Yellowed

Chapter 13; Blank Lies

A night before the University Talents Night, I attempt to see Flavus practice his piece, but nothing happens. I just ended up like a friend not invited to a party. When I went to his unit, it was not him who greeted me. 

It was Paul. I don't know, but it makes my unreasonable ego feel like a storm is coming. After he recognized me, he smiled and greeted me. 

"Oh! Mr. Gray, what brings you here?" he asked. Actually, that is also my question. What am I doing here when someone is already with Flavus? 

"I... Uhm... I just wanted to know if Flavus was doing alright in his practice but I just realized I had a report to do. So I better go, tell Flavus I wish him good luck for tomorrow," and without waiting for his response, I left.

I can't explain, but I am aware it was unreasonable of me to act like that, especially with my student, but I was feeling something was off, and I am frustrated that I couldn't put my finger on it. I just shake my head, sit on the side of my bed, and stare at the blank wall.

#

The spirit of tonight's competition is felt throughout the university. It is still one hour before the competition, but the campus is already swarming with students and nonstudents who want to support their classmates and friends. I heard that there would be twelve participating contestants who would join the competition, one of which is Flavus. I know because I confirmed it with the organizer. And as I am the guidance counselor, I am expected to stay until the end of the program to monitor the students. 

As I entered the gymnasium, the first thing that greeted me was the huge banner of the competition and the maroon-themed stage. I scanned the gymnasium to find Flavus and wish him luck, but I only recognized several hundred people who were probably there to support their friends and a few more people who had just come to enter and enjoy the show. I couldn't find Flavus. 

As I was about to walk to the side of the stage where the contestants were supposed to stand and wait, I heard a tune. Very faint, but it echoed and was gradually amplified, overpowering the crowd and the loud music. The sound makes me want to just lay on the grass during summer and then listen to the sound the wind makes when it brushes against the trees, the sound of a harp but much louder, the sound of a soothing breeze. It gives me a jolt that makes my teary eyes yet glisten. It was full of melancholia and brought so much nostalgia, causing my heart to swell.

I look around to find where it's coming from and who it could be. I could only see a small group of students encircling a lone figure on the sidelines. The music stops and then is replaced by applause from one of the students. At that moment, I turned to my side at the back of the crowd and saw that familiar face. Flavus. His fingers are on his harp. I plan to go to him to wish him luck but standing on his side again is Paul, who is ecstatically clapping and jumping up and down before hugging Flavus. I am speechless. I know it's a bit of jealousy, a bit of sorrow, a bit of anger, and a lot of frustration. I walked away from that scene and decided that what I really wanted tonight was to go home, but Ms. Follon called my attention. 

"Mr. Gray, where are you going? The program is about to start," she asked. 

"Nothing. It's just too crowded and I wanted to be able to see the crowd here at the back. You know. There are a lot of things that happen at the back of the crowd," I said. 

"Alright then. But there's a seat at the back and you can enjoy the show from there," and she went back to her seat. 

As the program started, the gymnasium shook, and the crowd began cheering. Tonight's host is the head of the College of Communication Arts, Ms. Jean. She welcomes everyone to the university-wide talent night, introduces every participating department, and starts the program.