It's d-day! At sobrang kinakabahan ako! Panay tingin ako sa salamin kung maayos lang ang buhok ko, ang damit ko at ang buong itsura ko.

I felt someone hugged me from my back at napangiti ako ng makita si Kurt. He's now wearing a white long sleeves at nag tuck in. He look so good.

"Do you really have to wear that kind of dress baby?" He asked me as he kiss my neck. Nakiliti naman ako doon.

"Hindi ba bagay?" I asked him back while pouting.

"No, you look gorgeous tho. Ready ka na ba?" He asked me again and this time he's facing me. I nodded.

"Good, because I am also excited to hear you sing live." He said at inakay na ako palabas.

Sumakay na kami ng sasakyan niya at sobrang kinakabahan ako. Lalo na sa magiging plano namin mamaya. My friends really helped me. At hindi ko alam kung paano ko sila babayaran.

Nakarating kami ng classroom at as usual, laman na naman kami ng chika. I saw Jameson going out of their office at kasabay niya si Hannah. Ang busy ng dalawa.

Nakasunod lang kami sa kanilang dalawa. Napalingon si Jameson sa likod at nakita niya kami. I smiled at him at halatang nagulat ito na nakita kami.

"Good morning Jameson," Kurt said. We laughed at his reaction. Lumingon na rin si Hannah sa amin at nagulat din siya sa nakita niya.

"Omg! You look so freaking good! Ang hot niyo tingnan dalawa!" she exclaimed.

"And good morning to you yoo beh hehehe, ang busy niyo ata?" I asked them at nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad.

"Yeah, nag finalize lang ako ng sulatin sa office. The squad are at the room, you ready for later?" She asked while drinking her water.

"Yep, ready na ako. Kayo ba?" I teased her. She laughed.

"Anong akala mo sa amin?" She laughed. Hannah look so good. Lumitaw ang kaputian niya. She looked like a princess with her dress. I want to squeeze her! Just like Kurt, nakasuot rin ng white long sleeves si Jameson. Saan meeting nitong dalawa?

Nakarating kami ng  classroom at as usual maingay. My friends are looking good! The girls are looking so divine! The boys are all wearing long sleeves. Ano ba talagang meron? I shooked my head.

"Ganda ah!" Jinace told me. I smiled.

"Kayo din naman ah!" I complimented them.

"Excited na ako for today!" Phobe squeaked. I laughed.

"Finally! Kakanta ka na!" Jeyden said. We all laughed. They were all so noisy. I smiled. Thank God for giving me friends like them. I couldn't ask for more.

Bumababa na kaming lahat ng second floor. I looked around. Kaya ko na ba talaga? Gagawin ko na ba talaalga? I shrugged off the thoughts that were running through my mind. Mali Angel, kaya mo 'yan!

"Huh! At talagang nandito ka huh?" I looked behind me. I smiled at Glydel.

"Bakit? Dito rin naman ako pumapasok, ikaw lang pwede dito?"

"Stop stealing my show." She seriously said. "I am gonna get Kurt from you!"

"Glydel, hinayaan na kita sa mga kahibangan mo. And I won't let you get mg boyfriend," I told her at umalis sa harap niya.

Narinig ko pa siyang nagreklamo. Sa totoo lang, ayoko nang patulan pa sana siya. Pero sinasagad niya talaga ako. Bweset siya.

"Baby, where have you been?" Kurt founded me. I smiled at him. Palangiti ako ngayong araw eh.

"Diyan lang, where have you been?" I asked him back at inayos ang polo niyang nalukot.

"Hinanap kita, hinahanap ka na nila." He said. "Sasabihin na ba natin sa kanila?" He asked.

"Ang alin?" We heard a voice from behind. Napalingon kami sa likuran at nandoo  na ang mga kaibigan namin.

"W-wala, tara na? Start na eh!" saad ko at naglakad na. I heard Kurt chuckled. Asar talaga!

Hannah performed at panay cheer kaming lahat. Jinace and I and the rest of the gang was cheering at them. Jinace was not able to perform dahil hindi maganda ang pakiramdam niya. She can't dance. Jinace is really good in dancing.

