AFTER THE MOVIE

Chapter 6: Got to be real

Tumitig ito sa kanya at ng makita nitong seryoso s'ya sa imbitasyon dito, tumango na lamang ito.

"Alright. But just for tonight. Just this once."

Ngumiti naman s'ya at inayos ang buhok nito. "I want to end this night with good memories."

"Wohoh! Manghohold-up ba tayo ng bangko ng nakainom? Parang bet ko 'yon."

"No! Silly! Just wait and see."

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"An underground music bar? Woah! Meron palang ganito dito?"

"Yup. Kung tambayan n'yo ang Japanese resto na 'yon, dito naman ang tambayan ko."

She looked around and saw a familiar face.

"Xandra!" Tawag n'ya dito.

"Hey, Narda! Welcome back." Agad s'yang niyakap nito and eyed Regina na abala sa pagtingin-tingin sa paligid.

"Oh! You brought someone with you tonight. First time nangyari 'to ah. She's special, ain't she?"

Kinindatan lang n'ya si Xandra at napangiti naman ito. "Xandra, meet Regina. Regina, si Xandra, ang may ari nitong underground music bar."

"Nice to meet you." Nagshake hands naman ang mga ito.

"The usual ba, Narda? Drums? What about her?" Tanong ni Xandra.

"I'll have sunrise tequila." Kaagad namang sagot nito na ikinatawa ng dalawa.

"Bass guitar." Sagot ni Narda. Tumango naman ito at nagpaalam saglit sa kanilang dalawa.

"Iba ba ang tawag sa mga inumin sa bar na 'to, Narda? Drums sa'yo? Ano'ng drink 'yon? Tapos bakit bass guitar ang tawag sa sunrise tequila?" Curious nitong tanong matapos nilang maupo sa isang round table sa sulok.

Tumawa naman s'ya. "Hindi tayo nagpunta dito para magpakalunod sa alak. Though pwede naman pero later na. Let's make music together, Regina."

An invitation na ikinalaki ng mata nito. "You mean gusto mong tumugtog tayo dito ngayon?"

"Yeah! Of course."

"But..."

"Regina, I ask you once and i'll never ask you to come with me here again if you don't want to. Kaya sana pagbigyan mo nalang ang hiling ko. Make music with me."

"Tinanong mo manlang ba kung marunong akong tumugtog?"

"Sorry but nainfect din naman ako ng chismosa virus sa showbizness. Alam kong magaling ka magpiano, maggitara at kumanta."

Naiiling nalang ito. "Paladesisyon ka rin no? Kaya pala bass guitar ang sabi mo kay Xandra para sa 'kin. Paano kung 'di ako pumayag, eh 'di napahiya ka kay Xandra?"

"Marami akong pamblackmail sa'yo if ever hindi ka pumayag."

"Heh!" Tumawa ito.

"There! 'Yan ang gusto kong makita kanina pa. That popular Regina gummy smile."

"Thanks, Narda. But kaya ba natin? Can we really make some good music?"

"Look around you, Regina. This bar is full of strangers with different reasons of why they are here. Maybe some of these people experiences the same dilemma as you have today or maybe even worst. And the only thing they wanted right now is to have fun and forget about their worries. So if they want some fun, we'll give them the fun they need with us having fun as well. Hope you get my point."

Tumango naman ito at tumayo na.

"Okay then. I'll choose the song."

"Let's see kung masasabayan kita."

"Got to be real by Cheryl Lynn."

"Nice choice."

Umakyat sila on stage with the regular band on the background.

"Sabayan n'yo kami, guys, ha?" Baling ni Narda sa mga ito.

"Take the lead, Narda, susundan namin kayo."

"Ikaw na 'yan, Regi. After you?"

"Have my back, okay? In 3..."

Regina started strumming the bass guitar and maski si Narda ay napapahanga sa galing at bilis ng kamay nito.

She herself started hitting the drums with her mallets. Enjoying the sound they make together while looking lovingly at Regina who's already into the mood, strumming her guitar with much passion and energy.

"Sounded like a slap but finger style? Bro, got strong fingers."

"Angas!"

"Ang lupit!"

"Ang pipretty na, ang gagaling pa!"

Mga komentong pumuno sa kanina ay maingay at magulong bar.

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"Balik kayo ha? Magtatampo ako kung hindi." Inihatid pa sila ni Xandra sa labas ng bar.

"We'll find time for sure." Sagot ni Regina kaya nangingiting bumalik na sa loob si Xandra.

"Hmmm... does that mean babalik ka pa dito with me?"

"I'm sure of it, Narda. It's the first time in years that I felt myself again."

"And that's because you're with me and not with your boyfriend."

Bigla itong nalungkot.

"He was never supportive of my music. Though he likes it when we appear together on interviews."

"That's not love, Regina. That guy is not only a cheater but a damn user."

Huminga ito ng malalim at ginagap ang kamay n'ya.

"Thanks for tonight, Narda. It's one of my bests." Pag-iiba nito sa topic. Alam na kaagad n'ya na ayaw nitong pag-usapan ang lalaki.

"Andito lang ako, Regina. Susuportahan kita. I'll always have your back."

Noah appeared out of nowhere.

"GPS helps everytime. Hi, Narda." Bati bito sa kanya sabay hapit sa bewang ni Regina.

"N-Noah? What are you doing here?"

"Kanina pa kita tinatawagan but you're not answering my calls. Kanina pa ako nandito sa labas but I choose not to go inside. May problema ba tayo, babe?"

Naikuyom nalang n'ya ang kamao sa inis sa lalaki. Parang wala itong kasalanan kung umasta.

"Do you want me to bring you home now, Regina?" Tanong n'ya rito. Hoping to get rid of Noah. Hindi n'ya matagalan ang presence nito kahit ilang minuto lang.

"I'll take you home, babe." Sabad ni Noah.

Regina looked at them both with confusion.

"I'm sorry, Narda. Kay Noah nalang muna ako sasabay." She muttered habang nakayuko at sa wari'y iniiwasan ang titig n'ya.

"Okay then. Una na ako."

Tinalikuran na n'ya ang mga ito ng walang lingon likod. "Bakit pa kasi ako umasang sa akin ka sasama? Sino ba naman kasi ako? Ano ba ang laban ko sa boyfriend mong tukmol?"