Wendy's Pov
Napabuntong hininga ako ng makita ang sari-saring pagkain na nakalatag sa harapan namin. We've been practicing for hours now, and honestly I enjoyed every minute of our play.
Hindi lang dahil sabay ko ng kumakanta si Rad, but because of the companion of the music. Na masaya pala talaga kapag nabubuhos mo 'yung emosyon mo sa pamamagitan ng pagkanta.
"Sigurado kayo na ayos na 'tong hinanda ko para sa inyo?" The lady on her mid-fourties said.
Ngayon ay nasa loob na kami ng kanilang dining area. It's already past 12 kaya napagpasyahan naming magpahinga muna at kumain. After our several attempts, all I could ever receive is praises from his friends.
Puro pagpupuri ang naririnig ko. I couldn't even count the times I blushed beside him. Buong oras lang ata akong nanigas sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa presensya ni Rad.
"Manang 'yung totoo, may fiesta ba dito ngayon?" Si Dayle ng pinagmasdan din ang mga pagkain sa harap.
I could see different dishes from the table. Ang iba ay halos hindi ko na alam ang pangalan at mukhang hawig ito sa luto mula sa ibang bansa.
"Wala naman hijo. Sadyang matagal na kayong hindi nakakapunta rito kaya pinagluto ko kayo ng marami," aniya at ngumiti pa sa amin.
"Lalo na at may bagong kaibigan na pala kayo ngayon," saad niya pa bago bumaling sa akin.
I straightened my back before smiling back at her. Napasulyap din si Rad tuloy sa akin na nasa harapan ko lang naka-upo.
Nasa kaliwa niya naman si Cyver habang si Dayle ay nasa kanan nito. Kyline and I from the other hand was in front of them. Hindi ko alam kung swerte pa din ba 'to kasi nasa tapat ko lang talaga si Rad. Habang nasa tapat naman ni Kyline si Dayle.
"Bagong myembro siya ng banda namin Manang. And her name is Wendy."
I gulped when Rad suddenly smiled at me and then back to Manang. Napatango naman ito sa kanya na para bang nalinawagan sa narinig.
"Ang ganda mong bata hija. Alam mo ba akala ko nung una ay may ipapakilala ng nobya itong si Rad. Maliban kasi kay Kyline ay wala na itong nadala na babae rito," my cheeks suddenly blushed.
Tangina.
Nakakadalawa na ako ngayong araw ha. Kanina 'yung guard, ngayon pati si Manang ay boto na din sa akin.
Sana ramdam mo Rad?
"H-hindi po," I said hesitantly while shrugging my head.
"Hala nangsh-ship si Manang," sambit pa ni Dayle ng magsimula na itong kumuha ng pagkain sa hapag.
"Nako akala ko lang naman," natatawang sambit pa ni Manang bago nagsimulang maglagay ng juice sa aming baso.
I bit my lower lip and tried to glimpse on Rad. Nakita ko na umiiling lang ito at ni hindi man lang dinepensahan ang sarili.
Bakit gusto niya na ba ako?
Syempre joke lang. Baka lang naman. Or siguro wala lang talaga siyang pake kaya hinahayaan niya na lang. Ako lang siguro 'yung binibig deal lahat kaya tayo nasasaktan eh.
Awit.
"Rad,"
We were taken a back when Kyline suddenly intruded the conversation. Kagaya nila ay unti-unti na din akong nagsimulang kumain. Her smile became wider as Rad met her eyes.
"Is it okay na uuwi ako pagkatapos nito? Don't worry I'll practice my part. Tumawag kasi si Mom kanina at kailangan daw nila ako ngayon," she said.
"Sure, no problem. We're already done on planning our concept though 'yun naman ang mahalaga," ani Rad bago lumagok sa kanyang baso.
Napalunok tuloy ako sa kanyang ginawa. He's just in front of me while drinking. His adam's apple were showing off as he drink straight his glass of juice.
"Magpa-practice pa ba tayo pagkatapos neto?" Si Cyver.
Umangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. Rad stopped himself from drinking bago binaling ang atensyon sa kaibigan.
