Once Upon a Song*12th ♪ HEEEEY:)

-♪-

I looked at him. My best friend. Ang simula pa noon ay kinikilala kong halos kapatid ko na rin.

“You didn’t tell me,” I told him. May halong bitterness ang boses ko. Hanggang ngayon kasi, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. “You didn’t tell me anything.”

Alam ko na kahit siya, mukhang nahihirapan din. “I couldn’t. You love her.”

“So? So!? Hindi ba dapat mas sinabi mo pa!? Hindi ba!?” I yelled at him. “You could have told me…”

He shook his head, a pained expression on his face. It’s odd, thinking about it. We’ve been together for so long, and I never expected this to happen at all. Pero before I knew it, it all came down to this.

“I could have told you, I know,” he said. He shook his head, the pained expression still on his face. After all, magbest friend pa rin kami. “I could have. But I didn’t.”

“Why? Bakit hindi mo sinabi?”

“Because I love her too.”

-♪-

G-Clef

He stared at the picture.

“This is my fiancé?” He fingered the picture.

Maganda yung babae. Mahaba ang buhok niya. Maputi, at soft lang ang features niya. Medyo napaisip siya. Maybe he could reconsider all about this arranged marriage stuff. After all, she’s beautiful.

“Don’t you recognize her?” his father asked her.

He looked up. “Familiar?”

“She goes to the same school as you.”

Napatigil siya. “Talaga?”

“I’m sure. Her name is Michelle Liana Reyes.”

He looked at her one last time. Will he really marry this girl? Napangiti siya.

“We’ll see,” he murmured to himself. Definitely, he had to see her. Had to talk to her.

He will—someday. Siguradong makikilala at makikilala din niya ang fiancé niya. This might be fun, after all. And besides, kaya naman niyang gumawa ng paraan para magmeet sila.

Someday…

1st note ♪

Miche’s POV:

“Guys.” I took a deep breath. “I might just get married.”

All of my friends blinked. Tapos ang tagal nilang walang reaction. Dead air lang talaga. I bit my lower lip.

“You’re kidding, right?” sabi ni Krizia, na unang nakarecover.

“W-wag ka namang magjoke ng ganyan,” Summer told me. “Di ba nga yung joke, nakakatawa?”

Ayun. Lahat sila ganun lang yung reaction. Tapos resume na sila sa pagkain ng lunch nila. Napabuntong hininga ako. “I’m serious. I really might get married.”

Napatigil na talaga sila. Alam na siguro nilang seryosong seryoso ako.

“G-guys…?” puna ko. Baka naatake na sila sa puso e.

“Buntis ka ba?” tanong bigla ni Avril. Nanlaki mata naming lahat.

“Buntis!?” sabay-sabay naming tanong kay Avril. Pinakanashock kaya ako sa tanong niya.

“Buntis? Sino?” Saktong dumating si Eliza. Lahat ng mga bandmates ko, tumingin sa akin. Matutunaw na nga ako e. Naman.

“Walang buntis,” I said. “Like, hello. Ni boyfriend nga wala ako dib a?” I asked them.

Napaupo na rin si Liz, bitbit bitbit pa niya yung lunch niya. Nagsama-sama kami sa studio ng banda namin. Dito naman kami palaging naglalunch.

“P-panong ipapakasal ka?” Summer asked me.

I sighed. “May dumating kahapon sa bahay… A lawyer. Bigla na lang siyang dumating… tapos sabi niya, kung hindi daw namin mababayaran yung utang namin dun pinag-utangan ni Dad, kelangan daw akong ipakasal.”

“Utang?” tanong ni Krizia.

“Oo. Utang. Kelangan mabayaran namin yun…” I told them. “Nakakairita! Ni hindi ko man nga alam kung sino yung fiancé ko e!” Tinurok-turok ko yung tapa sa sobrang inis.

“Hindi mo man alam kung sino?” tanong ni Liz. “As in, no idea?”

I shook my head. “Ayaw nilang sabihin. Hindi ko talaga kilala.”

“So… you really have no idea?” Summer confirmed.

I nodded.

“Magkano ba utang niyo?” tanong pa rin niya.

I took another deep breath. “Half million.”

Nagtinginan lahat sila.

“Ang sabi ko wag kang magjojoke ng ganyan e,” Summer said, halatang pinipilit nga yang wag maniwala e.

“It’s freaking true. Hindi ko alam pano nangyari yun. Basta kahit anong gawing pag-aayaw namin ng parents ko, ayaw matinag nung apog na abogadong yun. Kainis. Banas!”

“K-kanino ba kayo nagkautang?” tanong ulit ni Krizia.

“Ladrillo family,” I answered. “And they want us to pay in three months. Three months! Ang tanga tanga nila! Sinong tao ang makakahanap ng half million pesos within three months!? Anong akala nila, napupulot lang yung pera!? Na kahit saan makakakuha ka lang ng P 500 000!? Ang akala kasi nila—”

“Chill! Hindi naman kami deserving na mamachine gun, dib a?” Avril said.

“E anong magagawa ko, naiirita ako sa kanila!? Ano bang akala nila—”

“Kakasabi ko pa lang,” Avril pressed on. She’s blunt and boyish. Tactless, kumbaga. Medyo insensitive pero masayang kasama. “Wag kami yang baril-barilin mo sa mga reklamo mo sa kanila.”

I tried to calm myself down. Sila kaya yung nasa sitwasyon ko. Tignan lang natin kung hindi nila mafifeel kung ano yung nafifeel ko ngayon. I can’t just act normally.

“Ganito lang yan,” Avril said. “Mayaman ba yung family?” I nodded. “Ka-age mo ba yung fiancé mo?” I nodded. Naalala kong sinabi na isang year lang agwat namin. Pero ayaw talaga nilang ipaalam kung sino e. “So, ka-age mo, kahit na hindi mo kakilala.” I nodded ulit. “E di kung mayaman na, ka-age mo pa, pakasalan mo na rin.”

I glared at Avril. “Ikaw talaga! Kung ikaw kaya yung nasa sitwasyon ko. Malay-malay ko ba kung sino yang bwiset na fiancé ko!? Isipin mo yun, we’re OFFICIALLY ENGAGED but I don’t know who he is! Ikaw, malay malay mo ba kung sino yung pakakasalan mong yun!? Hindi ka ba magrereact the same way as I am? Di ba, guys?” I looked at each and every one of them. “Di ba…?”

“Miche…” Liz murmured.

“Ayokong makasal. Baka kung sinong gago yun. Baka kung ano pa siya. Una, I’m too young. We’re both too young. Tapos andiyan pa yung fact na ayaw nilang ipaalam. Baka bakla. Baka playboy. Baka criminal pala na dahil mayaman, hindi nakukulong. Baka kung anu-ano pang mangyayari sa akin, di ba?” Sayang kaya yung beauty ko kung sa mga ganyan-ganyan lang mapupunta.

“Miche is right,” biglang sabi ni Summer. “We can’t let her get married to this mystery guy.”

“E ano namang magagawa natin?” Krizia asked all of us.

Gurabe. Silence lang yung sagot. Hindi naman kasi talaga namin mapupulot yung half million pesos e.

“I have an idea.” Napatingin ako kay Liz. Nag-eye contact pa talaga kami. “The Battle. Malapit na yung Battle this year.”

Parang may light bulb na nag-“ping” sa ulo ko. O dib a pati light bulb kasya sa ulo ko? Hydrocephalus kasi e. Masyadong malaki ulo ko.

Nagets ko na rin yung ibig sabihin ni Liz.

“Kung nanalo tayo,” Liz continued, “we can pay your family’s debt, dib a? The cash prize, the record contract. Malaki rin ang makukuha nating pera from that.”

We were all looking at Liz.

“Is it enough?” tanong ni Avril.

“It’s enough,” sagot ni Liz. Si Liz kasi, beauty and brains ng banda. The calculating type.

“We have to pass the audition para sa mga competitors sa Battle of the Bands. It’s your only chance,” Liz told me. Lahat ng friends ko, tumango rin.

“Can we do it?” I asked them. “Sa tingin niyo ba, may chance tayo?”

“Pshhh. Syempre papasa tayo.”

“I know. Iniisip ko lang na… na baka hindi tayo manalo. The audition, kahit na gaano pa daw kahirap to, feel ko easy lang naman.  It’s winning that I’m worried about.”

Avril grinned. “Duh. Kaya kaya natin to. Tayo pa, e da best nga tayo e.”

“Tumpak.” Nakipag-apir si Krizia kay Liz.

“So…” I began. “You’re really willing to help me?”

They all nodded. “Kami pa,” sagot pa ni Avril.

I smiled. “Salamat. Super salamat.”

“Okay. Wag nang cheesy na thank you,” sabi bigla ni Krizia.

Napabungisngis na rin ako. This is why I love all of my friends. Andiyan lang talaga sila.

“So,” I started. “Kelan ang audition?”

-♪-

Our school, St. Augustine University, is a very unique college university. Ang main branch ay sa California, hanggang sa nagbranch out na nang nagbranch out ang school to different states. Hanggang sa nakarating din sa ibang bansa.

St. Augustine is a talent school. Art school, some may say. Two years lang ang minimum, unless gusto mong mag-extend. Yun nga lang, kelangan mo pa ring kumuha ng panibagong course pagkalabas mo from the school. It’s merely a talent school that could help us find opportunities.

Iba-iba ang offered lessons. Music—kasama na ang banda, solo, or duet, or whatever. Kahit choral group pa yan. Kasama din sa  Music yung Dance. And then there’s acting—TV, Drama, or dula-dulaan, opera. Name it. Meron ding visual arts. Which includes fashion and interior designing. Fine arts is offered, too. Even writing.

Halos lahat ng nanggaling sa St. Augustine, talagang may higher chance na sumikat.

And every year, merong Battle for all of the Talents (ang tawag saming students). Singing, dancing, arts, acting, writing, and—in our case—as a band.

Ang bandang mananalo sa Battle, siguradong may open nang kontrata with the most famous recording companies. Cash money. Fame. Agad kang sisikat.

But on my case…

The Battle is the only hope I have na pwedeng makapagbigay ng freedom sa akin.

Kung natalo kami, kelangan kong ipakasal sa kumag na fiancé ko. That’s why I have to win. We have to.

It’s my only hope.

???’s POV:

I can see her. Michelle Liana Reyes. Maganda nga talaga siya, picture man or in person. Kaya pala nung una ko siyang nakita sa picture, feel ko familiar siya. Schoolmate ko pala e.

Pero kahit na gaano pa kaganda yung isang tao, syempre kelangan ko pa ring malaman yung ugali niya. Kaso pano yan? Mukha nga siyang masungit e. Alanga namang kabud ko na lang siyang iapproach. Baka akala pa niya, gusto ko siya.

Well, it’s not like I have to approach her directly.

Nag-isip isip muna ako. Ano nga bang magagawa ko para magkakilala kami? Ano nga ba?

………

……

…

Aha. Gets. Galing ko talagang mag-isip. Syempre, ako pa.

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

Haist. Ang bigat ng pesteng gitarang to. Ano ba kasi e? Kung sanang hindi ko kelangang magcompose ng song, hindi ko na dadalhin yung gitara ko e. Kaso no choice talaga ako. Banas.

Mga 9:00 p.m. na. Kakalabas ko palang ng school.

Yung sakayan ng jeep kasi, dun pa sa kanto ober der. Lalakarin ko pa. nakakairita nga e. Kung sanang hindi ako gutom na gutom, or hindi ganon kasakit yung lalamunan ko sa kakakanta ko nung nagpapractice kami, hindi sana ako ganito ka bad mood.

ERRRR.

Nakakalahati ko palang yung daan papunta sa kanto nang biglang may nagsalita sa likod ko.

“Miss?”

Kinutuban ako. Napahigpit yung hawak ko sa strap nung case ng gitara ko. Binilisan kong maglakad, tapo kunwari hindi ko napansin.

“Ano ba yan, Miss? Hindi ka man lang mamansin?”

May humawak sa braso ko.

I turned and glared at the guy. Naman kasi. Di ba nga bad mood na bad mood na ko? Gutom, pagod, tapos bad mood. Kung masungit ako, e di lalo pa kong naging masungit.

“Pwede ba, bitawan mo ko? Kung obvious lang kasi, medyo late na. Kelangan ko nang umuwi. Getche?” Nagpumiglas ako. Ayaw bumitaw. “Uulitin ko pa ba?” I glared at him.

He’s a guy wearing another school’s uniform. Mukha siyang… playboy. Ewan. Kinakabahan ako na naiirita.

“Saan ka ba? Baka pwedeng ihatid kita?”

I tried to let go of his grip. “Sorry. You’re not my type.”

Humigpit yung pagkakahawak niya sa akin.

“Ano ba!?” I yelled. Napatingin ako sa paligid. Three other guys were starting to close in on me.

The creepy guy smirked. “Tara na?” He even started to pull me.

“Let go! Bitawan mo ko!” Pilit pa rin akong nagpupumiglas. He won’t let go. At lalo lang humigpit yung pagkakahawak niya, kaya nasasaktan na talaga ako. “Bitaw kako e!”

“Shut up. For a pretty face, ang ingay ingay mo,” he told me.

“Bitawan sabi e!”

He pulled me. Ang lakas lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko at that time. Talagang kinabahan na ko. Gang rape? Kidnap? HELP.

“Just shut up and come with me,” he said, still smirking.

I pulled my hand free and began to run. Pero nasabat ako nung isa nilang kasama. I turned to the other direction and started running, pero may nanghila sa buhok ko. Napasigaw ako.

“Fvck it! Ang kulit mo ah!”

“Let go! Bitawan mo ko!” Mangiyak-iyak na ko sa pagkakahatak niya sa buhok ko. Kinakabahan na ko. What if… What if may masamang mangyari? What if… what if matuloy ang balak nila?

I let out a soft wail.

Suddenly, someone grabbed the guy and punched him once, then twice, before pushing him and shoving him to the ground.

The guy grabbed my hand. “Tara na. Takbo!”

Disoriented, napasama na lang ako.

I ran. I ran with him.

With my savior.

2nd ♪

Alvin’s POV:

Halatang kinakabahan siya. Ang lamig ng kamay niya e. Hawak hawak ko pa. Buti nga hindi naaalis sa pagkakahawak yung mga kamay namin e. Her hand’s cold and sweaty. Clammy. Halatang kahit na nagsusungit siya kanina, kinakabahan talaga siya.

When we were far enough, I stopped. Napatigil na rin siya. We stopped right under a streetlight. The only place na may light sa buong street.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

Napatingin siya sa’kin. Teka, scratch that. NapaTITIG siya sa’kin.

Hinihingal ako. Tapos kahit siya rin hinihingal. I let go of her hand.

“Kung  ayos ka na, then sa susunod, mag-ingat ka naman. It’s late, you’re female, and all the bad guys must be out there. Kung ako sa’yo, wag kang masyadong tatanga-tanga.”

Her mouth dropped open.

I rolled my eyes. “San ka ba nakatira? Baka kung ano pang mangyari sa’yo. Mukha ka pa man ding tatanga-tanga.”

