The Unbroken But Impure

CHAPTER 04 NO GOODBYES

Mae woke up with music still in her veins.

It had been only twelve hours since the Ravermaya concert, but her mind kept rewinding to the front act, not the band, not the crowd, but him.

John.

He wasn't just another guitarist on stage. When his band played, his eyes seemed to lock on her in the crowd, and when they met backstage later, everything else blurred. And then, that kiss unexpected, charged, and sweet enough to make her forget the noise around them. It wasn't just a press of lips; it was a spark, an invitation into a world she hadn't dared step into before.

She touched her lips now, lying in bed, almost embarrassed at how much she missed him after only one night.

Her phone vibrated.

"Good morning, Mae. Did you sleep? Because I didn't. My brain was stuck on you." John greeted.

Mae's cheeks warmed.

"Barely slept. You're... distracting." She replied.

A call came seconds later. His voice was rough, probably from singing and shouting over the music last night.

"Mae. I don't want to wait for another gig to see you. Are you free today?" He said, like her name was something worth holding.

She hesitated, but only because she wanted to sound like she was thinking. "Where?"

"Anywhere you want. I just... want to know you better without a thousand people screaming in the background." He said.

Mae doesn't want her parents to know that she will meet someone. Even at eighteen, she is not allowed to have suitors or boyfriend yet so she decided not to tell John where she lives for fear that he will pay her a visit. She decided to meet him in the Malolos City, the provincial capital.

They met in the early afternoon at a café just off the main road of Malolos City. John was already there, sitting by the window, his guitar case leaning against the chair beside him.

When she walked in, his smile came first, followed by a small wave that felt oddly intimate.

"You're here." He said, standing to pull out her chair.

"Of course," she replied, matching his smile.

They ordered coffee, but barely touched it. The conversation moved in waves, from music to childhood memories, from silly fears to quiet dreams. She learned he plays in the band since high school. He learned she loved to write poetry but had never shown anyone her work.

After coffee, they walked aimlessly through the park. His hand brushed hers a few times until it stayed there, warm and steady.

"You really went here in Malolos City from Manila to visit me." She teased.

"Yeah. It won't be appropriate if you're the one visiting me." He laughed.

They ended the day with dinner at a small restaurant he swore had the best pancit in Bulacan. The food was ordinary, but sitting across from him made it feel like a feast.

John told Mae that he will send her home but she refused telling him that she just jump out of her house telling her parents that she will buy something in Malolos City.

When he dropped her off at the bus station, he didn't kiss her this time just looked at her like he was memorizing her face. "Three days," he said. "My band's playing here in Malolos. Will you come?"

"Really? I'll be there, of course" She promised.

The next two days.....

The two bombarded each other with calls and series of texts messages.