Napangiti ako. My friends are all talented. Pwede na nga kami mag buo ng grupo at maging idol. Charot.

Natapos silang apat at performance na ng solo. Hindi na kumanta si Hannah ulit dahil kakanta daw siya mamaya kasali na ako. Bali magp-perform kami ng kanta. Kaming lima.

"Okay, we have some clarifications for the performance. The performers will be singing live." I looked at Glydel who's now smiling so widely at nawala agad iyon ng marinig ang sinabi ng emcee. I smirked. I felt bad for her but she have to taste her own medicine. And this time, I won't let her pass this!

"What?" I heard Glydel asked.

"Let's now welcome Glydel Joromo! Clap your hands everyone!" everybody cheered, all I can hear is loud voices. Napatingin ako kay Glydel na ngayo'y parang tuod sa gilid ng stage. Why isn't she moving?

"Look at her, she's scared tss. Buti nga sa kaniya," I heard Angelika said. I looked at her again. No, Angel. Huwag mo siyang tingnan.

"Angel?" I looked at Hannah who's now looking at me worriedly. If Glydel sings in front of everybody, mapapahiya siya. And I can't bear that.

"I'll sing for her." I said with finality in my voice. They all looked at me shocked. I know they will be against with this.

"What? Angel, kaya nga natin 'to ginawa paa mag back out siya diba?" Jinace said. I closed my eyes and shook my head.

"She's still my sister, ay-ayokong makita siyang ganyan." I told them. I heard them sighed.

"Angel naman!" I didn't listen to them at nagpunta sa pwesto ni Glydel.

"What? Anong gagawin mo huh? Papahiya mo din ako?!" Pagtataray niya sa akin.

"I'll help you," I told her but she step back and raised a brow on me.

"Help? Huh! I don't need your help sister. I can do it! Watch me!" She said at umalis sa harap ko at nagpunta sa front. The crowd went wild again.

The music started at nakita ko siyang sumasabay na sa tugtog. Hanggang sa matapos ang intro ay hindi siya kumanta, naging tuod siya doon. People are now boo-ing her. I looked at the crowd.

"Glydel!" I called her. She looked at me while crying. Tumingin ulit ito sa harap pero hindi pa rin siya kumakanta. She went to me at binigay sa akin ang mic.

"Do it Angel. This is what you want right? Ang kumanta sa maraming tao? Go save the day!" She said at umalis na. Tiningnan ko siya habang papalayo at nag-alala ako.

"Miss Angel? Kayo po ba ang kakanta? Ang oras po kasi, or hindi po? Next performer na lang po." The staff asked me. I looked at the mic. Angel, ito na iyon. Kaya mo 'yan! I saw my friends walking out. No!

"Since Miss Glydel backed out, we have our new performer! Miss Angel! Let's clap our hands everyone!" Everyone was clapping pero hindi sila nag-iingay. They are probably wondering why I am performing. 

I looked at the staff. She looked confused.

"Do you have any lapel?" I asked her. She nodded at pinalitan ang mic ko. I removed my skirt. Nag shorts kasi ako ng puti. Ready na ready ata ako? I smiled. You can do this Angel!

I took a deep breath and watched my friends. They were all walking away. And Kurt stayed. Right, Glydel can take anything from me, but not my voice. Hindi ako ang boses ko.

I went to stage and started singing.

See video below:

Niga inneun gose nado hamkke halke
Niga ganeun gose nado hamkke kalke

That's it Angel. Keep it up. Kaya mo 'yan. Kakayanin mo 'to. The crowd were so quiet. My friends stopped from walking.

Neol wiihaeseo maeil utko neol wiihaeseo gidohago
Ni saenggage jamdeulko neol bureumyeo nuneul tteo

I started adding some dance steps and smiled at the crowd. I can now hear some people shouting.

Nae yeopeseo jikyeojugo
Nae yeopeseo kamssajuneun
Neon naye cheonkuginkeol

I looked at my boyfriend who's now looking at me intently. He smiled at me and mouthed "You can do it!" I smiled back and continued singing.

