every strings

PROLOGUE

"Wazzup, guys!" My brothers voice caught my attention. I see that nandito na rin pala kasama niya. They do the hand thing that mag tropa do when they see each other.

I was just behind my brother, just wandering my eyes around. This place is nice if you're the type of person where chillnuman is your way of stress reliever.

"Super traffic sa'min-mabuti nalang naka abot pa kami" sambit ng isa niyang kasama.

My brother has been a member of this band for about 5 years already, and this is the first time that I have encountered his friends.

"By the way, this is my older sister-Zehra. She will watch our performance. Ate, these are my bandmates. " I smiled to them, and to my surprise, one of them offered his hand for a shake hands.

"I'm Niel-the drummer. Nice meeting you! Matagal na naming kasama si Jae pero ngayon ka lang niya pinakilala?" I was shocked, but I did shake my hands with him nalang so that hindi siya mapahiya.

I looked at Jae, and there was an apologetic smile. I just smiled back, assuring that it's fine.

When they're about to get started. Jae left me with a wink. He looks very happy tonight. Maybe this band is really mean to him.

As they prepare the instrument on the stage, I got the chance to look at them one by one. Kanina kasi nahihiya ako tignan sila ng malapitan. They're loud and fun to be with.

The one with the charming smile is their vocalist. Ang kanilang drummers ay yung pinakamatangkad sa kanila. Ang bass guitarist naman nila is yung may mahabang buhok na natali sa likod. Their pianist that charming as well, and siya rin yung nag alok sa'kin ng juice incase hindi daw ako umiinom ng alak. And of course, my brother na electric guitarist na tumitingin sa'kin na nakangiti.

He was really happy, I can say.

I didn't remember their names, but they did introduce theirselves. Tatanongin ko nalang si Jae mamaya sa bahay.

I watch them performing, and I just can't help but be impressed by their performance. So worth it naman pala ang mga late na mga uwi ni Jae. Halos palayasin na 'yan ni Daddy sa bahay eh.

I'm close with my younger brother since childhood. Kumbaga sa bahay kami ang dalawa ang magkakampi, and we have an older sister-Zecka, hindi siya close sa'ming dalawa at hindi naman sa sinisiraan na'min si Ate Zecka, but she always make a reason para ka-iangat niya at ikakagalit ng parents namin sa amin ni Jae. Sa kaniya na nanggaling ang ganiyang reason. Well hindi naman ako nag tatanim ng sama ng loob, but I can't deny it. It makes me sad and hurt. I don't know the main root pero, both of us-Jaekwa, hoping na magiging maayos na kami.

After ng performance nila ay maraming pumalakpak, isa na ako doon. Tumingin uli si Jae sa akin at tinuro ako at napangiti naman ako doon.

"Ano? ayos ba?" tanong ng kapatid ko nang makababa sila.

"Galing niyo" nag thumbs up pa ako para maramdaman talaga nila na humanga ako sa performance nila kanina.

"Muntik ko na makalimutan yung chords ng chorus" nahihiyang sambit nung pianist nila kaya medyo tumawa yung mga ka-banda niya.

Tumingin ito sa'kin which is ikinagulat ko. Ngumiti naman ito kaya nginitian ko naman pabalik.

"Nako, Cael! Muntik ko na rin makalimutan yung chords nung verse 1" biro ng drummers nila kaya tumawa naman kami doon.

So Cael pala ang name ng pianist nila? Ba't ko ba nakalimutan yung mga name nila? Am I that forgetful?

Marami pa silang pinag usapan at may kunting inuman na gaganap pero hindi naman hard drinks yung iniinom nila atsaka control naman nila. At malalagot ako pag nalasing 'tong kapatid ko! pero sabi naman niya, hindi siya maglalasing.

"Feeling ko, 'te may gusto si Josh sa'yo, yung bass" bulong ni Jae sa'kin na humagikhik at kinikilig. Ngumiwi naman ako sa sinabi nito.

Mga bandang 12 am ay natapos naman sila at thankfully walang may nalasing sa kanilang lima, lalo na si Jae dahil ayaw ko talaga mapagalitan.

"Pano ba 'yan mauuna na rin kami?" sabi ni Jae sa mga ka-banda nito. Nag-paalam rin sila sa'kin at tanging ngiti at tango nalang talaga ang magagawa ko. Wala na talaga akong energy para pantayan yung mga energy nila.

"I'll just go to the bathroom, te. You can go inside the car first so that you can already rest." sambit ni Jae bago ito umalis.

I was about to go inside when...

"Zeh"

I don't know why, but every time na tinitignan ako nito or tinatawag-nagugulat ako. Maybe because we have this awkwardness? or am I intimidated?

Lumingon ako sa kaniya at nakita ko rin ang gulat sa kaniyang mata. Are we intimidated to each other?

"Naiwan mo yung airpads mo sa lamesa kanina" inabot niya ito kaya tinanggap ko naman.

"Ah! ehehe salamat! Nako! makakalimutin talaga ako. Salamat at pasensya na sa abala" ba't ako pinagpapawisan?

Gosh, Zeh! Go back to your senses!

"Alright! See you when I see you, Zeh"

I don't want to be in this kind of situation with you anymore. I don't like the awkwardness.

I hope not, Cael.