The Chorus Part

CHAPTER 12 - Missing Piece

*Blake's POV*

"So, ano yung tinutugtog mo kanina bago ako dumating?" Tanong ko sakanya at umupo ako sa tabi nya.

"Umm.. I'm actually writing a new song." Sagot nya.

"Wow. Parang ang sarap pakinggan ng tune. I like it. Pero parang malungkot sya pakinggan." Sabi ko.

"I know, actually I usually write songs based on my situations, emotions, and my seasons." Sagot nya sakin.

"Aww, so malungkot ka ngayon?" Tanong ko sakanya.

"Haaayy...." Huminga sya ng malalim. "To be honest, yes. And to be honest, I don't know why. Ewan ko ba, parang ang gulo nalang lagi ng utak ko." Sabi nya sakin na parang naguguluhan talaga sya.

"Care to share? You know I'm a good listener." Humarap ako at sinabi ko sakanya.

Ngumiti sya.

"I know, thank you, pero, wag muna siguro ngayon. Maybe one of these days." Sagot nya sakin.

"I understand." Sagot ko sakanya ng nakangiti.

Ngumiti ulit sya.

"But just in case na ready ka na, I'm always here for you. Always." Sabi ko sakanya.

"Thanks." Sagot nya sakin na nakangiti.

She's smilling, but I can see that behind her smile is full of hiding tears, full of sadness. I feel her, I feel Jasmine's sadness. I really do. It's been like almost 2 years since I met her, and ever since I met her, ganun na talaga ang nakikita ko sakanya. It's like she's hiding something, she's in pain, and I'm actually dying to know what is the reason behind that. I'm dying to know.

"Have you ever felt like there's a missing piece in your life but you don't know what it is and you're really really just dying to know?" Bigla nyang natanong sa akin.

"Uhmm.. I'm not really sure what you mean? Umm... not exactly. No. I'm sorry." Sagot ko. Argg. I don't know what to answer.

"It's okay. Ahmm. Tara, magupisa na tayo sa guitar lessons mo." Sabi nya na nakangiti.

I don't know what to say. Pero hinayaan ko nalang sya sa gusto nyang gawin. I feel her. I really do. Sobrang pareho kaming dalawa. Hindi din ako open sa lahat ng nararamdaman ko. Sa buhay ko, sa feelings ko, sa emotions ko. Tahimik na tao lang ako. So is she. I don't even have a guts to tell my bestfriend that I'm courting someone for the very first time because.... because, just because that is so un-me. I mean hindi ako ganun. Hindi ako mahilig magkwento about sa sarili ko. I'm more like uhmm.. you know, a listener. And that's all. Yeah. I know. My life is pretty boring.

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*Stephen's POV*

I'm still wearing my shades to hide my identity sa public place. And I can't believe I'm with her again today. Yes, I loved her, I have loved Chloe Evangelista since High School, but she broke my heart. But what can I do? Even if I don't love her anymore, I have to give her a chance, or should I say, give myself a chance. I'm moving on. I'm letting go. The past is in the past. This is now. And I think, the only way to heal this broken heart, this heart that still in love with Abegail, is to fall in love with another girl.

That's why here we are right now, we're having a dinner, here at Luisita Mall, eating here on our favorite restaurant back when we we're together. And here she is again, talking, talking, and talking. About herself, about her makeup, about her talent, all about her.... as usual.

"Hey, Stephen!"

"Uhmm. What, I'm sorry?" Nagulat ako ng nainterrupt nya ang pakikipagusap ko sa sarili ko.

"I said, you don't have to wear your shades anymore kapag kasama mo ako sa campus, wala nang makakalapit sayo kapag kasama mo ako."

"Haha. You're right. But we're not on campus right now, nasa loob tayo ng mall." Sabi ko.

Actually, tama naman talaga sya. Terror naman kasi talaga itong si Chloe. She thinks she owns Tarlac State University. Well, di ko talaga alam kung bakit ko sya nagustuhan before. Well, maybe because whenever I'm with her, I feel like I'm special, like I'm important. It's true. Being with her, makes you feel special, because she is. What I just need to do now is to learn how to tame her. I mean make her a good girl. An angel.

Wait, I've done that before, kay Abegail. And now, I know na magagawa ko din yun kay Chloe. Tiwala lang.

"I'm happy that we're having dinner right now, dito sa favorite restaurant natin simula pa ng High school tayo." Sabi nya sakin ng nakangiti.

"Hehe. Yeah, me too. I'm happy." Sabi ko ng nakangiti. At sinubo ko ang paborito ko na chicken inasal.

"Just you, me, together. And I know the reason why you asked me to go with you on a date. Gusto mo na makipagbalikan sakin, right?" Nagulat ako sa tanong nya at nabulunan ako.

"Oh no, are you okay? Nagulat sya.

Ubo ako ng ubo ng malakas. Sobrang daming pagkain ang bumara sa lalamunan ko at di ako makahinga.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, wait, waiter, water please!!! Anyone?!!" Sumisigaw sya ng malakas. Nagpanic sya at napatingin sa amin lahat ng tao na nandun.

Nakita nya yung isang babae na kumakain din sa restaurant na umiinon ng tubig at hinila nya ito.

"Here, drink!" Hawak hawak nya ang baso at pinainom nya sakin.

At tinanggal nya ang shades ko para mas gumaan ang paghinga ko.

Pero may isang teenage girl na kumakain din sa restaurant na sumigaw.

"Oh my gosh!!! It's Stephen Bautista!!!

Waaahh!!

Sumigaw ang mga teenagers, at lumapit samin at nagpapicture.

"Wait, no!!!" Sigaw ni Chloe sa mga nagpapapicture sakin. Tinutulak nya ito isa isa pero walang nakikinig.

Oh, I think she forgot na wala sya sa loob ng TSU, she has no power sa sa lugar na ito.

So nakahanap ako ng space para nakalabas sa siksikan na tao. Quickly, I ran. I scaped.

And Chloe... yes, I left her.

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*Blake's POV*

So Jasmine and I are sitting on the grass, under the tree, here at L.A. (Lalam Acacia) she's teaching me how to play guitar. Pero sobrang pansin na pansin ko talaga ang lungkot sa kanyang mga mata. Salita lang sya ng salita about sa mga chords na hindi naman pumapasok sa utak ko. It's because di talaga ako mapalagay. Seeing her like that is like, man, c'mon, do something about it. Do something to make her happy. Yan lang ang nasasabi ko sa sarili ko.

"So, Blake, this is the G Sharp, okay?" Sabi nya sakin.

Di talaga ako mapalagay kaya tumayo ako bigla.

"Okay, that's it. Let's stop it already." I said.

Tumingala sya at tumingin sakin. Inalok ko sakanya ang kamay ko.

"I want us to do something, something, I don't know. Just trust me, and take my hand." Sabi ko sakanya.

At nakatingin lang sya sakin.