"You should practice your part. May nahanap ka na bang notes?" Aniya dito.
"Wala pa nga eh," si Cyver ng mapakamot sa noo.
Napailing tuloy ako sa naging tugon niya.
"Maghanap ka pagkatapos para masimulan mo ng e practice," si Rad.
"Ako rin e papractice ko na 'yung part ko mamaya," bigla namang saad ni Dayle ng nakangisi.
"Good," tugon ni Rad at tahimik na lumagok ulit sa kanyang juice.
I saw how Cyver raised his brows on Dayle. Napailing naman ito bago pa tuluyang binara ang kaibigan.
"That's new. Ang dating tamad naging masipag na," natatawang sambit ni Cyver.
"Syempre. Gayahin mo kasi ako, magbago ka na!" Si Dayle.
"Tss," iling ni Cyver.
Napanguso tuloy ako dahil sa bangayan nila. I just realize then that iba pala sila kapag nasa school. This is my first time to be close to them. Cyver is more like a quiet person in class, doon ko lang din napagtanto na iba siya kapag kasama.
Si Dayle naman talagang nature na niya ang maging madaldal, mas lumala lang ngayon na nakakasama ko siya. His audacity is always winning.
"I'm sorry if I have to leave. Promise! Babawi ako sa susunod. Kailangan lang talaga ako ni Mom ngayon,"
After we finished our lunch. Agad na tumayo si Kyline para magpaalam. She was holding her phone, kakababa lang dahil sa tawag ng kanyang ina.
"It's okay. Just practice your part para hindi na tayo mahirapan sa susunod na practice," si Rad ng tumayo rin sa kanyang kinauupuan.
"Noted. Salamat din sa lunch, I really enjoyed this one," ani Kyline bago ko nakita ang hakbang na ginawa niya papalapit kay Rad.
'Yung hawak kong tinidor sis parang gusto atang lumipad.
Lalo na nung unti-unting pumulupot ang kanyang kamay sa katawan ni Rad. She hugged him like he is her boyfriend. Kahit na ang totoo naman ay hindi.
Wala.
Hindi sila pwede.
Kasi ako lang 'yung para sa kanya.
Tangina.
Parang gusto ko na lang na sumabog. 'Yung hindi pa naman gabi pero dumidilim na 'yung paningin ko. Side effect ata ng selos sis.
"Ingat sa pag-uwi Ky!" Si Dayle ng tuluyan na ngang bumitaw ang dalawa sa yakapan.
Rad didn't even laid his finger on her body. He was just standing there, he look so stiffed that he can't even move an inch hanggang sa kumawala ito sa kanya.
"Kayo din mamaya!" ani Kyline bago niya ako binalingan.
Her smile widen a bit after I met her gazes.
"Nice meeting you again Wendy. I'm glad that you chose to be with us," aniya pa bago kumaway sa amin.
I smiled back at her and bid my goodbye as well. Napaisip tuloy ako, buti pa kay Rad may pa yakap siyang ginawa. Kay Dayle at Cyver naman na mukhang kaibigan na niya dati pa kinawayan niya lang.
Favoritism ka girl?
Wala namang reklamo sina Dayle dito pero ako meron. I'm just new to this group pero nung una pa lamang, alam ko na may kakaibang tensyon sa kanilang dalawa.
I don't know if it's just me overthinking. But I can sense that she likes Rad. Well obviously sino bang hindi?
Kaya ako nasasaktan kasi 'yung pinagkaiba lang namin ay malaya niya lang na nayayakap si Rad. Habang ako, hanggang assume lang kung may pag-asa ba kami o wala.
Hay, ewan ko na lang talaga.
"Bye!"
Pagkatapos nun ay ang tuluyan na niyang paglaho sa harapan namin. We were already done eating kaya sa huli tumayo na din ako para salubungin sina Rad.
"C-can I use your comfort room?" I said as we were about to enter the living area again.
Natigilan si Rad pero sina Dayle ay patuloy lang na naglakad papuntang sala. After the eating session, parang kailangan kong magfreshen up at gusto ko ding pakalmahin ang sarili ko pagkatapos ng nangyari.
