Celestial Chords (Ciudad de Escalante #3)

Postlude

"May after party pa, Xandro. Siguradong hahanapin ka ni Madame Paloma at Mr. Bernales doon."

"I can't really make it tonight, Neil. Sa susunod nalang," nagmamadaling pahayag ko sa aming manager.

Mas binilisan ko ang pag-aayos ng aking gamit at napamura na lamang nang makita kung anong oras na. It was fucking ten in the evening. I badly want to rest. I'd been awake for damn two days after attending a fan meetings and press conference. Saka bukod sa pagod na pagod na, may uuwian pa ako na siguradong naghihintay sa akin kanina pa.

"Mauna na ako, pakisabi nalang sa kanila," dagdag ko at tinapik ang balikat ni Neil.

My bandmates are still in the changing room. They will attend the after party for the celebration of the successful release of our new album. I smiled weakly at Neil when he sighed. I know; I've been refusing a lot of after-parties and night gatherings. He was indeed stressed to think of a reason why I couldn't come with them, again.

Bukod sa kapansin-pansin na kulang ang banda dahil wala ako, madalas din akong hanapin ng mga ibang beteranong artista at mang-aawit na kakilala kong dadalo.

"Oh, hindi ka ulit makakasama?" nanunuksong puna ni Klein nang makasalubong ko sa pintuan.

"Oo, aalis na ako," namamaos kong saad at inayos ang dala-dalang bag.

Klein smirked. Nakaayos at nakahanda na siya sa susunod na pupuntahan. Hindi ko alam kung saan pa niya nakukuha ang enerhiya na makangiti kung dalawang araw na kaming walang tulog. While me? I don't know if I can still drive from the exhaustion.

"Umalis ka na talaga. Kami ng bahala mamaya. Baka umiiyak na naman iyon. Uwian mo na," he teased.

I subtly nodded and sighed when I knew whom he was referring to. I know, damn it. I want to punch myself for that. Who am I to make her cry, huh? Who am I to do that to her? I'm sure she's crying again while waiting for me. I can't spend time with her that much lately.

She misses me a lot and I am too. Ang dating tatlo o apat na beses sa isang linggo naming pagkikita, naging dalawa o isa nalang dahil may bagong album kaming i-re-released ngayong taon.

Ako:

Love, nasa intersection na ako. Do you want me to buy something for your midnight snack?

Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa manibela ng walang matanggap na mensahe. She's not replying and that made me worried and really guilty. Putangina, Xandro. Siguradong hindi magtitipa ng mensahe pabalik dahil umiiyak na sa sobrang tagal mo!

Kahit walang reply, dumaan muna ako saglit sa grocery store para bilhan siya nang makakakain.

I checked the time again after putting all the food I bought in the passenger seat. Gladly, no one recognized me, and that made my life miles easier. Tiningnan kong muli ang cellphone ko at wala pa ring reply hanggang ngayon.

Maybe, she's sleeping now? It's already 11:30 PM. Kaunting minuto na lang, nasa condo na ako. I promise I can make it before this day ends. I want her to know I made it.

I don't want her to sleep with a heavy heart...

"Rishan?" I called softly after turning on the lights.

Mabilis ang aking paghinga at wala ng natitirang lakas nang makarating sa condo. I couldn't even carried the food and drinks I bought properly. This is for her. Nilapag ko ang mga iyon sa mesa at pinasadahan ang paligid.

My place is too silent.

Walang bakas ng presensya niya. Napamasahe ako ng sentido at nais na lamang bumagsak sa kinatatayuan dahil sa pagod. Rishan is not here. Maybe, she went back to their house. She was tired of waiting for me. I'm too tired too, but I promised we'd see each other. Kailangan kong tuparin iyon. I still have twenty minutes. I can still make it. I was about to pick my car's key to drive again when I heard a cute snoring sound.