Zephyr Strings

Kabanata 3

Mangha kong ginala ang mga mata sa kanilang studio. Akala ko noong una ay isang tipikal na studio lang ito sa isang liblib na lugar dahil sa masikip na eskinitang dinaanan namin.

But I was wrong! This studio looks so amazing! May stage at naroon ang mga drums set at microphone stand. There are amplifiers, big speakers, and other stuff. Naupo ako sa kulay beige na sofa, yakap pa rin ang guitar case.

Cohen turned the aircon on. Diretso ang tungo ni Casimir sa stage at hinila ang high stool chair. Natigilan ako. Nasa kaniyang likuran ang guitar case niya habang sinasaksak ang mga wire.

I fisted my hands and looked away. This is my first time here, but it feels nostalgic. Conrad took his bass guitar from the case and plugged it in. Wala pa si Comet.

"Bakit ka pala mag-p-practice sa Sparks Place e wala namang tools doon? That's an electric guitar, right?" Si Cohen nang malapitan ako.

"Ah..." Napatalon ako at binuksan ang case. "I just wanted to practice a bit in a silent place... kaya..." I shrugged and took the guitar out.

"Wow. Is that Gibson, Ludovica?" Manghang sabi ni Conrad at lumapit.

Nakangiti akong tumango. It's a deep red Gibson electric guitar. Kinuha iyon ni Cohen mula sa akin at sinuri ito. Muli kong kinuyom ang aking mga kamay habang pinapanood siyang suriin iyon. I swallowed hard.

"The strings are loose and rusty. Gaano katagal na 'tong hindi naitotono?" Ani Conrad nang i-strum iyon.

"Uh... almost two years..." I replied uncomfortably.

"Oh? It's been years! You have to replace the strings."

"You play guitar, Vic? You're a violinist. Bakit may ganito kang kamahal na gitara?" Baling sa akin ni Cohen.

I bit my lip.

"You're a violinist, Ludovica? Woah!" ani Conrad sa manghang boses.

"But she retired when she turned eighteen, Cain. So... binili mo ito nang mag-quit ka?" ani Cohen.

Tumango ako. "Yeah... I... bought it."

"It's an expensive brand!" Si Conrad na sinusuri iyon.

"Cohen, alam mo ba kung paano palitan ang strings? Bumili ako ng bago noong nakaraan..." Napapalunok kong sabi.

"Huh? Drummer ako..."

Nagbaba ako ng tingin at mariing pinagsalikop ang mga daliri. I felt relieved by his answer. But... how can I use it when I'm afraid of replacing the strings?

I have to replace them since they're old and rusty. Natulala ako. But... those strings were the ones she last touched.

"Hey! I can't, but sina Comet, Cain, at Casimir, kaya. You don't have to look depressed about it!"

Gulat akong napatingin kay Cohen nang sabihin niya iyon. Humalakhak si Conrad at kinuha ang gitara mula kay Cohen. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin.

"Ako na. Ako ang magpapalit." Ani Conrad at naglakad patungo sa stage.

Umawang ang aking bibig. Kumalabog ang aking puso. Bago pa makapag-isip, tinakbo ko na si Conrad at kinuha mula sa kaniya ang gitara. Gulat siyang napatingin sa akin. I hugged the guitar tightly.

"N—No. I changed my mind." I tried to smile.

He blinked, then grinned. "But those are rusty already. You have to change them or you'll damage the guitar.

Nanuyo ang aking lalamunan at lalong niyakap ang gitara. I shook my head. "I will next time... and thanks. Anyways, I have to go somewhere." I smiled and went back to my seat.