Adi crossed her arms and observed the class, who were grouped into six for a graded reporting about digital marketing. Her schedule was mostly in the afternoon. Kung dati, madalas siyang mag-request ng morning classes, sa pagkakataong ito ay hinayaan niyang ang university na mamili para sa kaniya.

Iniiwasan niyang muling masabihang unfair, may favoritism, at kung ano-ano pa.

It had been two months since the new school year started. Busy pa rin, ngunit nakakuha siya ng pagkakataong asikasuhin ang sarili niya. She would jog in the morning and make use of her time to do errands. Walang pagmamadali, walang pressure, at marami siyang pagkakataon para asikasuhin ang kailangan.

Simula rin nang ganito ang maging schedule niya, nagkaroon siya nang maraming oras para kitain ang mga magulang niya. She would often ask them to have breakfast with her.

Sa dalawang buwan, madalas na hindi nagtatagpo ang oras nila ni Zed. May pasok ito sa umaga, busy naman sa hapon dahil magsisimula na rin sa susunod na buwan ang university league. Sa huling pag-uusap nila nang magpunta ito sa unit niya, sinabi sa kaniya na halos wala itong pahinga.

Bukod sa academics, maraming practice hours. Maraming photoshoot para sa marketing, pep rallies, endorsements, and guestings.

On the otherhand, she was busy with her classes.

Bigla niyang naalala ang offer para sa master's degree sa Massachussettes. It really was a great offer, but it wasn't her priority this time. Marami siyang pagkakataon, maraming panahon, pero hindi muna ngayon.

Zed asked her about it. Ilang beses itong nagtanong kung bakit ayaw niyang tanggapin at isa lang naman ang sagot niya. Hindi siya handa. It wasn't a once-in-a-lifetime offer. She could reapply in the future; she could take it anytime she wanted to.

Sa ngayon, gusto niyang mag-focus sa pagtuturo at sa ibang bagay.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa phone na nasa lamesa nang umilaw iyon. It was Zed's name. She opened and read the message, telling her about his day and if they could meet tonight. In which she replied he couldn't. Sinabi niyang busy siya, dahil iyon naman ang totoo.

"Miss Adi." Lumapit sa kaniya si Forest, isa sa estudyante niya. "Manonood ka ba mamayang gabi?" tanong nito. "Tutugtugin ko 'yong sinabi mo."

"Serious?" Malapad na ngumiti si Adi. "Oo naman, manonood ako. It's around seven, right? May last class pa ako 'til 7:30pm, but I'll cut the time for you guys."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Forest sa sinabi niya. "Thank you, Miss Adi!"

"Basta our deal. Canon Rock, exempted ang buong class n'yo for midterms," natawa siya. Totoo naman. Napag-usapan na nila ni Forest iyon last week. "

"Yes naman, Miss Adi!" Ngumiti si Forest na nanatiling nakatayo sa harapan niya. "Buti nga pinayagan kaming mag-excuse nang maaga. After class, mag-aayos na rin kami. But I think the organizers are already outside, fixing the stage."

Everyone was excited for the concert. Forest was a member of Fireplay and would be playing alongside Mojave and Sangria for a fundraising concert for an animal rescue shelter.

Malaki ang concert na ito at nabalitaan niyang soldout ang tickets, maraming naghahanap, at maraming sponsors dahil bihirang mangyari. The three bands were at their peak, well-known, and the event was considered a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Gaganapin ang concert sa university nila. Noong una, akala nila ay sa Eastern University gaganapin dahil malaki rin naman ang grounds ngunit mas piniling sa South Therium University ganapin dahil mas mahigpit ang EU pagdating sa requirements. Hindi rin kasi puwedeng basta-basta makapasok sa loob.

This concert was the reason why she couldn't meet Zed. She would watch. Bihira lang, may libre siyang ticket from Fireplay, and maganda ang cause ng fundraising.

Estudyante niya ang tatlo sa Fireplay. Major, Forest, and Akio. She knew Zero, but never had a class with him.

And even during her next classes, everyone was talking about the concert. Tumingin siya sa bintana nang marami ang speaker at mukhang nagsisimula na ring mag-soundcheck.

Students from STU were used to Fireplay and mostly excited to see Sangria from Eastern U. Boys were raving about Mojave, a well-known all-girl band.

