And Still We Met

Prologue

The music was already playing when we got there. I could hear the bass from the parking lot.

"Grabe girl," Mavi complained beside me. "Ang dami ng tao!"

I laughed as we walked toward the venue. This is the heart of this small and lively town. Ang Plaza. Mabibingi ka sa tilian at manlalagkit sa init ng singaw na pinaghalong pawis at sigawan sa loob ng gym. It had been years since I'd been back.

Not just to this place.

But to this version of my life.

The streets looked almost the same but somehow everything felt smaller now. The stores I'd remembered as a teenager were still there. The old convenience store on the corner. The little eatery where we'd sometimes stay after org meetings.

Even the road looked familiar. Ginigiba pa rin kahit maayos pa naman.

Maybe I was the one who had changed.

Or maybe six years was just a really long time.

We found our seats just as the opening act was finishing. I think I'm too old for mini concerts. Para akong tita na naiingayan sa mga dalaga at binata kahit ganoon din naman yata kami n'ong ganiyang edad.

Then the lights dimmed.

The crowd screamed.

And when the first notes started playing, I smiled.

"They really made it," Mavi whispered.

I nodded.

They did.

The band that used to practice in somebody's garage, during festivals and even on funeral wakes had somehow become big enough to have their own provincial concerts.

I watched the stage, trying to recognize the boys I remembered from years ago.

Some were older.

Some looked completely different.

One of them still had the same ridiculous smile.

I laughed.

"Wait," Mavi said.

"What?"

She looked at the stage again.

"Nasaan si Jordan?"

My smile disappeared.

I looked at the drummer.

Then at the other members.

Then back at the drummer.

He wasn't there. Iba na yung drummer?

I hadn't realized I was looking for him until Mavi said his name.

"Maybe he's backstage?" I said.

She shook her head.

"Oh no, I checked their posts. He isn't part of the band anymore."

I stared at her.

"You knew that?"

"Hindi ah, I thought you knew. Iisipin ko pang kaya siguro pumayag kang lumuwas at panoorin sila finally."

I looked back at the stage.

The music continued.

People around us were singing along.

But suddenly, I wasn't really listening anymore.

Jordan had always been there.

At least, that's how I remembered him.