You're my only one way
Ojing neoreul wonhae
Naega ni gyeote isseume kamsahae
You're the only one babe
Himdeun sesang soge sarangeuralke haejun neo hanaro naneun haengbokhae

I looked at my friends, tumingin ulit sa akin at ngumiti ako. Akala niyo ah? Walang back out back out dito! They went back to Kurt's area and started hyping.

Heaven namani saram keurae nareul jikyeojul saram
Eotteon seulpeumdo eotteon apeumdo neowah hamkke handamyeon

They were all shouting and shocked at what they were seeing. Kinakabahan ako pero pinagpatuloy ko pa rin.

Eoneu nu-gudo nan bureobji anha.. tteollineun du soneul jabajwo
Naega saneun iyu neonikka

I hit that high note! Gusto kong mag sigaw sigaw at tumalon talon pero nagp-perform ako.

"Whooooo! Go Angel!!!!" I heard my friends shouting. I looked at them smiling.

You're my only one way
Ojing neoreul wonhae
Naega ni gyeote isseume kamsahae
You're the only one babe
Himdeun sesang soge sarangeuralke haejun neo hanaro naneun haengbokhae

This time ay talagang sumayaw na ako. This time it's real Angel. Hindi mo na kailangan pang magtago sa dilim.

Heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven
Heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven
Uri hamkkeramyeon we will never cry never never cry
Heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven
Heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven
Yeongwonhi duriseo never gonna be alone

I looked at the crowd. And smiled again.

So alone

Natapos ang kanta ko at puro hiyawan ang narinig ko. I bowed down at inayos ang sarili ko. Nagpunta ako ng likuran at nakita ko ang mga kaibigan kong naghihintay pala doon.

"You were so good!" Hannah cried. I cried too.

"Tangina ba't tayo umiiyak?" I cursed. They all laughed.

"Masaya ako kasi sa wakas naipakita mo rin ang kakayahan mo beh, hindi mo na kailangan mag panggap at magtago," Angelika cried also. We were all crying at tinawanan lamang kami ng mga lalaki.

We hugged each other. Sa totoo lang, kung may pasasalamatan man ako ng todo? Iyon ay ang mga kaibigan ko. They were with me all throughout. Sila ang nagpatibay ng loob ko. Kaya masaya ako dahil may mga ganoon akong kaibigan.

"Galing mo! Taas ng boses mo shet!" Christopher complimented me. I laughed. I thanked him at ganoon rin ang ginawa ng ibang lalaki.

"Una na muna kami ha? Tawagin ka namin pag tayo naman pe-perform." Hannah told me at umalis na nga sila at naiwan kami Kurt. I looked at my boyfriend who's now smiling from ear to ear.

"I'm so proud of you baby, you make me fall for you even more." He told me habang yakap yakap ako. I chuckled.

"Thank you by, hindi ko din in-expect na gagawin ko iyon. Thank you for believing in me." I told him sincerely.

He kissed my forehead and held my hand so tight.

"I never thought you would sound like that," he chuckled. "Damn, ang swerte ko naman sa'yo!" he stated again at niyakap ko na din siya pabalik.

"I love you," he whispered.

I smiled. Umaandar na naman po ang pagiging cheesy ng boyfriend ko.

"I love you din po, tara na nga, ang drama natin e!" I told him at naglakad na papunta sa mga kaibigan namin.

At kumanta nga kami ng isang kpop song nila Hannah. Jinace was shouting so loud. And as always, niyanig nga ang school. Grabe pala impact namin sa school hala.

At natapos nga kaming mag perform, umuwi na muna ako para makapagpalit ng damit. My heart is so happy. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong gawin ngayon. Babalik na ba ako kina papa? Sobrang saya ko na gusto kong magwala.

I finally showcased my talent in front of many people!

I tried looking for Glydel earlier pero hindi ko ito nakita. Napagod ako kakahanap sa kaniya. I feel bad for her. Alam kong nahiya siya kanina. Kaya gustong gusto ko siyang kausapin.

I miss papa. Namiss ko na ang bahay namin. Na miss ko na din si mama. I sighed and grab my things at nagpunta na ng Harbor Side. Kakain kami ng mga kaibigan ko.

Hindi na ako nagpakuha kay Kurt at sinabihan kong magkita na lang kami doon. Ngayon din namin sasabihin sa kanila na kami na.

