Bursting into tears
The studio was silent, an unprecedented situation on The Oprah Winfrey Show or any other talk show. Talk shows, as the name suggests, rely on dialogue and conversation to drive the entire program. But today, there was a moment of emptiness in the studio. All eyes were locked on Hugo as he took three steps forward and then returned with smaller steps, not in the manner of a fashion show or a model's stride. However, the weight of those seven steps made everyone's hearts tremble slightly.
This silence was not frightening; instead, it caused the emotions of everyone in the studio to start rolling, gradually climbing towards a climax, waiting only for a starting point to unleash a complete explosion.
Hugo sat down and didn't say much. He simply bowed his head and held the guitar, his fingertips gently dancing on the taut strings. The clear guitar strings resonated like spring water, with the gentle morning sunlight enveloping the sparkling surface of the water. A hazy halo refracted a captivating radiance within the droplets. The spring water embraced the sunlight as it meandered through the pebbles, its tinkling sound echoing in the lush forest. The misty morning fog draped a thin veil over the green water fir forest, and sunlight pierced through the mist, sprinkling countless fragments of gold onto the grass and wildflowers beside the spring. The dewdrops on the petals were translucent and round, exuding a delightful charm.
Hugo's slender fingertips wove the most beautiful picture in the world on the five ordinary guitar strings. Magical light danced between his fingers, and one could even see the musical notes taking flight as if they had sprouted wings. They gracefully danced on Hugo's clean finger joints, using the wooden-toned guitar as their canvas, transforming into the most enchanting and dazzling strokes. They transported all the audience members into Alice's wonderland.
The world fell silent, with only the fresh sound of the strings humming.
[
You're not her
Though I try to see you differently
I tow the line
You see, I'm searching for what used to be mine
And I saw your eyes
And I saw Alice staring back at me
So I will try to find another one
Who suited me as well as her
]
Hugo's voice lingered in the melody, singing out each word, connecting these seemingly meaningless words with musical notes, depicting a real story, so simple yet so detailed. Even though Hugo only sang three lines of lyrics, the entire framework of the story had already appeared before everyone's eyes.
Hugo didn't employ too many techniques; he simply conveyed the most genuine emotions from within himself while interpreting these lyrics. The chaotic thoughts in his mind transformed into lyrics that merged with the melodies under his fingertips, immersing Hugo in this story. The faint sadness and deep pain were hidden within the strings, slowly and subtly seeping out like smoke.
[
I've moved far away from you
And I want to see you here beside me, dear
But things aren't clear
]
Hugo's honest and mellow voice was so moving, carrying an inexplicable sadness, reminiscent of the color of mint green or washed-out blue—bright yet melancholic—slowly spreading in the depths of the eyes.
[
When we never even tried
We never even talked
We never even thought in the long run
Whenever it was painful
Whenever I was away
I'd miss you
And I miss you
]
These lyrics, filled with longing, regret, and earnestness, flowed slowly between Hugo's lips and teeth. Every transition in his voice felt like a scorching sun, silently leaving its mark on the skin. Before people could even notice, the pain in their hearts suddenly surged.
This is an ordinary story. In a new relationship, the shadow of the previous relationship always lingers, and the man keeps searching for traces of his ex-girlfriend in his current girlfriend, which she cannot tolerate. She vents her anger towards him and walks away.
However, the truth is that the man is also struggling internally. He feels like he's hanging in mid-air, constantly searching for a lifeline to save himself. He once thought his ex-girlfriend was that lifeline, but he failed to realize that the ground is right beneath his feet. If he is willing to let go, he can stand firmly and start a new life. But he didn't realize it until the person beside him turned away, and he realized that his harbor is about to drift away from him. So once again, he becomes suspended in mid-air, unable to grasp the lifeline or touch the ground. It is at this moment that he realizes he loves her deeply, and his ex-girlfriend was merely an illusion.
