Flutter.
Ollie froze in his embarrassed, mid-flight posture, limbs stiffened with awkwardness as if time had come to a standstill.
One second. Two seconds.
Then, the pain that had been due to hit his face finally arrived. Ollie curled up like a boiled shrimp, holding his knees while wincing in pain. He blurted out, "Why did you have to move? I crashed into you like that, and now I feel like I'm going to be torn apart. You're so inconsiderate, what's wrong with you?"
Ronan couldn't help but chuckle at Ollie's words. "It seems like you're doing just fine."
At least he still had the energy to talk.
Ollie stared at Ronan with wide, puppy-dog eyes, his expression pitiful. "Ronan! You've been a bad influence!"
But these words weren't a harsh accusation. Ollie quickly stood up, assessed Ronan from head to toe, and reached out to touch Ronan's forehead.
Ronan instinctively flinched, not yet accustomed to close contact with strangers. However, he resisted the urge to pull away, reminding himself that Ollie wasn't a stranger to Ronan Cooper. Moreover, Ollie didn't have any malicious intentions at the moment. Ronan needed to ease into this new reality.
Ollie didn't seem to notice Ronan's slight recoil. He felt Ronan's forehead with the back of his hand, concern evident in his eyes. "You're still a bit warm. How do you feel now? Are you still dizzy? Nauseous? Do you need to find a place to lie down and rest? Or should we head back to the motel for the night? Your health is the top priority."
Ronan didn't respond to Ollie's questions. Instead, he fixed Ollie with a peculiar expression, one of disgust that left Ollie puzzled.
"Did you just put your germ-infested hand on my forehead?" Ronan's eyes seemed to be scolding.
Ollie glanced down at his soiled hands and his wet, grimy clothes. He raised his head, grinned unapologetically, and said, "Sorry, sorry," before stepping into the bathroom to wash his hands, completely forgetting the earlier issue.
Ronan changed the subject. "Where are Cliff and Maxim?"
While Ollie was concerned about Ronan's health and preferred that he rest, the real question was what the other two band members thought.
Recalling the events, when Ronan had collapsed earlier, Cliff and Maxim hadn't rushed to his side immediately. Instead, they had engaged in a heated argument. Ronan couldn't remember what they'd been arguing about, but now, only Ollie had shown up at the bathroom door, and there was no sign of the other two.
When one's hearing and vision deteriorate, it doesn't mean they lose their perception of the world. On the contrary, when their eyes and ears can't capture the scene, they start to "see and hear" more things.
Ollie's expression stiffened slightly, and he seemed embarrassed. He began washing his hands nervously.
"Uh..." Ollie turned off the faucet, then turned to face Ronan, attempting to offer an explanation but quickly giving up, as he wasn't particularly articulate. Even before Ronan could press for more answers, Ollie conceded.
"It's... it's not that they don't care about you. In fact, they're worried about you too. But the bar owner said that since we haven't finished the performance tonight, we can't count on today's dinner and drinks being free. They're negotiating with the boss for..."
Had the band's situation deteriorated to this extent?
Typically, compensation for bar music performances is calculated separately, whether it's a dedicated performance or a gig at a bar or restaurant. However, there are lower-tier bar performances where local amateur or independent bands are invited to perform, and the reward includes a small amount of cash along with dinner and drinks.
Ollie's words conveyed two key messages:
First, the band was performing at such a low level that the situation was dire. Second, could the band even afford the cost of drinks for dinner? Or was the bar owner unwilling to pay even the "cash reward" for tonight?
No wonder Ronan Cooper, despite running a fever, insisted on performing on stage. No wonder Cliff and Maxim were engaged in negotiations with the bar owner. The band's situation must have hit rock bottom.
Ronan paused and voiced a reasonable suspicion. "Isn't our performance nearly over by now? It's almost complete." His foggy brain still couldn't piece it all together, but he had a vague recollection that the performance should be wrapping up soon. "If the boss isn't satisfied, we could always come back for an encore performance tomorrow, right?"
Ollie shrugged his shoulders, his expression carrying a hint of despair. "That's what Cliff is proposing."
"Let's try suggesting that today's performance is essentially over. You fainted during the last song, and our performance was practically finished," Ollie explained. "But you know how these small bar owners are..." Ollie paused dramatically, shoulders rising again before falling. "If that doesn't work, we'll attempt to make amends tomorrow, though... I wouldn't hold out too much hope."
"Why?" The question formed on Ronan's lips but was left unspoken.
Maybe the bar owner was intentionally causing trouble and intended to default on the bill. Perhaps the bar owner was unsatisfied with their performance and refused a return engagement. Or maybe the bar owner found it too much trouble to deal with them.
There were numerous possibilities. As the weaker band, they often found themselves in the position of "fish swimming with knives." They had little room for resistance.
Ronan, having experienced the world's harshness firsthand, understood it all too well. Moreover, he comprehended the challenges faced by independent and unknown musicians.
The so-called "dream" couldn't feed one's stomach, provide warmth, or shelter from the elements. More often than not, it held little meaning. Otherwise, talent shows like "American Idol" and "The Voice" wouldn't have such enduring popularity.
That was because many ordinary people yearned to fulfill their musical dreams but found themselves blocked at every turn throughout their lives.
In the end, Ronan understood that the bar owner had a thousand and one reasons to reject them. But he didn't mind.
In the past, even a basic, ordinary life had been a luxury. Now, he had the opportunity to perform on stage, a significant change in circumstances.
He intended to cherish this opportunity, enjoy it, and embark on this adventure. Whether it was just a dream or not didn't matter.