She must have been offended, by the way she looked at me.

I eyed her guitar. May pagkatanga din pala tong babaeng to. Aish. Mukhang mabigat yung gitara, kaya I said, “Amina yan. Hatid na kita pauwi. Di bale ng ako yung late makauwi, kesa naman sa babaeng tanga yung nalelate umuuwi. It’s dangerous.”

She glared at me. “You know what?” Hinigpitan niya yung hawak niya sa strap nung guitar case niya. “I can manage going home alone. Sige. Salamat na lang pala.”

Sungit.

She turned around.

“Excuse me. Kapag may masamang nangyari sa’yo, don’t say na hindi kita inofferan na sabayan kita pauwi,” pahabol ko pa.

She sighed, looked at me, and said, “Don’t worry. Wala ng masamang mangyayari sa’kin. Hindi na PO ako magpapakaTANGA.” With that, she gave a look of hatred, turned back, and started to walk away.

Tss.

Hayaan mo na siya. Pero kahit papano… Michelle Liana Reyes IS an interesting girl.

-♪-

“Ang sakit nung suntok mo kanina, pare.” Sabi ni Cody sa’kin. “Wala bang extra?”

“Sorry. Hindi ko sinasadyang mapalakas yung suntok. Pero di ba nga dapat mukhang realistic?” I said. “Eto. Dagdag P 50. Kahit pang soft drinks niyo lang.”

Kanina kasing “binabalakan nila ng masama” si Michelle Liana Reyes, medyo napalakas yung suntok ko. I really didn’t mean to. After all, Cody’s my friend. Kahit yung mga katropa niya, matagal ko na ring mga kaibigan. Pero nung nakita ko kasi yung expression sa mukha nung babaeng yun, medyo naasar ako. Tinotoo nila e, e di ako rin, tinotoo ko yung pag-“save” ko sa kanya.

Kahit na binayaran ko lang sina Cody na kunwari may balak na masama sa kanya, syempre iba pa rin yung fact na tinotoo nila. Mukhang nasaktan si Michelle e.

“Pero dude, sayang yun. Maganda siya. Ba’t hindi mo na lang kinausap ng maayos? Kesa naman dun sa tinakot mo pa… ” tanong ni Cody.

“Oo nga,” sabat pa ni Paul.

I shrugged. “Syempre, para maganda yung image ko sa kanya. Alanga naman yung personality ko yung gawin kong fake, dib a? Kung yung personality ko yung fake, e di ibig sabihin kelangan kong pigilan sarili ko na maging mayabang at masungit kapag nandun siya? Ayokong ganon. Ngayon, kahit na masungit ako, kahit na mainis siya sa’kin sa arrogance ko, papasok at papasok pa rin sa isip niya ako yung nagsave sa kanya nung muntikan na siyang mapahamak.”

“Wow, tol. Solid ka namang mag-isip.”

I shrugged. “Syempre. Ako pa.” Told you mayabang ako.

Pero it’s true naman. Dahil sa totoong personality ko, sigurado akong hindi niya ko magugustuhan. Kasi nga, I’m really arrogant. I can’t help it. Spoiled e. Kung nagkunwari akong gentleman, e di lalo lang akong naging fake? Ngayong alam niyang ako ang nagsave sa kanya, kahit na gano pa siya naiirita sa personality ko, she’ll always think of the as the guy who saved her. Hindi lang puro hate. Kahit papano, maiisip niyang mabait ako.

Odiba ang galing ko talagang mag-isip?

“Who is she, anyway?” Cody asked me. “Bakit gusto mo siyang makilala?”

Nagkibit-balikat ako. “Basta…”

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

Bwiset. Bwiset. Bwiset na lalaking yun.

Tinawag daw akong tanga. Tinawag niya kong tanga. F! Nakakainis! Kairitang lalake. Feeling niya kung sino siya!? Ewan!

Ang yabang yabang niya, akala mo kung sinong anghel. Tapos after niya kong isave, sinungitan lang niya ko? Sinermonan pa? Sinong hindi maiirita dun!?

Pero kahit na gano pa siyang nakakairita, it still doesn’t change the fact that he saved me.

He saved me.

He saved me.

He saved me.

… Pero nakakairita pa rin siya! Arrgh.

-♪-

Alvin’s POV:

Lunch time na, tapos naglalakad ako papunta sa studio ng banda namin—Cliché, which is the number one band of the school.

“You met her already?” tanong ni Javed sa’kin habang naglalakad sa corridor nung building kung nasan lahat yung mga studios na inassign ng mismong school sa’ming mga students. Sound-proof chambers na parang pinakabahay naming mga nagbabanda.

“Who? Michelle Liana Reyes?” balik-tanong ko. My best friend nodded. “Ahh. Yep.”

“Kahapon?” he asked me.

I nodded. “Syempre.”

“Ang bilis mo namang iexecute yung plano mo.”

“Talaga,” sagot ko.

“Anong ginawa mo para magmeet kayo?”

I smirked. “Simple lang naman e.” And I began to tell him what I did last night. Natawa siya.

“Adik ka. Pano kung lalo kang sungitan nun sa ginawa mong pagsusungit sa kanya? Magbabalikan na lang kayo ng kasungitan?”

“Baka,” sagot ko. I was just indifferent about it. “Pero I’m sure kahit papano, she would never truly hate me.”

“Sigurado ka lang ah.”

“Syemps. Maniwala ka naman sa’kin,” pakwela ko pang dagdag.

Then habang naglalakad kami, dun na namin narinig.

Pareho kaming napatigil. The voice was… breathtaking. Maganda talaga. As in solid maganda yung boses.

I’m so glad you made time to see me
How’s life? Tell me, how’s your family?
I haven’t seen them in a while

You’ve been good, busier than ever
We small talk, work and the weather
Your guard is up, and I know why

Because the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind
You gave me roses, and I left them there to die

So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you, saying I’m sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time

It turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you
Wishing I’d realized what I had when you were mine
I go back to December, turn around and make it alright
I go back to December all the time

These days, I haven’t been sleeping
Staying up, playing back myself leaving
When your birthday passed, and I didn’t call

Then I think about summer, all the beautiful times
I watched you laughing from the passenger side
And realized I loved you in the fall

And then the cold came, the dark days
When fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love, and all I gave you was goodbye

So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you, saying I’m sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time

It turns out freedom ain’t nothing but missing you
Wishing I’d realized what I had when you were mine
I go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time

I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile—

Napatigil bigla yung nagkakanta.

“Sorry ulit. Sorry talaga. I messed up again,” the same voice said. May part din sugro sa gitara yung singer. Sus. Ang simple lang nung part na tinutugtog nila, nagkamali pa siya. Tsaka isa pa, di ba nga yung studio sa loob nung chamber, pwedeng isara para soundproof? Bakit kaya hindi nila sinara. Naririnig tuloy hanggang sa corridor.

“What really happened? Mukhang kahit papano, masakit din yan,” another voice said.

Feel ko lumabas na yung mga tumutugtog from their studio, at pumunta na dun sa parang living room part nung chambers. Ganyan naman lahat ng chambers. May living room, banyo, kahit ref, aircon pa. Tapos may portion yung chamber na studio. Soundproof. Pero kung di mo sinara, syempre maririnig pa rin.

“It’s nothing, really. Para sa konting bugbog lang.”

“Sigurado kang hindi sprain yan?”

“Wag nga kayong OA. Hindi naman siguro.”

“Kahit mild lang?”

“H-hindi naman ganon kaseryoso o. Dali na, practice na ulit,” the singer said.

“Tama na nga. Maglunch na tayo… Bili na tayong pagkain,” may nagsabi. Before makaalis kami ni Javed, nag-open yung door. Nahuli tuloy kami.

Miche’s POV:

Pagbukas na pagbukas ni Summer nung pintuan, nakita ko na yung familiar face nay un.

“Uhh, hello?” sabi ni Avril sa kanila. “Excuse.”

One of them blinked. My savior. Ang makapal at masungit at mayabang na savior ko. He might be drop-dead gorgeous, pero tinawag niya pa rin akong tanga.

“Sa susunod, isarado niyo yung pintuan ng studio niyo. Dinig na dinig yung pagtugtog niyo,” sabi nung kasama ni savior. He raised his brow at me. “Lalo na yung pagkakalat niyo.”

Ampfft! Pareho pa silang mapanglait.

“Hayaan mo na sila. Tara na, dali,” panghihila ni savior dun sa friend niya.

Nairita ako lalo. “Excuse—” I began to say, pero pinigilan ako ni Summer.

“Hayaan mo na. Hindi naman talaga natin nasara yung pinto.” And she pulled me with her.

“Di ba yun sina Alvin Magalona at Javed Pavico?” Liz asked me.

Napatingin kaming lahat sa kanya.

“Sino yung mga yun?” I asked.

“Ay nakow, day. Saang lupalop ka ba nakatira?” tanong ni Krizia. “Si Alvin yung vocalist ng Cliché. Tapos si Javed yung pianist. Familiar naman siguro yung Cliché sa’yo no?”

“Cliché? Di ba yun yung nagperform dun sa showcase last month? Yung sinabi mong magaling?” I asked Krizia. Sa totoo lang, nagalingan din ako sa kanila e. Pero for confirmation lang.

“Yep. Yun.”

I can’t believe it.

Siguradong kasama din yung mga yun sa Battle. They’re probably aiming to enter like us. Aminado akong magaling ang Cliché, pero I can’t let them win. We can’t let them win. If they do, patay ako.

“Dapat mas magaling pa tayo sa Cliché,” I muttered. At hindi lang dahil sa threat na baka ipakasal ako. It’s also because naiirita ako sa laki ng ulo ng lalaking yun. Oha? Kung malaki ulo ko, mas malaki talaga yung sa kanya e. Hindi ko na kasalanan yun.

“Ba, talaga namang mas magaling tayo dun ah,” Avril answered.

Natawa kaming lahat.

-♪-

Natripan naming sa canteen na maglunch. Di naman bawal, dib a? Kahit na sanay kami sa studio, minsan, dito rin kami kumakain.

Masakit pa rin yung right wrist ko. Natwist kahapon e, nung pinakahawak ako nung nagbalak ng masama sa akin. Natwist talaga yung wrist ko, at ngayon, solid parang nabugbog na ewan na masakit. Feel ko nga nasprain talaga. Minor lang siguro. Ewan, basta masakit.

Ayun. Kumakain tuloy ako with my left hand. Sila rin yung pumilit sa’kin na wag munang gamitin yung right hand ko.

“All students, may we now request for everyone to refrain from talking,” the school intercom made everyone stop.

Nagtinginan kaming ng mga friends ko.

“The date for the audition for the Battle has been confirmed.”

“Oh gosh,” sabi ni Krizia.

We drew in a collective breath. Lagi namang ganito e. Kahit kelan, inaannounce nila yung date ng audition. Kabud lang, with no hints na iaannounce nila. And it’s never expected. Minsan yung audition, a week away before the Battle itself. Minsan, six months.

“The audition will be held tomorrow.”

*3rd ♪

Miche’s POV:

Tomorrow.

Bukas na yung audition. And we have to be insanely good to pass.

Napatingin ako sa mga bandmates ko.

Tomorrow.

I don’t think I’m ready. Hindi ako sigurado.

Ganyan talaga sa school namin. Unexpected yung dates ng mga auditions sa lahat ng bagay. Minsan nga, nagpeperform kayo sa klase, audition nap ala, hindi niyo man alam.

Pero it’s unfair.

They announced it today. It’s tomorrow. It’s tomorrow. It’s tomorrow.

Bakit hindi naging katulad ng noon? Na nung minsan three weeks before, inannounce na. Na minsan, ilang weeks muna bago yung audition, inaannounce na.

Malas. Kamalasan naman.

With my wrist like this, magkakaproblema talaga ako sa pagstrum ko. Baka hindi ko pa kayanin.

“The condition for the audition are as follows.” Tuluy pa rin yung intercom. “All singers can’t sing songs that have previously been sang in the media, within the school, with copyrights from different artists all throughout the world. The songs must be originals. This goes for all singers except the choral groups. The choral groups will be further informed later. The artists and…”

Tuloy pa rin sa pag-aannounce yung school intercom about the rules.

Napatignin ako sa mga bandmates ko.

“We can’t play,” sabi ni Summer. “Your wrist is badly hurt. Look. I’m pretty sure it’s sprained.”

“Ano ba? Ang kulit niyo ah. Hindi nga, dib a? Ayos lang ako. Ako pa. Mamaniin lang natin yung audition bukas.”

“And how about the song? Hindi mo pa man tapos yung tinatry mong icompose kahapon, dib a?”

I bit my lower lip. Late na kasi akong umuwi kahapon. Tapos masakit nga yung wrist ko. Idagdag mo pa yung fact na hindi ko inexpect na bukas na yung audition.

“What?” Avril asked us. “We’re ready naman ah. Konti na lang yung kulang dun sa song. Tapos pwede namang tulungan ka naming magcompose. Kayang kaya. Yung problema nga, yung kamay mo. Pwede bang putulin na lang natin?”

“Naman e. E di lalong lumala. Common sense,  hija,” I told her.

She laughed.

“We’re serious,” Liz said. “You can’t perform that way.”

“Pwede namang wag ka munang maggitara,” Summer suggested. “Right?”

I thought about it for a while. “Sige. Vocals na muna ako.”

They all nodded.

“Ako na magcocover sa part mo sa gitara,” sabi ni Krizia. “Ayos lang naman.”

“Sige. Well, what’re we waiting for? May song pa tayong kinocompose, bilisan nating kumain,” Avril told us. “Remember, we still have to do this thing kung ayaw nating makasal tong best friend natin sa kung sinu-sinong gago.”

???’s POV:

Napatigil ako sa narinig ko. Were they talking about the marriage thing?

And… I guess they’re planning to win the Battle para mabayaran yung utang nila. Siguro ganon nga. Then that means… if their band—Resonance—lose, then she’d get married to me. It works that way.

Futile efforts. After all, Cliché is the best band in the whole school.

Ano pa bang laban nila, dib a?

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

“Sudden change of rules daw,” sabi ni Avril. “Wag muna daw original composition yung song sa audition. Seems like maraming nagreklamo.”

Napabuntong-hininga ata kaming lahat dun.

“Kasi nga daw, dib a? Wala man daw one day na practice, tapos gusto nila original composition daw. So… kahit wag na muna. Halos lasakin yung principal’s office kanina sa sobrang dami ng students na nagrereklamo,” Liz explained.

“Yes. So, ibang song na lang,” sabi ko. Tumigil na ko sa pagsulat nung song. Hayaan mo yun. Wala man lang inspiration e. Di ba dapat mas maganda meron?

“Which song?” I asked them. “Taylor Swift?” I suggested. Favorite namin e, anong magagawa ko. Yung nga yung reason kung bakit nagkasama-sama kaming lahat sa iisang banda e. Her songs.

“Wag naman yun. Wala bang ibang maganda?” Avril asked.

Krizia thought about it. “Pano kung Tagalog?”

I shrugged. “Hindi naman bawal.”

“Suggest ko sana yung Torete e.”