Sa pakiusap ng klase niya, maaga siyang nag-dismiss. Nanatili naman siya sa lecture room para magbasa ng notes dahil maaga pa. Nakakuha rin siya ng pagkakataon para basahin ang article na dumaan sa feed niya tungkol sa varsity players ng Eastern U.

Isa-isa niyang tiningnan ang pictures at tumigil kay Zed na nakasuot ng varsity uniform.

EU 13, Almazan.

She smiled and bit her lower lip as he stared at Zed's face, who was smiling. She wouldn't deny the fact that the man was a pretty boy with a charming smile. Pinanood niya rin noong nakaraan ang interview guesting nito para sa league at ang ganda ng rehistro ng mukha sa camera.

But the camera couldn't do justice to Zed's facial features in person.

Nagulat siya nang marinig ang malakas na tugtog mula sa labas kaya sumilip siya sa bintana at nakitang halos puno na ang grounds. Madilim na rin kaya maraming ilaw ang nakabukas, mukhang magkakaroon din ng fireworks dahil nakita niya sa gilid ang nag-aayos ng pyrotechnics.

It would be a long night.

Adi planned to watch, but not for long. Balak niya ring umuwi pagkatapos ng ilang kanta dahil marami pa siyang gagawin at gusto niyang magpahinga. It was a Friday, and she was planning to visit her parents as well.

Bago tuluyang bumaba, nagpunta siya sa faculty room at wala na ring tao. Iniwan niya ang mga dapat iwanan, kinuha ang ibang personal na gamit para dalhin sa sasakyan, at saka nagpunta sa grounds. Ipinakita niya ang ticket niya sa nagbabantay at pinadaan siya sa VIP area dahil iyon pala ang ibinigay na ticket sa kaniya ni Forest at Major.

Standing naman lahat kaya naisip niyang talo ang hindi katangkaran. Maybe it would be just for experience.

The VIP section was in the middle, with elevation, and guarded. Wala namang tao sa likuran niyon dahil naroon ang nag-o-operate ng kung ano. Hindi siya sigurado.

Inilibot ni Adi ang tingin sa buong lugar. Puno ang grounds, maraming naghihintay, at mayroong ilang naghihiyawan nang ipalabas sa malaking LED ang posters ng mga banda.

The bands were color-coded. Sangria was green, Fireplay was reddish-orange, and Mojave was the hottest pink she'd ever seen. Pare-parehong vector art illustration ang mga mukha, walang mga pangalan ngunit kilala kaagad kung sino.

She noticed that women screamed more for the drummers. Zero, Zayned, and Jash. Even women were screaming for Jash.

Three drums were on the stage, each with the band's logo. Adi crossed her arms, observed... until Mojave's drum lit and the LED showed a woman with long straight hair wearing a black bra and skinny jeans. That was it. No cover, just a black bra... holding a drumstick and a bottle of water.

And she admired the boldness. Super hot.

Sangria's drum lit and Zayned was on LED, and finally Zero, the crowd cheered—their university's pride.

Each member went out and started waving. People were screaming, everyone around her was excited, and even her heart was pounding. Maganda kasi ang reason ng event. Bihira kung tutuusin.

The drums started playing, and Jagger of Sangria was the first one to sing. The song was We Are Young by Fun.

And everyone on the stage was having fun. For a moment, Adi focused her senses on the stage. She watched every movement, listened to all the instruments and voices, and let her skin feel every vibration coming from the speakers. Her heart could feel the rhythm of the drums.

Sunod-sunod rin ang mga kanta. May kanya-kanyang set kada banda, minsang solo, minsang magkakasama.

Hanggang sa tumayo sa gitna si Forest kasama ang dalawa pa mula sa magkakaibang banda. The names were on the LED screen. Forest, Jash, Naveen, and Cleo.

Nagulat siya nang banggitin ni Forest na tutugtugin ang Canon Rock habang nagpapahinga ang iba. No vocals, just like an exhibition of the song... but Adi knew better. Gusto talaga ni Forest na ma-exempt ang buong klase niya para sa Midterms na ikinatawa niya.

Adi shook her head and waited. Forest was the star of the show, showcasing his talent. Proud siya, sobra. Dahil kung sa academics, magaling din ito. Seryoso sa pag-aaral at napagsasabay ang pagbabanda.

She remembered how dedicated Forest was, same with Zed. Speaking of Zed, wala siyang idea kung kumusta ito. Hindi pa siya nakapagre-reply sa messages nito kanina na kinamusta siya.

