Strings of Memory

Prologue

Prologue

A dream?

I looked around, finding myself in a room with light blue walls. A bed with blue and black sheets that perfectly match the wall paint. On the study table beside the bed, there's a couple of books scattered that's typically used by elementary students. A bag hung on the chair, and when you look up, you will see a bunch of posters of a specific band.

It's a band that's really famous. How do I know that? Well... it's because I know that band. I'm a fan of theirs.

My eyes darted to the side when I noticed something leaning against the wall. It was a black object with four thick strings. At first glance, it resembled a guitar, but I quickly realized it was a bass. Its dark color gleamed like the night, shiny as glass. The long, slender neck was lined with silver frets, and the thick strings looked ready to vibrate with sound.

Suddenly, the door swung open kaya natuon doon ang atensyon ko.

A kid walked inside and almost excitedly went to get the bass on the side. He sat down on the bed and began strumming it.

My eyes lingered on his face. His eyes filled with joy as he wore a wide smile on his face.

Yeah, this must be a dream. Based on the vibrant colors in this room, I can confidently say that this is a dream.

This is far from my reality. This place is full of colors and hopes, an obvious contrast to my world, which is devoid of any colors.

As I watched the kid playing with the bass, the scene suddenly shifted. The kid was now standing in front of a man, who affectionately ruffled his hair.

The kid giggles, but my attention remained fixated on the man.

He appeared to be in his thirties and looked really familiar. It's because he's part of the band on the posters in the kid's room earlier.

I found myself staring at him for a very long time as I felt my heart beating a little bit faster compared to before.

Then, the scene shifted again. This time, all the colors of this world vanished, disappearing like a bubble that had just been popped.

I looked around and saw a much older version of the kid from the earlier scenes. He was taller now, and he's wearing a uniform for a junior high school.

I looked into his eyes. The spark that shone brightly earlier was now replaced by a hollow emptiness. His eyes looked utterly lifeless.

Kinuha niya ang bass na nasa ibabaw ng kama niya at ibinalik ito sa lagayan. Pagkatapos ay lumabas siya ng kwarto dala-dala ito.

A woman stopped on her tracks when she saw the guy, and she asked something I couldn't hear.

What's with this dream? Why can't I hear their voices?

Yet, despite the silence, I understood her question.

Where are you going?

Her eyes darted on the bass on the guy's hand, and her eyes widen in shock. She spoke again, but the guy remained silent. She gently grasped his arm, but he shrugged it off and told the woman something.

I don't need it anymore.

He then walked to the storage room of the house and placed down the bass carefully, as if it were something so precious.

For someone who says he doesn't need it, he certainly handled it with great care.

He stared at the bass for what felt like an eternity until he finally looked up and sighed.