“Uy onga,” pag-agree ni Liz. Fave song e. Mga makaluma talaga, okay?

“Torete na lang? Ano pa? Di ba two sets yung itutugtog?” I asked them. Somehow kasi, dahil ako yung composer, parang ginawa nila akong leader. Hindi exactly leader, pero parang ganun na rin yun.

“Kung hindi orig composition. Kung tayo nagcompose, isa lang. Kung hindi, dalawa,” Liz said. “Ano pang next song natin?”

Nag-isip-isip ako. Ano nga ba yung nasa Mental Playlist ng utak ko? Gurabi, ang dami talagang laman ng ulo kong to. Kahit ano kasya. May bakala na, kaya nga matigas ulo ko. Tapos may light bulb pa dib a? Meron ding air-con diyan. Ang presko ko minsan e. Tapos ngayon, yung playlist pa. Adik talaga ng ulo kong to.

“Sandalan?” I suggested.

“Tss. Common.” Inirapan pa ko ni Krizia. Ang bait talaga ng mga best friends ko no? Sakatan na lang to the max.

“E ano pa ba?”

“Mag Enchanted na lang tayo,” sabi ni Summer. LOL. Favorite namin si Taylor Swift e. Dahil kaya sa songs niya (particularly, yung Teardrops on my Guitar) kung bakit nabuo yung banda namin.

“Enchanted? Game. Kahit simple lang, maganda,” I said. “Ipapractice pa talaga natin yun?”

They nodded.

“Remember, maraming nakasalalay dito,” Liz said.

I smiled. “O sige.”

Ayan tuloy. No choice. With my hand, hindi ako makakapaggitara. Well, ganyan talaga. Baka masyado silang mabilib kasi maganda na nga boses ko, tapos magaling pa kong maggitara, oha? Okay, ako nang makapal.

-♪-

Javed’s POV:

I looked at Alvin. Mukhang ang lalim ng iniisip ng adik e.

“Huy,” puna ko.

Hindi daw ako pinansin.

“HUY.”

Napatingala siya. “What?”

I shrugged. “Anong iniisip mo?” I asked him.

“More like SINO,” sabat ni Kirk. “Yung babae, right? That girl? Si… Michelle ata yun.”

Medyo napatigil ako. Siya? Iniisip niya si Michelle? “Bat mo naman iniisip yun?” I asked him. Syempre, best friend ko rin yan simula nung grade 1.

Alvin looked at me. Actually, he GLARED at me. “I’m not thinking of… of… of that idiot!”

Defensive masyado. Ang OA kasi niya e.

“Sigurado ka ah?” I asked him, raising an eyebrow, daring him.

Inirapan ako. Sungit ng lolong to. Tss.

Alvin’s POV:

This is infuriating. Very, very infuriating. Pilit pumapasok sa utak ko yung boses ni Miche e. She was singing… Back to December ata yun? Basta. Her voice is completely mesmerizing.

Ayan tuloy. Kahit si Javed napapansin. Ang adik kasi nito. Ahhh.

Ang baliw ng boses niya. It’s completely abnormal. Ah basta. Mas maganda pa rin boses ko. Paki ko sa kanya. Basta mas magaling ako. Mas. Magaling. Ako.

“Huy, anong song nga pala yung itutugtog natin?” tanong k okay Javed.

“Onga pala. Paramore?” Javed answered.

“Huy loko wag!” sabi ni Justin. “Alam kong magaling ako, pero nakakatamad mag double-bass.”

Natawa ako. Singkatamad na lang, no?

“Ano na, dali?” tanong ko ulit.

Walang sumagot. Tahe, isa ata samin nangungulangot pa e. Joke. Hindi pala. J

“Tonight. FM Static,” sagot ni Andrew.

Napangiti ako. “Okay. Yun na lang? Tsaka ano pa?”

Wala na talagang sumagot.

Ganyan talaga pag magkakasama kami sa studio namin.

Kung ano-ano ginagawa.

“Uy dali. Ano pang next song?” I asked. Kelangang talagang pilitin no?

“Alam ko na. Pare Ko. Eraserheads,” sagot ni Justin. Super sure daw siya.

Napasmile ako. The song has attitude, so why not, right?

“O sige ba.”

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

Practice lang ng practice. Go lang ng go. May free three hours kasi yung banda para magpractice every day. Ang galing talaga sa school namin, dib a?

Pinractice lang ulit namin kahit na ayos lang.

Maya-maya, nagchi-chill-chill na lang kami sa sofa sa chamber, habang kumakain ng Tortillas na may mozzarella dip. Odiba sosy? Galing yan kay Krizia.

“Pacheck-up natin mamaya yung wrist mo,” sabi sa’kin ni Summer. Pinaka-inay ng grupo? Lol.

“Opo, Ma,” sabi ko. Natawa naman daw sila. Tss.

Tapos kain lang ng kain. Di ba nga go lang ng go?

Parang nasprain nga yung wrist ko. Ipapacheckup na namin para sure. Tapos yung nagcover ng part ko sa gitara si Krizia. Kaso napilitang maglead si Liz. So isa lang talaga yung rhythm, isang lead, drummer, keyboard, and vocalist.

Carry yan.

Haha.

I’m nervous yet excited for tomorrow’s audition.

We’ll just see what happens next.

Basta. We would definitely pass the audition. Definitely.

-♪-

Kinakabahan na ko.

Audition time is 3:00. Kami yung pangatlong magpeperform. Closed space naman, at yung mga nagjajudge lang yung makikinig. Hindi naman pakikinggan ng ibang nag-o-audition. Pero iba pa rin yung feeling.

“Huy. Wala pa rin si Krizia,” Summer told me worriedly.

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

And then I scanned all of their faces. Liz, Summer, Avril. All of them looks worried.

“Hindi ba siya sisipot?” Avril asked.

I sighed. “Darating din yun…” pagpipilit ko.

Lumabas na yung first band.

Ah shit.

Hindi pa rin sumisipot si Krizia.

We were waiting, habang tinatry ng icontact ni Summer si Krizia.

Hindi sumasagot e.

F.

Pano ba to? Pangatlo kami, nasa second na.

She’s still not here.

We could do nothing but hope for her to come.

“Hindi pa rin siya sumasagot,” sabi ni Summer. “Try ko ulit.”

She dialed Krizia again.

Surprisingly, she answered.

“Guys!”

Naka-loud-speaker yung phone ni Summer.

“Measles. I have measles. I won’t be able to go.”

And my world came falling to pieces.

She’s not coming.

She’s not coming.

She’s not coming.

Lumabas na yung second band.

Napalunok ako.

Lahat sila tinititigan ako, as if waiting para sa kung anong gagawin ko.

“Third band, please.”

No one moved.

Napatingin ako sa sling ko (I had to keep my wrist in a cast and sling. Turns out mas mabilis hihilom kung ganon). Inalis ko yung sling. Inalis ko rin yung cast (yung removable naman yan). I grabbed the guitar. No choice.

“Miche.” Summer held me. “Hindi… You… You can’t. Mas magiging worse yung condition ng wrist mo.”

I shook my head. “I have to. It’s fine. Two songs lang to. Tara na.”

I had to try.

Even if it hurts.

Pumasok na kami dun sa room.

There were three judges.

“Band name?” tanong nung kalbo na nakasalamin.

May napansin ako. Isa lang sa kanila yung teacher sa St. Augustine.

“Resonance,” I answered with confidence. Kahit na masakit na yung wrist ko sa konting movement. Kahit na alam ko, I know I have to take the risk.

“Okay.”

And they stared at us expectantly.

I took a deep breath.

-♪-

4th ♪

Miche’s POV:

The lead guitar started.

And then soon, I was strumming with it. Oo, I admit na sobrang sakit talaga nung effort na ginagamit ko para sa pagstrum.

Sandali na lang…

Maaari bang pagbigyan?

Everything was going well. Kahit na masakit, nakakayanan ko naman.

Hanggang sa natapos yung song.

The judges looked pretty impressed.

“You can proceed to your next song.”

Pinahid ko yung perspiration (oha, sosy. Sa mga hindi may alam, PAWIS lang po yan) ko. Medyo pinagpapawisan ako at naluluha sa sakit e. Try niyo kayang maggitara ng may sprain yung right wrist niyo.

I looked at my bandmates, nodded, and we began to play. Our next song is Enchanted.

There I was again tonight, forcing laughter, faking smiles

Same old, tired place lonely place

Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy

Vanished when I saw your face
All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you
Your eyes whispered, “Have we met?” across the room, your silhouette

Starts to make its way to me

The playful conversation starts, counter all your quick remarks

Like passing notes in secrecy
And it was enchanting to meet you

All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you

This night is sparkling, don’t you let it go—

Batak na batak yung strumming ko. Lalong sumakit kaya napatigil ako sa paggigitara. My bandmates came to a stop.

Lahat sila napatingin sa akin.

And even the judges were looking very unimpressed.

Parang uminit yung pakiramdam ko. Parang lahat ng dugo ko napunta sa ulo ko. Hindi ko na alam gagawin ko. After seven seconds of dead air, I held the mic on the mic stand in front of me.

 

This night is sparkling, don’’t you let it go

I’m wonderstruck, blushing all the way home,

I’ll spend forever, wondering if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you

Nag-adjust na sina Summer. Sinabayan na nila yung pagkanta ko. And just like that, we recovered. Yun nga lang, Liz immediately shifted from lead to rhythm. Kumbaga walang lead.

The lingering question kept me up, 2 a.m., who do you love?
I wonder ’til I’m wide awake
Now I’m pacing back and forth, wishing you were at my door
I’d open up and you would say

It was enchanting to meet you
All I know is I was enchanted to meet you

 

-♪-

???’s POV:

There it was. It’s her voice.

Michelle’s.

Kanino pa ba?

Hindi ko naman sinasadya, pero medyo narinig ko from the side of the room yung pagtugtog nila. She was singing Enchanted. Ang ganda ng boses niya. Kakaiba talagang pakinggan.

And I was mesmerized. Again.

But then something went wrong. Napastop siya sa pagtugtog niya. And medyo nag worry ako dun, until she sang again, without any instrumental accompaniment. Nung natapos yung chorus, sumabay na ulit yung instruments.

I stood there, listening, wondering what was wrong.

Miche’s POV:

“Is something wrong?” tanong ni Ma’am Hazel. Siya yung music coordinator ng school. Isa rin siya sa mga judges. “Kasi mukhang nagka… problema kanina habang tinutugtog niyo yung second song niyo.”

I bit my lower lip. “Ma’am. Nagkaron po kasi ng measles yung isa naming kabanda, so I had to cover her part. Nasprain po kasi yung right wrist ko.”

“No wonder may parang bruise diyan sa wrist mo. You shouldn’t have pushed past your limits.”

Nosebleed. Joke. Pero napakamot ako ng ulo.

“Hija, did you take up voice lessons?” one of the other judges asked me. Hindi si kalbo. Yung isa na mukhang sosy.

I shook my head. “Binalak ko po noon, pero hindi ko po tinuloy.”

“Why?”

“Financial problems po,” I replied.

“Kaninong side ng family mo yung maganda ang boses?” tanong ni Kalbo na kamukha si Boy Abunda dahil sa salamin niya.

“Pareho po,” I replied. “Pareho po silang inclined sa music.”

They nodded.

“Okay. You can go on now,” sabi ni Ma’am Hazel.

So we went out.

Paglabas na paglabas namin, I immediately faced them.

“I’m sorry guys,” I said. “I… I messed up.”

“Anong sorry sorry ka diyan?” Avril asked me. “Corny mo, ‘day ah. Tara na nga.”

“Hindi kayo galit?” I asked them.

“Kabud na lang,” sabi ni Liz. “Syempre hindi. It’s really not your fault.”

Napangiti ako.

“Sige. Mauna na kayo. Bibili lang ako ng Gatorade,” I said, putting my cast and sling on.

“Sige.” Nginitian pa ko ni Summer. Tapos nauna na sila.

I sighed, and wiped a teardrop. Tumulo na rin finally yung kanina ko pa pinipigilan na mga luha ko. It’s better if they don’t know.

Haaay. I’m screwed.

-♪-

Alvin’s POV:

“HOY ENGOT.”

Napatingin si Michelle sa’kin. Pagkakita niya sa pagmumukha ko, inirapan daw niya ko. Sa gwapo kong ‘to? Tss. Sira na siguro mata ng taong to.

“Ano na namang kelangan mo?” she asked me.

Grabe. Ang galing niyang sumagot.

I eyed her sling. I threw the ointment at her. “Ayan. Ipahid mo diyan. Parang naglagay na na rin ng hot compress diyan, kaya medyo maalis yung sakit.”

Yung problema, hindi man niya na-catch yung ointment. Tumama tuloy sa ulo niya.

“Aray!” she said. “Ano ba!?”

“Wag ka nang magreklamo. Basta gamitin mo na lang. TSS.” And I walked out on her.

Javed’s POV:

Ahh. So napansin din pala niya yung sprain ni Michelle sa wrist niya.

Tapon ko na nga lang yung dapat ibibigay ko sa kanya. Parehong-pareho kasi kami ng naiisip ni Alvin e.

Hayaan ko na nga lang.

So I just found a garbage can, tapos tinapon ko na lang yung binili ko. Pareho lang naman, kaya hayaan ko na nga. Pareho lang naman.

I’m just surprised na kahit siya… nalaman niya. E tatanga-tanga din yang best friend kong yan, kahit papano. Loljk. (Kahit na totoo.)

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

In fairness, mukhang effective naman tong kung ano man tong binigay ni Alvin Pavico sa’kin. Syempre, sayang kung itatapon ko lang. Ginamit ko na rin pagbalik ko sa studio. Grabe no, hindi na kami nagklase? Cancelled kaya afternoon classes dahil sa auditions.

“Bumili kang gamot?” Liz asked me.

“Hindi. Binigay lang ‘to.”

Binigay ni Alvin Pavico. I don’t get  it…

I really don’t.

Because I hate him…

Pero I feel like I can actually trust him.

 

5th ♪

Miche’s POV:

No. No. No.

This can’t be happening.

The results are out. We didn’t pass. We didn’t pass. Hindi kami pumasa.

Hindi ko na namalayan, pero my tears were already a steady stream by that time. None of my friends are here yet. Ako palang. Dapat hindi na ko napaaga ng dating. Dapat hindi na.

Pero there’s nothing I can do about the fact na hindi pumasa ang Resonance sa Battle.

“Miche?”

I looked back. Nakita ko yung best friend ni Alvin Pavico. What was his name again? Javed?

“Huy. Okay ka lang?” he asked me, noticing the tears. Kinukuha na niya sa bulsa niya yung panyo niya. He offered it to me. “Kababae mong tao, nakadisplay yang mukha mo na punung-puno ng luha. Kadiri. Magpunas ka nga.”

I glared at him. “May panyo ako. At kung nandito ka para lalong ibudbod sa mukha ko na hindi kami pumasa sa audition, at kayo ang top band na pumasa, then maghanap ka na lang ng ibang kausap!” And I ran out.

Bahala siya sa buhay niya. Wala. Akong. Pakialam.