"Sure. There's one in the kitchen but there's also one upstairs," aniya habang pinapasadahan ang makapal niyang buhok.
Sa harapan ko talaga Rad?
You really know how to change my mood. And I fucking hate that.
"I-I'll use the kitchen instead," sambit ko bago iniwas ang tingin.
Pagkatapos kong sabihin 'yun ay agad akong umatras at tumalikod sa kanya pabalik ng kusina. I saw a corner lately where I think the comfort room is located. But I'm not sure kaya ng makita ko si Manang doon ay agad akong lumapit sa kanya at magtanong.
"Manang asan po ba rito ang cr n'yo?" I asked politely as I saw her washing all the dishes.
I bit my lower lip and feel the urge to help her wash all the remaining ones at mukhang marami pa itong tatapusin.
Natigilan naman siya bago ngumiti sa akin ng makitang nakatayo sa di kalayuan.
"Oh Wendy. Lumiko ka lamang ng kaliwa hija at may makikita kang pinto diyan," aniya at tinuro ang isang bahagi ng kanilang kusina.
I nodded at her and said my thanks before following her direction. Buti na lang at nahanap ko kaagad ito. I did my business. After that I tried to fix my hair infront of their huge mirror.
Ultimo cr bes mukhang galing pa sa ibang bansa ang materials na ginamit sa kanilang tiles. Even the sink seems expensive enough na parang gusto mo nalang itong titigan.
As I was washing my hands, I was humming the song electric love that is currently trending. The room was then filled by my own voice but I made sure na hindi ito abot sa labas dahil nakakahiya naman lalo na kapag pumiyok ako. I was hitting the high notes at tumigil lang ng makuntento na ako sa paglilinis.
Hindi din nagtagal ay lumabas na ako at muling pumasok ng kusina kung saan si Manang. She was still there, mas dumoble lang 'yung kagustuhan ko na tulungan siya.
"Ako na po Manang," I said when I saw her struggling from carrying all the plates to the other corner of the kitchen.
"Nako ayos lang naman hija," aniya pero agad ko ng kinuha sa kamay niya ang mga bitbit na plato.
"Saan po ba ito ilalagay?" Tanong ko. She was hesitant at first but manage to answer me instead at wala ng ding magawa.
"Dito na lang," aniya ng tinuro ang malaking drawer.
"Ang bait mong bata. Salamat sa tulong hija." aniya pa at ngumiti sa akin.
"Wala po 'yun." I said a bit shy when I finished putting them down on the corner.
I stood up straight before bidding and told her na babalik na ako sa kanila ni Rad. She didn't protest though and just gave me her sweetest smile.
As I went back to the living room, I saw them laughing while watching on a phone. Nakuha ko lamang ang atensyon nila ng sumulpot ako.
Na conscious tuloy ako dahil sabay talaga silang tatlo na napatitig sa akin. I sat on the very edge of the sofa habang sila ay nasa gitna.
"Ayan na si Wendy. Ano game practice ulit?" Si Dayle ng biglang may hinila na gitara sa kanyang gilid.
I didn't know na dinala niya pala ito dito sa baba. Tumikhim na lamang ako bago ko nakitang tumango si Rad. It didn't took us long though we immediately started the okay.
Dahil hindi pa naman kami kumpleto, we just used the guitar as our instrument as of now. Sinasabayan lamang ang pagkanta namin Rad.
We sang for almost an hour. I can't believe na hindi ko nagawang kabahan sa harapan nila. My heart were still beating so fast but I was able to manage my consciousness with Rad just being near me.
After the practice ay agad kaming nagpaalam kay Manang na uuwi na kami. I didn't even notice that it's getting dark outside. It's past 5 kaya agad akong napanguso dahil aalis na ako ng bahay ni Rad.
Pwedeng dito na lang ako?
As we went out of their mansion. Agad akong natigilan ng harapin ako ni Rad. Cyver already left the place at mukhang nagmamadali din. Si Dayle naman may katawagan pa sa phone kaya medyo lumayo siya sa amin.
"Wait for me. I'll just get my car,"
I didn't react though I know what he's trying to do. Kagaya ng sinabi niya I just waited for him until I saw him holding his car keys and immediately went to his car to open the door for me.
