The Story of Us

33: Busy days

33: Busy days

"Thank you for having us! And now let us now welcome LoveRim!" I shouted with the mic in my hand, feeling the excitement and adrenaline rush. We all bowed in front of the arena and ran to the side of the stage.

We just performed in front of thousands of the fans of LoveRim. We just freaking did.

"Ate A!" someone called to the side.

"Creek!" I went down the stage and greeted Creek, Seth's cousin.

"Wow, nag-oopening act na kayo ha? And for LoveRim! Congrats to your band," Creek sort-of joked.

"Kelangang makipag-sabayan sa inyo eh," I joked back. Creek just chuckled while I saw the smiling faces of his bandmates from behind.

Creek is the leader of Irksome Cloud, ang inaakala ng iba na 'rival' band namin. Sa totoo naman talaga ang tumuturing lang naman na rival kami ng IC ay ang fans nila. Though, may isang may grudge sa 'min na bandmate niya, si Hero. I honestly don't know why pero hindi na lang namin pinapansin.

"Ate A," bati naman ni Lian, bandmate din nila.

"Hello, kamusta studies?" tanong ko naman. Lian was the nerdy one in their band, pero he's got the looks and the talent too.

"Ganun pa rin naman siya, Ate Alli. Ang kaso lang hindi na masyado focus ang studies. There's a girl who's getting his attention," singit naman ni Red.

"Hahaha, kayo talaga oh!"

Bigla namang may kumulbit sa likod. "Hey, we're going home na. How 'bout you?" Luke asked.

"Ah, wait."

"Guys," I called out to Creek and his gang. "This is Luke, yung new bandmate namin. Luke, this is Irksome Cloud," I introduced.

"Nice meeting you," Red happily greeted.

"Hello. Pero we got to go na. Sorry for interrupting," sabi naman ni Luke.

"No worries, Kuya Luke. Take care of Ate A!" Creek said. Inirapan ko na lang. Baliw talaga yung batang yun. Porke may alam lang sa personal life ko dahil pinsan niya si Seth...

"Sure, bye," Luke bid and we started walking backstage.

Nang makasakay kami sa van (Clef Records gave us a customized van!!!), Gail immediately sighed. "Ugh, pasukan na bukas. Ganito na ba talaga ang buhay-artista?"

"Kelangan na nating masanay," Raven reminded us.

**

"Be, nabili mo na yung materials para sa activities sa Foundation Week?" tanong ko kay Lynne, business manager ng Student Council.

Nakakastress. Student Council and class vice president. Music artist for Clef Records. Ang daming responsibilities!!!

"Hindi pa," she said as she was fiddling with her phone.

"What!? Next week na yun! Ano bang gusto mong mangyari? Tanggalin ka ni Master Freope dahil wala kang ginagawa at nagcecellphone ka lang diyan? O ang mag-intindi para sa Foundation Week?!" I snapped at her face. Busy-ing busy na nga ako dito kakatype ng program at pag-aaudit sa laptop dahil wala yung Secretary at Auditor namin, nagawa pa niyang mag-cellphone. Habang lahat kaming natitirang present dito sa SC office, ngarag na being seniors.

Sumagot si Lynne pero hindi ko na napakinggan dahil nag-ring ng malakas yung phone ko. Teka, naka-silent 'to kanina ah. I read the caller ID and I felt the nervousness in my chest. No, please. 'Wag ngayon.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Alli, nasa'n ka na? Ilang days ka nang absent sa training? We know you're busy with your career and your duties as an SC officer, pero you can't ditch your training. The National Meet is nearing and we need you. Coach is literally mad right now. Kanina pa siyang tahimik. Where are you?" Kuya Avan reminded me.