I sniffed and wiped my tears away. This can’t be happening. My life’s over.

Ano pa bang magagawa ko? There’s nothing else I could do.

No choice.

I’ll have to marry that insolent bastard.

The thought made me run faster. Tapos hindi ko na alam kung ilang batalyon ba ng tao yung binunggo ko habang mukha akong engot na umiiyak na pasinghot-singhot na tumatakbo in no direction.

“Miche?” somebody must have called from behind me, pero hindi ko alam kung imagination ko lang bay un. Pero I’m pretty sure it was him.

Alvin.

???’s POV:

She was crying. Ewan ko, pero talagang hindi ko expect na siya yung tipo ng tao na iiyak in public.

Still, hindi ko talaga inexpect na iiyak siya. It was unexpected.

At hindi ko rin alam bakit, pero somehow, I felt like someone actually stabbed me.

Sheesh. I guess I’m getting more concerned about her than I should be.

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

“Kasalanan ko to,” I told them. “I messed up.”

All of my friends looked at me. “Miche, it wasn’t your fault at all.”

I sighed. “It is my fault. Completely my fault.”

Lahat sila pinipilit na hindi ako ang may kasalanan kung bakit hindi kami pumasa sa Battle. They all gave me concerned looks. Very concerned looks.

“Miche, stop blaming yourself,” Summer told me. “Hindi mo kasalanan.”

“If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine,” sabi ni Krizia, tears already starting to form in her eyes. “Ako yung nagkasakit ng hindi oras.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” pilit ko. “It’s mine.”

Avril stood up. “Ewan ko sa inyo. Basta ang alam ko, walang may kasalanan kung hindi yung gagong gustong mangrape kay Miche.”

“Tumpak,” sabi ni Liz. “Kundi dahil dun sa kinwento mong lalakeng yun, none of this would have happened. Everything would have been perfect.”

“I… I’m sorry.” I looked down. Feel ko kasi kasalanan ko talaga.

“Hindi mo nga kasalanan e,” Avril said. “Don’t apologize.”

I looked at her.

And then just like that, naiiyak na naman ako.

-♪-

Alvin’s POV:

Sige. Masyado na kong concerned dun sa babaeng yun.

Tama na nga.

Tignan mo, ngayon, siya na naman iniisip ko.

Tss. Porke maganda boses niya. Bahala siya. I really shouldn’t care about her. Bakit pa, dib a? Kaya ayun, kahit na nakita ko siyang umiyak kanina, at kahit na narinig namin siya ni Javed kaninang dinaanan namin yung band room nila, hindi dapat ako makafeel ng kahit ano para sa kanya.

Hindi dahil umiyak siya, I’ll treat her differently.

Ano siya, sineswerte?

Ayun. So chill chill lang ako dito sa band room naman namin. Syempre, as usual, maingay na ewan. Lalo na kasi number one kami sa lahat ng pumasa. Simple pa lang niyan yung mga songs na pinerform namin nung audition. Magaling kasi kami e. Tsk.

Hawak hawak ko yung gitara ko.

Stop thinking about Miche, Alvin.

Basta. Tinugtog ko na lang ulit yung Kiss the Rain. A.K.A. Rue’s Lullaby. Nagagandahan talaga ako e.

Haaizt.

Ang gulo ko naman. Bahala na.

Basta ako, masaya. Sure win na kasi kami sa Battle.

Har.

Javed’s POV:

I’m too concerned about her.

Dapat hindi. Basta dapat kalimutan ko siya. Right?

Ahhhhh ewan. Ang gulo.

Her tears earlier, medyo napastop ako. Kaya nga dinaan ko na lang sa arrogance ko.

Nairapan pa tuloy ako.

Pero it’s just different. Lalo na nung nakita ko talaga yung tears, at nung narinig ko siyang umiiyak. It makes me feel almost guilty, kahit na wala naman akong kasalanan.

Still, it makes me feel really bad.

Really, really bad.

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

Maybe I can just commit suicide. Odiba, pwede? Kesa naman sa maforce akong magpakasal to that stupid mystery guy.

Or maybe hanap akong boyfriend ko. Tapos magtanan kami.

Oha, pwede rin?

Pano kung magpakatibo kaya ako? Yung tipong makikita palang ako nung fiancé ko, ayaw na talaga niya.

Pwede, dib a? Lahat nang to, pwedeng pwede kong gawin. Makikita na lang nila.

Kung namang napakasal nga ako kahit na labag talaga sa kalooban ko (nosebleed), e di may options din ako.

Pwedeng wag ko siyang kausapin at all.

And maybe I can pretend to hate him.

Teka, I already hate him.

O kaya mangaliwa ako. Tama. Hanap akong kabit ko behind his back. Akala lang niya, ha?

Pwede ring magpakatibo pa rin ako.

Kahit ano gagawin ko para hindi maging maganda ang buhay niya.

Bwiset siya.

Bwiset siya.

Bwiset siya.

AHHHH.

-♪-

“Michelle Liana Reyes,” somebody called me.

I looked up and saw Alvin.

Hala, anong gusto nito?

What, here to gloat too? Mga impakto sa buhay ko.

“Pwede ba kitang kausapin?”

“Nag-uusap na tayo.” Sarcastic much? Taray ng lola niya, no?

He scratched the back of his head. OMG! Ang cute, cute niya nung ginawa niya yon!

TEKA. Erase! Erase! Erase!

“Seryoso kasi yung tao no?”

“Wateber. Tapos ka na ba?”

He grabbed my hand, and very seriously looked me in the eye. His next words were unexpected. Completely unexpected.

“I can help you find a way to participate as contestants of the Battle.”

*6th ♪

Alvin’s POV:

“Paano?” she asked me eagerly.

“Simple lang naman.”

Napakamot siya. “Paano nga?” Sungit mode na naman. Tss. Sanang hindi ko na tinulungan. Sobrang asim ng mood niya. Siguro kaya maputi siya, every day siyang naliligo sa suka.

“You know the way that schools have scholars?” I asked her.

Her eyes twinkled. Halatang gustong-gusto talaga niyang manalo.

“Same concept. Para kayong scholars na papayagang makasali sa Battle. Basta ba mameet niyo lahat ng conditions.”

“What conditions? Tell me.”

Nasa library kami. Kaya ayun. Si Ma’am Camia biglang nagreact.

“Oiissht. Keep quiet.” And she glared at us.

She closed the book she was reading. “Tell me,” she said in a whisper.

“I’ll talk to you later,” sabi ko sa kanya.

And she smiled. For the first time. “Ahhhh! Salamat! Salamat!”

“OBSERVE SILENCE!” sigaw ni Ma’am Camia.

Tss. Observe silence pero sumisigaw siya. Ang adik.

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

Dismissal. Hinahanap ko yung walang kwentang si Alvin. Malay malay ko ba, baka magkachance pa kami, dib a?

I looked for him. Sumasakit na nga paa ko e. Sa tangkad ng taong (bakulaw) na yun, bat nawawala siya? Palibhasa pakalat-kalat sa school.

Nahanap ko naman siya. Aba, may super powers yata ako. Nasense ko yung presence niya sa may AVR. Oha, bilib nab a kayo sa powers ko?

“Alvin Pavico!” I yelled.

He winced. Agad simangot. “Pwede ba, wag kang atat. Ingay mo, lul.”

I frowned. Bwiset. Bwiset. Bwiset. Arrrggghhh. Nakakainis ang mga taong ganyan. As in solid nakakainis.

“Sorry naman no,” I muttered. I made a face.

Mukha siyang lalong nairitia. “Pwede ba? Ang panget mo na nga, lalo ka pang pumapanget.”

AISH. Mga tao talaga ngayon no. “Ewan ko sa’yo. Just explain everything.”

He scratched his head. “Atat talaga.”

Inirapan ko siya. “Talaga.”

“Naconfirm ko na. It’s still possible, but it’s highly unlikely,” sabi niya sa akin. “I asked the teachers kung possible, they said yes.”

“Teka… bat mo nga pala ako tinutulungan?” I looked at him suspiciously.

“Bakit, ayaw mong tanggapin tulong ko?”

“May sinabi ba ko?” I shot back.

“Nagtatanong lang. Bakit, bawal?”

“Wala rin akong sinabing bawal.”

“Wala naman akong sinabing may sinabi ka. Nagtatanong lang ulit ako.”

I ran my fingers through my hair. Bwiset. “Wateber. Di mo pa rin sinasagot yung question ko.”

He sighed. “Di ko rin alam why I’m helping you. Basta ang alam ko kasi, masyado akong mabait.”

Natawa ako. As in yung OA na tawa na ewan na narinig pa ata hanggang sa China. “Ikaw, mabait!?”

He glared at me. “Bakit, hindi ba?”

Lalo lang akong natawa.

Lalo naman siyang nairita. LOL.

“Seryoso na. Why are you helping me?”

He looked at me. “Seryoso talaga?” Pinakatignan niya ko.

“Seryoso talaga,” sabi ko.

“Secret ko na yon.” And for the first time, ngumisi siya. Yung nakakalokong ngisi. Yung solid nakakainis na ngisi.

“Tss. Langkwents,” I muttered.

“Kung di ka interesado, di wag.”

He began to step away. Napakamot ako.

“Mag-ayus kasi no,” sabi niya.

“Eto na. Sabihin mo na lang kung anong kelangan naming gawin.”

“Fine.” Tumigil siya sa kakalakad. He faced me. “Ask for consideration. Tapos baka payagan kayo. Depende sa  inyo kung papayagan ba kayo o hindi. You’ll be allowed to stage a performance in front of the whole school. And the students will decide kung isasama pa ba kayo o hindi.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

Napabuntong hininga ako.

“But that’s not all,” pahabol niya.

I looked at him.

“O?” sabi ko.

“All of you should have at least 1.75 GPA. Dapat, sa ranking nung auditions, malapit lang kayo sa last na bandang pumasa.”

I looked at him. “Bat alam mo lahat ng to?”

“Paki mo ba?” tanong daw niya. Mokong overload. Tss

“Baka kasi niloloko mo lang ako.”

“Isipin mo kung anong gusto mong isipin. Lul, ewan ko sa’yo. Kung ayaw mo, di wag.” Paalis na siya.

Nakonsensya ako. “S-sigurado kang posible talaga to?”

Nagkibit-balikat siya. “EWAN.”

Napangiti ako habang paalis yung taong bakulaw. Ayan, wala na rin yung presence niya. Pero di ba nga sobrang bait ako na parang anghel na ko? (Sa sobrang bait ko, nasa langit na sungay ko.) Kaya ayun. I yelled at him.

“Salamat Alvin Pavico!” sabi ko.

And really…

It’s like he saved me once again.

*7th ♪

???’s POV:

Arrgh. Don’t ask me why. Just don’t ask me. Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung bakit ko siya tinulungan.

I really have no idea.

Hindi ko alam.

Miche’s POV:

“Na-accept yung proposal natin!” I yelled happily.

The rest of the band was happy too. Syempre. Parteh! May chance na kami na makasama sa Battle! All we have to do is perform. I’m so happy. I’m so happy. I’m so happy I could cry. YEHES!

Tapos even my best friends are all happy.

This chance means a lot to me.

And… somehow, it’s like the person who gave me this chance means a lot to me too.

Ewan.

With Alvin…

It feels different.

-♪-

Javed’s POV:

Haaay. Free time na naman. Ano ba yan? Nag-aral pa kami. Boring naman. Di bale sana kung may matino akong magawa.

Naglalaro lang akong PSP sa studio. Si Alvin tumutugtog ng gitara. Your Call yung tinutugtog niya. Syempre may kasamang kanta. Hanep talaga tong best friend ko.

“Dude, nakakasawa na boses mo,” sabi ni Justin.

“Bato ko tong gitara sa’yo e,” Alvin threatened him.

“Joke lang po,” sabi ni Justin.

Haay.

Ayun. Bago na naman tinugtog niya. Tonight naman daw. Haha.

PSP lang ako ng PSP. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology.

Ganyan talaga kapag free time. Lagi naman e.

Habang naglalaro ako, biglang pumasok sa isip ko si Michelle. Nag-new game kasi ako. E yung game, ikaw yung gagawa sa character mo. Yung hair niya, eyes, skin color. I was making a female character. Tapos pinipili ko yung boses nung character. Biglang pumaso sa utak ko boses ni Miche.

Maganda talaga ang boses niya. It’s… different. Hindi mataas, hindi naman mababa. Basta magandang pakinggan. Mesmerizing, kumbaga. Kung nagduet sina Alvin, siguradong maganda yung performance nila. Their voices must be perfect for each other.

In fact, they might be perfect for each other.

I suddenly stopped my thoughts.

Bakit…

Bakit parang may something akong nafeel nung naisip ko yun?

Weird.

Alvin’s POV:

“Promise, pre. Nakakasawa na boses mo,” sabi ni Justin ulit.

Pano tinatry niyang matulog. “Ewan ko sa’yo.” And I stood up with my guitar.

“O, san ka pupunta?” tanong ni Javed.

“Ay sa banyo malamang,” I answered sarcastically. Bad mood e.

Tapos I left the studio. Lumabas ako ng building, tapos pumwesto dun sa isa sa mga chairs sa kung saan-saan sa campus. Yung ibang puno kasi, may nakapalibot na sementong pabilog na nagseserve as tables. Tapos another sementong pabilog na nagseserve as upuan.

Umupo ako sa table tapos nagstart ng tumugtog ulit.

I was singing Magbalik. Cool yung lead nun e.

Miche’s POV:

I was sitting on the table under one of those trees. Yung sementong table na ewan na nakapalibot sa puno. Basta yun.

Nagcocompose kasi ako e, leaning against the trunk. Pag wala akong magawa, ito lang naman ginagawa ko.

Then suddenly, may narinig akong papalapit. Aalis na sana ako. Pero malay-malay ko ba? Nauna naman ako. Isa pa, baka dadaan lang naman. Ayoko kasing nagcocompose ng may ibang tao. Feel ko limited yung thoughts ko.

Pero no.

Nafeel ko pang umupo siya on the other side.

ERR.

Hindi ba ko makita ng bulag na to? Paalisin ko na sana siya, nung nagstart yung bass ng Magbalik. And then it moved on to the lead. Magkakanta kaya siya? Hindi ba? Pinakinggan ko.

Wala nang dating pagtingin,

Sawa na ba sa king lambing?

Wala ka namang dahilan

Bakit bigla na lang nang-iwan?

Oh my gosh. Ang ganda ng boses.

Napangiti ako, and I put down my ball pen. Pinakinggan ko pa, closing my eyes.

Di na alam ang gagawin,

Upang ika’y magbalik sakin

Ginawa ko naman ang lahat,

Bakit bigla na lang naghanap?

Hindi ko alam bakit, pero bigla akong sumabay sa kanya.

Hindi magbabago

Pagmamahal sa’yo

He stopped singing, pero naggigitara pa rin siya. Tinuloy ko lang. Sayang kaya.

Sana’y pakinggan mo,

Ang awit ng pusong ito

Tulad ng mundong hindi tumitigil sa pag-ikot,

Pag-ibig di mapapagod,

He sang with me again.

