THUNDER
After getting home sa pagsundo kay Mira ay dumeretso na ako agad sa kwarto ko at nahiga sa kama ko para magpahinga. Kakapikit ko pa lang ng mga mata ko ng kumatok si Mira sa pintuan ko?
"Kuya?" malambing na tawag nito sa akin ng buksan n'ya yung pintuan at pumasok s'ya.
Nilingon ko s'ya at agad naman itong umupo sa kama ko at hinawakan yung kamay ko.
"Kuya, sorry na kanina. Hindi ko naman sinasadya banggitin yun ehh." she shook my hand at nagpacute pa ito sa akin.
It was always the same effect, basta banggitin lang ni Mira ang pangalan n'ya, natatahimik na lamang ako bigla, nagbabago ang mood ko.
Hindi ko pa rin ba s'ya nakakalimutan?
Halos dalawang taon na din ang nakakalipas ng mawala s'ya. Ng iwan n'ya akong mag-isa ng biglaan.
"Pero kuya." she stopped shaking my hand at tiningnan n'ya ako sa mata bago ako binigyan ng isang ngiti.
Umayos ito sa pagkaka-upo n'ya kaya naman napabangon na din ako sa pagkakahiga ko sa kama.
"Bakit hindi mo subukan?" tanong n'ya, and I saw concern in her eyes
"Mira, alam mo na ang isasagot ko d'yan." eto na naman kaming dalawa, magtatalo na naman tungkol sa bagay na ito.
"Na ano? Na baka iwan ka lang din n'ya? Alam mo kuya, naduduwag ka lang. You still don't know who ate Kami is." sabi n'ya sa akin at sumimangot.
"Mira..." I tried to stop her pero mas nagpumilit ito.
"Kuya, subukan mo lang naman kilalanin si ate Kami. There's nothing wrong with it, just get to know her and it's up to you kung ano na ang mangyayari." sabi n'ya.
"Mira, alam mo naman na nangako ako kay Bel di ba?" paliwanag ko sa kanya but she snorted at me.
"Nangako ka na hindi mo s'ya papalitan hangga't hindi ka pa talaga nakakakilala ng taong papalit sa kanya. Di ba? So how on earth will you find someone better than her when you won't even try getting to know someone else?"
Hindi ako nakaimik. She has a point, but it's still too painful to try and move on.
"Kung nasaan man si ate Bel ngayon, sigurado akong nalulungkot s'ya kasi hanggang ngayon hindi mo pa rin binubuksan ang puso mo para muling magmahal."
I looked at her and she flashed me a look of concern.
"Ate Belinda is not selfish, kuya. I know she wants you to be happy, lalo na ngayon na halos dalawang taon na s'yang wala, and you're still living in the past." tapos natawa s'ya bigla which made me frown.
"Bakit ka tumatawa?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Nothing, I just thought na kapag sinaktan ka ni ate Kami, she might haunt her." at natawa na naman s'ya, pero bigla din s'yang sumeryoso, "But I know ate Kami, she's not that type of person..." sabi nito, a smile lingering on her lips, "She's sweet, caring, kind, and she loves music, like you."
Napakurap lang ako sa lahat ng sinabi n'ya, tinitimbang ko kung magiging okay ba o hindi ang suggestion n'ya para sa akin.
I've been hurt and broken, sinubukan kong mag-move on pero mahirap, lalo na at biglaan ang pag-iwan n'ya sa akin noon.
I sighed at napapikit na lang ako bago ko hinilot ang noo ko.
"Alright, alright. I'll try and get to know her, happy now?"
Ngumisi s'ya sa akin, halos mapunit nga mukha n'ya sa sobrang pagngiti. Yung tipong kulang na lang na magtatalon s'ya ngayon sa kama ko.
"You won't regret it kuya! Promise!"
Ang gagawin ko lang naman ay ang kilalanin s'ya, siguro naman ay walang mawawala sa akin kapag ginawa ko iyon.
Her face suddenly flashed in my mind, the way her eyes widened in shock, her perfectly sculpted nose, her smooth white skin, her pink lips.
