All Strings Attached

Chapter Nine: Entangled threads

We don't ever want to say goodbye...

Steve's voice carried the opening lines like silk—heartfelt and clear. June’s harmonies slid in perfectly, and then came Kian’s sharp rap—no fumbles, no cracks.

Damang-dama sa boses ni Kian at Steve ang unang linya. Sumunod si June, sakto ang pagpasok ng harmony niya, parang niyakap ng kanyang malambing na boses ang melody. Tapos dumating si Jean—ang sharp at on point ng rap niya, walang sabit, walang kapos. As expected to our leader.

At ako?

The second my cue hit, I became the version of Jairus that looked like he was born and belonged to this stage.

I rapped like I owned the story. I looked the crowd in the eye and smiled when I saw a couple in the front row swaying to the beat.

Every part of me screamed, Remember this! Because for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t performing to prove something—I was performing because I loved it.

And damn, that felt good.

“Congratulations, you’ve made it to the Top 5 group audition rankings! For your individual rankings inside the group, wait for the announcement at the school bulletin tomorrow."

The moment the results were announced, Jean exhaled sharply for the first time in hours. Steve actually whooped—loud enough to make June jump. Kian gave a half-smile, but he was obviously relieved. As for me?

“I told y’all!” I said, fist in the air. “Manifestation, baby!”

My knees almost gave out from relief.

(Celebration, Later That day)

Nag aya si Steve na mag celebrate, Siyempre dahil high spirited kaming lahat, game na game kaim. Sa 7-Eleven Parking Lot ay nagkita kita kami para bumili ng aming kakainin at iinumin.

We didn’t go anywhere fancy, napag usapang sa apartment na lang kami ni Steve pumunta tutal ay malapit lamang yon dito sa 7-Eleven. It was also just a few blocks away from campus.

Ngayon ay nakaupo kami sa sahig at nakapalibot sa lamesa, uminom ng  iced tea at nilalantakan ang dala dala kong siomai, fishball, kwek-kwek at mangga...at ilang mga chitcirya na dala ni Jean galing 7-eleven.

Maya maya pa, lumabas ang host at initiator ng small celebration namin. May nilabas siyang beer galing sa kanilang chiller.

“Tara, inom!.” His eyes were shining a bit too much for someone holding a bucket of cold beer.

“Yari gar, hindi kasi ako umiinom. Ice tea na lang ang tutungain ko.” Kian said, still munching on chips.

June brought his sketchpad, doodling everyone’s chibi faces with small stars. He handed me mine, and it had a little “Certified Rap Prince” crown.

“Wow, ikaw gumawa nito?”

“O-oo,” June mumbled, not meeting my eyes. “ A-actually, marami pa akong doodles mo. Fan mo kasi ako, simula noon pa.”

I blinked. “As in… before this band?”

June nodded.

Steve choked slightly on his drink.

“Ikaw…fan?” I asked, surprised. “Eh bakit nung band rehearsals natin kahapon, ba't wala kang sinabi?”

June finally looked at me, cheeks pink. “Kasi crush kitai—uh, I mean—”

Steve suddenly coughed again, louder.

I grinned, raising an eyebrow. “Crush lang?”

June turned into a tomato and buried his face in his knees.

Steve leaned back in the wall behind him, throwing an arm over my shoulder. “You really have that effect on people, huh?”

I looked at him. “Why? You jealous?”

“I’m territorial,” he replied, completely deadpan.

Hindi ko alam kung joke ba yun, hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ginagawa na naman to ng dibdib ko— This stupid skip thing again…Hindi naman ako kinakabahan pero bakit ganito?

Before I could respond, Kian suddenly said, “You’re used to attention, Jairus.”

That was random.

Jean chuckled softly beside him. “He thrives on it.”

That’s when something clicked in my brain.

I leaned forward. “Hmmm, teka lang. Kayo ha, masyado kayong in sync. Nag train ba kayo ng magkakasama before?”

Steve shifted while Kian and Jean looked at each other for a second.

Jean sighed. “Actually… galing kami sa parehong high school. All three of us.”

I gawked. “Seriously? Ikaw, si Kian at si…Steve?”

Steve shrugged. “Ako at si Jean ay galing sa iisang music club tapos si Kian ay varsity ng sepak takraw.”

Kian rested his chin on his hand. “Magkakaiba kami ng circle of friends at ng mga hilig pero... fate’s funny. Nagka krus ang aming mga landas at naging magto tropa”

June narrowed his eyes. “Okay. Spill. You all sound like you’re still hiding some tea.”

Jean hesitated but Kian didn’t.

“Matagal na kami,” Kian said quietly. “Jean and I. Six months.”

June’s jaw dropped and I nearly spit the beer.

Steve blinked, then quickly looked down.

“You and Jean… together-together?” I echoed. “As in…kayong dalawa?!”

Jean nodded, a bit shy. “We weren’t hiding it. Just… didn’t think it mattered during auditions.”

My brain whirred. Teka lang, So Steve had an unrequited history with Jean, tapos si Jean at Kian ay nag da date for 6 months, si June naman ay may crush sakin…then...I think I have some feelings for...Steve?

Nakatingin ako kay Steve na nakatingin pa rin hanggang ngayon kay Jean…His gaze lingered just a little too long…Yeah. That’s going to be a whole different story.

But for now, I laughed it all out.

Shit. Grabe, ang gulo gulo nito ah.

But despite the tangled threads, despite the nerves and surprises that uncovered, this night was still meant to be celebrated.

I looked around the table at all their faces. Somehow, someway… this messy, talented, emotionally confusing bunch of people became my closest people.

And tomorrow?

Tomorrow, we're gonna start chasing bigger dreams.

We will go up and reach the horizon.

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