Tulad ng ilog na hindi tumitigil sa pag-agos,

Pag-ibig di matatapos.

He played the lead again. Napangiti na talaga ako. I was laughing by that time.

Hindi pa rin siya tumitigil sa pagtugtog. Hinayaan ko muna siyang magkanta.

Ala-ala’y bumabalik,

Mga panahong nasasabik,

Sukdulang mukha mo ay laging nasa nasa panaginip

And I sang again, pero hindi niya ko sinabayan. Like a duet.

Bakit biglang pinagpalit?

Pagsasamahang tila nawaglit

Ang dating walang hanggan

Nagkaroon ng katapusan

 

Tapos sabay kami.

Hindi magbabago

Pagmamahal sayo,

Sana’y pakinggan mo,

Ang awit ng pusong ito

 

Hanggang sa tinapos namin yung song. Napapangiti pa rin ako.

Ang ganda ng boses niya. And I mean, maganda talaga. Ewan. After ng ilang seconds, I hopped off the table and walked around to know who it was.

Pero wala na siya. I looked around.

There he was, walking away, towards the studio building. Hawak-hawak niya yung gitara. I immediately followed him.

He looks familiar.

He really, really looks familiar.

Paglalakad niya. Yung tindig niya.

I ran to catch up with him, pero nakapasok na siya sa building. I ran faster. Sino kaya siya? I think I know. I really think I know. In fact, I’m pretty sure that it’s him.

Nung nakapasok na ko sa building, I finally saw him. Hawak niya yung gitara. Napangiti ako. “Huy!”

He turned around.

My smile faded.

“Javed?”

He looked at me.

I actually thought it was Alvin. I… I was pretty sure it was him. Si Javed pala.

Alvin’s POV:

It was… the greatest three minutes of my life. Singing with her. I know who she is. Syempre alam ko kung palagi kong naririnig sa isip ko yung bwiset niyang boses.

Pero… it was exhilarating. Yung tipong nangingilabot ako sa ganda ng boses niya. Nung natapos yung song, medyo wala pa ko sa sarili ko.

Pero agad na kong umalis.

And I knew she followed me.

Hindi ko alam bakit, pero ayaw kong malaman niya na ako to. Parang… basta iba. Pagpasok na pagpasok ko sa studio building, I ran into Javed.

“O, I was just looking for you.”

I looked behind me, and I held my breath. Alam kong malapit na siya. Panicked, I handed the guitar to Javed. “Hold this for me. Tapos basta um-oo ka na lang.”

“Ha?” He looked momentarily confused.

Pero hindi na ko nag-explain. I just hid.

Sakto lang. Just in time before her voice came.

“Javed? Was that you?”

His eyes flickered to mine, but I just nodded.

“Oo,” Javed answered.

“Oh.” Miche sounded almost disappointed.

“I don’t know why you sound disappointed, pero bahala ka nga sa buhay mo. If you expected something else, then whatever.” He shrugged. Whoa. Parang alam ni Javed yung sasabihin ko kung ako yung nasa pwesto niya ngayon.

Lifesaver.

Pero still…

I think I actually feel the disappointment in her voice. Na parang kahit ako, nafifeel ko yung ganong klase ng disappointment.

Hindi ko alam bakit ako nagtago.

ERR. Bahala na.

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

“May song na ko na gustong tugtugin para dun sa performance natin,” I told everyone when I came back to the studio.

“Isa lang yung kelangang tugtugin, di ba?”

I nodded.

“Anong gusto mo?” Summer asked me.

Yung performance na pinag-uusapan namin, yung para dun sa Battle audition for our band. Yung sinuggest ni Alvin. The principal actually accepted our proposal last week. Nameet naman namin yung conditions e. And now, scheduling na lang talaga nung performance yung kelangan.

Pero syempre, we  have to practice na.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ita yung pinili kong song. But still, I answered with confidence.

“Magbalik by Callalily.”

8th ♪

Miche’s POV:

Why can’t I believe that it was Javed, not Alvin?

Why do I even keep thinking that it’s Alvin?

Nakakabanas. Solid nakakainis. I just can’t accept the fact na si Javed yon, and I honestly don’t know kung bakit ganon. Basta magulo na nakakairita. Tapos nai-stress pa ko sa concert na to. Buti na lang, malapit ng magheal yung sprain ko. Dagdag sakit ulo yan e.

It was a boring Saturday. Hindi na muna kami nagpractice today, kasi may lagnat si Avril. Ewan ko dun. Stuck lang tuloy ako sa bahay.

Andun lang ako sa kwarto ko, tapos wala man talaga akong ginagawa, kaya nagkakanta-kanta na lang ako kahit na walang pretty audience to appreciate it. Haha. Sayang di pa ko makapaggitara. Pero at least I learned to write with my left hand. Amazing.

And then the phone rang.

I answered it.

“Hello?”

“Huy.”

“Uhh, sino to?”

“Baliw, si Alvin to.”

“A-Alvin?”

“Ako nga. May problema?”

“Argh. Bat ka ba tumatawag, ah?”

“Magbihis ka na. Dalian mo.”

“Ha!? Bakit naman?” I asked him. Ewan ko sa kanya. Bat naman ako magbibihis just because sinabi niya? Bahala siya.

“Don’t you owe me, Michelle Liana Reyes?” he asked me in a devil voice na nakakapangilabot. Scary, in a different way. “I’m the one who found a way for you to still enter the Battle, idiot. Ganyan na lang ba trato mo sakin?”

I gritted my teeth together. “Are you stupid?”

“Ah. You know that I can find a way to let you enter the Battle… and I can probably find a way to make sure you don’t too.”

ACK. “Fine!”

So that’s how I ended up like this. Wearing jeans and a black, rock-and-roll shirt. Nagponytail na rin ako.

“Aalis ka?” tanong ni Mama when she saw me.

I nodded. “Susunduin ako nung friend ko.”

“Ah. O sige.”

Nagmumuni-muni lang muna ako dun, waiting for Alvin. Bat kaya niya ko biglang sinusundo? Weird guy. Kung sanang hindi siya yung nakahanap ng way para makasali pa rin sa Battle, e di sana sinapak ko na yung apog niya. It’s just frustrating—the fact that I feel like I will always owe him something… that he saved me for more than just once.

I don’t get it, pero minsan, I just find myself thinking of him… and absently smiling.

When the doorbell rang, napatayo ako.

“Ingat kayo,” bilin ni Mama.

“Yes, Ma,” I said and opened the door, leaving Ma in the kitchen by herself. Sayang. Nagluluto pamo si Mama ng favorite kong sinigang. Naman kasi, no. Ang wrong timing ng Alvin ng yon. Forever fail siya.

Pagbukas ko ng pinto, he was there, looking bored, but nonetheless… nice.

“Hi.” Ngali-ngali akong lumabas ng bahay, closing the door shut behind me. “Uhhh, hi, Alvin.”

He looked at me from head to toe, sighed, and turned away.

My mouth dropped open. Ano yon? Disappointed ba siya sa appearance ko? For him to sigh like that! Arrgh.

“Ano!?” asik ko. Galit e.

He shrugged. “Akala ko kasi yung makakasama ko ngayon babae.”

Nanlaki mga mata ko. Damn it! Did he just say na hindi ako babae!? “Well, sorry ka na lang.”

He grinned. “Bakit, inaamin mo rin na lalaki ka pala deep inside?”

I gave him a cold look. “You want to see a girl? Fine.Give me ten minutes.” Hindi ko na hinintay yung reply niya. I already walked back in the house.

“O, anak, what’s wrong?” sabi ni Ma.

“Wala. Magpapalit lang ako.”

Ayun. Mukhang confused na ewan si Mama Dear.

I went up my room, fuming bad. Nakakairita yung apog na yon! Para siyang buni o alipunga or whatever na ayaw maalis. Bwiset!

And there’s also the fact that my heart beats faster when I think of him is also bothering me. Nakakainis!

I opened my closet. Ano pa bang magagawa ko? He was challenging me. He wanted me to look like a girl? Fine. I’ll look like the prettiest damn girl he’ll ever see in this lifetime. He’ll just see.

Nilabas ko yung isa sa mga dress ko. Casual-semi-formal kaya? Pwede, right? So I ended up choosing this warm orange dress na hanggang tuhod ko. Tapos halter style yung sa taas. I also wore my brown, high-heeled boots na gawa sa tela or something like tela. Basta hindi leather.

Nagclip na rin ako for good measure. Syempre matching yellow yung clips ko. Tsaka nga pala black bangle na ewan.

Bumaba na ko. Nung nakita ako ni Mama, pinangtaasan niya ko ng kilay.

“O, why are you looking so pretty?”

“Sikreto,” I replied, smiling a little before going out of the house again.

When I reopened the door, Alvin wasn’t even there anymore. Kahit yung sasakyan! AHHHHHH. Fvck. Kairita! Mapugutan sana siya ng ulo. Madapa sana siya. Mahulog sana yung buong building sa katawan niya. Ewan! Kahit ano! Kahit ano, basta may mangyaring hindi kaaya-aya sa kanya. Akalain mo yun!? Pagkatapos kong magpalit para sa kanya, iiwan lang niya ko? Bwiset talaga. Ahhhh bwiset.

I took out my phone. I dialed his number. In fairness, ngayon ko lang narealize na kabud na lang niya alam phone number ko. Palibhasa stalker lang yun. Sigurado ako na talagang stalker yun. Otherwise, pano niya malalaman number ko, right? Ampfft.

“Sabi mo 10 minutes. Sumobra ka ng one minute kaya iniwan na kita,” agad sabi ni Alvin pagsagot niya ng phone.

“Kapal mo, loko. Bwiset ka. Magbalik ka na, dali!” Sayang ang beauty ko.

“Hah. Ayoko e,” sagot niya na parang bored lang.

“Kairita. Kairita. Kairita!” I yelled.

“ERR. Ingay.”

Napasinghap na ko, ready to explode already. Arrogant bastard.

“Ganito,” he said. “Ikaw na lang pumunta sa Façade. I’ll meet you there. Look like a girl.”

“HA?” Ansabe niya? Tama ba narinig ko?

……….

…..

…

AHHHHH. Ang kapal niya! Matamaan sana siya ng kidlat right now!

“Ako pang papapuntahin mo sa kung saan-saan!? Wag na!”

“Fine. I’ll just tell the school na hindi niyo na gustong mag—”

“Don’t!”

“Okay. So be in Façade in less than an hour.”

“Okay, okay.” Bwiset! “Ano bang gagawin mo diyan?”

“It’s my ate’s birthday. You’ll sing.”

“WHAAAAAT!?”

Toot, toot, toot.

Did he just hang up on me? FVCK.

Wanted: Mangkukulam.

Kung marunong lang ako, kukulamin ko na talaga siya.

Arrgh. Magcocommute pa ko ng di oras. Nakakainis na talaga siya!

… Pero why do I feel different minsan, when it concerns him?

-♪-

Ayun. Nagtaxi ako. Sayang pera.

“Sa Façade po,” I said as I sat down the backseat.

Haaaaizt. Saying talaga beauty ko.

The phone rang. I looked at the screen. Tss. Si Alvin. I reluctantly answered the call.

“What?”

“Sigurado ka bang makakarating ka on time?”

“Sigurado. Why?”

“Just making sure na hindi mo sisirain yung sched.”

Tss.

“Commute ka lang, right?” tanong niya.

“Oo.”

“Sumakay kang taxi?”

“Nakasakay ako right now,” I replied. “Sa may church na. And—”

Biglang pumreno yung taxi driver, kaya napadukdok daw ako dun sa likod ng passenger’s seat. Nabagsak din yung phone ko.

“Anakteteng na tumatawid naman o,” sabi nung driver. “Pasensya na, hija.”

“A-ah, ayos lang ho.” I picked up my phone. Hala. Nag-end yung call. Nagalit kaya yun? Sabagay, yun pa. Syempre nagalit yun. Argh. Hayaan ko na nga siya.

Alvin’s POV:

I heard the phone crash before the line went dead.

Hala. Ano yun? Bat ganon?

Bat kaya nabagsak phone niya? Arrgh. Siguro tatanga tanga na naman yun. Or maybe ayaw talaga niya kong makausap. Baliw yun. ARGHHH. Nakakawala ng gana. Bagsakan ka kaya ng phone. Bwiset.

“Hey, hey, did you hear? Uso na naman yung gang rape ngayon,” may dumaan sa likuran ko. “May bagong tactics na naman yung mga walang kwentang rapist. I heard na andami ng nabiktima na sumasakay sa taxi ng mag-isa. Scary, ayoko ng magtaxi ng ako lang mag-isa.”

“Oo nga. Alam mo na, baka bigla pa tayong marape or something.”

Napatigil ako.

A-ano daw?

Gang rape? Taxi? Mga babaeng nag-iisa?

…….

…

..

.

Tsss. Hindi naman siguro connected yung gang rape nay un sa biglang pagpatay ni Miche nung call, right?

… Right?

Basta. Should she be raped or anything, I shouldn’t care. Tama. I shouldn’t care about her at all. Kung narape siya, dahil na yun sa katangahan niya. It’s not my fault at all. Tama. It’s not my fault at all.

…..

….

…

.

.

.

Damn.

Why do I feel so worried?

I grabbed my phone and stood up.

I can’t believe this. I honestly can’t believe this.

“O, where are you going?” tanong ni kuya sa’kin.

“Somewhere,” I replied. “I might not be back until late.”

“Ha? Why?”

I just shrugged.

There’s no way that I would tell anyone… about this caring side of me. Especially because this caring side… never really showed up before she came along.

-♪-

Sabi niya nasa malapit siyang church, right?

Could it be she’s still around there?

I don’t even know why I care. Dapat nga hayaan ko na siya e. Pero, ayoko lang maging guilty. Oo, tama yun. Ayoko lang maging guilty kung may nangyaring masama or something dun sa tangang yon. That’s just it.

It’s not that I care. I just don’t want to be guilty.

So I dialed her number. And guess what? She wasn’t answering. She wasn’t answering at all.

Arrrgh.

Bat di siya sumagot!? Nakakainis! Wala pa naman sigurong masamang nangyayari sa kanya, no?

………..

…..

..

Ah shit.

Bat kasi hindi siya sumasagot!? Making me worry like this just because—WAIT. Did I just say WORRY? Scratch that. Forget about that. I’m not worried about her. I’m absolutely not. I just don’t want to feel guilty, I just don’t want to feel guilty, I just don’t want to feel guilty.

So I tried calling again.

Hindi na siya sumagot.

As crazy as it seems like, I went in the car, deciding to look for her.

I still don’t get it.

I’m not starting to actually think of her, right? I mean, seriously?

Of course not. There’s no way in hell I’d ever care for that girl.

 

9th ♪

Alvin’s POV:

“A-a-a-ano?” Miche asked me. “Pffffft!” And she laughed. AGAIN.

Kairita.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. Kunwari cool. Sa totoo lang solid akong nagmukhang tanga na ewan e. Nakakainis talaga. Bat ko pa kasi siya hinanap-hanap e? Nakatulog lang pala sa taxi yung bwiset. Kainis. Nagmukha pa tuloy akong concerned sa kanya. Hindi naman kasi ako concerned dib a?

