Then he started to asked. Looking at the sunset. "What's the reason why you contact me while ago? Are you asking for favor?"

This is it.

"Yes. Can you help me?" I reply. Walking near at his chair where he sat, I sat on another chair.

"What will the band do? Tell me."

"Had you remember the girl I brought on Dawnchase last Christmas? Starchild?"

"Of course, she sitting with my girlfriend," Dio answer. "What about her?"

"I make mistake to her. A critical mistake that hard to be resolve." Then he turn his head next to me.

He ask seriously, "What? It makes me confuse."

"Man. Don't ask farther, I remember my mistakes. I just want to absolve this things. I need help."

"Okay okay," He talk calmly and put the glass near the bucket and talk to me, "What's your plan?" He asked.

"I want to make a concert on Dawnchase."

"And then?" He continue on asking.

"Can we perform with her? Badly in the name of my favor. Please help me, Dio."

"Ow." He start thinking. He said again, "Okay. It's just little things. Don't worry. Just tell me when and I will set up the performance."

"I just wanted to do it before New Year's Eve."

Then he start thinking again, "That's a hard favor." Sigh. What to do? But he continue, "I will tell you if I'm free that night. I will do this little thing for you, my brother." He answer. Then I talk again to him with motivation.

"Thanks Dio. I'm sorry for the sort of inconvenience. I just want to ask you for this. Maybe I have to go somewhere."

"Man, have a drink." He keep taking me a brandy.

Then I drink one shot, taking a thanks-giving sip. Ugh, this is hard. "Thank you so much. Just wait for Rin."

"Okay. Take care dude." He said. And I leave the place after a short conversation. I go forth to somewhere else. I must think more to resolve the mistakes I've did to the Maven. Time to unwind by myself for a little hour. I need some portion of peace of minds.

s'=)