When I Chase (When #1)

Chapter Four

Nang matapos sa food binge game namin ay umuwi na ako para makaligo at makapagbihis para sa gig ko ngayong gabi. My friends will be there like always. Naging habit na nila ang pagtambay sa Harlow tuwing Saturday night para panuorin ang gig ko.

I brought my guitar with me. Hindi na ako nagpasundo pa kay Noelle kagaya nung huling gig dahil hindi na binawi sa akin ni Logan ang kotse.

Alam niya ang tungkol sa schedule ko tuwing Saturday nights kaya hindi na siya nagtanong pa nang umalis ako.

Harlow was already packed with people when I reached the place. Nandoon na rin ang grupo sa usual table nila. Nang magsimula na ang set ko ay nakalimutan ko ang tungkol sa lahat-lahat.

Music does this to me. Kapag tumutugtog ako at kumakanta ay nawawala ang lahat. It's only just me and music.

My heart races every time I sing, but it also calms me too. It's common for people to think that people like me sings because I can relate to every lyric. And I do, sometimes, but it's not just a certain lyric. It's every song that I sing. Kahit na hindi nangyari sa akin, sa tuwing kumakanta ako ay pakiramdam ko naranasan ko na iyon.

Nang matapos ko sa pang-lima kong kanta ay iminulat ko ang mga mata ko. Malakas na napasinghap ako nang makita ko ang pamilyar na lalaki mula sa entrance. The microphone caught that gasp which blasted in the speakers.

"Uhhh. Sorry. I'll be back in a minute." tumayo ako mula sa stool at ibinaba ang gitara sa stand sa gilid ng stage.

Hindi ko na tiningnan pa ang reaksyon ng mga tao sa ginawa ko. I don't need to look at my friends' table to be aware of their questioning looks. I just headed straight to Harlow's main door. I found myself unconsciously grinning as I approached him.

"You're here!" I sounded too happy. Buti na lang at saktong may tumugtog na music sa speakers kaya kahit papaano ay natakpan ang saya sa boses ko.

"You left." simpleng sagot nito. My stomach quivered at the sound of his voice. It wasn't the alcohol that night. His voice really do sounded yummy.

Hindi ako nakasagot agad sa kanya at napatitig sa gwapong mukha niya. My memory didn't do justice at how handsome he is. He looked like a fine piece of art. The expensive kind. The kind that makes you want to stare and never leave at your spot.

I blinked a few times when I realized that I was staring too much. I cleared my throat. "W-Wala ka na kasi doon kaya umalis na lang ako."

"It's because I bought you something to eat and some medicine. I should have left a note." paliwanag nito sa akin. I thanked for the dim light because I think I blushed at the idea of him making an effort like that.

"Uhh... Anong ginagawa mo dito? You with your friends?" tumingin ako sa likuran niya pero wala naman akong nakita na tao mula doon.

"Oh." he slipped his hand inside the pocket of his jeans. Pinanuod ko iyon at bumagsak ang panga sa sahig nang iangat niya ang kamay niya at ipinakita sa akin ang hawak-hawak.

"My necklace!" masayang sambit ko. Inabot ko iyon mula sa kanya at halos mangiyak nang mahawakan ko ulit iyon.

I gripped on it tight and pressed my fist against my chest. My eyes closed as I held my breath. I sighed at the feeling of the pendant against me.

"I found it in my car. The clasp got broken but I had it fixed." I heard him explain but I couldn't think about anything but how relieved I was.

I am so, so glad. I wanted to do something but I wasn't sure what, exactly. Pakiramdam ko ay kumpleto na ulit ako ngayong nasa akin na ulit ang kwintas.

I opened my eyes before I could even get too emotional and smiled widely at the guy in front of me.

"Thank you so much. Thank you." I said, out of breath from too much happiness. "Thank you, Grant—if that's even your name."

Sumimangot siya sa sinabi ko. He looked at him like I've insulted him somehow. "It is."

"Oh." ibinaba ko ang kamay ko pero mahigpit pa rin ang hawak sa kwintas. "Pumunta kasi ako ulit sa condo unit mo para hanapin ang kwintas, but the staff said the owner was Zion Alexander Serrano."

"Zion is my friend. It's his unit, that's why." tipid na sagot niya. Kumunot naman ang noo ko. I wanted to ask him why he brought me to his friend's place. Bakit hindi na lang sa kanya? Napanguso ako sa naisip. Why does it matter, Fall? I mentally rolled my eyes.

"Are you staying?" tanong ko. Hindi sumagot si Grant sa tanong. Napakagat ako sa labi ko. I know I should have stopped talking but I couldn't seem to shut my mouth. "Last set ko na kaya matatapos na din ako. Will you stay?"

Tumingin si Grant sa wristwatch niya. He sighed and then looked at me before nodding. Napangiti ako doon. "Great!" wala sa isip na hinatak ko ang pulso niya at hinila para makahanap ng table para sa kanya. I don't want to bring him to my friends. They're too nosy. Baka lang mainis si Grant sa kanila. He doesn't seem like the friendly type and my friends are way too friendly.

"Stay here. Okay?" nahuli ko ang pag-alis ng mga mata ni Grant sa kamay kong nakahawak sa kanya. Nakita ko rin ang simangot sa mukha niya habang tinitingnan iyon, kaya ko na agad ang kamay ko bago niya pa ako maunahan.

I clasped my necklace around ny neck, brushing my fingers on the pendant before proceeding to the stage for my last song. I picked up my guitar and sat on the stool. May ngiti sa labi ko nang tumingin ako sa table kung saan nandoon si Grant. He was watching me with his intimidating eyes again.

Tinapik ko ang gitara ko at nagsimula nang kalabitin ang strings para makagawa ng tunog mula doon.

When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

Nanatili ang mga mata sa akin ni Grant. Ganoon rin naman ako sa kanya. His face was void of any emotion. I locked my eyes on him as I continued singing.

When the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

I saw the change in his eyes. Katulad ng dati ay tumagos na ang tingin niya sa akin habang ikinakanta ko ang bawat salita. His jaws were clenched. I watched him as I saw the pain that he was trying so hard to conceal. My heart squeezed again, just like the last time. I'm hurting for him and I couldn't stand seeing him like this, so I closed my eyes.

Hindi ko idinilat ang mga mata ko buong kanta. I kept it closed, refusing to look at him and his pained expression. I knew he was thinking about that same person. Kagaya nung unang beses na nakita ko siya.

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
I will try to fix you

I finished the song and opened my eyes. Pumalakpak ang lahat ng tao nang matapos ako. I smiled at them and then my eyes searched for him next. Tumingin ako sa table kung saan ko siya iniwan ngunit wala na siya doon.