Strings of Memory

Chapter 2

Behind the Strings

At that very moment, while watching my father play, while he looked so cool playing that bass, creating those deep sounds that seemed to resonate inside me, I... finally found something I want to do.

After the concert, my father immediately went to the room where my mother and I were, and without wasting any time, started asking questions.

"How was it, Wyn? Did you enjoy the concert?" He asked with a wide grin on his lips.

I stared into his eyes and saw the same sparkle—the spark of someone who has a dream.

I smiled and slowly nodded my head. "Yes, Dad. You really looked cool out there," I said, which earned me a really tight hug.

Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa niya. "I'm glad that you were able to enjoy yourself," sabi niya, at unti-unti akong pinakawalan. Kagaya nang lagi niyang ginagawa ay ginulo niya ang buhok ko bago siya nakipag-usap kay Mommy.

Tinitigan ko silang dalawa. They were smiling, clearly happy. Napalunok ako at pinagsalikop ang dalawang kamay.

I better tell them that I have a dream now.

Humugot ako ng malalim na paghinga, at naging kasabay noon ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

"U-um..." Pauna ko na kumuha sa atensyon nilang dalawa. Kaagad silang tumigil sa pag-uusap at humarap sa akin.

"What is it, Wyn?" Tanong ni Mommy. Saglit silang nagpalitan ng tingin ni Daddy bago itinuon sa akin ang buong atensyon nila.

Lumunok ako at tinitigan silang dalawa. Unlike the gaze I got from my teacher, the expectation in their eyes didn't hurt at all. Maybe it's because they're my parents, and I know they wouldn't judge me.

Humugot akong muli ng malalim na paghinga bago ibinuka ang bibig. "I... I want to play the bass," sabi ko, at hinintay ang magiging reaksyon nilang dalawa.

Unti-unting may namuong ngiti sa mga labi ni Mommy, habang si Daddy naman ay muling lumapit sa akin, naupo sa harapan ko, at hinawakan ang magkabila kong balikat.

Binigyan niya ako ng isang ngiti. "It's good that you finally found what you want to do, son. I'm happy for you. Your mother and I are both happy for you," he said, and that only made me smile even more.

When we all got home, I was about to go to my room when my father asked me to wait for him, so I sat down on our couch with my mother and waited for him.

Pumasok siya sa kwarto nila ni Mommy, at ilang saglit lang ay lumabas din siya na may hawak na isang itim na bagay. Base sa hugis nito ay para itong isang gitara at nasa loob siya ng itim na case.

Don't tell me... it's what I think it is. Kumabog ang puso ko habang nakatitig kay Daddy.

Lumapit siya sa amin at inilapag sa coffee table ang dala niya. Binuksan niya ang case nung dala niya at inilabas ang isang... bass. It's a black bass that seemed to shine under the light from our living room. It has a slender neck, silver frets, and four thick strings.

Inabot niya sa akin iyon, pero tinitigan ko lang ang hawak niya. Is he... going to give it to me?

Ngumiti siya at mas inilapit pa sa akin ang bass na hawak. "Come on, son. This is my gift for you," sabi niya.

Mas lalong bumilis at lumakas ang pagtibok ng puso ko, at gamit ang mga nanginginig na kamay ay kinuha ko iyon sa kanya at ipinatong sa binti ko. Marahan kong hinimas ang itim na katawan nito papunta sa mga makakapal na strings nito. The move I did created a small, deep sound that only made my heart beat louder.