Basta. Nakakainis. Yun na yun.

Lalo na ngayong nalaman pa niya. Akong tanga kasi, nadulas. Nasabi ko sa kanya na nagpanic ako nung narinig ko yung tungkol dun sa gang rape gang rape na yun. Langkwents.

“So… talagang nagpanic ka?” sabi niya. Tapos tumawa ulit siya.

Nasa passenger seat siya right now. I was driving.

“Tapos hinanap-hanap mo pa ko?” she repeated. AGAIN. And laughed. AGAIN.

Lalo lang nag-init yung ulo ko. Kulang na lang siguro magprito ka ng itlog sa ulo ko e.

“Hahaha! Sabi ko na nga ba you’re concerned e!” she yelled.

“C-concerned!? Pffft! AS IF!” she laughed, if possible, louder this time.

“I was not concerned,” agad kong kontra. Mahirap na, kung baka ano pang isipi nila. “Ayoko lang maguilty kung sakaling may mangyaring masama sa yo.”

“Palusot,” sabi pa niya.

“Heh. Palusot ka diyan. I’m just saying the truth,” agad kong reply. “Don’t be so bigheaded.”

“Thanks…” she suddenly said. “Dahil kahit papano, you made an effort to look for me.”

Hindi ko alam bakit, pero nung time na yon, parang hindi ko siya matignan ng diretso.

-♪-

Nakarating na kami sa Façade. It’s a four-star hotel actually. Reception ng wedding ni ate. I just thought of her when they asked me if I knew a good singer. Anyways, ayun. I just picked Miche. Maganda naman boses niya e.

“So, you want me to sing?” she asked me.

“Kelangang ulit-ulitin?” balik-tanong ko.

She made a face. Bubulong-bulong pa siya habang iniirapan niya ko. “Bawal bang magtanong? Palibhasa kasi…”

Basta ayun. Bubulong-bulong siya na parang ewan lang. Pagbaba namin ng sasakyan, one of my brothers went to greet us.

“O. Malapit ng kumain. Dali na,” sabi ni Kuya Joseph. “Whoa. Girlfriend mo?” he eyed Miche. “Hi!”

“Ahh. H-hello po,” sabi ni Miche.

“Sus. That’s Kuya Joseph. Wag kang magpa-po diyan,” sabi ko kay Miche. “Walang kwenta yan. Kuya Walang Kwenta, this is Miche.”

Tinignan tuloy ako ng masama ni Kuya. “Anong tinawag mo sakin?”

Ayun. Tinignan ko rin siya ng masama. “Ano? May problema ka ba?” asik ko pa.

“Ikaw ah. Nagkagirlfriend ka lang, ganyan ka na.”

I rolled my eyes. “Hindi ko siya girlfriend. AS IF.”

Inapakan ako bigla ni Miche.

“Aray!” sigaw ko.

Tatawa-tawa si Kuya Joseph habang tinitignan niya ko. Sapakin ko to e. ARGGH. I turned to Miche. “Ano bang problema mo?”

Nagbehlat siya. “Ah wala. Nagkamali lang ako ng apak.” She gave me her fakest smile. Nakakatakot na tao. ERR.

“Pasok na nga kayo,” sabi ni Kuya. “Gutom na ko e.”

“Wala talagang kwenta,” pagpaparinig ko.

“Anong sabi mo?” Kuya stopped and looked at me.

“Tss. Dapat talaga mag-hearing aid na yung mga bingi naman,” sabi ko pa.

“H-ha!?”

Tumawa na lang ako at hinila ko na papasok si Miche. Nung nakita ko siya, tumatawa din siya. “O, anong tinatawa-tawa mo diyan?” I asked her.

Miche just shrugged. “Wala lang. Ang cute mo palang makipag-away e.”

“Iniinsulto mo ba ko?” I made a face.

She shook her head, a small smile on her lips. “Wahaha. Hindi no.” She raised a peace sign with her right hand. “Promise. Cute ka rin pala minsan.”

And there it was again. Yung feeling na hindi ko siya matignan ng diretso.

AHHH. Ewan ko dito.

“In love ka lang sakin,” sabi ko sa kanya.

“TSS. FUNNY.” At tumawa-tawa siya. She even walked two steps ahead of me.

Without thinking, I grabbed her forearm. “Are you saying na imposibleng mainlove ang isang tao sa akin?”

She looked at me, shrugged, and answered, “Well, with that attitude of yours, at yang walang kwenta mong arrogance, imposible ngang may main love sa’yo.”

I pulled her closer. Hanggang sa malapit na yung mga mukha namin. Muntikan pa nga siyang masubsob kung hindi niya napigilan e. Looking directly in her eyes, I said, “And if you fall in love with me?”

She started to blush. Heh.

I smirked.

She pushed me away. “There’s no way I’m ever falling in love with you. Malabo yan.” And she started to walk again.

I watched her walk her away.

Sabi ko na nga ba. She’s an interesting girl.

I mean, so far…

She’s the only girl who could entertain me this much.

-♪-

Javed’s POV:

I was invited by Alvin sa kasal ng ate niya. I was even at the ceremony. We were at the reception at the time. Nawawala si Alvin. Nag-disappear. Hindi naman siya yung tipong basta na lang nawawala. Maybe it was something important…?

Anyways, I was there, sitting on one of the tables na merong white tablecloths. Circular yung mga tables, at may nakadesignate na table for the guests. For example, nasa close friends and family ako with Alvin and his cousins. And one of our friends too.

Hinahanap ko nun si Alvin. Mag-i-start na ata e, tapos MIA (missing in action) pa rin siya. Forever walang kwenta.

Biglang dumaan sa harap ko si Kuya Joseph. Big brother ni Alvin. He’s the second eldest in their family.

“Oh, Javed. Tinatanong mo kanina kung nasan si Alvin, dib a? Andiyan na siya. Parating na niyan.”

I nodded. “Okay. Salamat, Kuya.”

He grinned. “Dala niya girlfriend niya.”

Muntikan na kong malaglag sa upuan ko.

“G-girlfriend?” I asked.

Kuya Joseph nodded. “Yup. You’ll be surprised. Maganda rin e. Pero… wait a minute. Feel ko kilala mo naman siya e. Well… anyways… yun lang.” He walked away again.

Girlfriend?

Girlfriend…?

Girlfriend???

Is he talking about–!?

I looked at the entrance, waiting for them to walk in.

Alvin came in first.

The prettiest girl in the room entered shortly after him.

???’s POV:

What’s this…?

Bakit parang…

… parang iba yung feeling?

This is troublesome. This is troublesome indeed.

I can’t even look at her.

-♪-

Alvin’s POV:

I spotted Javed. I pulled Miche with me and went to our table.

“Hey,” sabi ko.

“Hi. Why is she here?” Javed asked me, pointing Miche.

“Sino? Si Miche? Ah wala lang. Magkakanta siya e.”

“Kung magsalita naman kayo, parang wala ako dito,” sabi ni Miche, making a face. “Kaya kong sumagot, dib a?”

“Ako yung tinanong, dib a?” I told her.

She just ignored me, looking like a spoiled brat.

Then suddenly, Ate Rika came to approach us.

“Is she the singer?” Ate Rika asked.

“Siya nga. This is Miche.”

Ate Rika smiled at Miche. “Hi! I’m Rika.”

“Ahh… congrats po sa wedding niyo.”

“Salamat,” sabi ni Ate. “Umm, may favor kasi ako.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Favor?”

“Oo. Kasi… ganito yan. Kung sanang ayos lang… can you sing a duet? You and Miche?” Ate Rika looked at me.

I blinked. “WHAT?”

“Please, please, please! It will mean a lot to me! Please! This will only be meaningful if it’s sung as a duet, and I’d really want the song to be this.”

I looked at my Ate.

“Uhhhhhh…”

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

My goodness.

I planned to sing Heaven na lang e. By Bryan Adams. Nung nasa sasakyan kami, yan yung sinabi niyang kantahin ko. I sighed. Ang hirap naman neto.

In the end, we were forced to be singing something else.

Yes. Hindi tuloy kami nakakain. We stayed in his car, para makapag-practice kami. Arggh.

“Kung hindi lang kinasal ate kung yun, nasuntok ko nay un para magkablack eye e,” reklamo niya.

Natawa ako.

“Alam mo ba? I think ampon ka. Ang babait ng mga siblings mo e.”

“Anong sabi mo?” he said with a very scary face.

“W-wala!” I denied kaagad.

“AHHH. Anyways, whatever. Do we really have to sing together?” he complained.

Hindi ko alam bakit, pero I feel excited. I really want to sing with him.

It mostly had something to do with the fact that I still have the feeling na siya yung nakasama ko nung nagkanta ako ng Magbalik with a stranger. I really feel that it’s him.

This way, I can confirm it.

“Let’s begin,” sabi ko sa kanya.

“Wag na kasi tayong magpractice.”

“Ha? Pero pano kung maging fail yung performance?” I asked him.

“Hindi yan. Basta paghati-hatiin na lang natin yung parts tapos labas na tayo. Gusto ko nang kumain. Wag na tayong magpractice.”

“HA? Nahihilo ka ba? Ayaw mo talagang magpractice?”

“Ayaw ko talagang magpractice,” he repeated. “We’ll be fine.”

Napakamot ako. “Pero…”

“Bakit? Inaamin mo na na hindi ka magaling, at hindi mo kayang magperform ng walang practice?” he dared. He wasn’t smiling, or smirking, pero his expression was that of a challenge.

“Fine,” I replied, competitive. “Sige. Hindi tayo magpapractice.”

“Okay. Eto. Paghatiin na natin yung song.”

-♪-

I was holding the mic already.

And then Alvin’s name and my name was called.

Alvin and I came up on stage. There was applause. But what they don’t know…

Is the fact that I’m more excited than they are.

I really… want to sing with him.

The music started.

It was his part.

Am I real?

Oh God. This voice.
Do the words I speak before you make feel

That the love I’ve got for you will see no ending?

It’s his voice.
Well if you look into my eyes then you should know

That you have nothing here to doubt nothing to fear

It’s absolutely him. Siya nga. It was him after all.

And you can lay your questions down cause if you’ll hold me

We can fade into the night and you’ll know

I brought the lips to my mic, and I was suddenly filled with a different kind of energy. And we sang the chorus together.

The world would die and everything may lie

Still you shouldn’t cry

‘Cause time may pass

But longer than it’ll last

I’ll be by your side

 

I closed my eyes. Solid. It felt so different. It was the same feeling that I got when we sang Magbalik.

I started to sing the second part.

Take my hand

And gently close your eyes so you could understand

That there’s no greater love tonight than what I’ve for you

Well if you feel the same way for me then let go

We can journey to a garden no one knows

Life is short my darling tell me that you love me

So we can fade into the night and you’ll know

And we sang together again.

 

The world could die and everything may lie

Still you shouldn’t cry

‘Cause time may pass

But longer than it’ll last

I’ll be by your side

Forever by your side

 

And then it was his turn.

I want you to know

The world could lie

And everything may die

Still you shouldn’t cry

And then mine.

‘Cause time may pass

And everything won’t last

And we sang in perfect harmony.

I’ll be by your side

Forever by your side

Forever by your side

So you won’t cry

I don’t know why…

But singing together with him… felt right.

*10th ♪

???’s POV:

The applause was almost overwhelming. The reaction of the crowd was great. Kahit nga ako, halos mapanganga rin. Her voice… it was mesmerizing.

Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit.

Basta I know, na if it’s with her, it will be okay. That this marriage might actually work.

Hep, hep, hep.

What in the world am I thinking?

Arrrrgggghhh. Erase, erase, erase.

Alvin’s POV:

After the performance, I immediately left the stage without looking back, not checking if she followed me or not.

Wala na kong pakialam. Basta I sang.

That was it.

Isa pa..

I don’t think I can face her this way. Not when my head is messed up like this. So I just walked on.

“Wait! Saglit lang. Teka.” I can hear her voice.

Arrrgh. Wala talagang kwenta. Bat pa kaya siya sumunod-sunod? Arrrgh. I still walked on.

“Huy!”

Hindi ko siya pinapansin. Hanggang sa nakalabas na ko nung restaurant. Nakakainis na talaga. Sumusunod pa rin siya na parang ewan e. Bwiset. Bwiset. Bwiset.

“Alvin!”

I turned around. “ANO?” Kairita.

She was panting. “Why?” she asked me. “Why didn’t you tell me na ikaw yon?”

I furrowed my brows. “Ha?”

“Ikaw yung nakasama kong kumanta ng Magbalik back then,” she pointed out.

Napatigil ako. Of course she was still thinking about that. “And so what?”

She looked down at her feet, and I just stared at her.

“E-ewan,” she said. “Hindi ko talaga gets. Ang gulo e.”

I groaned. “Ewan ko sa’yo. Just… just forget it and get on with your life.”

“Alvin…”

I just ignored her. AHHHHHH. Ang hirap naman neto.

Javed’s POV:

Napasunod ako sa kanilang dalawa.

Ewan. I felt uneasy when that girl suddenly chased Alvin.

… Magulo. Solid nakakairita.

My phone beeped.

It was a text message from Alvin.

Pkihatd na lng si Miche. Nhihilo ak.

HA?

What was wrong with this guy? I bit my lip and tried calling him, still walking. Hinintay kong sumagot siya. Mga ten steps away from me, nakita ko na si Miche. I stopped walking. Nakatayo lang siya, nakatalikod sa kin.

Konti-konti kong ibinababa yung phone ko.

Arrggh. Malilintikan sa kin yung Alvin na yun mamaya.

“Excuse me,” I said.

Hindi ako narinig e.

A little louder, I called out to her. “Uhh, huy.”

She turned around, seeing me. “A-ano?”

“Ihahatid na kita pauwi,” I told her. “If that’s okay with you.”

“Javed…” she muttered. “Ahhh. Ewan. Bwiset. Maglalakad na lang ako.”

Hala.

“Huy. Sabi nang ihahatid ka, dib a?”

Binelatan daw niya ko. “Kahit sinong may close dun sa mokong na yun ay siguradong kalaban ko,” I said.

“Tsk. Wag ka na ngang mag-emote diyan. Tara na.” I walked past her.

“I’d rather walk.”

Arrrgh. Ang kulit. Bat ba ko iniwan nung Alvin na yun with this pain in the neck?

“Tara na kasi.”

“No,” she said. “Ayoko.”

“Bubuhatin kita papasok sa sasakyan e,” I warned her.

“Hmph. Kung kaya mo,” she said and walked past me this time.

I caught her hand. “Stop. Just stop, okay? Nahihilo rin ako, kaya dali na. Pahatid ka na.”

“Ano ba!?” asik niya. Pano naman nagkakaroon ng ganitong attitude ang isang taong may mukhang anghel? Warfreak angel. “Baka kung san mo pa ko dalhin. Malay-malay ko ba kung rapist ka.”

I chuckled. “Talaga lang ah. Saan naman yung ire-rape ko? Wala naman akong kasamang babae, right?”

