#NewClassicILIB
Chapter 27
Love Again
The simple get-together ended pretty late. I even forgot to text my father beforehand, so he got worried and ended up calling me. They decided to end the party when I got the call.
Sic didn't want to go home yet, but Ike dragged him out after we were finish cleaning the visitor's lounge. We were all laughing while we were inside the elevator because Ike was acting like Sic's father.
They were so entertaining that I forgot to press the ground floor. The elevator went down to the parking basement. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Dawn. I was about to press the ground floor when Isaiah stopped me.
"I'll drive you home," he told me.
Gulat ko siyang nilingon. "Uh, si Dawn..."
He smiled. "Ike and Sic will take her home."
I didn't know when they talked about taking us home, but it seemed like they already had this planned out. Iniisip ko pa lang na sasakay ako sa sasakyan ni Isaiah ay hindi na ako mapakali. Kung ano-ano na ang tumatakbo sa aking isipan na hindi ko magawang pigilan.
"Ike and I will drive Dawn home," Sic announced once we got off the elevator.
Pinatunog ni Ike ang kanyang sasakyan. Nakita ko si Dawn na halos mapunit na ang labi sa pagngiti.
I suddenly realized that Sic would always ride with his other members. I never saw him bring his own car.
"Isabay ninyo na ako," habol ni Cloe at umabante palapit kina Ike at Sic.
Bago pa siya makalapit ay nahila na siya ni Jirro pabalik sa kanya. "You'll come with me," malamig niyang sabi at pinatunog na rin ang kanyang sasakyan.
Jirro opened the door for Cloe and let her slip inside the car. He was wearing a stoic face that it gave me chills. Seeing him acting indifferent was so unusual to me that it kind of scared me a little bit.
"Let's go to my car," Isaiah whispered to me.
"Uh, s-sige." Kahit medyo nag-aalangan pa ay tumango na lamang ako.
Bago sumunod kay Isaiah ay nagpaalam muna ako kay Dawn. Mabilis siyang sumakay agad sa sasakyan ni Ike matapos siyang magpaalam sa akin dahil susulitin niya raw ang oras kasama ang bias niya. She told me to do the same since Isaiah would be driving me home.
I glanced at Jirro's car as I walked to Isaiah's. It was a pity that I couldn't bid goodbye to Cloe because she was already inside Jirro's car. Even though I just only met her, I enjoyed her company. She's a nice person.
Isaiah already left the door of the passenger seat opened for me before he got inside the car. I was very hesitant as I went inside. The moment I settled inside, I got a whiff of Isaiah's distinctive pleasant smell. His car smelled just like him.
Just that thought made me smile. But not for long as I remembered something which wiped the smile off my face.
I suddenly recalled when I saw Blair went inside his passenger seat. I knew it was all in the past now, but I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable on my seat―thinking that this place wasn't for me to take.
"Are you ready now?" Isaiah asked me, preventing me from being pulled into the blackhole.
Bahagya ko siyang nilingon. "Uh, oo..." sagot ko na lang saka inayos ang aking seatbelt.
"Okay. Here we go..." he said.
The engine roared to life as he stepped on the accelerator. Nauna na ang iba kaysa sa aming dalawa ni Isaiah na lumabas ng parking lot. We were headed to different places, so we didn't need to convoy.
For a few minutes, Isaiah was driving in silence. I kept my mouth shut, too, while I watched the establishments we were passing by on the window.
It's funny how I was confident talking to him virtually, but I couldn't do the same thing now. I guessed that's how socially awkward I am in person. It's hard for me to start a conversation with other people.
"Did you like the simple party we prepared for you?" Isaiah suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
Mula sa bintana ay muli akong napatingin sa kanya. "Uh, oo, nagustuhan ko."
His eyes were fixed on the road when I turned to him, but he was wearing a small smile. "I told the members your plan to come back, and they thought of holding a simple surprise party for you."
Trying to keep myself from smiling, I pursed my lips tight. I knew he was lying.
Like what Cloe told me earlier, Isaiah seemed like he really didn't want me to know that he was the one who thought of organizing a party for me.
"Thank you. I didn't expect it. I'm happy," I told him, still doing my best to stop laughing.
He nodded, and his smile got brighter. "You're happy. That's enough."
