Ollie froze for a moment, his eyes fixed on his friend Ronan, whose clear and deep eyes seemed to be filled with stars.
A smile slowly crept across Ronan's lips, like a warm June afternoon, where a gentle breeze carried the scent of summer, golden sunlight bathed turquoise lakes, waves sparkled, and the reeds swayed, emitting a lazy, tranquil atmosphere.
Unintentionally, Ollie's spirit lifted.
Subconsciously, Ollie felt that Ronan had undergone subtle changes, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Then he noticed Ronan's gaze locked onto him. Ollie instinctively took a half step back, staring back at Ronan with a dry throat, feeling flustered.
Ronan's eyes followed Ollie's movements, and he could see Ollie crossing his arms to protect his chest and even gripping his shirt collar. With his upper body leaning backward, Ronan couldn't help but smile brightly. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in you."
Ollie finally realized Ronan's focus on him, and he glanced down, feeling a bit embarrassed. Still, he puffed out his chest and retorted, "Who knows? I'm quite attractive. You might not be able to resist me."
Ronan didn't respond verbally but continued to look Ollie up and down, rolling his eyes, and then he reached for the bathroom door panel, as if he intended to close the door.
Ollie was taken aback: What was going on?
Surprisingly, Ronan only made a gesture to close the door. Seeing Ollie's reaction, he then fully opened the door and walked out, chuckling. "Come on, follow me. We've got another performance to finish." He laughed merrily as he spoke.
Ollie, feeling teased by Ronan, rubbed his disheveled hair and sighed in exasperation. However, he couldn't help but laugh, and then he hurriedly followed Ronan. "What are you up to?"
Ronan glanced back at Ollie, who was catching up, and said, "Since the boss refuses to acknowledge that our performance isn't over yet, let's go complete the stage. Shouldn't that be enough?"
Ollie was dumbfounded: It doesn't quite work that way, does it? Come on, this isn't a patch-up job! Besides, are the bar owners really objecting just because we didn't finish our last song?
But Ronan's strides continued without pause, and he reached the side of the stage in no time, leaving Ollie no room to voice his opinions. Ollie tried to protest but found himself trailing behind.
"Ronan."
"Hey, Ronan!"
"So..."
"They probably won't let us on stage."
In his anxiousness, Ollie was rendered speechless, and before he knew it, they had arrived at the side of the stage.
The "stage" was more accurately described as a low platform, just half a step higher than the ground. Performers and the audience were practically at eye level, eliminating the formality of traditional stage performances with elevated platforms.
Even a typical karaoke stage in public venues appeared grander in comparison.
Of course, there were no security or bouncers around such an approachable stage. Ronan and Ollie stepped onto it without encountering any resistance.
Onstage, remnants of chaos were still visible. Guitars and bass leaned haphazardly against the drum kit. The keyboard was crooked and almost toppled over. A fallen microphone stand had been hastily propped back up, but scattered wires still lay in disarray.
In the audience, the patrons enjoying their drinks and karaoke didn't pay much attention to the stage. They noticed some figures but assumed they were staff members preparing to tidy up after the show.
As a musician, this kind of stage was a first for Ronan.
Even though it was just a run-down small bar and the stage was merely a low platform, and even if the patrons were uninterested, it was still a stage, a genuine performance stage.
Standing on the wooden stage floor, the creaking underfoot seemed to resonate with the weight of history and stories. It was as if each inch of the platform held secrets and tales of countless performances. An unprofessional spotlight was aimed at the stage, with most of the lights turned off at this time, creating a dim yellow glow that inadvertently formed a spotlight effect. The light lazily fell on their skin, generating a gentle warmth.
Ronan had once dreamt of having such a stage.
It didn't have to be grand, just a place to stand; it didn't have to be high, just high enough to see the audience; and it didn't require a large crowd, just someone—just one person—who would be willing to listen to his singing. If there was even a little applause, that would be nice, but even if there wasn't, he wouldn't be disheartened.
Music, for him, was a light that pierced through the darkness. Whether expressing sadness or joy, pain or pleasure, it had the power to resonate in the depths of the darkest places.
Now, Ronan stood on such a stage.
The satisfaction he felt was beyond words, and they had twenty-three spectators! Twenty-three people!
If happiness had a color, it would be the caramel hue that surrounded them at that moment.
"Ronan?"
Ollie also stepped onto the stage, observing Ronan as he straightened the keyboard. Ronan seemed genuinely ready to perform. Ollie was baffled. "Ronan, this doesn't seem right. What are you planning to do?"
"Sing" Ronan replied matter-of-factly, leaving Ollie momentarily speechless.
Ronan lowered his gaze to the black and white keys in front of him. His fingertips lightly brushed over them. The familiar sensation made him relax.
After losing his hearing, for a long time, he had groped through the "darkness." While he could still feel the texture of keys and strings with his hands, he couldn't capture the notes. He had to imagine them in his mind.
After his vision deteriorated, he had learned to listen with his heart. Although he required assistance, he could discern the quality of the pieces he played. He faced numerous challenges but never gave up.
Over the past three years, he had become a piano and guitar teacher, overcoming difficulties, fear, frustration, and moments of despair. Music had guided him back, teaching him that life held countless possibilities. The question was whether you could find them if you stayed calm.
"Ollie, let's finish tonight's performance" Ronan said, his face beaming with a wide smile.
Staring into Ronan's bright eyes, Ollie found himself unable to speak. He simply nodded.