She glared at me. “Anong tawag mo sakin?”

“Ahhh. Yun ba? Kung ikaw lang naman pala, e di hindi mo na kelangang mag-alala.”

“At ano naman ang ibig sabihin niyan, ah?” asik na naman niya. “AHHHHHH. Parehong pareho kayo ng ugali. Bitiwan mo na nga ako. Masakit na paa ko.”

“Kamay mo hawak ko, paa mo masakit,” I pointed out.

“E nakakapagod tumayo e.”

“Tara na kasi. Hatid na kita,” I told her, pulling her with me.

Miche’s POV:

ERRR. Parehong-pareho sila.

Nakakainis.

Ayun. Napasama na lang ako. And I ended up in his car’s passenger seat.

“Just so you know, I texted my friends na kung hindi na ko lumitaw sa balat ng lupa, ipakulong ka nila,” I told Javed.

Natawa siya. “Ano naman sa tingin mong gagawin ko sayo? With that personality of yours?”

“Kung makainsulto ka parang sinong gentleman.”

“Bakit, hindi ba? Hinahatid ka na nga, dib a?”

“Hello? Kelangan pa ba kitang iremind na this is against my will?” I asked him.

He shrugged. “Point taken.”

I sighed in grief. “Naman o. Kamalasan nga naman ng araw na to…”

He was silent for a while, tapos sinabi niya, “Anong meron with you and Alvin?’

“HA? A-anong anong meron? Wala! W-walang meron!”

“Sa pagkakasabi mo, you look completely suspicious,” he muttered.

I glared at him. “Ewan ko sa’yo.”

Tapos silent na naman. Hindi ko na siya kinausap. Baka may masabi pa kong hindi kaaya-aya.

Suddenly, sabi niya, “You’re planning to win the Battle, right?” he asked me.

I looked at him. “Syempre naman.”

“Pfft. Ni hindi pa man nga kayo nakakapasa sa audition e.”

“Whatever. Just wait and see,” I said, with a confident smile on my face.

“Huh.”

I looked at him. “Anong problema mo?” Sungit mode na naman. Ganyan talaga e.

“Wala naman,” he replied pointedly. Yung halatang may complain nga. Nakakainis! Banas. Ganyan ba lahat ng tao sa mundo?

Kung ganun na rin, hinding-hindi na siguro ako magkakaboyfriend.

Sorry ka na lang, choosy e.

-♪-

Practice.

Yes. Nasa school kami right now. Pinapractice namin yung Magbalik.

It was easy, so agad kaming nabobore.

And then naalala ko ulit yung nangyari nung Saturday. Nung nagkanta ako with Alvin. It made me feel really different.

WAHHHH.

Even with just thinking about it, I was pretty much blushing already.

“Huy, huy!” sabi ni Summer. “Bat ka naman namumula diyan?”

Avril noticed it too. “Onga. Hala naku. Inlab ang inday natin.”

Liz just shook her head. “Ayyy. Ganyan talaga.”

“H-hindi ako in love, okay?” I looked at them. Hindi naman talaga ako in love, dib a? There’s no way that I’m in love. “Hindi rin ako namumula.”

“Asows,” sabi pa nilang lahat.

“Kunwari ka pa.” Avril wiggled her eyebrows. HALA. “Let me guess. It’s—”

“AHHHHHHHHHHH. Lalalalalalalalala—”

Natawa silang lahat.

“Tama na kasi,” I told them. “Hindi ako in love, okay?”

Krizia smiled. “O sige. Hindi ka in love.”

“Sabi mo e.” Avril went back to her drums.

Kung makapgsalita sila, yung halatang fake na ewan na nakikisakay lang? I was so embarrassed. Hindi naman kasi ako in love, dib a? With that guy? Tssss. There’s just no way. No way at all.

Seriously no way at all. Ako pa, right?

Right…?

Right…….?

ARRGHH.

I stood up.

“In love ka ba o hindi?” tanong ni Avril sa akin. She was crossing her arms over her chest. “Wag mong isipin kung mahihiya ka o hindi sa sagot mo. Sagot ka na lang.”

“H-hindi nga ako in love,” I insisted. Hindi naman talaga e. What was there to actually say, right? “Magpractice na nga tayo.”

This is probably nothing.

Probably nothing.

Probably nothing.

Probably nothing…

Tumayo na ko. I needed to distract myself. Kelangan e, baka kung saan pa ko dalhin ng overactive imagination ko e. I stood there, behind the mic.

Sayang hindi pa rin ako makapaggitara. Kawawa naman yung talent ko. Ajujuju.

“Practice na nga tayo,” sabi ni Avril, already going back to her seat behind the drums.

“Tss. Parang kani-kanina lang, ikaw tong namimilit kay Miche na sumagot, tapos ngayon, you’re just letting the topic unceremoniously drop,” sabi ni Summer.

“So? Sabi niya e.” Avril pointed at me.

As usual, ganyan na naman si Avril.

“O sige na nga. Magpractice na nga tayo.” Nakisama na rin si Krizia.

Ayun.

Pinractice ulit namin yung song.

-♪-

“Ang bilis naman. Performance na nga natin bukas,” sabi ni Summer, sounding worried. Lagi naman siya yung worried e.

I looked down.

Simple lang naman yung gagawin.

Igagather yung mga students sa auditorium, tapos dun kami tutugtog. Ni costume, wala. Ganun lang.

So I really don’t know why I was feeling so nervous.

I should do my best… I should definitely do my best…

Lalo na kung ayoko kung matuloy yung kasal na yun.

Right.

I have to do my very best tomorrow. No second chances. This was it. The lifeline between my freedom and reality.

The day passed by normally. Ang boring nung lesson e, tapos puro pa free time. Tapos umuulan pa. Ay nako. E di antok to the max ako? Hindi na naawa sa akin yung antok ko. Grabe. Maglessons ba naman sa Values habang umuulan. Ano yun, torture? Tatlo-tatlong Ma’am Values yung nakikita ko habang naglelesson e. It was really hard to keep my eyes open.

Dismissal na.

It was still raining.

“Ahhh. Wala akong dalang payong,” sabi ko, looking up at the sky.

Naman, naman.

I really hate the rain.

Noon pa man, I really hate the rain.

Wala man lang signs na hihina na yung ulan soon. Pano pa ko uuwi? Kung di nga naman minanamalas, di ba?

Tapos bigla kong naalala na kelangan kong umuwi ng maaga ngayon kasi may kelangan pa kong asikasuhin for the performance and all. Tumingin ulit ako sa langit. It was still gray. Overcast. Malakas pa rin ang ulan. Pano na ko makakauwi at this rate? Hihintayin ko bang matapos yung ulan?

AJUJUJU. Bat ba kasi ako minamalas ngayon? Wala naman akong magawang ginagawa dib a?

Kung papahinain ko pa yung ulan this way, baka lalo lang bumaha. Mukhang mamaya pa to titigil, and I’m sure it would be flooded by then. Kung mababasa at mababasa rin ako, bat hindi ko pa agahan, right?

Malapit lang naman ang sakayan ng jeep from here. Yung problema nga lang, walang silong, tapos mahirap pang maghanap ng jeep kapag umuulan. E di nabasa ako ng solid habang naqhihintay ng jeep.

AY NAKO.

A car suddenly skidded to a halt in front of me.

Familiar…

AH! It’s his car!

The window rolled down. It was him.

Alvin.

“Sakay,” he said.

Tinignan ko lang siya.

“Sakay ka na,” pilit pa niya. “Or bubuhatin pa ba kita?”

I had a flashback of that day. Nung hinatid ako pauwi ni Javed. Parehong-pareho sila ng sinabi. Magbest friends nga sila.

“Kahit anong gawin mo, hindi ako sasakay,” I told him.

“Nababasa ka na, kaya dalian mo na!” he yelled.

“Nakalimutan mo na ba na galit ako?” Syempre sabay tingin ng masama. The best ata ako pagdating sa sungitan, dib a?

He sighed. “Anong gusto mong gawin ko, iwan ka diyan?”

“Oo,” I replied. “Obvious ba?” Oha. Ansave niyo sa pagsusungit ko? With matching taas kilay, of course.

“Let me just remind you… Kung nagkasakit ka ngayon, hindi ka makakapagperform bukas.”

My eyes widened.

“O siya, mauna na ko,” sabi niya.

“T-teka, teka, teka! Sasakay na!” I yelled, opening his car door.

I went in, slamming the door shut.

Natawa siya bigla. Napatingin ako sa kanya, ready to ask him kung anong nakakatawa. Susungitan ko sana ulit siya, pero when I saw him, napatigil ako.

“Sasakay din pala…” pagpaparinig niya, na nakasmile pa rin.

I blinked.

He turned to me, still smiling. STILL SMILING. “Pfft. Bawas-bawasan mo yung pagtitig. Baka matunaw ako.”

With him smiling like that…

Feel ko ako yung matutunaw e.

*11th ♪

Miche’s POV:

Naglalakad ako sa isang greenhouse na punung-puno ng bulaklak. Ang ganda talaga dito. SOOOLID. Red, pink, violet, blue, white, yellow. Lahat na ng colors, makikita dito. I looked at my surroundings. Amazing e. Parang painting sa ganda.

White dress yung suot ko, tapos white din na slippers. Parang tanga lang naman akong naglalakad nun.

“Miche…?” someone from behind me suddenly said.

I stopped, recognizing the voice. Pano ko kaya hindi marerecognize tong boses na to, e palagi na lang katak nang katak yang boses na yan na parang ewan? Always leaving me confused and speechless.

“Miche…?”

I turned around, and there was Alvin.

“Alvin…”

“O, buti alam mong ako to,” he said, smiling. SMILING. Syett! If he keeps on smiling like this…

“Alvin…” I repeated.

“It’s me,” he said, and he was still smiling. “It’s Alvin. KAYA GISING NAAAAAA!”

Napadilat ako.

Whoa.

Suddenly, nagteleport ako from that greenhouse… to a car? Waaa. Pano nangyari yun? I can’t remember… Oh, right! Si Alvin!

Pinakadilat ko yung mga mata ko. Pagtingin ko sa left, nagulat ako. “Ay petra.”

He made a face. “Tulog ka pa ba o ano?”

Napakamot ako. Sabay tingin sa labas. Nasa bahay na kami. I mean, bahay namin. I mean, bahay KO.

I suddenly realized na malamig. I looked down at myself. Whoa. Isn’t this… his jacket? Pinangkumot niya sakin? Kahit na hindi naman talaga nakatulong yung jacket kasi basa yung suot ko at malamig pa rin, it’s the thought that counts, right?

I mean… kinumutan niya ko.

That was…

He suddenly grabbed the jacket. “Baba ka na. Tama na yung muntikan ng matuluan ng laway tong jacket ko.”

“H-hindi naman tumutulo laway ko a!” paasik kong sabi sa kanya.

“Pano mo alam, e ako yung gising, ikaw yung tulog?” He made a face. “Ayan. Baba ka na.”

Pero I didn’t move. I looked at my hands instead. The mere fact na inihatid niya ko is enough. Pero he even thought that I might be cold in wet clothes that he put his jacket over me, like a blanket. That was just… so not him.

“Umm,” I said, finally looking at him. “S-salamat!” Ngali-ngali kong sabi sabay labas ng sasakyan.

MY GAS BALBAS. Nakakahiya kaya yun. Ako yung galit sa kanya, na ayaw pang sumakay nung una,tapos sasakay din ako in the end, at nagpa-thank you din ako? MY GAS.

Nakakahiya! Kill me now!

Pagdating ko sa may door (tumigil na nga pala yung ulan), napatingin ulit ako sa sasakyan, pero he was already driving away.

Away from me.

Alvin’s POV:

Sumakay din naman. Nakitulog-tulog pa siya.

Here’s what happened earlier:

“Huy, san na nga ba ako liliko niyan?” I asked her. Ayoko mang iadmit, I have no sense of direction. Kahit ata fifty times akong magpabalik-balik from school to her house, hindi ko mamememorize yung way papunta, unless straight lang or magkatabi lang.

Kamusta to? Once pa lang akong nakapunta sa bahay nila, dib a? Pano ko naman maalala yun, right?

“Huy, saan ako liliko?” pag-uulit ko, my eyes still on the road. Nung hindi pa rin siya sumagot, tinignan ko na siya, ready to shout na nga e. Pero she was asleep already.

Napatigil ako. Pinark ko muna yung sasakyan. “Tch. Matulog ba naman.”

I looked at her. Basang-basa yung buhok niya. I’m sure na pati yung clothes niya basa. Di kaya niyan siya nilalamig with the aircon and all?

Isa pa, pano ko pa siya ihahatid niyan sa lagay na to? I don’t know the way to her house, and she’s fast asleep. Great.

I took out my phone. I was beginning to dial the number nung napatingin ulit ako kay Miche. I really think na nilalamig siya. In-off ko muna yung aircon. Tapos nagcall na ko.

“O, Alvin?”

“Javed,” I said. “May basang sisiw dito sa sasakyan ko. Natutulog. I don’t know kung saan bahay niya.”

He paused for a while. “HA? Basang… sisiw?”

“Si Miche.”

Napatigil siya.

“She’s here, with me, asleep, in my car. And if you’re wondering kung bakit basang sisiw, it’s because nagpa-ulan siya and now she’s all wet.”

“Tss. Ano ba yan?” he complained. Kulang na nga lang makita ko siyang nangangamot ng ulo niya e.

“Kamalasan ko, dib a?”

He sighed. “Kung basang-basa siya, tapos nasa sasakyan kayo, kumutan mo siya,” Javed told me. “Nilalamig na yan.”

“K-kumutan…?” Why didn’t that occur to me before? “O sige. Wait.”

Hinablot ko from the backseat yung jacket kong black, tapos kinumutan ko nga siya.

“Saan papunta sa bahay nila?” I asked over the phone.

“Ahhh.”

He told me te directions, and after saying thanks, I hung up.

Binalik ko yung phone ko sa may dashboard. Hindi ko napigilan yung sarili ko na mapatingin ulit kay Miche.

Asleep…

She’s better when she’s asleep. Walang stress sa mukha niya. No care in the world.

Just her in her dreams.

Sayang. Sana forever na lang siyang tulog para forever siyang ganito kaganda.

I started to drive again.

Well, that’s what happened, basically.

Malaking problema talaga sakin yung babaeng yun. Definitely, darating siguro yung araw na wala na kong ibang  poproblemahin sa mundo kundi siya.

Anakteteng nga naman o.

-♪-

Miche’s POV:

Pagmulat na pagmulat ko sa mga mata ko, agad ito yung pumasok sa utak ko: Ang gwapo talaga ni Alvin kapag nakasmile siya.

Kaya umagang-umaga pa lang, bad trip na bad trip na ko. I mean, tama ba yun? May nangungulam ata sa kin right now e, messing up with my thoughts.

Bat ba kasi hindi pa man ako nakakapag-almusal, pumasok na siya sa utak ko? Parang hindi pa niya sinisira yung buhay ko sa school. Pati ba naman yung mood ko sa umaga, nasisira na rin dahil dun.