Nakarating ako ng resto at nakita ko sila, ako na lang pala ang wala. The foods are already served. Siguro ay nag order na sila para dire-diretso na mamaya. I waved my hands at them. I am wearing my dress kanina pero nakalugay na ang mga buhok ko.

"Angel!" Hannah called me. I smiled at them at hinalikan muna si Kurt sa cheeks bago umupo sa tabi niya.

"Ang taray ng mag jowa! May pa halik halik! Ano na Jameson at Angelika? Sawa na kayo sa each other?" Jinace joked around. We laughed.

"Anong gusto mo sis? Maglaplapan kami sa harap mo?" Angelika rolled her eyes. She's wearing a white long sleeves na tinernuhan niya ng black leather shorts. Ang cute nila ni Jameson tingnan. Hannah is wearing a flowery dress na usong uso ngayon at nakakulot ang buhok. Amp daming ganap naman ng mga kaibigan ko. Jinace is wearing her usual get up at si Kathlen at Phobe naman ay naka pants at tops.

"Sus, huwag nga kayong ganiyan. Porket masagana kayo sa love life!" Phobe said at uminom ng wine.

"Feel ko, iyong makakatuluyan niyo, nasa kanilang tatlo lang," Hannah teased them at tinuro ang tatlong lalaki. We laughed.

"Squad goals na talaga ba?" Angelika said while laughing. Hindi malabo na nasa kanilang tatlo lang din ang makakatuluyan nitong tatlong babaita.

"By the way, nakita mo ba kapatid mo beh?" Kathlen asked me. We are now eating.

"Hindi ko nakita eh, I'll probably visit tomorrow," I told them and they all nodded.

"Pero kayo na ni Kurt diba? Aminin niyo na! Ang bagal niyo naman mag reveal!" Hannah pouted. Pinunasan ni Alex ang labi ni Hannah. Aba'y sana all!

"Yeah, kami na nga hehe." Awkward kong sagot. They were all cheering and congratulating us. I am so happy. 

"Sabi ko na eh, kayo talaga 'yan!" Kathlen stated.

"Ikaw beh, sinong jojowain mo sa tatlo?" Hannah asked Kathlen. Nabilaukan naman ito at agad na binigyan ni Jeyden ng tubig.

"Ako kaya ang bunso sa inyo, ma-malabong may magustuhan ako sa tatlo," Kathlen said and we laughed.

"Anong problema kung ikaw ang bunso? Pwede ka kay Topher or kay Jeyden, kaso si Jeyden engaged na 'yan." Phobe said.

"How about Mikael? Ba't di mo sinali?" I asked while teasing her.

"Sa kaniya kasi daw uuuuy," Angelika teased Phobe at napatawa kaming lahat.

Marami kaming napag-usapan. Mga plano namin for college. At marami pang iba. Syempre hindi kami pahuhuli sa mga tsismis. Mga tsismoso din mga boys eh. Pano ba 'yan?

Napag-isipan naming umuwi na, lasing si Hannah. Natawa nga ako dahil wine lang naman ang ininom niya. Mahina pala itong bb namin. Naghiwa-hiwalay na kami at hinatid na ako ni Kurt.

Tahimik kaming dalawa sa sasakyan. Namumungay na ang mga mata ko. Gusto ko nang matulog. I feel my eyes closed at ramdam ko na lang na lumulutang ako.

Hapon nang magising ako. Wala na ata si Kurt, baka umuwi lang kagabi. I roamed my eyes. I saw his clothes. Dito ata siya natulog. Pero nasaan siya? Inayos ko muna ang sarili ko at nagpunta ng banyo. Nakapantulog rin ako, binihisan ata ako ni Kurt?

Hala pota. Nakakahiya naman kung ganoon!

Pagkatapos kong mag-ayos ay bumaba ako. I can hear two people arguing.

"Bakit hindi ako?!"

"Glydel, how many times do I have to explain myself to you? Umalis ka na. I already explained it to you!" Kurt shouted. Hmm, so my sister is here? I went to the kitchen at kita ko si Glydel na ngayo'y umiiyak.

