Zephyr Strings

Kabanata 10

Watching him play on stage feels so nostalgic to me.

"Aking sinta, ikaw na ang tahanan at mundo
Sa pagbalik, mananatili na sa piling mo
Mundo'y magiging ikaw..."

It felt like my body was stroked by feathers when Casimir's cold and crispy voice echoed in every nook and cranny of the place. He closed his eyes as he continued to strum his guitar. I wanted to leave because I thought I couldn't handle this kind of feeling while watching him. But I am already rooted in my seat. 

He reminds me of someone. Someone talented I know in the past. His stance, the way he plucks the strings, and the way he holds his guitar. And now that he's singing, it gives me a tingling feeling I felt back then every time I watched Fadia on stage.

Pumalit si Comet kay Casimir. They exchanged their roles, and all I did was watch Casimir. I've never felt this much for a while. It's overwhelming, and I think it's dangerous. 

The difference in their voices was crystal clear. Comet has this raspy voice. It's rough and really banging. While Casimir has a crispy voice. Each word was pronounced crisply, and it was relaxing. 

"Limutin na ang mundo
Nang magkasama tayo
Sunod sa bawat galaw
Hindi na maliligaw..."

The harmony that Comet and Casimir created was nothing short of flawless and intense. The crowd began to sing the last line. Cohen was driving the rhythm home with powerful pounds. Suddenly, Casimir and Comet brought everything to a halt. The crowd fell silent, and the cold air closed in around me. I felt a rush of goosebumps as Conrad unleashed a drastic bass drop that shattered the stillness. People erupted into screams.

"They're so good..." manghang bulong ko sa sarili.

Halos lubayan ako ng sariling hininga nang kantahin ni Casimir sa isang malamig na boses ang huling linya habang malamig na nakatitig sa direksyon namin. I wanted to move, to make sure that he was looking at us. He looked away with furrowed brows.

Hmm... they are really good. I thought Comet was the only one among them who was gifted with a nice voice. But surprisingly, Casimir can sing exceptionally, too.

"Casimir can stand beside Comet, huh? I didn't know he was capable of singing." Pumangalumbaba si Grecia at nakangusong tumitig sa stage. 

I smirked. "I guess they're full of surprises?"

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if they'd turn big. I just think their band was created and meant to be big someday. Mas magugulat pa ako kung wala silang patutunguhan."

With talents and looks like that, I don't think they even have to lift a finger. Kahit siguro hindi sila magkakasama sa iisang banda, mararating pa rin nila ang gusto nilang marating.

Nakuha ng aking telepono ang atensyon ko nang umilaw iyon. Dinapuan ako ng kaba nang makita ang pangalan ni Nanay Rona. I glanced at Grecia before taking my purse and phone on the table. Tumayo ako. 

"Where are you going? Hindi pa sila tapos." Biglang tumuwid si Grecia. 

"I have to go. May gagawin pa ako at..." I showed her my phone.

Ngumuso siya. "Okay. See you tomorrow, then. Text me kapag nakauwi ka na. I'll wait for them here na lang." 

I nodded and kissed her on the cheek. Halos takbuhin ko ang daan patungong parking lot. Natigil na lang ang tawag ni Nanay Rona ay hindi pa rin ako nakakalabas dahil sa mga kakilalang humarang sa akin. 

Hindi ko na sila mangitian nang maayos. Nang muling tumawag si Nanay Rona, hindi ko na pinansin ang iba at dire-diretso ang lakad palabas. I gasped as I embraced the cold breeze in the parking lot.