Celestial Chords (Ciudad de Escalante #3)

Phase 31

Crescendo won as a winner of the Battle of the Bands this year.

Their performance was indeed powerful. Iori and Sylvan's voice combination was the key. Gaya ng inaasahan ko, maraming nag-abang sa pagiging kumpleto muli ng banda nila. It's good to see their group on stage.

I wasn't sad nor disappointed in the result. Heliocentric got second place. They're also winners, though! Alexandro, Jael, Zyris, and Devan did their best. Kaso ay para sa Crescendo talaga ang tagumpay ngayong gabi. They truly deserve it.

"Naghihintay na si Papa sa food park. Ingat kayo!" pagpapaalam ko kina Sena na kasabay sina Jael ngayon sa S.U.V.

Papa prepared the celebration for us tonight. Doon kami magsasalu-salo para sa kanilang pagkapanalo. Ipinasara niya ngayong gabi ang foodpark para masolo namin ang lugar. Xandro is really his favorite child now. Nakakapagselos tuloy!

Char. Just kidding.

"Drive safely, Rishan!" Sena reminded, and I gave her my thumbs-up.

"Give him a hug..." bulong ni Jael sa akin at tinapik ang balikat ko bago sumunod sa mga kasama na nasa loob na ng sasakyan.

Sinulyapan niya si Xandro na tahimik na nakaupo sa passenger's seat. I smiled at Jael that I will. I waved at them once again. Hinintay ko muna ang pag-alis ng S.U.V. nila bago ako pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan. Umupo ako sa driver's seat at pinalipas ko muna ang ilang segundo.

I breathe in deeply and glanced at Xandro who's still silent. Kanina pa siya tahimik kaya hindi ko maiwasan ang mangamba. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya ng mahigpit. Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin at ngumiti.

But something is wrong with his smile; it's not genuine.

He's happy a while ago while holding their trophy, but the moment his parents approach him in the backstage, everything has changed. I saw the searing tinge of blues hovers upon his eye like a moonless night sky. It's very sad, like a soul who's staring at his own grave.

"Ang galing mo kanina," paninigurado kong muli at hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak sa kanyang kamay.

"Ang galing galing galing mo..." pag-uulit ko para ipaalala sa kanya.

He smiled weakly.

Nakagat ko ang aking labi nang titigan niya ako gamit ng mga malulungkot na mata kahit ilang beses kong ipaalala sa kanya na ang galing niya kanina. Obviously, the talk between his parents and him didn't go well. Hindi ko na kailangan pang magtanong kung anong pinag-usapan dahil malalaman mo na kaagad kung anong nangyari.

"B-But it's not enough to make them proud, Rishan," nanghihina niyang sabi kaya umiling ako.

"It's enough kaya! I'm proud of you. Many people are proud of you. Hindi lang nakita ng parents mo kanina pero sa susunod, kapag mas nag-practice ka pa at sobrang perpekto na, sigurado na sila ang unang magsasabi sa'yo na ang galing mo."

Nanatili siyang tahimik at napayuko. Bumilis ang kanyang paghinga kaya ako na ang kusang lumapit para ibigay sa kanya ang balikat ko. The moment I moved closer, he immediately pulled me into a warm and tight hug.

Napalunok ako nang maramdaman ang bigat ng kanyang pakiramdam. Mumunting luha niya ang pumatak sa aking balikat. Napapikit ako at hinayaan siyang umiyak ng mahina. I pat his back to comfort him.

He cried silently but harder this time. He held me much closer and tighter. Kanina niya pa pinipigilan pero dahil kaming dalawa ngayon, I'm glad he's letting me witnessed his vulnerable side.

I'm thankful he's sharing this with me.

"It's okay... practice pa tayo at mas igihan na igihan pa natin. Your best is enough for today. Maybe it's not yet the greatest but someday, it will. May mas igagaling ka pa."