"Glydel? What happened to you?" I asked her. She smirked.

"Plastic mo! Why are you too good? Bakit ikaw pa? Bakit hindi ako? Lahat na lang aagawin mo!" she exclaimed.

"Stop Glydel, nasa pamamahay kita!"

"Go home!"

"At bakit? Sino ka para pagsabihan ako?"

"Go home Angel!"

"Ano pa bang gusto mo? Umalis na ako doon, ayaw mo sa akin diba kasi sampid ako at---"

"Papa needs you," she cried hard. "Papa needs you Angel! Please, go back home! He needs you!"

Napatigil ako. Papa needs me?

"Please, h-he's sick."

I nodded and sighed. "Pupuntahan ko siya. Please umalis ka na Gly."

"Ang swerte mo," she started. "May mga kaibigan ka, may Kurt ka, ako? Wala. Wala ni isa." She chuckled and wiped her tears.

"I envy you. Ang galing mo sa lahat ng bagay. Even the way you talk, nakakainis man pakinggan para sa akin pero napakahinhin. That's why many people admire you,"

Why is she suddenly telling me all of these?

"Take care of Kurt please, and please umuwi ka na muna. Papa needs you, he's in pain right now."

"I'm sorry Kurt kung ginawa ko iyon, gusto kasi talaga kita. Pasensya na kung nakagawa ako ng bagay na ikinagalit mo,"

At umalis ito ng bahay. I was left in shock. Kurt went near me and hugged me.

"You okay?"

"Si p-apa," I told him. He just nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, pupuntahan natin siya okay? Let's eat first baby, good morning!" He greeted. I smiled and wiped my tears.

"Thank you by, good morning rin." I told him at kumain na nga kami. Nag-ayos kami ni Kurt para mapuntahan namin si papa. I'm scared, paano kung hindi na niya pala ako tanggap? Paanon kung magalit siya sa akin?

"Baby, let's go?" He asked me and I nodded. Habang bumabiyahe ay hindi ko maiwasang mag-isip.

I felt Kurt's hand. "Stop worrying too much okay? You'll be fine, I promise." He kissed my hands and smile. I smiled back and sighed.

Nakarating kami ng bahay. I miss this house. I saw papa outside the garden. Watering the plants. The moment our eyes met ay napaiyak na lamang ako. I ran towards him at niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit.

"Angel, ang baby ko." Papa whispered.

"P-pa, pa... sorry pa," I cried so hard. Para kaming nasa isang pelikula ni papa. I can feel papa's tears dahil nabasa ang balikat ko.

"Anak, ako dapat ang mag sorry, sorry dahil itinago namin sa iyo ang totoo." He continue to explain at puro tango lang ako. I saw mama going outside. Nabitawan niya ang mga dala niya at napatakip sa bibig.

"Diyos ko!" she said as she went near us. We hugged each other so tight at napaiyak ako ulit.

"Uuwi ka na diba, dito ka na diba?" Mama asked me while caressing my face. I nodded and laughed.

"Na miss ko kayo," I told them. They hugged me again at nakita ko si Glydel sa bintana ng kwarto niya. I mouthed thank you at tumango lamang ito at umalis.

"Nalaman din namin ang ginawa ng kapatid mo, bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?" Papa sounded hurt. But where did he knew?

"Sinabi sa amin mg kapatid mo, nag sorry siya. Magbati na kasi kayo anak, huwag niyo nang palakihin ang problema niyo." Mama stated and I nodded.

We had lunch together pero hindi sumali si Glydel.

"Pa? May sakit ka daw?" I asked him

"Wala 'yon nak, arthritis lang. You gained weight," papa said. I chuckled and looked at Kurt.

"Magaling mag-alaga ang boyfriend ko pa, pinapakain kasi ako on time!" I told them proudly.

"Boyfriend mo siya?" Papa asked seriously.

"We'll talk later," papa said at tumingin kay Kurt. I mentally laughed. Ano kayang gagawin ni papa?

Natapos ang lunch at dumiretso si papa at Kurt sa office ni papa. Astig. Ano kayang nangyayari doon?

"Anak, masaya ako dahil nakauwi ka na. Alam mo bang sobrang gloomy nitong bahay," mama started. I laughed.

