The Last String

9. A Hidden Gem

Noon sighs as he stands up from the  couch. Although he can still feel a hint of nausea, the smell of the inhaler keeps him upright.

He didn't know how long he laid there, but he knew that once in a while, Jake would often check on him.

There was no one in the room, the gala had already started and he wasn't sure how long it would end.

He felt embarrassed by what had happened.  The way he remembers how Jake lost his cool when he saw him losing his consciousness.

He gives a deep whiff from the inhaler, trying to contain his embarrassment.

Just then the door suddenly burst open which made him jump a little bit from his seat. Dhan was out of breath as he shouted the assistant's name.

"Do, do you know phi's song? I mean I should ask you if you're alright first right? Ahhh this is stressing me out!" Dhan exclaims, he tries to calm his breathing.

"I'm fine now, thanks for asking
Now what were you asking me again? Jake's song?"

"Yeah Jake asks if you know his songs?  He's in a tight situation right now"

Of course he knows Jake's songs. But before he can respond, Ham also enters the room.

"The guitarist ghosted the band and Jake asked if you could play the guitar for him, there's no way we can call a backup right now that's why you're the best backup he knows who can help" Ham explains going straight to the rack of clothes beside Noon. He chooses a denim blazer and a green shirt and places it in front of Noon, checking if it suits him.

"I know you suit green" the stylist approves at his own choice and hurries Noon to change his clothes.

"No, no, I gave up playing years ago" Noon argues.

"And if you don't rekindle that talent right now we all are so gonna get fired before the gala ends" Ham urges as he pushes Noon at the bathroom.

"Hurry up! I'm still gonna give you a simple make-over" Ham yells as the bathroom door closes

A few minutes later, Noon emerges out of the bathroom, earning a sound of approval from Ham.

"See, I'm the best, now sit" Ham commands him.

"His performance is on the final part of the gala so you still have an hour to practice, here I tried to look for a guitar you can practice with, here's the chords of the song he's gonna sing tonight" Dhan hands him some papers and an acoustic guitar.

"I don't really think this will work" Noon mumbles as he adjusts the guitar strings.

"Ohoyyyy, look you're a natural, you didn't hesitate to correct the strings the moment you took it" the stylist acknowledges as he continues his work on Noon's face.

"Yeah, that's the natural instinct kicking in" Dhan agrees.

Noon proceeds to make a quick practice when Jake enters the room. Ham was quick to hand him the clothes he was going to change into.

The moment Jake comes out of the bathroom Ham quickly gestures Jake to sit for a retouch.

"No need, I just need a moment with Noon, please get out everyone, I need a last minute practice with him, call us out fifteen minutes before the performance starts" Jake says, and without any question everyone left the room except from the two of them.

"I don't think I can do this" Noon whispers.

"You've been doing this for years, I know this is surprising. We don't have a choice, you are the only person I can think of at this moment, you are more talented than I am, we both know that" Jake assures him.

"Noon, we did dream about this, performing on the same stage together, we are about to fulfill that dream, aren't you happy?"

"I gave up on that dream a long time ago, it's been years since I held a guitar" Jake looks at him in confusion.

"You did not" he tries not to believe.

"I already did Jake" Jake carefully grabs Noon's hand, comforting him.

"You are the most talented person I know Noon, you are better than me in everything when it comes to music, you were the reason why I am here in this industry, you lit that fire in my heart to pursue this career"

It was also me who almost ruined your path in this career Jake

"I trust in you the most" Jake assures him. Noon gave him a nod as an approval.

"Let's start with the first song, I already memorized the chords, but I don't know when I will enter" Noon tells him.

"So first I will have a solo guitar performance and then a little intro, then I will hand you the guitar. The drummer will...."

//

The bright lights almost blinded Noon as he went up the stage. The crowd went wild as Jake followed suit. He walked past Noon and gave him a small "Good luck" before proceeding to his position and checking the guitar.

Nervous was an understatement as Noon tries to calm himself down. It was the first time he was in front of a lot of people, a sea of people to be exact. He doesn't remember the last time he played for a crowd and now he was forced to be here.

This is now or never

He inhales deeply as the stage becomes black, all he can see is the light from the sea of phones in front of him.

Suddenly he hears someone playing the guitar. There was a single spotlight in the center of the stage, all of the attention was focused on the superstar playing skillfully. He watches as Jake bobs his head every time he hits a hard chord.

They only dreamt of this moment when they were 17. Although on those time it was on the serious side of their future, Noon had given up that dream before they can even finish high school.

Because he knows he won't be on Jake's side for long.

Noon came back to his senses when the sudden roar of the crowd almost deafened him. He looked at the crowd and although he can't show it, he was in awe at how much impact Jake's presence is.

After his solo performance, Jake hands Noon the guitar and went back at the center of the stage, pulling the microphone from the mic stand, he moves toward the front of the stage.

"YOU GUYS READY?!" he screams as he signals the drummer to start.  He looks at Noon and he counts 1,2,3 with his finger just like how they practiced in the dressing room.

As soon as Jake whispers a small "Go" to Noon, Noon immediately starts to play. Jake smiles at him proudly, giving him a thumbs up sign before proceeding to face the crowd and started to sing.