Silent Harmonies

Chapter 4

From a Distance

Reina walked leisurely through the SPAC campus, the warm glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the pathways. It was early evening, and the usual bustle of students had begun to quiet down. She was on her way to the library, planning to spend a quiet hour studying before heading back to her boarding house. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of flowers and freshly cut grass, and for a moment, everything felt peaceful.

As she approached the music hall, Reina slowed her pace. It was around 6:30 p.m., and she could hear the familiar sound of the choir’s voices drifting out from the open windows, harmonizing in the early evening air. She hesitated, feeling a slight tug in her heart. It had only been a few weeks since the choir auditions had closed, and she still regretted not joining earlier. The choir felt like a missed opportunity, especially after that duet with Migs during the Sabbath service. She had loved singing with him, their voices blending seamlessly together, but now she was stuck on the sidelines, a spectator to something she longed to be part of.

Suddenly, she noticed a figure slipping out of the music hall, moving quickly across the campus. It took her a moment to recognize him—Migs. He looked tense, his shoulders hunched as if carrying the weight of the world.

Ano kayang nangyari kay Migs? she thought, watching him with concern. He usually looks so confident… Baka may pinagdadaanan siya.

Reina stood there, torn. Part of her wanted to follow him, to see if he was okay, but another part of her hesitated. Dapat ba siyang lapitan? she wondered. What if he doesn’t want to talk to anyone? Pero sayang naman if he’s really struggling…

The more she thought about it, the more she felt compelled to act. She wasn’t usually the type to confront someone, especially someone she wasn’t that close to, but something about Migs made her want to reach out.

Come on, Reina, she encouraged herself, taking a deep breath. Kailangan mo lang siyang tanungin kung okay lang siya. Hindi naman mahirap ‘yun, di ba?

With a surge of determination, she started walking in the direction Migs had gone. She wasn’t entirely sure what she would say, but she knew she couldn’t just walk away. He looked like he needed someone, and if she could be that someone, she had to try.

It didn’t take long for her to find him. Migs was sitting on a bench near a grove of trees, his head in his hands. The sight made her heart ache. Ang bigat pala ng dinadala niya… she thought, her steps slowing as she approached. I wish I could do more to help.

“Migs?” she called softly as she got closer.

He looked up, startled, his eyes wide with surprise. “Oh, Reina… sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s okay,” she replied, stepping closer. “I saw you leave practice. Are you okay?”

Migs hesitated, and for a moment, Reina wondered if she had made the wrong decision. But then he sighed, his shoulders sagging as if he couldn’t hold the weight anymore.

“I’m just… struggling a bit,” he admitted, his voice low. “There’s a lot of pressure with ‘Hugyaw’ coming up, and I feel like I’m letting everyone down. I can’t seem to focus.”

Reina nodded, taking a seat on the bench beside him. “It’s understandable. It’s a big event, and you’re new to the choir. Pero hindi mo dapat sisihin ang sarili mo, Migs. Everyone has off days.”

Migs sighed again, this time with a hint of relief, as if just saying the words had lifted some of the burden. “I don’t know. It’s like… the more I try to focus, the harder it gets. And then, there’s everything else going on… It’s just too much.”

Poor Migs, Reina thought, feeling a surge of empathy for him. He’s really hard on himself. She thought about what she could say to help, something that might ease his mind.

“Alam mo,” she began carefully, “when I get overwhelmed, I try to remember why I love music in the first place. Madaling makalimutan ‘yun when you’re stressed. Maybe you just need to reconnect with that feeling.”

Migs looked at her, surprised by the insight. “You’re right… I’ve been so caught up in worrying about the performance that I forgot why I joined the choir to begin with.”

“Music is supposed to bring joy, not stress,” Reina continued, feeling more confident now that she saw he was listening. “Maybe you just need a break to clear your head.”

They sat in silence for a few moments, the air between them filled with unspoken understanding. Reina could see the tension slowly easing from Migs’s shoulders, and she felt a small surge of pride. I’m glad I came over, she thought. He really needed someone to talk to…

“Thank you, Reina,” Migs said after a while, his voice sincere. “I needed to hear that.”

She smiled, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. “Anytime, Migs. And don’t worry about the practice. You’ll do great at ‘Hugyaw.’ I’m sure of it.”

“I hope so,” he replied, a hint of determination returning to his voice. “I’ll just take it one step at a time.”

That’s the spirit, Reina thought, feeling a warm sense of relief. He’s going to be okay.

Finally, Migs stood up, looking a bit lighter than he had before. “I should probably head back to practice.”

“Good idea,” Reina agreed, standing up as well. “And remember, you’re not alone. Magkakasama tayo dito.”

Migs smiled, genuinely this time. “I’ll remember that.”

As he walked back to the music hall, Reina stayed behind for a moment, watching him go. She couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious about how much she had shared, but at the same time, she felt good about it. I hope I didn’t say too much, she thought, biting her lip. But he seemed to appreciate it. I really do hope he’ll be okay.

As she turned to head back to the library, Reina couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. There was a connection there, something she hadn’t expected but was starting to welcome. There’s something about him… she mused, her thoughts lingering on Migs. I’m starting to care more than I should. But I need to be careful—he’s in the choir, and I’m not even officially part of it yet.

With a shake of her head, Reina tried to push the thoughts aside. Why am I even thinking about this? Focus, Reina. Choir first, then maybe… I don’t know. Just don’t overthink it.

As she walked away, Reina couldn’t help but feel a little conflicted. She was glad she had helped Migs, but the growing feelings she was starting to have for him were confusing. Hugyaw is just around the corner, she thought, trying to redirect her focus. I hope Migs finds his rhythm again. We all want to see him shine.

But even as she tried to focus on the event, Reina knew that Migs would be on her mind more than ever in the days to come.