After our small conversation, we were embraced by silence again. However, instead of looking away, I casually watched him from time to time as he drove me home. The lights from other cars in front of us were reflecting on his eyes. Unconsciously, it made me smile while I enjoyed my time having this very rare opportunity.
Not long after, we finally arrived home. Isaiah didn't turn off the engine because he would just drop me off. But while I was unbuckling the seatbelt, his phone suddenly appeared in front of me.
For a fleeting moment, I paused before turning my head to him. "P-para saan 'to?" tanong ko kahit kita ko na sa screen ang mga numero na dapat kong pindutin.
"Put your number on my phone," he casually said. "I'm not really fond of using social media."
Namutawi ang mga salita sa aking labi. Hindi ako sigurado kung dapat ko bang tanggapin ang cellphone niya para irehistro ang numero ko. Pakiramdam ko ay dapat ko pa itong pag-isipan ng isang linggo o mahigit pa.
"But if you don't want to, it's okay..." bawi niya kaagad. "I just thought it's better to communicate this way."
Maagap akong umiling bago pa siya makakuha ng maling ideya. "H-hindi naman sa gano'n," I slightly stuttered.
Isaiah raised his brow up and cocked his head on one side, waiting for me to tell him my thoughts.
"Ano kasi..." Hindi ko mahanap-hanap ang tamang salita. "Sigurado ka bang pagkakatiwalaan mo ako sa number mo?"
"And why wouldn't I?" He chuckled a bit. "Are you planning to sell my number to our fans?"
Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at agad na umiling. "Hindi, ah! Hindi ko gagawin 'yon!" agad kong pagtanggi.
Mas lalong natawa si Isaiah. His baritone laugh was music to my ears.
"I trust you," he told me, then gave me his phone again. "And I'm confident that you won't break it."
To be trusted by him was such a great compliment that my heart danced to the rhythm of a happy tune. I suddenly felt so proud of myself.
Nang dahil doon ay mabilis kong kinuha ang kanyang cellphone. I gave it back to Isaiah after I typed my number and saved it under my name. Mukhang tiningnan niya pa kung talagang nilagay ko ang aking totoong numero kaya tumunog ang aking cellphone.
"Thanks." He smiled and waved his phone at me, once he was done confirming my number. "Just save mine, too."
Tumango ako at ginawa ko rin 'yon. Matapos naming magpalitan ng numero ay tuluyan na akong lumabas sa kanyang sasakyan. I greeted my father, who was working again at the living room before I went up to my room.
I took a quick shower and changed to my pajamas. As soon as I lied down on my bed, I checked my phone and saw that I got a text message from Isaiah.
From: Isaiah
Just got home. Are you gonna sleep already?
Ngumuso ako. Hindi ako mapakali habang nagtitipa ng reply sa kanya. Now that we were texting instead of using DMs, it felt different. It suddenly felt so real.
To: Isaiah
Yup!
Sa sobrang tinagal-tagal ko sa pag-iisip ng irereply sa kanya at nakailang bura din ako, isang salita lang din pala ang masasabi ko.
From: Isaiah
I won't keep you awake then. Good night.
My fingers were trembling while I was replying to him. I was getting too excited. Will I really be able to sleep right away? Nawala na agad ang antok at pagod na naramdaman ko kanina. Parang handa na ako ulit sumabak sa panibagong araw.
To: Isaiah
Okay. Thanks for today! Good night din.
Ayon na lang ang nasabi ko. Akala ko ay hindi na siya magrereply kaya balak ko nang itabi ang aking cellphone, ngunit mayroon pa siyang pahabol.
From: Isaiah
You're welcome.
Kinagat ko ang labi ko. I couldn't keep myself from replying again kaya kahit wala nang kuwenta ang irereply ko ay pinadala ko pa rin sa kanya. I got overly excited exchanging messages with him that I didn't want it to end.
To: Isaiah
:)
As I was feeling embarrassed, I turned the silent mode on and hid my phone under the pillow. I forced myself to sleep, even though I still had the energy to stay awake.
Few days later, I was rushing on my way home. Good thing my father picked me up from school, so I didn't have to commute. Mas tumatagal kasi ang biyahe kapag nagco-commute dahil wala masyadong masakyan at mas mayroong trapik sa dinadaanang ruta.