In my mind gusto ko na lang ulit na magwala. Ganito ba naman ka gwapo na maghahatid sundo sa'yo tangina sinong hindi matutuwa niyan?
"Ako din pahatid Rad!" Si Dayle pagkatapos na ibaba ang tawag.
"Wala 'yung mga driver namin ngayon. Baka naman Rad, mabait ka naman diba?" He said trying to convince Rad.
"Tss. Get in," ani Rad sa kaibigan.
I bit my lower lip when I realized that I should be the one sitting behind at dapat dito si Dayle sa pwesto ko. I was about to complain when Dayle already entered the car on the back. Ganun din si Rad na ngayon ay nasa driver's seat na.
"Nice. Dapat pala kanina sumabay nalang ako kay Cyver, mukhang abala lang ako rito eh," ani Dayle sa likuran dahilan para mapailing ako.
We're now in the middle of the road. I tried to avoid blushing dahil ilang tao na ba ang nanunukso sa amin ni Rad? Ganun na ba kami kabagay?
"Lagi mo naman kaming inaabalang lahat," saad ni Rad dahilan para mapangisi ako ng iniiwas ang tingin.
"Grabe ka naman. Kayo nga kahit lagi niyo akong inaabala hindi naman ako nagrereklamo," saad ni Dayle na parang bata.
Hindi umimik si Rad at iling na lamang naging tugon nito sa kanya. It didn't took us long though pareho pala kami ng daan pauwi ni Dayle kaya hindi na naging mahirap sa amin.
"Dito lang po ako ser," si Dayle ng malapit na kami sa kanto.
It was an another village. Kagaya ng sa kanila ni Rad ay puro malalaking bahay ang nakikita ko.
"Bye! Salamat sa paghatid Rad, first time ko 'to ah!" ani pa ni Dayle ng makababa na ng sasakyan.
He was smiling so widely na parang ito talaga ang unang pagkakataon na hinatid siya ni Rad. Really? Magkaibigan ba talaga ang dalawang 'to?
"Next time you go buy your own car," ani Rad.
"Anong bibili? Bigyan mo nalang kasi ako," ani pa ni Dayle ng natatawa.
I don't know with this two.
Makapagsalita parang barya lang sa kanila 'yung presyo ng sasakyan ah.
Sana all.
"You wish," sambit ni Rad.
Hindi din nagtagal ang kanilang bangayan at ngayon ay palabas na din kami sa kanilang village. The atmosphere became heavy again, it's just the two of us again inside his fancy car.
But I was glad this time that his stereo is on. Kahit papaano ay hindi na kami nababalot ng katahimikan. I placed my right elbow above the car's window. Slightly playing my lips while watching the other vehicles passing by our side.
I was struggling on finding a good topic for us to talk yet I chose to be silent instead. Ang hirap naman kasi. I'm not good at this, okay pa sana sa chat at marami pa akong maiaambag na pag-uusapan.
Natigilan naman ako ng biglang tumugtog 'yung Terrified sa kanyang stereo. I don't know what to say. Or may dapat ba akong sabihin?
Tangina. Magsalita ka naman Rad, ikaw na gumawa ng topic nating dalawa. Hirap naman kasi ako 'yung mag first move eh. Ako na lang ba lagi?
I tried to see him once, only to find out that he was slightly humming as the chorus came. I tried to bit my lower lip and stop smiling.
Even in my peripheral vision, I could see his perfect feature under the blazing light of the sunset. Natatamaan nito ang kanyang mata, ilong at ang mapupulang labi.
I wanted to look at him straight. But I know I couldn't. It's like a forbidden thing to do. Kaya mananatili na lamang ako na magmamasid sa kanya ng palihim.
"And this could be good
It's already better than last
And love is worse than knowing
You're holding back,"
He sang his line this time. I had the urge to look at his face and saw him staring at the busy road while singing.
I tried to surpass a smile this time and saw him looking at me for once. He smiled at me too. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko hinugot ang lakas. But then I found myself singing with him this time.
"I could be all that you needed
If you let me try," we sang together as the chorus came again.
