Elysian (Samantila Series #1)

2

Nakatulala kong tinitignan ang keyboards na nasa harapan ko. I don't know what classical piece am I gonna play. 'Di naman puwedeng makisama sa jamming nila Zaire dahil sobrang out-of-place ng keyboards sa genre ng kinakanta nila ngayon.

"Kesa tumunganga ka diyan, kumanta ka nalang kasama na'min." 'di ko na namalayan na nakalapit na pala si Xautheus sa'kin. He's currently eating a lollipop.

"Ano namang kakantahin ko?" tanong ko saka tumingin muli sa mga lalake kong pinsan na nagkakasiyahan.

"Taylor Swift? Bruno Mars? Anything, baby." ngumiti sa'kin si Xautheus.

I just rolled my eyes and stood up. Naramdaman ko namang sumunod siya sa'kin. Tamad kong pinulot ang ukelele na nasa lapag at umupo sa sofa. Huminto naman ang mga pinsan kong nasa loob ng music room. Kahit sila Maze na busy sa pagse-cellphone ay tumingin sa'kin. Suminghap ako at sinimulan nang i-strum ang chords ng Teardrops on my Guitar ni Taylor Swift sa ukelele.

"Drew looks at me, so I fake a smile so he won't see.." mas lalo pang tumahimik ang music room na tanging boses at pag-strum ko lang ang maririnig.

"That I want and I'm needing everything that we should be.." kinagat ko ang labi ko nang marinig ang pagbukas sara ng pintuan. I didn't mind it, though. Baka kung sino lang..

Napapikit ako habang kinakanta ang paboritong linya, "I bet she's beautiful, the girl he talks about. And she's got everything I have to live without."

I never minded everyone. I am too clouded with music. I just let them see my singing. Minsan ko lang gawin ito sa isang buong buwan. I always only do drums, guitar or piano. Hinahayaan ko nalang ang iba na kumanta para mabuo ang kanta. We all have beautiful voices, anyways. Sadyang 'di lang talaga ako laging nakanta.

"He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar.. The only thing that keeps me wishing on a shooting star," I licked my lips after I sang the lyrics.

Dapat pala, itinali ko muna ang buhok ko bago ko 'to ginawa. My long hair irritates me so much when I play ukelele and guitar. I really want to cut it but Mommy wants to keep it long. Ayon lang naman ang hiling niya at hinahayaan niya ako sa iba. Kaya naman, wala akong magawa kundi sundin.

"Drew looks at me, so I fake a smile so he won't see.." I closed my eyes as I sing the last lines. Nagpalakpakan naman ang mga pinsan ko nang ibaba ko na ang ukelele.

"Your voice is indeed a blessing, Ame." puri ni Maze sa'kin. Nakangiti akong umiling sakanya. Her voice is beautiful, too! It's just, it doesn't fit low-pitched songs na siyang bet na bet niyang uri ng kanta.

"Galing." compliment rin ng isang playful na boses. Napalunok ako nang makitang si Stage pala ito. He's leaning in the door. His expressive eyes shows adoration and amazement, and his flirtatious smile partnered it well. Lalong-lalo na ang dimple sa magkabilang pisngi. He looks a fun-loving boy but honestly, he just breaks women's hearts.

Nilagpasan ko lamang siya ng tingin at umupo sa bean bag na nasa tabi ni Cazian na ngayo'y iniistrum-strum ang gitara.

"Maze, kuhanin niyo yung meryenda na pinahanda sa baba. Naka-ready na 'yon." utos ni Xautheus.

Tumayo naman si Maze at sinenyasan ako dahil ako lamang ang natatanging kasama niyang babaeng pinsan sa kuwartong 'to. Agad naman akong sumunod.

Pagkalabas na pagkalabas na'min sa music room ay nagsalita agad si Mazikien, "I saw how Stage looks at you."

Ngumiwi ako, ayan nanaman siya!

"I don't like him, Maze. I don't know why you guys are saying that I do. 'Di ako kinikilig sa sinabi mo."

"I know, I know. You're Ame Samantila. Bakit ka nga naman mafa-fall sa isang playboy, 'di ba? I just said that to inform you, couz. Stage looks like he's interested in you."

"That's the way how he looks at every girls."

Humalakhak siya, "Sabagay.." inilapag niya ang hawak na cellphone sa ibabaw ng dining table kung nasaan nakahanda na ang meryenda na'ming twisted doughnuts. May nakahanda naring cold chocolate drinks roon.

"Anyways, what are your parent's plan this upcoming summer? Pupunta raw sa Washington sila Ajax. Nagpaalam na ako kay Mama na sasama nalang papunta sa Washington." ani muli Maze.

Tinagilid ko ang ulo ko habang nakatingin sa cold choco drinks na nasa harapan ko, "I want to go to London. London's countryside, specifically. I think it's refreshing."

"You're an only child like me, Ame. Do you think Tito will allow you to go alone?" napatingin na siya sa'kin.

"Yeah, yeah. Baka pumunta nanaman kami sa Batangas."

"Our port?" dahan-dahang kinuha ni Maze ang tray na puno ng twisted doughnuts. Ganoon rin ang ginawa ko sa cold choco drinks.

"Probably. But Mom doesn't want me to take naval in the future just because of our business. Ako raw bahala." tumango-tango naman si Maze.

"Why don't you just go to your fam's farm sa Tagaytay? Sainyo rin naman 'yon, ah?" napangiti ako sa ideya niya.

"Oo nga, 'no? I'll try to go there. Ilang taon narin akong 'di nakakabisita roon."

At ganoon nga ang nangyari nang dumating ang summer vacation. Mom let me decide where will I stay, basta hindi malayo sakanila or kasama ko mga pinsan ko. My cousins wanted me to go to Washington, too, just like them, but I prefer to go to a countryside-like places. Isa pa, nakakasawa na pumunta sa US. Kaya talagang desidido akong pumunta sa farm na'min sa Tagaytay. Ayos lang naman kila Mom 'yon dahil magkalapit lang naman ang Tagaytay at Batangas.

I'm also planning to go to Laiya, Batangas. Dad wants to go to beach. Para raw refreshing. Well, I somehow wants to go to beach, too. I want to go tan this year.

Unlike my cousins kasi, my skin tone isn't fair. I got this from my Dad, Kaja Samantila, the olive or what they say, light-to-medium skin tone. Kuntento na ako roon. I can't imagine myself being as white as Blaid or fair as Briseis. Kaparehas ko lang din ng kulay si Mazikien, kaya ayos lang.

So I spent the whole vacation being with my parents and visiting the farm, sometimes helping the farmers to farm, feeding the cows and many related to agriculture activities.

- - -

SONG USED: Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift.

Pls watch the multimedia above!! Their video helped me imagine Ame. (No portrayers intended!!!!)