"Ah, by the way kuya. Are you free tomorrow?" agad namang nabaling ang atensyon ko sa kapatid ko na kaharap ko pa din pala hanggang ngayon, why was I thinking about her all of a sudden?
"Bakit?" tanong ko sa kanya
"May pasok kasi ako bukas eh." she reasoned out
"Huh? Sabado bukas di ba?" tanong ko sa kanya at tumango s'ya, bakit may pasok s'ya ng sabado?
"May practice lang kami bukas." sagot naman n'ya sa akin
"Practice?"
"BASS. May gagawin ka ba bukas kuya?"
"Wala naman. Sa hapon pa yung practice namin." sagot ko sa kanya at tumango s'ya sa akin
"Can you come with me sa school? It's the perfect chance to start the KNOWING KAMI Mission." at kinindatan pa ako nito, "You can come to the practice so you can hear her sing, she's one of our best singers."
Best singer? She sings?
As I can see it in my sister, she really admire her. I think she's treating her really well para maging ganito ka-attached si Mira sa kanya, and for her to idolize her.
"She's really good in singing, kuya. yun nga lang, may mga seniors na insecured sa talent n'ya at sinasabi na hindi s'ya magaling. When in fact, she was the reason why our club won before. She's our soloist."
Her eyes were twinkling while she's talking about her, no doubt my sister really really likes her. If she would be her sister-in-law, siguro ay magiging sobrang saya nito.
Wait, sister-in-law? Why am I thinking of marriage right now?
Siguro ay hindi ko lang maiwasan na matuwa dahil sa reaksyon ng kapatid ko, she seems so happy when she's talking about her.
I sighed, "Alright, sasama na ako sa practice mo, but I have to go in the afternoon."
"Thanks kuya!" she hugged and kissed my cheeks, "I love you! Don't worry, siguro before lunch, tapos na practice namin." and then she let go of me.
- ∞ - ∞ - ∞ - ∞ -
I went downstairs para magbreakfast and when I arrived at the dinning area ay nandun na at naka-upo sa upuan nila si ate Janna at si Mira. Kitang kita ang excitement sa mukha ni Mira habang kumakain ito at nakatingin sa akin.
"Oh, Xander, maupo ka na at kumain ng almusal." nakangiting sabi sa akin ni mama kaya umupo na ako sa upuan ko.
"Ihahatid mo ba si Mira sa school n'ya ngayon?" tanong ni ate Janna sa akin bago sumubo
"Ahh, oo ate." kumuha ako ng isang piraso ng tinapay at tsaka iyong kinagat habang nagsasalin ako ng gatas sa baso ko.
"Himala ata." kumunot ang noo ko at tiningnan s'ya
"Kuya, wag kang magdidisguise ha." bilin ni Mira kaya napunta sa kanya ang atensyon ko.
"Bakit naman?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
"Basta, and besides it's a saturday kaya kokonti lang din naman ang tao sa school." sabi n'ya.
I squinted my eyes on her, I know she's planning something again. I just let her be, she seems excited with her idea.
After naming kumain ni Mira ng almusal ay agad na kaming umalis, katulad ng bilin n'ya, hindi nga ako nagdisguise. And beside, magdradrive naman ako kaya okay lang na hindi na ako mag-disguise.
"Why did you ask me to come?" tanong ko kay Mira habang nagdradrive ako.
"I told you, it's the perfect chance for you to meet ate Kami." Sabi nito sa akin.
I sighed at her, "Well at least give me some information about her." Sabi ko dito, I still don't get it why she needs me to come with her. "Let's start by telling me her real name." sabi ko dito.
"Hmm, she's Gianina Kaminari Miabella Shin, pure blooded Korean, bunso sa tatlong magkakapatid. Hmm, ano pa ba?" sabi nito at tinap n'ya yung baba n'ya at nag-isip, "Ah, like I said, she's our soloist, matalino din s'ya." Sabi ng kapatid ko.
That was enough information for now. I sighed, pinagbibigyan ko lang ang kapatid ko para hindi na n'ya ako kulitin pa.
Dumating na kami ni Mira sa school nila at tulad nga ng sabi nito ay kokonti lang ang tao sa school nila. Kaya malaya akong makakagala dito ng walang pangamba.
