Ocean Pulse Chapter 5

 

Chapter 5: Harmonies

The Neptune Star was unusually lively that evening, the hum of the ship’s engines blending with the laughter and chatter of the crew gathered in the dayroom. It was karaoke night, a tradition on long voyages to break the monotony and let the crew unwind. The air was thick with camaraderie as sailors, both seasoned and new, took turns at the microphone, belting out off-key tunes and laughing at each other’s antics.

Troy sat at a table near the back, his eyes scanning the room as he sipped his drink. He hadn’t been planning to attend, but after a long day in the engine room, he’d figured it might help take his mind off the overwhelming feeling of being out of place. It was still hard for him to adjust to life at sea, but moments like this, surrounded by his crewmates, made it a little easier.

Jules, who had just come off his watch, spotted Troy and made his way over. “Mind if I join you?” he asked, his voice casual but his gaze steady.

Troy nodded, glad for the company. “Of course.”

They sat together, watching as one of the older engineers attempted a ballad that was clearly beyond his vocal range, drawing groans and cheers from the rest of the crew.

Troy chuckled. “Looks like they’re having fun.”

Jules grinned. “You should give it a try. I bet you’ve got a voice.”

Troy shook his head, a bit shy. “Maybe… but not tonight.”

As the night wore on, more of the crew took the stage, some singing with surprising talent, others leaning into the comedy of their performances. The room buzzed with the easy energy of sailors letting their guard down for a few hours.

“Ever do this back home?” Jules asked, turning to Troy as the evening’s festivities continued.

Troy shrugged. “Not exactly like this. My family isn’t big on parties. We’re from one of the cities in Negros. It’s a quiet life, mostly. I guess I came out here to see what else was out there.”

Jules nodded, listening intently. “Negros, huh? Beautiful place. Ever miss it?”

Troy thought for a moment, his eyes distant. “Sometimes. It’s different out here, you know? But I like the freedom of it. Even if it gets a bit lonely.”

Jules leaned back, his expression softening. “I get that. My family’s from the countryside. Farmers, mostly. My dad… he actually studied to be a marine engineer, but he never made it to sea. Stayed home to run the farm, take care of the family. He married young, had me and my siblings. I guess that life wasn’t for him, but he always spoke about the sea like it was something he’d left behind.”

Troy looked at him, surprised. “Your dad was an engineer?”

“Yeah,” Jules replied, smiling faintly. “He had the passion for it, but family came first. So I guess I’m out here living a bit of the dream he never got to.”

There was a quiet moment between them, the sounds of laughter and music fading into the background as they shared this brief glimpse into each other’s lives. Troy hadn’t expected Jules, with his easy confidence and laid-back nature, to come from such a humble background. It made him see the AB in a new light.

“You know,” Troy said after a while, “I think I will give it a try.”

Jules raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What, karaoke?”

Troy nodded, standing up and making his way to the microphone. As he selected a song, the crew quieted down, curious about the usually reserved cadet who had suddenly decided to take the stage.

The music started, a slow, melodic tune, and to everyone’s surprise—especially Jules—Troy’s voice rang out, clear and soulful. It was a ballad, the kind that tugged at the heartstrings, and as Troy sang, the room fell into an awed silence.

Jules watched, mesmerized, as Troy’s voice filled the dayroom. There was something hauntingly beautiful about the way he sang, as if the young cadet had been holding back all this emotion, only to let it spill out now, in front of everyone. Jules felt something stir inside him—a deep admiration, and perhaps, something more.

When Troy finished, the room erupted in applause, but Jules didn’t clap immediately. He was still caught in the moment, still hearing Troy’s voice in his head.

As Troy returned to their table, Jules smiled at him, impressed. “You’ve been holding out on us, Cadet.”

Troy blushed, scratching the back of his neck. “Just something I picked up back home. My mom used to make me sing at family gatherings.”

“Well, it’s a gift,” Jules said, his voice soft. “Don’t hide it.”

Troy met his gaze, and for a moment, the noise of the crew and the dayroom faded away. There was something in Jules’s eyes—something that made Troy feel noticed in a way he hadn’t before.

And just like that, in the middle of a noisy, laughter-filled evening, the bond between them started to take shape. It was subtle, unspoken, but it was there, growing with each shared look, each quiet word. Neither of them said it out loud, but both knew they were on the brink of something new—something that would change them both, whether they were ready for it or not.