Syra
I continued to walk around the lake and noticed a bench next to a lamp post. It was a black, with bronze metallic leaves curling along its edges. A young man with turquoise blue hair sat there, leaning back against the bench..
"AUUUGHHHH!" he yelled out.
I flinched, almost falling backwards, surprised by his sudden cry.
Someone else is having a bad day like me. Haha.. I know how that feels. I did the same thing today. I should slowly walk away so I don't alarm him.
As I passed by, I watched him quietly. His shoulders were shaking slightly. I thought I heard a faint sniffle as I slowly walked away.
He pulled out a sleek, black guitar onto his lap and began to strum.
Oh, looks like I'm going to have a free show, hehe.
I stopped walking, caught between giving him his space or staying to. Curiosity anchored me where I stood.
"I've been waiting for the snow,
I've been listening to the rain,
I've been hoping for some day,
When I'd finally be okay
Is there someone else
Who would love me for myself
'Cause this moment feels so lost
When there's no one by your side
Is there someone who'd hold me
'Cause it feels so lonely
As though there's no stars alight,
In the dark tonight
Oh If there's someone out there
Won't you tell me your name,
I will promise you my heart
To be so true to you,
If you'd promise me too
If you'd promise me too.
Like the evening blue sky,
Like the deep ocean gray,
I hope to meet someone new,
Someone to promise to.
Is there someone who'd hold me,
'Cause it feels so lonely,
'Cause it feels so lonely
Like shadows dancing in the skies,
Oh If there's someone out there,
Won't you tell me your name,
I will promise you my heart
to be so true to you,
If you promise me too."
His voice drew me towards him. I wasn't going to bother him but his lyrics touched me. I wanted to get to know him. It felt good to hear the words I had been holding onto my whole life through his song.
"Hi," I said behind him.
"WAHHH!" his body jumped and turned towards me, anxiously holding onto his guitar.
"Uh, hi. I didn't know there were still some people up right now," he smiled nervously.
"Me, too hehe," I smiled back and swallowed my nervousness. I was surprised I was walking up to a stranger, especially a guy. I had a fear of guys since I was a kid so I avoided them until I got interested in romance some time in high school.
"I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to let you know, I really liked your song. I'm glad I got to hear it. I really related to it and.." my voice trailed off into my nervousness.
"Wait, how long have you been there?" he said to me.
"Um.." I hesitated to answer.
"Don't tell me. Since the beginning?" he gasped then sighed into his arms, covering his face.
I stammered as I said," I- I didn't mean to! I was just wandering around for fun. This is my first time being here so I wanted to look around-"
"At 3 A.M.?" he chuckled a little.
"I- I couldn't sleep. What about you?!," I laughed, a little embarrassed, half-jokingly accusing him of the same crime.
"Hahaha… me too," he looked away, his smile dying a little. He must have had a rough day.
"Anyway.. It felt like I wasn't the only one feeling this way tonight," I said to him and smiled.
"Is it alright if I sit next to you?" I asked.
He scratched his head a little and looked at me then looked away.
"Sure.." he said.
"So, what's your name? I'm Syra," I said as I sat down.
Now that I'm closer, I could see his piercings on his ears. On his right ear, he wore one silver cuff at the top and one black stud on his earlobe. On his left, he wore a matching silver cuff on the top and on his earlobe he wore a silver dangling bar and a small black hoop earring after it.
"I'm.. Eiya," he said.
"Did you write that song yourself?" I asked.
He nodded in silence.
"Nice, I also write music," I said.
He turned to me with a surprised look, "You do?"
"Mhm. How long have you been making music?" I asked.
"Since I was in highschool," he said.
"For me, I started after I got into college. I always loved singing but I never tried writing my own music and lyrics until later. I improvise playing piano but I never considered it as writing music," I said.
"Wow, improvising? That's some skill. I tend to focus on a melody until I write the whole song out," he said.
"I also do that too," I said.
"Since you heard one of my songs, why don't you share one of yours?" he asked.
"Eh?!" I looked at him, a little embarrassed.
"I- I guess I could. Is it okay if I borrow your guitar?" I asked.
He nodded and handed me his guitar.
"I'm not really good at guitar but I know a few chords," I said.
The night was chilly but I felt the heat burn up my face, warming up my body.
"I don't often play in front of anyone so.. Please don't judge me if I mess up, haha," I told him.
He stared at me, waiting patiently to hear me sing.
I cleared my throat and took a few deep breaths then looked back at him.
The nearby night lights lit his eyes like colored glass. His eyes were a magical, crystal blue.
"Are you going to start..?" he asked.
"Ah, yes, haha.. This is a song I wrote a few days ago. Hopefully, I remember all the lyrics," I laugh nervously and look away. I hope he didn't catch me admiring his beautiful eyes.
"Oh that's right! I have my phone!," I pulled out my phone and looked for the lyrics then placed it on the table in front of us.
I took another breath and started to strum the chords I only knew.
"Starlight
Midnight
Showers
in the sky
Where else
to find
The shooting star
In your nightlights
I call out to you
Wondering something new
Falling out of love
Something's not enough
An empty trace i follow
A moment's in disguise
The tears i had to swallow
Before my heart had died
Is it enough
Is it enough to wait
Waiting for hours
Waiting for hours
everyday
To hear you say
Three last words
To see you smile back
And Hide my tears
Is it enough to wait?
For someone who knew my heartache
For someone who's blinded everyday
I had enough
I had enough of you
And that's why I fall away from you
Fallen stars deserve wishes
For lighting up the night sky
Burning up their ashes
To share their lifelight
To share their lifeline"
I finished strumming and looked back at him.
"Your voice, it's just so… beautiful like an angel's," Eiya said, smiling brightly.
"Hahaha, you're exaggerating," I laughed.
"No, I'm not! I love your voice!" he said.
"Thank you, hehe," I smiled, "So what did you think of the song?"
"It was sad and dreamy. It really speaks clearly about the struggles of a gradual heartbreak," he said.
"You're right. You understand the song," I said.
I smiled, holding back the sadness behind his words. I've never played for a stranger before. I'm glad he likes my song.