Hello, Travis

Chapter 9

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Chapter 9





Nakatingin lang ako sa kawalan. Kinig ko na ‘yung dial tone mula sa linya ni Ree. Napatingin ako kay Charmaine na katapat ngayon si Aika. Nag-uusap sila para sa event mamaya. Rinig ko sa kabilang linya ‘yung pag-sigaw ni Aika kanina nung. . . tinawag niya si Charmaine.




Andito si Ree.



At bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nung nagkatinginan kami ni. . .





Pero imposible.





So ibig sabihin, pinagloloko lang ako ni Ree?



Pano?






@#$%! Hindi ko na talaga alam.






Tiningnan ko lang ‘yung dalawang babaeng lumabas sa room ng IV-A at nilagpasan si Aika at Charmaine. Kita sa mukha nila ang pagkaputla. Gusto ko na talaga makasiguardo na siya si Ree pero sa di ko malamang dahilan parang ipinako nila ang paa ko sa sahig.





“Ree. . .”
















Natapos ang Musical event at parang may celebration party since bagets nga ang principal namin. Pabor na din daw namin sa kanya. Wala na din kaming nagawa dahil masaya naman ang kinalabasan ng program at nakuha lang namin ang third place sa labanan ng Seniors.




Tatanggapin ko kung sakin nila sinisisi ang lahat.





“Pare, okay ka lang ba talaga?” Khris approached me while hanging me a glass of juice. I accepted it but don’t have any plans of drinking it. “Nabo-bother ka ba?”



“Khris, kilala mo ba si Lily?”



“Si Lyra?”


“Eh si Ree?”



“Si Lyra ulit?”




I smiled. Napakamot naman si Khris. As expected, it’s either he’s lying or just plain innocent. Biglang dumating si Lyra and linked up her fingers to Khris’. I felt empty for a moment for I wish I could hold someone’s hand.



“Play the piano for me, Khris. I want to sing.”



“Sing? Pero—” I saw an expression from Lyra’s face. That ‘don’t-ask-just-go’ look. “—tara!”




Nag-wait sign lang naman sakin si Khris at tumango naman ako sa kanya. Tumakbo sila sa may stage at kinausap ang pedeng kausapin para makapag-perform sa stage. Sa di ko malamang dahilan, nauna pa sila ‘dun sa kanina pang nakapila. Tss.




“Good evening everyone!”




Everyone stopped and looked at Lyra.






“It’s good to be back! It’s Valentines and I would like to dedicate this song to the MOST special person in my life.”




Commotion began to form.


“Oo nga. Galing siya sa Laguna for some reason.”
“Eh? So it is true!”
“Eh diba kasama nga si Nolee pero mas maagang bumalik?”
“So kaya pala absent si Nolee for a long time!”
“Hey! Kakanta daw!”
“Oh no!”





I smirked.



Now, what are their plans now?





“Hey lonely boy, I know you get me.” She signaled Khris to start playing the keyboards. “You’re in my arms and all the world is gone. The music play a song for only two. . .”






I can feel goose bumps.




B-boses ni Ree.




Hindi talaga ako pede magkamali.




Pero hindi tamang marinig ko ‘yun mula kay Lyra.






Something’s not right here.





“. . . So close together and when I’m with you so close to feeling alive.”





People start to find their partners.




And I’m gonna look for her.







Ree, please.






Alam kong ikaw ‘yun.




Ayokong magkamali dahil alam kong ikaw ‘yun.





Tumakbo ako sa malapit sa stage. Nakita naman ako ni Lyra kaya tumango siya at ngumiti sakin. I smiled back. So she’s giving me the chance?




I know that she’s not Ree.



She can’t be.




For there is someone else who holds Ree’s position.





“And now, forever, I know all that I want is to hold you so close~”




Tumingin ako sa backstage at nakita si Ria at Melody na may hawak na instruments.




“Hoy T! Pasalamat ka!” Ria



“Too late to make you fall in love with me. Tsk. Tsk.” Melody




“Asan siya?”



“Sinong siya?” sabay nilang sinabi pero may halong ngiti. Gusto kong magalit pero di ko alam kung pano ko pa nagagawang ngumiti sa lagay ko.





“Sly girls.”




Tumawa naman silang dalawa saka ako tumakbo sa lugar na—hindi ko alam, hinayaan ko nalang ang paa ko na dalhin ako sa tamang lugar..



My heart is beating so fast, not only because I’m nervous, excited and tired. . . for I’m answering all the questions in my head and coming up with one answer.





She can’t be Aika for Aika is too angelic. Si Aika ang tipo ng babaeng madaling mahalin at hahanapin ng mga lalaki. Traditional Maria Clara? Well, I can say that Aika is one of the examples. She’s kind, friendly and such but she can’t be Ree. No.



She can’t be Charmaine. She can’t play guitar and keyboards. She has this great voice but too deep compare to Ree’s. She can make my heart a beat whenever she calls me Travis. We don’t hang out but I know she’s a great person. She’s easy to be with, nice and such but she can’t be Ree.



She can’t be Ria. Though, their voice match close, she can’t be. I can tell for the way they speak and how the way she’s with me. Kahit alam kong magaling sa drama si Ria, alam kong she’s always true to herself when she wants to express her feelings. She’s too honest.



She can’t be Melody. I must admit that Melody is one of those who are on top of my list. An angelic voice, talented hands. . .pero wala dun ‘yung nararamdaman ko tuwing naririnig ko ang boses niya at kung pano siya tumugtog. She has this great smile that can capture any man’s heart except from mine. Can’t do.



She can’t be Ms. Pres. though they possess the same characteristic and bubbly at the same time, she can’t be Ree. There are some things they’re not compatible. Natutuwa ako kay Ms. Pres but she is not just Ree. I can tell and feel.




She can’t be Lyra. She can’t even though destiny tells me she is. I know there are mistakes. Kahit kaboses niya si Ree, hindi siya ang Ree na naririnig ko tuwing ipinipikit ko ang mga mata ko. She’s Ree and Lily, but it doesn’t matter. There’s only one girl who I see whenever that voice lingers with my ears. She can’t be.





And she can’t be. . .




Alam ko.







Alam kong may iba tuwing andyan siya pero—







“Ree!”




She smiled weakly.




This is what they call undefined feeling,





Bliss.

Excitement.

Pain.

Nervousness.

Sadness.





“We’re so close to reaching the famous happy ending. . .”





She let her angelic voice out whilst holding the mic.. I know that voice can’t be Lyra.




For the voice can only be for Ree.






“So close and still so far. . .”




I just realized my feet stuck on the ground.




I closed my eyes.





“. . .Travis.”





I smiled.





There she is.





“. . .I’m sorry.”






I was too late.





Crash. Down. Into pieces.