Elysian (Samantila Series #1)

11

The week days passed by quickly. Ngayon ay sabado at napag-usapan ng mga pinsan kong tumambay ulit sa music room nila Xautheus (kung saan lagi kaming tumatambay, maliban sa bahay namin).

I know they invited Stage, wala namang problema sa'kin. I also got used to his presence, too. Pero, minsan, 'di ko parin maiwasang kabahan pag nandyan siya sa paligid.

Currently, we're at the music room and some of my cousins are already here, si Xau (syempre siya yung nakatira dito), Zaire, Pacen at Briseis na kasama si Vishnu Lacsamana.

Ngumuso ako at nilaro-laro ang strings ng gitara na hawak ko. I strummed a random song that just crossed my head.

"Ano 'yan?" hearing the voice, I know it's him. He just arrived. Kasabay sila Maze.

"Gitara."

Tumawa siya, "I know. I mean anong kanta."

"Secret." I focused on the guitar and closed my eyes while strumming.

"Talented naman." he whispered playfully.

Dinilat ko ang mga mata ko at ngumisi sakanya, "I know right."

Nanlaki ang mga mata n'ya at tumawa s'ya muli. I smiled seeing him laughing carelessly. One thing I noticed from him, he loves smiling and laughing a lot. Walang araw na 'di man lang s'ya nangiti o natawa. Even the smallest things makes him happy.

And I guess, I like that version of him. The happy and laughing Stage.

"Kakanta ka?" tanong n'ya, nang huminto sa pagtawa. Umupo s'ya sa tabi ko.

"'Di ko alam... But, I don't think so."

"Aww, sayang naman." his voice was filled with sadness.

I chuckled, "Baka magsawa ka sa boses ko kapag paulit-ulit mong narinig."

He froze and looked at me, "Your voice is my favorite, Ame. I would play it repeatedly if I only could."

Favorite.

My heart beat raised. Sinubukan ko muling mag focus sa gitara ngunit tila masyado na akong nakain ng mga salita ni Stage. My voice is his favorite. What does that mean?

Parang tangang pinilit kong kalmahin ang puso ko dahil alam ko, kapag nagpatuloy pa ito ng ilang minuto ay magsisimula nang manginig ang kamay ko.

"Stage! Halika!" tawag ni Vishnu sakanya kaya tumayo s'ya at umalis sa tabi ko.

I quietly stared at my hands. Nanginginig na ito ng kaonti kaya naman ibinaba ko ang gitara at sinubukang pakalmahin ang sarili.

Words like that coming from him makes me feel nervous all the time. He and his words are always the reason why my hands shake. Kahit nga sa biglaang recitation at quiz ay 'di ako kinakabahan, pero bakit sa mga simpleng salita n'ya, daig ko pa nag entrance exam?

Maya-maya ay bumalik si Stage na may ngiti sa labi. Nawala lamang ito nang makita n'yang 'di ko na hawak ang gitara.

"Ba't ka tumigil?"

I just shook my head. Tumabi muli s'ya sa'kin pero 'di katulad ko, siya ay nakikisali sa usapan ng mga pinsan ko. While I just listen to them. Dumating na rin si Guinevere na mag-isa. She sat beside Mazikien.

"O sinong kakanta? Sinong kakanta?" tanong ni Zaire na parang kundoktor.

"Ako! Ako!" parang batang volunteer ni Stage habang may malaking ngiti ulit sa labi.

I bit my lower lip to hide my smile.

"Wews!"

"Ano 'yan, ha? Stage?"

"Gandahan mo, Stage, ha."

"Nako, Stage, ayusin mo lang!"

Natawa ako dahil sa mga side comment ng mga pinsan ko kasama si Vishnu. Umiling lamang si Stage at umupo sa upuan na nasa gitna ng Music room.

Dati ay hindi naman ganto ang ayos ng music room pero ngayon ay ganto nalang daw. Para daw may spotlight talaga yung nakanta.

I cheered along with my cousins when Stage started strumming. Ngunit, kagaya kaganina, nagsimula nanamang magwala ang puso ko nang marinig ang lyrics ng kanta.

"Well, you done done done me and you bet I felt it." He sang.

"I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted." he let out a small playful smile.

"I fell right through the cracks. Now I'm trying go get back."

Narinig ko nanaman s'yang kumanta, but this.. I know it's just a simple pop song sang by Jason Mraz, but Stage singing it hits harder than the original song.

"And nothing's gonna stop me but divine intervention, I reckon, it's again my turn. To win some or learn some." he stopped and slightly stared at me bago bumalik ang tingin sa gitara.

"But, I won't hesitate, no more, no more. It cannot wait, I'm yours.."

Doon ay naghiyawan na ang mga pinsan ko. Si Pacen na laging seryoso ay may ngiti narin sa labi habang pinapanood si Stage.

He licked his lips before singing the other lyrics, "Well, open up your mind and see like me, open up your plans and, damn, you're free. And look into your heart, and you'll find love, love, love, love.."

The whole duration of him singing I'm Yours is also the whole duration of me feeling nervous while admiring his voice. Nagpalakpakan sila nang matapos si Stage sa pagkanta. Habang ako naman ay 'di mapakali at kinakabahan dahil sa akin na agad tumingin si Stage matapos n'yang kumanta.

He sat again beside me, after all of the cheerings. I turned to him and decided to praise him, kahit na.. kinakabahan talaga ako.

"You sing perfectly, Stage."

Umawang ang labi n'ya habang nakatingin din sa'kin. I was about to say something again when he diverted his gaze, doon ko napansin ang pamumula ng kanyang tenga.

Ilang segundo ang lumipas, I just stared at him. Wondering what's going on.

He spoke, but the redness of his ears is still there, "T-thank you."

I smiled sincerely, "You're welcome, Stage."

We spent the rest of the day singing and laughing because of each other's jokes. Hindi roon nawala ang pang-aasar nila kay Briseis na kumanta ng pang broken heart song. It was fun, spending a day with my cousins and with him.

A notification from a post got my attention. Ngayo'y nakahiga ako sa higaan, ilang minuto matapos kumain ng dinner at magpababa ng kinain.

stagezequiel all of it are only perfect because you are the lyrics

Then there's a B&W photo attached on the post, a familiar guitar.

I stared at the photo for a minute, nanlaki ang mga mata ko. My heart started beating fast again when I realized that it's the guitar I was holding earlier!

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SONG USED: I'm Yours by Jason Mraz (multimedia above). No portrayer intended.