Broken Strings

IV

"Gwapo talaga ni Aki! Bebe ko 'yan!"

We're here at Tate's dahil nagp-practice ang Narcissus minus me sa darating na Christmas Party ng school. They will play, supposedly with me but my parents didn't let me. Ngayon ay taga-panuod lang ako ng practice nila at sumama sa akin si Camz.

"Bakit hindi ka sumama sa amin ng pa-sikreto?" Tanong ni Aki sa akin during their water break.

"My parents said no nga diba." I tried to hide the kilig.

"Will they be there? Manonood ba sila?" tanong ulit niya.

"Unfortunately, yes." I smiled bitterly and he patted me at my back.

"I saw that!!! I saw what you guys did!!! Pero JRoa!" sabi ni Camz pagkabalik niya.

"Huh? JRoa?" nalilito kong tanong.

"He patted you in your back pero JRoa lang sakin. Means oks lang!" tumawa pa si Camz.

"Hay nako Camz. Baliw ka na."

Alam ko naman na the only reason kung bakit siya lumalapit sa akin is because of Aki. She likes Aki since elementary. And I think Aki likes her too. Pero ang alam sa room ay Aki likes me. Hays gano'n. Magulo.

"Ang gwapo gwapo talaga ni Akio!!!!" malakas na sigaw ni Camz nang umakyat ang Narcissus sa stage. Tonight is our overnight Christmas Party at ngayon din tutugtog ang Narcissus. Sina mama at papa ay nasa part kung saan nando'n ang karamihan na parents pero they will go home naman na mamaya before 12 midnight. But at the mean time, they're here and I can feel their gazes on me.

"Go Narcissus! Go Akio!!!" malakas na sigaw ni Camz sa tabi ko.

Sigaw siya nang sigaw how handsome Aki is, which is 101% true. He looks handsome with a school uniform, with corporate attire, with street wear, lalong lalo na when he's holding a pair of drum sticks. And what more when he play? He's very passionate of this Narcissus thing. He really wants this. Also Thijs, Reg and Nick. I can't let their dream just go away because of me. It'll break my heart.

Pagkatapos nila tumugtog ay nawala na ang attention ng section namin sa iba pang nagperform. Nakipag-high five ako kay Thijs, Reg and Nick.

"Congrats guys! Ang galing niyo." Sabi ko sa kanila. Hinanap ng mga mata ko si Aki. Nakita ko siya with Camz. They're taking a picture. Or should I say, pictures.

Binalik ko na ang attention ko sa kausap ko.

"Thanks, Iya pero we could've done better if you're there." Sabi ni Nick.

"But you're already the best, guys." Sabi ko.

"Edi we could be bester." Banat naman ni Reg.

"Sorry talaga I wasn't able to perform with you." Sabi ko at tumingin sa direksyon nila mama.

"We understand." Nick patted me on my back.

"Pagkatapos ng party na 'to ay magiging medyo kilala na tayo bago mag Battle of the Bands." Nagulat kami sa biglaang pagsulpot ni Aki sa likod ko.

"How are you so sure ha?" Sabi ni Nick.

Lumapit siya sa amin at may ibinulong, "Camz, basic."

"So I heard the news right pala. Narcissus is complete na! After how many years? Five?" Sabi ni Camz at napatingin sa akin.

Tumango ako.

"Well welcome back, the ever obedient daughter, Zariyah! Ba't ka pa bumalik?" Umupo siya sa tabi ni Aki. Napatingin ako. Nag-iwas ng tingin si Aki.

"I mean, ba't ka bumalik? What made you come back?" Nanunuyang tanong ni Camz.

"Because this is where I belong. Narcissus is my home." Nakangiti kong sagot.

Pumalakpak siya at tumawa tawa, "recognition." Sabi niya.

"Pero sana man lang sinabi mo sa akin, 'di ba, Zariyah? Or you, Nick. You're the leader of this band! And I'm the manager! Hindi ko man lang alam na lima na pala ulit kayo?" Tumaas ang boses ni Camz.

"Camila." Sabi ni Aki at hinaplos haplos niya ang braso ni Camz para pakalmahin ito.

My stupid tears are coming out of its cage again. I hate this. I hate being weak, but this is who I am. So I guess I have to bare with it for lifetime.