"Sorry ma, hindi na po mauulit!" I told her and hugged her. She excused herself at nagpunta ng kusina. I felt someone beside me at nakita ko si Glydel.

"You happy?" She asked.

I nodded and smiled. "More than happy,"

"Good for you, basta ba huwag mo nang saktan si Kurt, hindi ako magdadalawang isip agawin siya sa'yo,"

"As if hahayaan naman kitang makalapit?" I joked around. She laughed. Glydel laughed!

"I really envy you, your friends are really protective of you, maaasahan talaga sila. Unlike me, I have fake friends," she confessed. Nakikinig lang ako sa kaniya.

"And then there's Kurt, pinaramdam niya sa akin na hindi ako nag-iisa. Nakikita kong nagugustuhan niya ang mga kanta mo, kaya natakot ako, I made an action na pinagsisihan ko. I'm sorry Angel," she said. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at ngumiti.

"You'll be fine Gly, I know you'll be happy soon." I said and held her hands.

"Let's see, anyways, I am sorry. I don't know why I'm sorry but I am sorry. But we're still not friends!" She said at umalis na sa harap ko. I laughed.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko ng mag vibrate ito. My kuya is calling. Napangiti ako ng malaki.

"Kuya!" I squeaked.

"Hello there sis, how are you?"

"I am fine kuya! Ikaw ba? Tagal mo di nagparamdam ha, nagtatampo na ako!" I said. He chuckled.

"Kaya nga ako tumawag, can you spare me your time tomorrow? Date mo naman kuya mo, wala kasi siyang girlfriend." I laughed at his remark.

"Kawawa ka naman, buti pa ako may jowa na,"

"Huh? I didn't know that, dalhin mo bukas boyfriend mo, kausapin ko 'yan!"

Napatawa ako ng malakas.

"Okay, okay. Saan ka ba?"

"Office. Works."

"Kaya hindi ka nagkaka girlfriend kasi palagi kang busy kuya!" I told him.

"Oo na ako na walang lovelife, baba ko na ito may meeting pa ako with a client,"

"Bye kuya, see you tomorrow, love you! Ingat ka po!"

"Ikaw din okay? Mag-iingat ka lagi. Love you too!"

And he ended the call. Ang funny naman ng kapatid ko. Ireto ko kaya siya? Hmmm. Pero mukhang wala talaga siyang time para sa mga ganoon. I just shrugged at napatingin sa may hagdan, I saw Kurt smiling from ear to ear.

"What happened?" I asked. He just hugged me and kissed my hair.

"I love you baby," he whispered again.

"Ang tamis mo by! Hindi ko alam kung pang-ilang beses mo na 'yan sinabi." I chuckled

"Panira ka, sabi ko i love you!" I laughed.

"Mahal din kita Kurt," I looked at him and smiled. He smiled too at niyakap ako ulit.

"Ano nga sabi nangyari?" He's still smiling.

"Your dad punched me." Napalaki ang mga mata ko.

"What? Why?" I asked.

"Wala lang, sabi niya alagaan daw kita. I said yes, and yeah. Okay na sa papa mo ang relasyon natin," he said while caressing my hands.

"Mabuti kung ganoon, bukas si kuya naman harapin mo. He wants to see you by,"

"Really? Okay. I'm ready!" He said at napatawa ako sa sinaad nito.

Hays. Wala na ata akong mahihiling pa. May mga kaibigan akong supportive, may pamilya akong mapagmahal, at may jowa akong  sobrang sweet.

Kaya kayo, pag alam niyo sa sarili niyo na kaya niyo. Gawin niyo. Huwag kayong matakot. Maniwala kayo sa sarili niyo. Wala namang mawawala diba?

Siguro, nagkamali ako sa part na hindi ko nabigyang halaga ang pagpapakita ng talento ko sa pagkanta. Maraming naging problema, pero sa huli na kaya ko din. Nakaya ko nga eh, kayo pa kaya?

Don't listen to what other people says. Hindi sila ikaw. You know yourself better. So? Prove them wrong. Ipakita mo na mali sila.

Go on little fighter! I know you can do it!    ✊🏼❤