Strings of Memory

Chapter 3

The Chord That Broke

Hearing that the reason why my father chose the bass is heartwarming. Seeing him having fun with his bandmates, even though he faced a problem before, was such a sight to see.

It didn't make him lame. It only made him cooler in my eyes. Knowing that he worked hard to get to play that well, even though it wasn’t really the instrument he wanted, showed how he managed to overcome that problem and still enjoy it.

Knowing that it wasn't his dream doesn't disappoint me either. It only gave me a different perspective on things. It doesn't really matter if it's a dream. As long as you're serious about getting things done, you'll succeed. And that made me look up to him even more.

"What's your dream, Wynther?" Tanong sa akin ni Tori bago kumuha ng isang cookie.

With our arrival, they decided to take a break and just talk to us. They asked me questions like how I learned to play the way I did earlier, especially my dad, dahil hindi pa niya iyon naituturo sa akin.

Unlike the first time I heard that question from my teacher, I strangely felt calm now. Maybe it’s because I feel comfortable around them, and most of all, because this time, I have an answer to that question.

Tinignan ko saglit si Daddy bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Tori.

"Um." Hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa baso bago nagsalita. "I want to be... in a band." Marahan kong sinabi.

Ngumiti siya. "That's a good dream to have," sabi niya. Tinignan ko ang reaksyon ng ibang kabanda niya at nakitang nakangiti din sila sa akin.

Binaling ko ang tingin kay Daddy at kagaya din nila ang naging reaksyon niya. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko na nagpangiti sa akin. I feel accepted. I felt accepted. I felt like my dream was validated by their reaction.

"I know you will be able to do it, Wynther. You're my son, after all. You'll be able to make it happen." Sabi niya bago itinigil ang ginagawa.

Tinitigan ko siya. He looked happy and proud to hear my dream kaya naman napagdesisyunan kong sabihin ang isa ko pang pangarap.

Humugot muna ako ng isang malalim na paghinga bago nagsalita. "And... I... want to play on the same stage with you, Dad."

I saw something flicker in his eyes, and before I could even register what emotion that was, he suddenly enveloped me in a hug. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling his warm embrace. We stayed hugging for a few seconds before he let go.

"Let's make your dream happen." Sabi niya bago itinaas ang hinliliit niya. "Promise?"

Ngumiti ako at itinaas din ang hinliliit ko bago iyon inilapit sa daliri niya. "Promise."

With our promise made that day, I made sure to learn how to play the bass quickly. Whenever my father was home, I would always make sure he would teach me everything I needed to know. When he wasn’t around, I’d watch tutorial videos, and sometimes, I’d even go to their studio to watch their practice. Of course, I was always with my mother, but when I became a junior high student, I started going there on my own.

I became much closer with my father’s bandmates, and I learned so much from them. They taught me more about music, some tips and advice on how to choose my bandmates, and other things I would surely need.

I put everything they taught me into practice and also tried to find people interested in forming a band with me, but I had no luck. But it didn’t discourage me because my father was with me. He told me that it was okay, and I would find the perfect bandmates in time.

Each day, I just focused on practicing and becoming better. The band would even let me perform with them during their practice sessions, and it was so much fun. How I wish I could have my own band too.