As Cold as the Night (Book 1)

Chapter 30

Chapter 30
"Kiss"

An hour into the concert, ramdam ko na ang pamamanhid ng mga paa ko. I'm tired already from standing at hindi sa pagsigaw at paggiging magalaw. I am sweating pretty bad and had to put down the hoodie of my onesie. I am really having fun but standing is painful. I think I got shocked. Hindi ko inaasahan na sasakit agad ang mga paa ko.

When I looked at Ham, he was like those marshalls on the side. He seems pretty fine on my side. There are no signs of weakness. Clearly, he isn't just fond of Tasha and her music.

Though my knees are tired and starting to feel weaker, I don't want to go to the side and miss a moment, something that you'll only enjoy being close to the stage.

Ham noticed my discomfort and faced me. Sa lakas ng speakers you have to stay close and raise your voice para magkarinigan.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm tired." I tiptoe to at least speak near his ear.

"Then let's go to the side," aniya.

Umiling ako. I held his arm and pulled him down a bit para makabulong.

"Can I lean on you?" I pouted and gave him a pleading look.

Hindi siya sumagot pero hindi naman niya inalis ang kamay ko sa braso niya.

Kumusta kaya si Millard sa itaas? Is he enjoying the concert somehow?

I raised my hand to the tune of Tasha's upbeat song. I sing along. Magalaw ako sa tabi ni Ham and I thought he'd be irritated pero hindi naman.

Maya't maya akong kumukuha ng litrato at video. Hindi ko pa lang magawang mag-send kay Carmi. Baka ma-distract ako. I want to enjoy the whole concert so badly. Hindi bale nang konti ang pictures at videos na makuha ko.

May surprise guest at performance na sumunod ng sikat ding local artist. Nag-duet sila ni Tasha. And I didn't expect it to turn out nice dahil magkaiba sila ng genre. Dalawang kanta 'yon.

Hmm... I am waiting for Tasha's Unicorn performance. It's one of my favorite songs of her. Sana ay kantahin niya ngayong gabi.

Napansin siguro ni Ham ang pagiging pagbigat ko kalaunan kaya inilipat niya ako sa harap niya. He got a lean body. Para na akong nakahilig sa pader no'n. And it's really comfortable.

Ang sumunod na kanta ay tumugtog si Tasha ng piano I got excited and turned to Ham a bit.

"She's so talented," sabi ko.

Binalik niya naman ako sa puwesto ko. Now, I don't think I can see him perform. Iyong presentation nila ni Marthiela. Pagkatapos na kasi 'yon ng pasko. And I couldn't just fly back here as I wish. Sigurado naman akong hindi papayag si Lola.

I lasted because of Ham's body support. Hindi niya ako sinaway kahit gaano ako kalikot at kaingan. This is a concert at hindi lang naman ako ang hindi mapakali so...

Kapag sinisilip ko siya, kung hindi ko siyang nahuhuling nakatingin sa akin nagmamasid naman siya sa stage o sa kabuoan ng arena. I giggled at the thought na baka pinupuna niya ang structure at bumubuo pa ng plano na may gawin doon.

Maliban sa mga kanta at acts natutuwa rin ako sa mga opening speech at adlibs sa kalagitnaan. Tasha's witty and has a cute humor mostly about her songs and experiences. She is so passionate about her music. You can feel it in her songs. Halos lahat ng kanta niya ay magaganda. Magaling din siya sa actually performance.

"So, most have us... if not, many of us, here tonight must have experienced being broken at a young age..." She smiled and shook her head. "Because our crushes didn't like us back... or worse, don't even notice us."