[
She was mine
I was hers and all that's in between
If she would cry
I would shelter her and keep her from
The darkness that will be
If I moved far away from you
And I want to see you here beside me, dear
But things aren't clear
We never even tried
We never even talked
We never even thought in the long run
Whenever it was painful
Whenever I was away
I'd miss you
And I'd miss you
]
Such stories play out almost every day. Boyfriends are jealous of ex-boyfriends, and girlfriends are jealous of ex-girlfriends. Memories are the greatest enemy of every relationship, and every couple has a fatal enemy: the ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend. But the reason why memories are beautiful is because they cannot be changed; they remain deep in our minds. What we can hold on to is the present, the person beside us. What we can change is the present, ourselves. If we hold on to memories, we can never move forward.
The phrase "And I miss you" may seem ordinary, and Hugo didn't intentionally emphasize his voice, but he conveyed his inner melancholy, helplessness, regret, sadness, and regret lightly, piercing into the heart under the morning sun. The pain suddenly burst forth and swept over continuously.
Unknowingly, tears started to well up. Hugo wasn't being sentimental, and the melody wasn't sad either. Everything was as magnificent as transparent sunlight, but the rolling emotions couldn't be controlled. Within Hugo's warm voice, they fermented slowly. All excitement, all anticipation, all passion dissipated not because of disappointment but because they blended completely with the melody in the ears, entering a world of personal memories, just like Alice's wonderland, a world only known to oneself, with emotions only known to oneself.
[
Don't drop me in, it's not my turn
If you cut deep then I might learn that you
Scarred and left me, like a sunburn
]
The guitar strings continued to flow gently, and Hugo's voice remained steady. However, the musical notes started to surge, Hugo's mellow voice slightly fluctuated, and turbulent emotions precipitated in each twist and turn.
What kind of sadness was this? The plea of "Don't drop me in" pierced deeply into the softest part of the heart within the clear guitar strings. Don't leave; all I need is for you to teach me a lesson, even if it means hurting me. As long as you don't leave, I will realize my own foolishness through this pain. Looking at the scars you left on me, I will hold you tightly, knowing how deeply I love you in my heart. So, don't leave me; just leave me with a sunburn. I will forever keep this mark, but... don't give up on me.
Love is so profound. Although Hugo didn't deliberately raise the melody or amplify his emotions, he presented the heaviness in his heart in the simplest way with the most basic vocabulary and melody.
[
Don't drop me in, it's not my turn
If you cut deep then I might learn that you
Scarred and left me, like a sunburn
]
The surge of emotions finally got out of hand. Although there was a smile on the corners of his mouth, it was as if he was bathed in warm sunlight on a winter afternoon. But tears slipped down, reflecting the soft appearance of the sunlight, slowly sliding down his cheeks. Waves of internal pain made it almost impossible to break free. It wasn't a screaming sadness, but rather a gecko trapped in amber, suddenly stopped in this moment, with a clown's makeup on the face, the laughing expression concealing the inner sorrow.
[
We never even tried
We never even talked
We never even thought in the long run
Whenever it was painful
Whenever I was away
I'd miss you
And I miss you
]
The stiff smile remained on the corners of the mouth, the moisture in the eyes reflecting the light in the studio, creating a blurry halo, making Hugo, who was playing the guitar with his head lowered, look incredibly wonderful.
"And I miss you," Oprah slightly covered half of her face, the hot tears making her makeup look disheveled, but she refused to lower her head to hide it. Instead, she let her true emotions flow freely in front of the camera. She didn't expect it to turn out this way, but the tears on her cheeks were so genuine.
"And I miss you," Joseph stood in place, lowered his head, and pressed his chin against his chest, using this method to hide his reddened eyes. Although Joseph had heard Hugo sing several times before, he was still moved by Hugo's soul-stirring performance. Even with his eyes closed, he could still feel the moisture beneath his eyelids.
"And I miss you," the audience in the live performance, the surrounding staff, no one spoke, no one interrupted this beautiful moment. Whether they resonated with Hugo's song or had thoughts about the story, no one could deny the tranquility and contentment of this moment. Both body and mind entered a state of complete relaxation, letting their emotions roam freely with the guitar strings.
Hugo's eyes were so focused, staring at every touch between his fingertips and the guitar strings, listening to the melody blossoming proudly in each stroke, feeling the lyrics react chemically within the melody, releasing the emotions in his heart... Hugo empathized so deeply, every musical note, every word, every twist and turn felt so real. He could even feel his own voice vibrating together with the strings, causing the emotions deep within his soul to tremble slightly.
Music is such a magical force.