Unreachable Melodies: Love and Regrets in the Band

My first love became a music superstar, and I turned into his ex-girlfriend.

On the eve of his engagement, he gave me a ring from ten years ago, asking me to sing a song that symbolizes a love triangle.

1

The doorbell kept ringing incessantly.

When I looked through the peephole and recognized the visitor, I quickly opened the door and pulled him inside at lightning speed. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was two in the morning.

In the entire entertainment industry, there was probably no stranger relationship between a manager and an artist than the one between Ruben Miller and me.

We were always at odds, yet our cooperation was seamless, always knowing what the other wanted.

"Is the celebration party over?" I asked him.

Ruben, smelling like a brewery, leaned against the door. "No, I just didn't want to stay."

He seemed a bit off, but I was too exhausted to care.

I rummaged through the wardrobe, found a set of pajamas, and tossed them to him. "Go take a shower. You stink. Don't dirty my sheets.

Do whatever you want. Sleep wherever you like. I need to catch up on sleep. I've been busy with your concert lately, and I'm really tired." Then I turned away, giving him my back.

His voice came out muffled, "Why don't you go on stage anymore?"

Suppressing my sleepiness, I walked up to him, smiled, and puffed out my chest. "See this? Flat."

I gestured from the top of my head to his chest. "Barely five foot two."

Turning around, I moved my hips. "Not much to show."

Finally, I pointed to my face. "I'm just an ordinary person. Which entertainment company boss would be crazy enough to promote someone like me, who looks even more ordinary than a passerby?"

He turned his face away, displeased. "You don't have to put yourself down like that."

"It's just the truth"

I felt a bit irritated. What exactly did he want? Came over at two in the morning just to say these things?

Ignoring my impatience, he persisted, "At the end of the year, during the final stop of the tour, let's sing together once more."

I couldn't hold back my emotions any longer. The frustration of interrupted sleep mixed with an unspoken sadness turned me into a porcupine, raising my voice to lash out, "No more singing! It's been ten years since I stopped! Can't you understand? What's gotten into you?"

Ruben slowly exhaled, his hands clenching and unclenching, the air between us charged with a scorching silence.

"After the year-end tour, I'm leaving the industry."

I was stunned. I couldn't help but smile bitterly. So, you were planning to leave too?

Was this the end of our journey together?

"My family has been urging me. I'll take a quick shower and sleep on the sofa. You go get some rest." He explained, grabbing the pajamas beside him and gently pushing me towards the bedroom.

The night was completely ruined. I tossed and turned in bed for a long time before giving up, pulling back the covers, and resigning myself to getting up. I fumbled in the drawer for a pack of cigarettes, the burst of blueberry flavor in my mouth.

Ruben was curled up on the sofa, breathing steadily, with half the blanket on the floor. This tall guy looked rather cramped and forlorn.

I walked over and covered him with the blanket.

He was clutching a photo frame in his hands, holding it close to his chest. I delicately separated his fingers and placed the frame on the black piano nearby where it belonged.

In the photo, the three of us were carefree, arms around each other, laughing with abandon.

2

The three of us were the most in-sync bandmates.

One time, after practice, on the way back to the dorm, I suddenly noticed two people standing under the streetlight ahead. One stood tall and straight like a pine or bamboo, exuding a cold aura. The other, slightly taller, had an arm draped over his companion's shoulder, leaning casually, radiating a gentle warmth.

The taller one extended his other hand to me, a smile playing on his lips. "Wanna make music together?"

There were whispers around us, "Look! It's our school's dynamic duo, Ruben and Toby!"

"Wow! They're so handsome!"

"They're both so handsome!"

I gave them a once-over and burst out laughing, giving Ruben's outstretched hand a firm slap. "Are you trying to show off?"

"Huh?" Ruben was taken aback, clearly confused by my train of thought. He scratched his head instinctively.

"Ahem." Toby coughed beside him.

Ruben snapped back to reality, trying to regain his composure and steer the conversation back. "Fiona, we're seriously inviting you!"

I blinked. "Well then, should I say thank you?"

Then, I pulled my roommate along and continued walking.

"Hey!" Ruben called from behind, "Did you agree?"

"See you in the practice room tomorrow." I waved back.

The next morning, I strolled into the practice room, finding it empty. I didn't mind, picking up the guitar at my feet and strumming a few notes.

In my mind, the image of the two under the streetlight flashed, along with Ruben's expectant hand.

Instinctively, I turned the scene into a melody, humming some notes along with the rhythm.

It felt pretty good.

A couple of knocks on the door pulled me back to reality. I looked up and met Ruben's eyes. He quickly averted his gaze, his deep eyes rippling like a pond.

Toby rolled his eyes at him, lowering the hand he had just used to knock and giving him a pat. "She is already here, what are you daydreaming about?"

Ruben rubbed his nose, "Was that piece you just played yours?"

"Yeah, it just popped into my head. How was it? Not bad, right?" I said, a bit smug.

"Sounds great. What do you think?" He nudged Toby with his elbow.

"Yeah." Toby nodded, walked over to the piano, sat down, and after a brief thought, played a piece.

"Like this?" He asked.

"Wow." My exclamation and Ruben's whistle sounded simultaneously.

That entire day, the three of us were holed up in the practice room, perfecting that melody. A week later, Ruben picked up the guitar, played the final rhythm, and sang softly. His voice was full of stories, painting pictures through the song.

It felt like, in the vast sea of people, we had finally found kindred spirits. The three of us spent more and more time in the practice room, always excited about new and smooth songs.

The wheels of destiny had begun to intertwine in a strange harmony.