"Bakit ka tumatakbo?" nagtatakang tanong sa akin ni daddy dahil sa pagtakbo ko papasok sa loob ng bahay.
I was already running up the stairs while he just got inside.
"May ire-irelease pong bagong kanta ang New Classic," sagot ko na lang at saka dumiretso na sa aking kuwarto.
I opened and turned on my laptop, before I opened the First Class account on Twitter. I was right on time because New Classic just posted the links for the new single they just dropped.
@NewClassicOfficial
Surprise, First Class! New Classic's new single 'I'll Be Okay' is out now!
#NewClassic #IllBeOkay
#NewClassicIBO
This was supposed to be a surprise single, and I shouldn't know about its release, but Isaiah had a slip of the tongue. He told me last time that they were recording a new song. I casually asked him what it was for and he told me that they would release it today.
I retweeted New Classic's post about it, then clicked one of the links to hear the song. Before I pressed play, I wore my earphones first and leaned back on the backrest of my computer chair.
The song started with a soft plucking from an acoustic guitar.
I'll be... I-I-I'll be, I'll be
I'll be... I-I-I'll be, I'll be
I'll be... I-I-I'll be
I'll be alright
I'll be okay
The drums and guitars exploded after the mellow intro. I wasn't expecting that, so my heart pounded along the explosion of instruments. The song sounded so intense and lively.
Looking back,
No regrets
I tell myself that it's worth it
Worth it
Worth it
Biting my lower lip, my mind flashed back to the time when I saw Isaiah smiling that night, even when he was in pain. The smile when he told me that he's finally okay.
I shed a tear
I felt the pain
But I know that it's worth it
Worth it
Worth it
Just by the first verse, I could already tell that Isaiah wrote the whole song based from his own experience and feelings. And since I was the one he confided to, I couldn't help but feel proud of him. It must had been hard for him to come up with these words that he used for the lyrics of the song―but he did, and I knew that he meant every word he's singing to.
I take a deep breath
And let it go
Because I know in time...
I'll be alright
I'll be okay
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh...
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh
I'll be alright
I'll be okay
New Classic sang all together for the chorus. Hearing the perfect harmonization of their voices, though the chorus wasn't lyrical like their other songs, it still sounded emotionally powerful.
I tripped and fell
Got bruised and burned
But I will stand up and fix myself
I'll live my life
I'll show a smile
Because I know in time...
I held my breath as long as Isaiah hit his high note.
I'll be alright
I'll be okay
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh...
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh
I'll be alright
I'll be okay
I did get my heart broken
But my world won't stop from turnin'
I will heal
I will love again
I'll be alright
I'll be okay
I'll be alright
I'll be okay...
My ears felt so blessed after hearing their new single, but more than anything―I was glad to know that Isaiah's doing well and feeling better through this song. It gave me a sense of assurance.
As I was organizing my thoughts and emotions, I felt my phone vibrated against the desk. I glanced at it, and my eyes widened when I saw that I Isaiah just sent me a message.
From: Isaiah
Did you listen to our new song already?
My lips broke into a smile.
To: Isaiah
I did. Ang ganda! Ikaw ba ang nagsulat?
He immediately replied.
From: Isaiah
Yup. How did you know?
Pursing my lips, I typed my reply.
To: Isaiah
The lyrics... I'm glad you're feeling better.
Mula sa aking computer chair ay lumipat ako sa aking kama. Saktong pagkaayos ko ng aking puwesto ay dumating na ang panibagong mensahe mula kay Isaiah.
From: Isaiah
Compared to what you went through, that's just nothing. And besides, I got the closure that I needed, so it's easier for me to accept how our relationship ended and move forward.
To: Isaiah
Hmm... Kahit na. I know it's still not easy for you.
He loved her for years. If I were him, I don't think I could do the same. It was amazing how he managed to let her go.
From: Isaiah
It's not easy. But I have to be okay. I don't want to be stuck in the past. I want to heal. I want to love again.
My heart hammered against my chest hard when I read the last sentence. I gripped on my phone tight as I got my hopes up, the same time as I started to lower my guards down.
"He wants to love again..." I unconsciously whispered to myself and a million of possibilities came forward from the back of my head.