"I'll be there through the highs and lows..." Prince sings
"...Give you mine if your heart gets broke" Gabi continues.
It was a mild summer evening. The two friends had just composed a melody that was to define their journey. While kids their age would go out and play, Gabriella and Prince found solace in music.
While they sat on a rooftop, Gabi looked at Prince with a twinkle in her eye. “We need a song that'll be just ours.”
Prince came up with a line real quick and Gabi followed up. It was neither polished nor perfect, but it was theirs. They didn't have a proper name for it yet, but it was, to them, "I'll be there".
As time flew by, they made efforts to put their songs out there to the world. They'd sing on the streets, in gathering and wherever they could. Like every other growing artist, it wasn't easy. In nights of disappointments, they'd find consolation in their music.
Gabi alone, was later invited by a famous local producer. Prince wasn't envious. "This is what we've been waiting for", he said to her, "go make us proud". It wasn't much, but Gabi gradually gained fame.
During that time, the UK rapping industry was also growing rapidly. Although he didn't want to leave, Prince had to go chase his dream career. "I know you have to go", Gabi says to him, "I'll be right here when you get back".
After he left, they kept in touch, frequent chats and the usual video calls. But the distance was undeniable. One evening, Gabi's phone rang. It was Prince.
"Hey Gabriella what's up ?"
“Yoo Priiiiince !”
“I wanna sample your song”
“Oh for real ? Which one ?”
“I'll be there”
“What'd you mean, like right now ?”
“No no no, I'll be there”
“You'll be where, you're in the UK”
“Gabi, I'm talking about the song...”
Words couldn't express how Gabi felt. It wasn’t just about remixing an old song; it was about rekindling their bond. Despite the distance, they worked tirelessly on the remix.
They decided to add a special touch to it. A snippet of their raw, unfiltered conversation was gonna be the music intro. After much arrangements and preparations, they sang their remixed song, "Highs And Lows" to the world, before a very large audience.
After the concert, Prince proposes to Gabi before everyone.
“Will you be by my side forever through all highs and lows?”
"Yeah, I will", she says with a cheerful blush, “I'll be there”
Unfortunately though, Gabi is diagnosed with terminal cancer later on. She initially tries to ignore the symptoms. But after a diagnosis, it becomes clear. Prince was more devastated when he got the news.
The following weeks were a routine of hospital visits, treatment plans, and moments of unbearable exhaustion. Prince had to turn down offers from producers to be with Gabi. He didn't let her know the sacrifices he made, he kept them all to himself.
While within the sterile walls, Prince will play their song and for a moment, everything will be just alright.
"This song...", she'd say with tears, “it's the best thing we ever did”
As if the situation wasn't enough, Prince gets lost to an accident. Gabi's world paused. Nothing else mattered, no, not anymore.
"You have to get over the shock, it's draining you", the nurse would say to her, “I'm sure he wouldn't want you to do this to yourself.”
It all got worse. That night, while the world was lost in slumber, Gabi struggled through her playlist. Yeah, you know what song. She sings along with a very low emotional voice. After the last line, she surrenders to the cancer.
Weeks later, their story spreads like wild fire. Their fans came to regret forsaking them during their lows. The whole city came out annually on that very day and sang their song in their remembrance.
Although they were gone, their story, their music and their love for each other lived on, a reminder that even in death, they'd be there for each other, through highs and lows.