Pagkatapos kong magready for school, bumaba na ko. WOW. Sarap ng almusal! Hotcakes. YEEEES.

“Hi, Miche,” sabi ni Mama.

Nagsalita ako. “Hi Ma.” My voice broke. PAOS AKO. Oh gosh. PAOS AKO. Bat ngayon pa!? Mamaya na yung performance para sa audition whatever ng Battle! Bat paos na paos yung boses ko? Naman o! Tinatraydor ako ng vocal chords ko. :’(( Ano nang gagawin ko!?!

Paos pa rin, of course, I called Summer.

“Whoa, Miche. Is that you? What happened to your voice?” she asked me, clearly surprised. I explained as briefly as possible to her. “Oh, gosh Miche. Is it tonsillitis?”

“I feel so,” sagot ko, na syempre, parang gasgas na magaspang pa sa hollow blocks na ewan na nakakairita yung boses ko. BASAG. AHHHHHHHHH.

“Pano tayo magpeperform neto?” she asked worriedly.

I bit my lower lip. “Then, magpapagaling ako. I promise. Magpapagaling ako hanggang mamayang performance.”

“…Miche…”

“Trust me. My voice will be perfectly fine later.”

It has to be.

Hindi ako uminom ng malamig na tubig. Tapos hindi rin ako kumain ng masyadong matamis (kahit na meron pang chocolate cake na natitira dun sa binili ko kahapon).

Hindi rin ako masyadong nagsalita.

Kelangan mawala na to mamaya. Kailangan talaga…

I went to school. Direcho ako sa studio namin.

Pagpasok na pagpasok ko palang dun sa building, nakita ko si Javed. Naalala ko si Alvin bigla, syempre. I ignored him.

“HOY,” he suddenly said.

I looked back, but I didn’t say anything.

“Wala man lang good morning?” he asked me.

I shook my head.

“TSSS. Maging thankful ka naman sa ibang tao.”

I just nodded, and continued on my way.

“Hindi ka ba magsasalita?”

I shook my head again.

Then suddenly, hinila niya ko. “Good morning,” he prompted.

Tango.

“Ikaw din. Greet me good morning too.”

I used sign language, rolled my eyes, and was about to go when he pulled me closer. “Good. Morning.”

AHHH. “Good morning,” I said with my super gasgas na boses.

He looked shocked. “Bat ka naman namamaos diyan?”

I pulled my hand from his. “O yan. I greeted you good morning. Aalis na ko.”

What was with that? Napasalita pa tuloy ako nang hindi oras.

Maiwan na nga siya.

-♪-

Recess.

Magkasama kami ng mga friends ko, of course.

Wala man lang akong makain ng matino, kaya bumili na lang ako ng cinnamon roll. Yung mga kasama ko, puro malamig na juice at masyadong masyadong masyadong matamis na mga bagay. Tinotorture ba ko ng mga best friends ko?

“What if… hindi mawala yung pagkapaos mo hanggang mamaya?” tanong ni Liz.

“E di hindi tayo magpeperform,” sabi ni Avril, all casual. Hindi man lang siya magpretend na may pakialam or something.

“Avril. Alam mo naman kung ano yung nakasalalay today, right?” sabi ni Summer. “So… kung hindi magiging maayos yung boses niya ngayon…”

“You sing,” I told Summer. “Kung hindi magiging maayos yung boses ko hanggang mamaya, ikaw yung magkanta.”

Kumurap-kurap siya. “A-ako? No way. NO. WAY. Magpagaling ka na nga!”

I frowned.

Naman kasi. Bat pa ko nagpaulan kahapon? This is my fault after all.

Kinain ko na yung last bite ng pagkain ko, tapos tumayo na ko para maghugas ng kamay. Ang lagkit e. Iniwan ko yung friends ko tapos lumabas ako ng room, papuntang CR. May ten minutes pa naman yung recess namin.

My phone beeped.

Chineck ko. Hindi naman bawal yung phone samin e. It was… BA-DUMP.

Whoa, whoa.

My heart skipped a beat upon reading his name. Was it just my imagination running wild?

Hoy tulo-laway. Pnta ka nga s my lkod ng bldg 2.

Building 2 yung building for the classrooms. Medyo malaki-laki rin kasi school namin e. <— understatement of the century.

Ano na naman kelangan neto? Sighing, I turned around and headed for the door instead. Paglabas ko ng building, I made my way to the back.

Hindi ko alam bakit. I absolutely don’t know why. Basta ang alam ko, excited akong makita siya.

I made turn to the left.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit, pero my heart beats really fast kung nandiyan siya.

I walked straight on.

At siya rin yung napanaginipan ko kahapon nung nakatulog ako sa sasakyan niya. Kahit kagabi, I was seeing his smile in my dreams.

I made another turn to the left. I was at the back of the building already.

Ayun. Nakatayo siya dun, medyo nakasandal sa building. Yung isang paa niya, nakabend tapos inaapakan niya yung wall. May hawak siyang thermos.

“O. It’s for you,” he said.

I blinked. “H-ha?”

He handed me the thermos. I took it.

“Ano to?” Yung boses ko, kahit na basag na, iba pagdating sa kanya. Parang mas mahirap magsalita.

He smiled a little. Ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko. Tapos parang nanlalambot yung mga tuhod ko. Just because he smiled. Just because he smiled…

“Malalaman mo rin kung ano yan mamaya,” he said. “Una na ko, baka malate pa ko dahil sa’yo.” And he walked off.

I was left standing there. Humangin pa. So with matching hangin hangin effect yung drama ko.

I opened the thermos to see what it was. Pagkatingin ko, salabat. Yung pinakuluan na luya na ewan. It’s supposed… to be good for the voice, lalo na kapag may sakit like tonsillitis. I found myself smiling.

Hindi naman ako tanga, dib a?

Alam ko na kung bakit ganito yung behavior ko pagdating sa kanya. Or more like, noon ko pa naman alam, pero ngayon ko lang talaga pinansin. Tinatry ko lang ideny noon. Pero…

I…

Am probably in love with Alvin.

Alvin’s POV:

I wonder kung anong laman ng thermos na yun…

Bakit ba kasi yun…

Pinabigay ni Javed?

*12th ♪

Miche’s POV:

I was shocked.

Maayos na boses ko!! HANEP YUNG SALABAT NA YUN!

Hanep… yung namigay nun…

It was Alvin who gave that to me…

Does that mean that he was concerned, after all?

Weird naman nun. It’s hard to imagine e. Pano kaya, ang sungit sungit, tapos bigla, concerned siya? Pero… kahit na.

In the first place, he saved me noon.

And then he made a way for us to compete for the Battle.

Tapos, dib a nag-alala pa siya nung narinig niya yung taxi gang rape whatever na yun?

And… kinumutan niya ko kahapon, nung nakatulog ako sa kotse niya.

It was also him… who looked out for me. Binigyan niya ko ng salabat. And I’m all better now.

Siya rin yung nakasama ko nun, nung kinanta namin yung Magbalik.

It was him.

All him.

Alvin.

“Miche,” sabi ni Summer. “Okay na boses mo?”

I grinned. Syempre, GV na GV pa ko e. “YEP.”

“O ba’t ang saya mo?”

“Ewan~” I replied.

“Tsss. Sobrang saya mo naman.”

Hahaha. Well, that’s life.

“Aynako, day. Inlab tong lumalablayp nating prend,” pag-aannounce ni Krizia.

I immediately blushed. “N-no way!”

“Sows. Sino?” tanong ni Liz, with matching wiggling eyebrows na parang nakakaloko. Ano to, interview?

“H-hindi ako in love,” I told them.

“It’s Alvin,” sabi ni Avril, smiling coolly. “Right?”

Feel ko lalo akong nagblush.

“OHA. It’s written all over your face!” sabi ni Summer.

“O sige na, sige na. It’s Alvin,” I told them, admitting it, finally. “I like Alvin.”

Naghigh-five yata lahat sila.

“Yung performance natin ngayon,” sabi ni Summer, “I can feel na magiging maganda.”

I smiled. “Hopefully.”

One hour before the performance.

Blah, blah, blah. Dire-direcho lang nagsasalita yung walang kwentang prof namin. Kaantok. SOOOOLID. Ayun. Tinatry ko lang na huwag masyadong makatulog. Buti na nga lang nasa likod ako.

Beside me, napatingin ako.

PFFFFT! Natutulog daw si Alvin.

Yes, hindi ko siya kaklase sa homeroom. Pero yung ibang classes kasi, nakadepende sa sched mo. Nagkataon, magkaklase pala kami sa klaseng to. LOL.

Grabe. Hindi man lang siya magpanggap na hindi siya tulog.

Isa pa, bat bigla ko yata siyang naging seatmate? Ewan. Nagteteleport ba to?

I looked at him, staring intently. Mas bagay niya yung tulog. Hindi siya nang-iinis e. Pero pinakabagay pa rin niya yung nakangiti siya. It makes me feel like he’s… nearer. Or more real.

Something like that.

Titig na titig naman daw ako. Oha, libre naman, dib a?

Kaya nga nashock ako nung bigla niyang bumukas (ano to, pintuan?) yung isa niyang mata.

I flinched. Tae. Nakakahiya to! Nahuli daw niya kong nakatitig!

He grinned, pero dahil dun sa pwesto niyang natutulog, isang side lang ng mukha niya yung nakikita ko. Pero bagay pa rin niya.

He straightened up, smiling.

Oh gosh.

Pwede na bang magself destruct?

He began to scribble some things on a piece of paper. Tapos he slipped me the note.

Haha. Huli kang nakatitig.

Nakakahiya talaga! Pwede na bang mag-evaporate right now?

Kin-rumple ko lang yung papel. Seeing that, he chuckled lightly. He began to write again and he slipped me the new note.

O, nahiya ka pa?

Tapos he chuckled even more.

I quickly wrote a reply.

Oo nga e. Nahuli mo kasi akong nakatitig. Iniisip ko kasi kung anong kabalbalan yung napapanaginipan mo habang tulog ka.

I passed the note back to him.

He glared at me nung nabasa niya.

Pero he suddenly smirked.

He passed it back to me.

Karumal-dumal yung panaginip ko.

I wrote down my reply.

Sabi ko na nga ba e. Kahit tulog ka, karumal-dumal pa rin yang nasa utak mo.

Binigay ko sa kanya. He passed it back.

Onga. Gusto mong malaman ano yung panaginip ko?

Hmmm. Nag-isip ako.

Wag na. Baka kung ano pang malagim na panaginip yan.

I gave it back to him, and when he gave it back, ito yung nakasulat.

It was you.

-♪-

Thirty minutes before the performance. Excuse kami ng banda.

Hindi ininform yung mga students about today, so nagtataka sila.

My friends and I ended up in the studio.

“Wag na muna tayong magpractice,” I told them. “It’s enough na, for now.”

“Iba talaga yung bestpren nating in love,” sabi ni Avril.

“A-anong connect?”

“E hindi ka kaya ganon kasungit right now,” she said.

“TAMA,” pag-agee ng lahat.

Tinignan ko sila ng masama. Naghahanap pala ng masungit e. Mga walang hiya forever.

“And she’s back,” sabi ni Avril.

“Well, anyways, it’s a good thing na nabalik na boses mo,” sabi ni Liz. “Ano namang ginawa mo? I mean, pano ka gumaling?”

I looked down. Putragis naman. Bat ba kasi madali akong magblush?

“Ahhhh. It has something to do with Alvin, no?” Nakakaloka yung tingin ni Summer. Gurabe.

“Huy, ano to?” sabi bigla ni Krizia. Hawak niya yung thermos, tapos inaamoy niya yung salabat.

“H-H-HUYY!!” I was about to snatch it away from her, pero hinila ako ni Avril. Summer and Liz looked at it.

“Salabat lang naman a. Bat kung makareact ka diyan e parang kung anong nakalagay,” sabi ni Liz.

“Teka. Hindi mo naman to dala kaninang pumasok ka ah.” AHHHH. Bat kailangan ganito kaobservant tong best friend kong to? “Could it be na may nagbigay sayo neto?”

I looked away. Tae. Baka maging permanent tong pagkacolor red ng mukha ko e.

“SI ALVIN!?” sabay sabay nilang sambit.

“Oo na, oo na,” I said, taking it from them. “Bakit, may problema?”

“AYYY ‘Day!” sigaw bigla ni Krizia. “Nakakakilig naman to.”

“A-ano namang nakakakilig dun!?”

“Hindi ka ba kinilig?” tanong ni Liz. Yung expression niya, parang alam na niya yung sagot ko.

“M-medyo…” I replied. No use lying to them.

Mga demonyita talaga tong mga kabanda ko.

“Okay, inspired si sis ngayon,” Summer announced. “Dapat tayo din! Gandahan natin yung performance!”

“Oo nga,” sabi ni Liz. “In love si Miche e. Dapat galingan talaga natin, kasi kung hindi, baka makasal sa kung sinong gago tong bestpren natin, e di wala na siyang happy ending with Alvin?”

“T-tama na,” I said.

“YIIEEEE!” sabay sabay pa nilang sigaw. Kantyawan ba naman ako. Mga sira ulo talaga.

-♪-

The students were all murmuring.

Syempre, hindi pa nila alam kung bakit sila pinagform sa AVR all of a sudden.

Kami, of course, nakaready na sa backstage.

Five minutes before the performance.

“God bless sa tin,” sabi ni Liz. “We can do it.”

I closed my eyes. Nagpepray ako na sana wag maepic fail yung performance namin right now. Sana lang wag talaga.

There’s so much at stake here.

“Miche.”

Napaopen yung mga mata ko. Alanga namang kausapin yung tao nang nakapikit yung mata, right? I saw Alvin, and I was suddenly out of breath. Yung parang hindi makahinga na ewan.

“B-bat ka nandito?” I asked him.

“Wala naman. Nireremind lang sana kita. Ibalik mo yung thermos sakin a.”

Ayyy. Akala ko naman sasabihan niya ko ng good luck. Bwiset. Walang kwenta. “Wala akong intention na magkeep ng isang bagay na hindi sakin, especially if it belongs to you!!”

Wo-walk out na sana ako e. Syempre, dramatic dapat.

Pero hindi pa man ako nakakapagstep, nagsalita na siya from behind me.

“Good luck.”

My eyes widened. I looked back, pero he was already walking away.

I found myself smiling anyway.

-♪-

Nasa stage na kami.

I looked ahead of me, ready to perform. Sana… ma-enjoy ng lahat yung performance namin. Kahit gano pa kasimple yung song namin…

To me, it means a lot.

I liked this song because a person sang it once with me before.

Now, I like that person, and this song made me realize that.

Kahit anong gawin ko, I can’t stop thinking about it. Even those two words: Good luck.

Ten seconds before the performance.

Sabi ko I should focus on the performance. Focus. Focus. Focus hanggang sa matapos yung performance.

Seven seconds before the performance.

I focused on everything that is at stake. The things na mahalaga. Things na maaapektuhan ng performance na to.

Five seconds before the performance.

Focus. Focus, Miche.

Three seconds before the performance.

Good luck. His face.

One second.

And it was just his smile that mattered.