Nagsimula kaming maglakad papunta sa isang building, may pagkasinauna ang itsura ng building na iyon. Pumasok kami doon at umakyat sa second floor at tsaka tumigil sa isang pintuan. May bubog ang pintuan nito para makita ang nasa loob nito.
Sumilip ako at nakita ko yung mga tao na nandun, may mga nag-uusap usap, may nagbabasa ng kung ano mang nandun sa papel na siguro ay lyrics, may mga nagprapractice namang ng grupo.
"Sandali lang kuya ha." Paalam nito sa akin at tsaka binuksan yung pintuan.
She was about to enter ng may biglang nagsalita.
"Can we just let her play the piano?" babae ang nagsalita. Sumilip akong muli mula sa bubog ng pintuan at nakita ko ang isang babae na matangkad, naka crop top at shorts, at puno ang mukha ng make-up, "She's better at that, not in singing, sinisira lang n'ya yung kanta eh."
"You got that right Lindsay." Sabi namang nung isa pang babae na nasa likuran nung Lindsay?
"You might regret what you're saying." Nakita ko si Jica na tumayo at lumapit kay Lindsay.
"I won't regret it, because it's the truth." mataray na sabi nung Lindsay.
"Alright... Why don't we try?" hamon ni Jica sa kanya.
"I'm pretty sure mapapahiya ka lang." she smirked at her and crossed her arms across her chest.
"Jics, wag na. It's a waste of time, magpractice na lang tayo." sabi ni Kami sa kanya at hinawakan ang braso nito. Nakatalikod ito kina Lindsay pero kita ko ang seryoso nitong mukha.
"Backing out? Coward."
I saw Kami bit her lips, she's trying to calm herself. She was looking down at rhe floor, hinahayaan n'ya na lang sila na sabihin ang mga gusto nila.
How can she do that? Calm herself and ignore others?
"Kami is our soloist, and what are you? Just a back up singer." hamin pa lalo ni Jica, "What if Kami tries to sing a self composed song?" Jica then smirked.
"Ay! I want to hear it too ate Kami!" sabi nung kasama nila kahapon.
"Wait, it's not yet perfect." sabi naman ni Kami at binigyan n'ya ng awkward na ngiti ang mga kaibigan n'ya.
"It's okay ate, alam namin kaya mo para i-pull off yung kanta." pag-aasure pa na isa din sa kasama nila kahapon.
She looked at them before looking at Jica. She gave her a smile at tinapik nito ang balikat ni Kami.
"Show them who's the soloist is." sabi naman ni Jica dito.
I look at her and she seems so worried, parang ayaw talaga nitong gawin ang gusto ng mga kaibigan.
"She's always like that kuya." biglang nagsalita si Mira, "She wants to stay humble as she can." she then sighed, "Wait lang kuya ha, I'll be going inside. Wait for me here." pumasok si Mira sa loob pero hinayaan na bukas ng bahagya ang pintuan.
MIRA
Pumasok ako sa loob ng music room at halos lahat sila ay napunta ang atensyon sa akin. Sumulyap ako kay kuya sandali at tsaka nagalakad palapit kina ate Kami.
"Ate Kami." I called her and she smiled at me. Ang bait talaga n'ya, and she's extra beautiful today.
Don't get me wrong, she has always been beautiful, pero iba yung aura n'ya today. And I'm hoping it was because of what happened yesterday. Dahil sana ito sa kuya ko, because if that's the case, I'd be the happiest person on earth.
"Ano na Kami? Time's running out." reklamo naman ni Lindsay, "Still not going to sing?"
I sighed. Lindsay is one of our senior members. She can't accept the fact na nakuha ni ate Kami ang pagiging soloist ng club na 'to, kahit na matagal na s'ya dito at bago lang si ate Kami. I heard that ate Kami joined BASS when she was 2nd year habang 1st year pa lang si Lindsay ay kasali na s'ya dito.
Another reason she hates ate Kami is because I'm pretty sure she's insecure with her, not only is she beautiful, she's also smart and talented. Hindi nawawala si ate Kami sa Top 10 ng klase nila, and she's also a Dean's Lister up until now. Eh yun ba naman na kahit free time, libro n'ya ang kadate n'ya. But not only that, I heard from my friends na yung crush ni Lindsay, si ate Kami yung gusto.
