A Melody to Stay

Episode 6: The Aftermath

Following their performance that night, Ezra was found sitting on the edge of his bed and observing from a spot where his guitar was left alone. The city outside was peaceful, with only the sound of nearby vehicles breaking the silence. A soft moonlight shone through the window, casting a glow over the room. Although it was peaceful, Ezra couldn't shake off the sense of restlessness inside him.

The thought of everything that had happened was still fresh in his mind. The performance. Julian's praise. The applause. There was an atmosphere of surrealism, akin to that of something happening to someone else. There was no doubt in his mind that he would fail and not be good enough. Nevertheless, he was present in the aftermath, contemplating what it all meant.

It was only after Ezra strode through his guitar's strings that he realized how quiet the world was when Liam took over, with just his violin. The two had become inseparable. The performance and the music they played were no longer solely a matter of concern. There was a greater level of authenticity, more tangible. The night had come and gone, leaving Ezra to feel a sharp sense of hollowness, as though the thing that he had been seeking was becoming less significant.

Until he was alone, it made me realise how much Liam had relied on him.

His thoughts were shattered when his phone suddenly appeared and buzzed on the bed beside him. A message was sent by Liam..

Liam: You okay?

Without any choice, Ezra gazed at the screen for a long time. He was uncertain about his well-being.. It's difficult for him to identify the emotions that were running through his mind. He had never been a confident speaker, and the weight of what had just happened was too much for him to articulate.

He provided a response, which was later deleted. It didn't feel right. Following that night, what did he say? Following their past experiences, the performance and moment with Julian?

Finally, he typed back:

Ezra: I don't know. I can't seem to figure it out yet. Despite the circumstances, I'm content that we did it.

The amount was modest, but it was genuine. Then he hit send and put the phone to work, hoping for an answer.

Within minutes, his phone buzzed again.

Liam: Me too. Although I'm uncertain about what happens next, we did it together and I feel content with our decision.

The simplicity of Liam's message made Ezra smile.. The message was everything he craved. Despite Liam's likely uncertainty, there was something comforting about their shared experience. It was not necessary for them to have it all sorted out right away. His phone buzzed once more.

Liam: Want to meet up? I am situated near the beach at the café. Thought we could talk. No pressure, just—yeah.

Ezra's heart skipped a beat. A text had been on his wishlist, but this one was unlike the rest. I felt Liam was reaching out and trying to rescue him from the silence.' Following this, making arrangements to ensure their well-being. Upon reaching his jacket, Ezra felt an unfamiliar sense of urgency. He then grabbed it.

Ezra: Be there in ten.

The café by the beach was quiet that night, with waves gently crashing in the background as they both sat at a corner table facing each other. Their faces were illuminated by the overhead lights, and Ezra could perceive Liam's tiredness inside him.

"It's hard," Liam exclaimed, shaking his coffee aside. "To be honest, I don't know what will happen next." The boy continued to stir the cup.

Without a response, Ezra nodded and said something else. "Yes.". The sensation appears to have transformed, but the clarity remains unaffected.

Liam smiled faintly. “I know. But I suppose that is part of the story. Our attention has solely been directed towards the next step, causing us to forget about being here. Just be together.”.

Ezra's heart was pounding with excitement upon hearing the words. It wasn't until Liam had spoken that he realized how much clung to the notion of what would happen in the future. He was so consumed by his own doubts that he had lost touch with the present and failed to recognize the journey they had taken together. Their relationship, musical performance, and connection were integral to a larger puzzle than what was yet to come.

Ezra softly replied, "You're correct." He admitted to being overly concerned with the possibility of failure and not acknowledging the good times they've already had.

The music we've already made.”.

Looking at Ezra, Liam leaned forward with a firm grip and his gaze met his own. "The music is still going on," said one of the boys. We're just getting started. What comes next is up for discussion with us.' That's what matters.”.

Ezra's mind was consumed by the words, their significance lingering in his thoughts. For the first time in his long history, he had recognized that the future was not as important as the destination after the performance. This made him realize this. It was about the journey. The focus was on the experiences they shared, the music they played, and their mutual support during the journey....

As Ezra looked on, his face lit up with happiness. He replied: "Yeah, I think you're correct." Then smile deep in thought.

Over the course of the night, they engaged in more open conversations about music and everything in between.... It was as if they had lost all their fear. They would face the future together, regardless of what comes next.

Until now, that was all there was.