Steve's Perspective
I didn’t expect him to come back.
Most people don’t.
They always walk in, thinking I’m just some half-retired performer who might drop a golden quote and pat their head. But the moment I tell them they’re boring, they vanish—offended and fragile. Ha, they are crybabies.
But not this man—Not Jairus.
Sa eksaktong alas 3:58 ng hapon—Take note na dalawang minuto pa siyang maaga sa napag usapang calltime—Lumakad siya sa silid na parang ang lugar na ito ay ginawa para lamang sa kanya. Ipinamamalas nanaman niya ang confidence niya, bagay na ikinatutuwa ko. Kung mas confident ang tao, mas masarap durugin ang kanilang ego.
Hmm…Fitted t-shirt, joggers, guitar case na nakasabit sa kanyang likod…and that same smug, charming energy.
But his eyes? Focused.
Interesting…you're quite interesting
He set his things down without speaking. He just gave me a nod, like we’d done this a hundred times.
I leaned back on the windowsill, arms still crossed. “Are you sure your performance will hit me, or is it still boring like yesterday?”
He gave me a look, the corner of his lips quirked up. “You’ll be the judge.”
“Yes. Always am.”
Umupo siya sa sahig—sa tapat ko at inilabas ang gitara sa lalagyan nito.
He tuned it quickly, and without fanfare, began to sing. No warm-ups, no intro, just a voice—rawer than yesterday. And it was touched with something almost fragile.
[Strumming and singing Paumanhin By Shirebound]
Giliw, kung pahihintulutan mo ako Ipagkakatiwala ko sana sa'yo ang puso ko
Alamat lang ba ang pahinga ng dalawang puyat sa pira-pirasong mga bugtong, nagtatanong
Sagot ay 'di mahalaga, sapat na sa'king nariyan ka
Paumanhin, paumanhin, salat sa kasanayang linawin,
Giliw, kung pahihintulutan mo ako Ay 'papakilala ko sana sa'yo ang buong mundo
Shirebound. Pahintulot.
His performance was unexpectedly better than yesterday. It was soft, hopeful and broken in all the right places.
Balagtasan ng nagtatapatang makatang Maligalig ang mga tugma Limot na kung paano ang umasa—
His voice cracked at the end of the second verse.
Hmm, Perfect.
Giliw, kung pahihintulutan mo ako Ang aking hangganan ay ipapamalas ko sa'yo
Giliw, 'pinakikiusap ko sa'yo Sana'y pakaiingatan 'yang puso ko
I let him finish before clapping slowly.
“See?” I said. “I felt your voice a little, and that's good.”
He looked up at me, brushing hair from his eyes. “That’s the first compliment I’ve heard from you.”
I smirked. “Huwag kang masanay, dahil may kasunod pang mga insultong lalabas sa bibig ko.”
But truthfully? I was impressed. He listened to my advice. He dropped the theater-boy sparkle and gave me something real.
YOU ARE READING
All Strings Attached
FanfictionTo follow his dream to become a great performer, Jairus Klyde Dela Cruz approached his Junior/ Idol in performing-Steve Zairen Valerio, to be his mentor. The only thing is, there are rumors going around their campus that Steve 'supposedly' enjoys ma...