So ayun, malakintalaga yung galit ni Lindsay kay ate Kami. Hindi na lang pinapatulan ni ate kasi nga mabait ito at hinahayaan na lang.
But I think they reached ate Jica's limit. Hinamon na sila ni ate Jica which is never nangyari before.
"Anong nangyayari?" I pretended not to know anything.
"Ate Jica is asking ate Kami to sing her song for us." sagot ni Chloe sa akin
I looked at ate Kami at hinawakan ang kamay n'ya, if this works, then they're really a perfect match.
"Really? I want to hear the song too, ate Kami. Please sing for us." pagpipilit ko sa kanya, with matching puppy eyes na lagi kong ginagamit kay kuya sa tuwing kinukulit ko s'ya para pagbigyan ako.
Tiningnan ako ni ate Kami and she blinked several times before she sighed and pat my head.
"Alright, alright. I'll sing it. But like I said, it's not yet complete." sabi n'ya sa akin and she gave me an unsure smile.
Halos kuminang ang mata ko sa sagot n'ya, it worked. OMG, perfect talaga sila ni kuya. Hindi kasi ako matiis ni kuya kapag ginawa ko na ang move na yun.
I looked by the door at nakatinginan kami ni kuya, wala pa ding nakakapansin sa kanya.
Bringing kuya here is a good idea, nobody in this room, well except for my friends, ang nakaka-alam na kapatid ko si Xander ng Music Boys. Pwede kong gamitin si kuya para mapakita sa kanila kung sino ang pwedeng mabingwit nitong si ate Kami.
Ate Kami then went to the piano at umupo doon, she took the guitar standing nearby at she started to tune them out before sighing.
"Kaya mo yan ate Kami." She looked at me and then she smiled before nodding at me.
She breathe in deeply once more before starting to play the guitar.
I took a glimpse by the door at nakita ko naman si kuya nakasilip dun sa bubog ng pintuan, the door was slightly open kaya naman alam ko na maririnig ni kuya yung pagkanta ni ate Kami.
Naramdaman n'ya siguro na nakatingin ako kaya naman lumingon ito sa akin at nagtama ang mga mata namin. I smiled at him bago ko tiningnan si ate Kami.
🎤 Everybody needs inspiration
🎤Everybody needs a song
🎤A beautiful melody
🎤When the nights are so long
🎤'cause there is no guarantee
🎤That this life is easy
🎤Yea when my world is falling apart
🎤When there's no light
🎤To break up the dark
🎤That's when I
🎤I look at you
THUNDER
She made this song? She's quite talented katulad ng sabi ng kapatid ko. And her voice, it was soothing and very relaxing.
🎤When the waves are flooding the shore
🎤And I can't find my way home any more
🎤That's when I
🎤I look at you
🎤When I look at you
🎤I see forgiveness
🎤I see the truth
🎤You love me for who I am
🎤Like the stars hold the moon
🎤Right there where they belong
🎤And I know I'm not alone
🎤Yeah when my world is falling apart
🎤When there's no light
🎤To break up the dark
🎤That's when I
🎤I look at you
🎤When the waves are flooding the shore
🎤And I can't find my way home any more
🎤That's when I
🎤I look at you
She might have that relaxing voice, but it is also powerful. No wonder she is their soloist, she was really good, and there's no doubt about that... But something was missing.
🎤You appear just like a dream to me
🎤Just like kaleidoscope colors that cover me
🎤All I need
🎤Every breath that I breathe
🎤Don't you know you're beautiful
🎤Yeah yeah
🎤When the waves are flooding the shore
🎤And I can't find my way home any more
🎤That's when I
🎤I look at you
🎤I look at you
🎤Yeah
🎤Whoa-oh
🎤You appear just like a dream to me ♪♫
Something was missing while she was singing. She finsihed her song at ibinaba n'ya yung gitara sa stand nito.
I looked at her and I knew immediately that she knew what she was lacking. She bit her lower lip before closing her eyes. She seemed upset.
