SEVEN AND ARROW (Montana Series 2 | BXB)

41: Raconteur

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The Business Summit reached its conclusion, but Arrow and I didn't wait for it to end. Umuwi na kami ng Montana City upang sa bahay na siya magpahinga. He could still walk, but unlike before, he needed to be careful in every step he was taking. Nakakaya pa naman niyang maglakad ng mabilis, ngunit sinabihan siya ng doctor na huwag niyang pilitin at pagurin ang kanyang sarili.

It was hard, but we tried to continue living, because just like what Dr. Rodriguez said, we should use each time to create more memories with Arrow. Kahit mabigat sa loob ay pinilit namin ni Tita Meryl ang gumising sa umaga at humarap sa kanyang anak na parang walang problema.

"Do you need anything?" I asked Arrow while peering through his door.

"Nothing," he answered while sitting in front of his study table. "Come here, I want you to hear something."

I went inside his room, then I saw a laptop on his table. There was a music software program flashed on the screen. May isa pang upuan sa kwarto ni Arrow kaya kinuha ko ito at itinabi sa kanya para doon maupo. Nang makaupo ako ay inabot niya sa'kin ang kanyang earbuds.

"Check this out. I made a new musical composition," he shared. "I want you to critic it."

"But I don't know anything about music," I said, hesitant to take his earbuds.

His face lit up with a smile. "I know, but your opinion is important to me."

I nodded and took the earbuds he offered me. "It's my pleasure, then."

As the upbeat melody filled my ears, I started nodding my head, feeling the beautiful music that my man created. I closed my eyes and let the music transport me to somewhere. Alam kong magaling siya sa music, ngunit hindi ko inakala na makagagawa siya ng gano'n kagandang musika. Arrow watched me, waiting for my feedback.

"This is good," I said. "I didn't know you could actually make something like this."

He beamed, clearly thrilled that I enjoyed his new musical creation. "So you like it?" he asked.

"I love it!" I exclaimed. "Kailangang marinig 'to ng iba. You should upload this on Youtube or Spotify."

"No need," he said while shaking his palm. "Sapat na sa'kin na marinig 'to ng mga taong malapit sa'kin."

"Arrow," I uttered in a falling tone. "Even if you don't say it, I know you want to be successful in music industry. You have the skills and talent, you shouldn't waste that."

"Seven, we both know my time is limited," he said, which gave a pang in my chest.

My brows knitted in concentration. "Limited, but you still have time. Naalala mo ba ang sinabi mo sa'kin noon? I should not wait for my wings to be ready before I decided to fly. There are so many ways, Arrow."

Napangiti naman siya sa aking sinabi, sabay haplos sa aking pisngi. "Natutuwa ako dahil marami akong maiiwang ala-ala sa'yo. We should do more."

His words melted my heart in pain. I could feel my tears were shaping, but I tried to control it. Tumayo ako at inilaan ang kamay ko sa kanya.

"Then, let's go," I invited.

He stared at my hand. "Where?" he asked.

"To the art center," I replied. "It's Sunday today, remember?"

He smiled at me and took my hand. Every minute was a struggle, but I was determined to put on a brave face in front of Arrow despite the grief that threatened to crush my heart. I didn't know how I would go on with life without him, but for now, I swallowed all the worry and focused on living with the moment.