Sa huli that was when we started laughing together as well. I didn't know why but he just did and I just did.
"I didn't know you already had this on your stereo," I said. Trying to make a conversation with him.
"Yeah. I've known that song for so long. And it's a good music," aniya habang nanatili ang mata sa daan.
I nodded.
"Naalala ko sikat na sikat 'yan dati. I've been singing that for almost a month kaya sa huli naging isa na siya sa mga favorite song ko," I shared.
"Really? It's your favorite song?" Aniya pa.
"Yup. Kaya natuwa nga din ako na ito 'yung pinili nating kanta. At least I'm familiar with it-"
I was taken a back when my phone suddenly vibrated. It wasn't a call but a text coming from my mother.
From: Mom
Sweety. You done with your practice? Just go here in our restaurant instead if you're already on your way home. We're waiting for you.
Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi ni Mom. We? Sinong We? May bisita ba kami ngayon? Napalingon tuloy ako kay Rad.
"What happened? May problema ba?" Aniya sa nagtatakang mukha.
"Rad. I-is it okay kung sa Valase mo na lang ako ihatid?" I asked.
"Valase? 'Yung restaurant sa tapat ng Avenue?" Aniya na agad kong ikinatango.
"Sure,"
Buti na lang at pumayag siya, hindi na din naman mahirap kasi same lang naman ang daan nito papunta sa bahay. I was just curious of what Mom texted me. I can't think of anyone who might be with her right now. Or maybe she was just generalizing the idea. I don't know.
Let's see then.
After a few minutes. Hindi na din nagtanong si Rad kung bakit doon ako pupunta. He might be wondering right now kaya inunahan ko na.
"I'm sorry. Nag text kasi bigla si Mom, she told me I should meet her there kaya biglaan din," I explained.
From where we are, nakikita ko na ang restaurant namin sa harap. I could see the parking area na puno na ng mga sasakyan. I guess maraming costumer ngayong araw ah.
"It's okay, I understand." he said.
We were meters away from the place kaya agad ko ng inayos ang sarili ko. Kahiya naman siguro kung mukha akong sabog na papasok doon.
"Sa inyo 'to?" Aniya ng tumigil na kamo sa tapat.
I unbuckled my seat belt before nodding at him and smiled. He just nodded and examined the place.
"It's my Mom's business actually," I said.
"I see. Mukhang marami rin ang pumunpunta dito sa inyo," he said.
"Yeah. But thank you Rad for this day. Nag enjoy ako sa practice. And I appreciate that you insisted to drive for me." I said sheepishly.
"Wala 'yun. You're always welcome though. I'm glad you enjoyed our first practice today." aniya pa bago pinasadahan ang kanyang buhok.
I tried to open the door this time. Bumaba na din ako pero nanatiling nakatayo pa din sa kanyang harap.
"Syempre. Ang saya niyo kayang kasama," lalo ka na Rad.
I tried to whisper the last few words in my head. Hinihiling na sana naririnig niya ito.
"Bye! Salamat ulit sa paghatid," I said waving my hands.
"Ingat," I said. I wanted to say it out loud but he only nodded his head before smiling a bit at me. Hindi alam kung narinig niya ba 'yun o wala.
I watch him disappear in front of me before I finally turned my back on the road. Napangisi ako hanggang sa makarating ako sa loob.
A lots of people were staring at me but I don't care. Basta ako masaya ako ngayong araw.
I was almost hopping when I reached the main door of Mom's office here in the place. I came to cross the crowd with a smile plastered on my lips.
"Good afternoon Ma'am Wendy," some of the workers here greeted me.
"Good afternoon din!" I greeted them back with much greater energy.
I was about to open the door when suddenly it opens. Napasinghap ako sa nakita.
I don't know what to react. My smile on my lips suddenly faded. It was replaced with a heavy tears in my eyes. Hindi maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman as I saw the person in front of me. Our eyes locked and saw how gentle his gazes was on me when I entered the frame.
Kasabay ng pagbagsak ng mga luha ko. I immediately run towards his direction and hugged him so tightly. With his presence again, I felt that my world has been completed again.
"Dad!"