Sometimes, the worst reaction…
is when no one feels anything at all."
---
Our next performance was in a border town of the Silencia Kingdom.
The stage was set.
The people had gathered.
But their faces… were blank.
Like they weren't expecting music. Just noise.
I was ready —
This was going to be my second big song.
From behind me, Toren whispered,
> "Son… people aren't always the same.
Sometimes the notes reach them…
Sometimes they fall flat."
I just smiled and said,
> "If I sing with my heart…
I'm not afraid to fall."
---
I walked onto the stage.
Mira sang first, Lio played the drums…
And then it was my turn.
I picked up my guitar —
and sang the song I had written for my mother.
It had my past in it.
My failures.
And the moment that gave me the strength to stay alive.
> "I was shattered…
but your memories held me together.
There were wounds…
but there were melodies too…
and each note taught me how to breathe again."
I sang with everything I had.
When I opened my eyes…
Silence.
Then—
> "Why is he singing so slow?
We want something to dance to!"
Another voice shouted:
> "Is he here to make us cry?"
"If you can't perform, get off the stage!"
Boo.
Boo.
BOOOOO.
I stopped.
The strings beneath my fingers suddenly felt cold.
---
I almost stepped down.
But then… Lio came up beside me.
He whispered softly,
> "Bro… I liked that song."
Behind him stood Mira…
Toren…
And that little girl —
The same one I sang for before.
They looked at me…
Not like I had lost.
But like I had just won… in someone else's world.
---
I walked back to the mic.
And said:
> "Maybe my melody didn't please you…
But I didn't come here to make you dance.
I came for those who cry in silence…
for those who are never heard."
> "Maybe I didn't entertain you.
But I didn't lie either."
Then I played again.
Alone.
There were no more boos.
No claps either.
Just… silence.
But this time… it was listening.
---
That night, Toren told me,
> "You didn't try to win today.
You spoke the truth —
and sometimes, that's the strongest note of all."
---
The next day… the little girl came back.
She held her harmonica, smiled faintly, and said:
> "Last night… I was secretly singing your song again…"
---
And I realized —
Not every crowd gives you applause.
But if even one heart makes space for you…
That's enough.
---
To be continued…