Chapter 22

Shuyi's POV

I feel super anxious, I've been practising and preparing for this day for so long, way before I even got this opportunity, but my heart still feels like it's going to burst out of my chest. Also, the song I'm going to sing is very special to me, I remember singing it back in school on the school's annual festival. It brings so many good memories. This song, for some reason, gives me comfort and hope.

"Hey Shuyi, some one just dropped these flowers and doughnuts for you" a guy from the band said as he walked in the dressing room.

"Did you see who did?"

"Well someone else got it from him, and they gave me these to give to you. Anyway, it's so cool that you already have fans" he said winking at me.

I looked for the sender's name in the flowers, and found note that said "Relax, don't worry too much, you got this".

I instantly knew it was him. My speeding heart felt at ease. After all, I had the most supportive and caring person in my life. I was unconsciously smiling looking down at the flowers when Yue sneaked in on me and snatched the note from my hand.

"They send flowers to cover the fact that they don't want to be physically present for you" I said smirking down while looking at the note.

"Sometimes, just some flowers and a note from 'your' person can make you feel better that no one's physical presence can even compare to it" I said taking the note back in my hand.

"I thought I was 'your' person" he said looking deep into my eyes.

I felt a little uncomfortable, but didn't wanna ruin the vibe, after all we were going to perform together in a while. I placed my hand on his shoulder lightly "you will always have me as a good friend". I didn't wanna continue this awkward conversation anymore so I stepped away to look for Shide but was stopped by the event manager.

"It's time".

Shide's POV

There was so much going on in my head all at one time. No one can ever take his place in my life but am I so easily replaceable. There's no way I am going to stand and watch them become a couple. I was about to leave when I heard the music play. My heart immediately started relaxing, it was the tune I had heard before, but where? I couldn't stop myself from moving closer to the stage to listen more clearly and there he was, I know I almost see him everyday but there was something different about him today. He shined so brightly with the spotlights on him, his aura was that of a rockstar with a guitar in his hand and hair laid back. He bent closer to the mike and started singing. His voice was magic, and just by listening the first line, I knew where I had heard it before.

Shide's flashback

I had just graduated high school, but it wasn't the best time of my life like people say you will have once school is over.

Worst part is, it wasn't because of me at all. It was the time my parents decided to get divorced. I was busy in school all this time and now when I had the time to spend with family at home, I was hit with this separation. I felt betrayed. I felt like they didn't care about their children's feeling. My brother was older, more mature so he decided to drown himself in family business which reduced the time I got with him as well. Standing in the middle of the room one day when my parents were deciding on their children's custodies, I felt invisible, unheard, uncared for.

I saw everyone moving on in their lives without really caring how they were impacting the others. My father wanted me and my brother to take care of the business and move in with him, but my mother wanted me to live with her since she wanted me to study further. My brother looked towards me with curious eyes wondering who will I choose! How could I choose!!? They were my parents, how could I choose one. I loved them both but they really didn't care, I was like a possession to be won to step on each other. I was hyperventilating when I got a friend's call.

"Shide, I'm outside. Let's go to a school fest together". I didn't think even once and ignored everyone in the room and quickly ran to my friends car. I heard my parents call out my name but I didn't have an answer for them. "Lets go!" My friend looked at my stunned but drove to the fest.

I felt lost, indecisive, unloved. Even thinking about it makes my heart ache. On the worst day of my life, I heard this melody for the first time. The announcer welcomed a boyband on stage to perform at the fest. They were young boys in school uniforms but my eyes stopped on one. He was in the center. I didn't understand my reaction and started walking away when the music started playing. It was a soothing melody played by him using just his guitar, even his humming was like honey, and then he started singing...

"How long will I love you?

As long as stars above you,

and longer if I can

How long will I need you?

As long as the seasons need to

Follow their plan

How long will I be with you?

As long as the sea is bound to

Wash upon the sand

How long will I want you?

As long as you want me to

And longer by far

How long will I hold you?

As long as your father told you

As long as you can

How long will I give to you?

As long as I live through you

However long you say

How long will I love you?

As long as stars are above you

And longer if I may

How long will I love you?

As long as stars are above you"

I froze as the crowd applauded. My eyes were set on him and him only. The lyrics of the song made me realize how much I loved my family even with all of their flaws. There was no way I was going to give up on them since this is what love is..you stay..you forgive..you love..always and forever. I wanted to thank him for his performance for it had touched my soul at a time when I was failing to understand my own emotions. It was too crowded but I was determined to meet him but someone held my hand.

"Shide, I'm so sorry son for not caring about your emotions but just my own." My father said as he pulled me into his arms. I was stunned and overwhelmed with emotions as I burst into tears. My mom pat my back as she said "I'm sorry too baby, we were being selfish." My brother held my face in his hands as he wiped my tears. "My baby brother just graduated high school. Let's go celebrate him, everything else can wait!" Everyone smiled and there we were in the middle of a crowd, a family again. Sure we had problems, but even with all of that, we loved and cared for each other. As I walked away from the crowd, I turned around at the crowd to see him one last time.

My heart skipped a beat to find his eyes on me as well. We stared at each other through passing people and those few seconds felt like a lifetime.

I smiled at him as my heart said thank you. His music had cleared my head, brought me back. I am sure he understood as he smiled back at me. That day while walking away from him, I wished with the purest heart to get to meet him again. I didn't understand the feeling but I didn't fight it as well. He drew me towards him from the very first glance.