Pinanood niya si Forest at gusto sana niyang kuhanan ng video, pero iniwan niya ang bag sa sasakyan kung nasaan ang phone niya.

Medyo malayo siya kaya hindi niya gaanong kita ang facial expression, mabuti na lang at ipinalalabas ang malapitan sa LED. Everyone was having fun, smiling, and enjoying their time.

Unknown to Adi, someone was watching her from afar. Zed noticed how Adi admired someone on the screen. Hindi niya alam kung sino sa tatlong lalaki o baka ang babaeng drummer na kanina pa pinag-uusapan ng mga teammate niya.

Zed squinted and walked towards the VIP. Sinabi niya sa nagbabantay na kasama niya si Adi kahit na wala naman itong idea na nandito rin siya. He had a ticket from their management. Halos lahat naman ng kasaling school sa league ay manonood. Hindi lang niya inasahang pati si Adi, nasa VIP section pa nga.

The student guarding the VIP let him in and didn't ask anymore question. Tumayo siya sa tabi ni Adi na tumingala sa kaniya. Nagsalubong pa ang kilay.

"So..." Naningkit ang mga mata niya habang patagilid na nakatingin kay Adi. "You're into musicians now?"

Adi shook her head and faced the stage. "No. Never..." Then gazed at him sideways. "I'm into ballers."

Zed faced the stage with a smug face, lips curled into a smile, crossed his arms, and chuckled. "Buti naman."

Walang naging sagot si Adi na deretsong nakatingin sa stage, nakangiti, at mukhang nag-e-enjoy sa pinanonood. Nabanggit nito sa kaniya noong nakaraan na estudyante nito ang isang miyembro ng banda... malamang ay isa sa mga tumutugtog sa harapan.

He stood there, watched, and didn't say a word. He was beside Adi, that was it. Hinanap siya ng teammates niyang nasa hindi kalayuan sa VIP section, pero hindi na siya tinawag. Tinanguan lang niya ang mga ito.

After Canon Rock, in which Zed was really impressed, there would be another song. Lumabas si Jagger. Kilala niya ito dahil talaga Eastern University rin naman at madalas niyang nakikita sa cafeteria kasama ang banda. Sumunod na lumabas si Major ng Fireplay.

Isa-isa nitong pinasalamatan ang sponsors ng nasabing event kasama na ang nakatatandang kapatid nitong artista. Everyone knew Majuri Arciaga—lalo sila sa team. Girlfriend ito ni Fallon, captain ball nila last year.

This time, Jagger started singing... followed by Major. Both looked so good on stage and no beef despite the competition by supporters. Pareho namang magaling kaya hindi rin nila maintindihan kung bakit kailangang ikumpara.

Nang chorus, nag-blend ang boses nina Jagger at Major na kumakanta ng Backwards by Jonas Brothers. Both were in the opposite sides of the stage, singing their hearts out.

Adi was focused, lightly banging her head... not knowing Zed was watching her enjoy the song. The stage light illuminated Adi's face and he felt something inside him.

He missed the days he spent with her, driving her to school, and just watching series with her.

Tinanggal ni Zed ang baseball cap at isinuot iyon kay Adi na nilingon siya. Halata ang gulat nito sa mukha ngunit hindi nagsalita. Hinawakan niya ito sa braso, maingat na hinila palapit sa kaniya, at ipinuwesto sa harapan niya.

Zed didn't ask or anything. He encircled both arms around her chest, kissed the side of her head, and faced the stage as they listen the song. He felt Adi rest her back against his chest, accepting the hug.

Humawak si Adi sa kamay niya at mas sumandal pa sa kaniya. Nagulat sila nang lumabas ang video sa LED screen para ipakita ang audiences at huminto sa kaniya. Natatakpan ng baseball cap ang mukha ni Adi, pero kita siya. Hindi siya humiwalay. Wala siyang balak.

Students below the VIP, his teammates, and people around them turned around.

Adi knew someone would talk, tease, and she didn't give a fuck. It had been a long time since she felt this kind of security. She didn't mind the stares, maybe the murmurs tomorrow... she felt safe.

Saktong tumingin sila sa screen, naroon pa rin silang dalawa... at naka-overlay ang lyric na "I just need to get you back in my life..." mula sa lyric.

Adi saw how Zed smiled through the camera until everything faded.

—
T H E X W H Y S
www.thexwhys.com

Note: Most characters mentioned will have their own stories.