The Last String

7

It was unusual for Jake to be incredibly silent the next few days. It was good but at the same time alarming since it was like he was putting a wall around everyone.

Kit just observes the both of them. He notice how Jake would try to ignore Noon's presence, there was a hint of loneliness whenever he catches Jake look at Noon's direction.

On the other hand, Noon would act as if nothing happened. He stayed professional even when he knows that he was making someone uncomfortable by just being there.

//

"YOU FORGOT TO BRING IT?!"

Jake's voice resonates throughout the room. Noon just stood there, no sign of fear in his face. He just looked straight at Jake's eyes, ready to catch whatever Jake was going to throw at him.

"I don't care if Bangkok is two hours away, you go back and get my script. I didn't come here just to cancel the shoot because you" Jake grits his teeth, serious on what he was saying.

"You only have one tiny assignment and you can't even do i-" Noon didn't let Jake finish talking, instead he took his bag and didn't bother to talk back at him and just left.

//

Kit commands everyone to leave the room except for Jake.

He was out talking to the director when Jake lashed out on Noon, he had no idea on what happened if not for Pay who ran to him as soon as possible. But he was late and Noon had already left.

"What on earth were you thinking? You know you can always ask for an extra copy to the management" Noon lashes out in disappointment.

Jake scratches his head out of frustration.

"I know you're mad. But that doesn't mean you always have to act like a fucking child single everytime. You're feelings matter and so is his. You don't have to act like a brokenhearted high schooler just because he doesn't feel the same anymore" it was too late for Kit to take back what he just said. And for a minute he can see the regret in Jake's eyes.

Jake let's out a frustrated sigh as he leans back at his seat. His frustration was directed at himself since he realizes Kit was stating the fact.

Kit decides to call Noon but his phone rang somewhere in the room. He looks at Jake in disapproval.

"If something happens to him, you're accountable" Kit warns him.

//

Jake was avoiding Noon when he got back. Kit already explained Noon what he did.

And as usual, Noon just listens with a blank face.

"It's okay, it's my fault anyway" Noon assures him.

Kit looks at him, amazed at how Noon shrugs everything like it was not a big deal.

//

The shoot ended early and Kit decided to bring everyone to eat dinner. They have to stay at the place for the next three days for the shoot.

There was still an awkward air around as they eat. Everyone is tiptoeing around them, trying not to say something to tick off any of the two- well Jake importantly.

The host of the restaurant they were eating at thanks the singer who had just finished a song.

"Is there someone who wants to sing? The stage is open for everyone who wants to pour their hearts out" the host urges and suddenly Jake stood up, much to everyone's surprise.

Everybody acknowledges his presence because really, who doesn't know Jake Panichwit?

Jake confidently walks up the stage, not forgetting to give everyone a warm smile as they cheer on him.

"It's a lovely evening everyone" he greets as he adjusts the guitar.

"I know a lot of you knows me. And I would like to share a song with everyone since I'm already here"

Jake looks exhausted, and Kit can't tell if it's because he was tired from the shoot, or he looks tired because he felt guilty on what he did earlier that day.
Jake asks for a guitar and checks if it was on the right tune.

"If you think I'll be singing my songs, no I won't. You need to come to my future concerts if you want to hear me sing those" he jokes earning a burst of laughter in the audience.

"This song I prepared, I dedicate this to those who feel like they're missing someone, but never gets the chance to tell that person how much you miss him"

Jake gently strums the guitar. His deep voice starts to resonate within the room.

(Jake sings Warm Eyes by Lomosonic)

No one dared to make a noise or something as Jake sings. And even if Noon denies it, it was evident how broken Jake sings the song.

Everyone is on their phone, capturing the moment as they watch in awe at how Jake makes the song more sadder than it is.

As soon as Jake finishes the song, Noon immediately excuses himself to bed.

//

Noon absentmindedly stares at the ceiling. The conversation he had with Jake still bothers him.

Why would Jake still feel something for him?

It was him who threw away everything that they had and Jake got the bitter part of it.

He puts the back of his hand on his now closed eyes. Still puzzled on how things were going.

He could hear Ham's snore from the bed next to him. It wasn't that loud to bother him.

He goes back to his train of thoughts, wondering why he ended up in this situation.

He looks back and realizes how far he and Jake both had gone through.

Yet, he was too far from what Jake had turned out to be.

Jake was someone he cannot reach. He was so high that all he can do is look from afar.

And Noon himself became someone who never stood up from the crowd. Every dream he had came crashing down.

He had to give up everything he planned for the future.

And looking back at those sacrifices he had to make, he ended up imagining the face Jake always had everytime he looks at him.

The anger, disappointment, frustration and all the hatred he can see in those eyes.

He silently cries as everything came at him all at once.

He loves Jake so much that he never thought of any consequences when he had to push him out just to make it big.

And if he was given another chance to turn back time and make everything right...

He will still make the same mistake over and over again.