In a normal person listening to the song, masasabi mo na maganda ang pagkakakanta n'ya, it was perfect for them. Pero sa mga katulad namin na buhay ang musika, alam namin na may kulang.
So that's why she said it's not yet complete...
She needs the perfect emotion for the song... Love.
Tiningnan ko yung Lindsay, and she seems to be pissed sa nangyari. She was too insecure to admit that Kami was really good in singing, well it's in her face, you can see it clearly.
Nagsimulang magpalakpakan ang mga kasama ni Kami and she gave them a small smile before she sighed.
Tumingin nanaman sa akin si Mira at mukhang may nakapansin naman sa kanya na laging tumitingin sa pintuan kaya napatingin din sila sa pintuan.
"OH MY! XANDER?!" I blinked ng halos lahat sila ay nakatingin sa may pintuan.
Shit.
Lumapit naman si Mira sa pintuan at tsaka iyon binuksan ng ayos, senyales na pinapapasok n'ya ako.
"You're the great Xander of Music Boys di ba po?!" nagulat ako sa ikinilos ng kapatid ko na dahilan ng pagkunot ng noo ko.
I eyed her and she looked back at the people inside, "Kuya, no one knows you're my brother." Bulong nito sa akin.
"Then why are you asking me to go inside." I said through gritted teeth habang nakangiti sa kanya.
"Because of ate Kami. I told you, this is the perfect chance." Bulong nito, "Sino pong binibisita n'yo dito?" bigla n'yang tanong, "Pasok po kayo." Sabi pa nito and she eyed me na pumasok ako or else.
Double shit.
So this is her plan, ang ipitin ako sa ganitong sitwasyon.
Why is she my sister again?
I looked around, they were all waiting for my answer. The others were starstrucked while the others were being giddy. I sighed dahil wala naman akong kakilala dito, hindi ko naman kilala yung mga kaibigan ni Mira para sabihin na sila yung binibisita ko. I looked at Jica and she tilted her head towards her left tapos may tiningnan ito, kaya naman lumingon ako sa kanan ko dahil kaharap ko s'ya.
Our eyes immediately met, and I saw that she was really surprised to see me.
I smirked as an idea came into my mind. I turned and start to walk in to her direction.
She stood up as a reaction, nakatinigin lang s'ya sa akin habang nakatitig ako sa kanya at patuloy ako sa paglalakad palapit sa kanya.
"Who I was visiting?" I smiled widely as I check her out.
She was wearing a floral printed dress, she was in a white shoes and her hair was in a half tie, some of her hair was in her face, blocking the beautiful view. Unlike Lindsay, she was very simple, wala s'yang make-up.
Beautiful
What should I call her then? She has a long name kaya kailangan kong mag-isip ng itatawag sa kanya, it seems like her friends call her Kami. But I need something special, something that would surprise everyone.
Ng makalapit ako sa kanya ay inakbayan ko s'ya, I turned to face her catching her eyes staring straight into mine.
"Si Mia..." I smiled at her, "Si Mia ang binibisita ko."
Her eyes widened, "What the? Mia?" hindi nito makapaniwalang sabi.
Halos mapanganga ang mga tao sa loob, including Mia. Yeah, that's nice, I like calling her Mia.
I smiled at them at ramdam ko ang pagtitig sa akin ni Mia kaya nilingon ko ulit s'ya.
And again, her face was dangerously close to mine. And I don't know why, I'm so tempted to kiss her right.
What the hell?! Kahit ako ay napakurap ako sa naisip ko.
I immediately averted my gaze at nagtama naman agad ang mga mata namin ni Mira.
"Ask her for a date..." she mouthed, kumunot pa ang noo ko dahil sinubukan kong intindihin ang sinabi n'ya.
Date?
I looked again at Mia and she looked down, hinawakan n'ya ang kamay ko para tanggalin sana but I took the chance and held hers instead dahilan para mapatingin ulit s'ya sa akin.
"I hope you haven't forgotten about our date." Sabi ko sa kanya.
"Date?!" nagulat na sabi nilang lahat.
I looked at them innocently, "Why? Is it wrong to date my girlfriend?" I asked and tilted my head.
Triple shit.
"Girlfriend?!"
I'm in deep shit. Bahala na.