#NewClassicILIB

Chapter 12
Open Field

The whole First Class fandom lost their sanity the moment New Classic announced on their interview with a local news that they're going to have their first ever concert by the end of the year.

There had been rumors going around the internet that New Classic were planning their concert this year because of the huge local and international success of their second mini album. They promoted overseas, and they were even invited to perform in MTV Europe Music Award on November. The nominees were announced yesterday, and New Classic was one of the nominees for the Best New Act and Best Rock. And now, the boys finally confirmed the upcoming first concert.

After the local news aired their interview, the New Classic official account posted the concert poster. The date was already stated in the poster, but there was no venue yet. There was no other details than the date.

Kaleidoscope World.

Just by seeing the poster, I already got goosebumps. I knew that it was going to be a huge achievement for all the members to hold their own concert.

To be honest, I was dumbfounded with the announcement. Even we, the official admins, had no idea that they were planning the concert. We were also surprised that the rumors were true. On the top of that, they also announced that they were going to release a new song on the day of the concert. They had so many surprises for us in a day that I couldn't keep up.

Dawn was going wild on our group chat. She couldn't express herself properly. Her tweets and messages were all over the place. I was also like her, but I stopped myself from exploding on social media. On the other hand, Aya was slightly devastated because, once again, she couldn't attend the concert.

@ayalovesmusic:
I can't attend their concert. We have a family trip to New Zealand on Dec. 20-26. We're going to celebrate Christmas there.

@dawnramos:
Na naman?!

I could actually feel Dawn's frustration.

@ayalovesmusic:
I'm sorry. Our flight is already booked two months ago.

It was pitiful and frustrating that her schedule wouldn't always match up with New Classic's important events. However, I knew that she had something more important going on in her life, which she couldn't trade in exchange for a time to attend New Classic's events.

Kung ako siguro ang nasa posisyon niya ay baka mabaliw ako sa mga pagkakataon na nawala sa akin. As a fan, I don't think I could let go of those chances. Pero siguro nga ay hindi ganoon ka-importante sa kanya ang ganoong bagay. Seeing the band she loves wasn't that important to her. She was contented listening to their music.

@zendayabrielle:
It's okay, Aya. But promise us that you'd help us planning the fan project.

@ayalovesmusic:
No problem. I'm one of the admins, so I should help as much as I can.

Kahit na hindi siya makaattend ay talagang ginagawa niya ang lahat para makatulong sa mga plano. Iyon siguro ang isa pa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nakakapanghinayang na hindi siya nakakapunta. It'd be better if she could see our ideas come to life in person and our hard work pays off.

As I experienced during the fan gathering, there was an overwhelming pleasure, seeing how your plans turned into a huge success. I only wished that she could also experience the same feeling because she worked hard as much as Dawn and I did.

@dawnramos:
Oo nga pala! Mayroon pa nga palang fan project... Ngayon pa lang napapagod na ako.

Knowing how tiring and stressful it was to plan for fan projects, Dawn expressed her feelings. Though I knew she was only half-kidding. She was also dedicated the last time we planned for the fan gathering. And honestly, she has more energy than I do.

@zendayabrielle:
Yes, but let's enjoy the announcement first. Next week na lang natin 'to pag-usapan nang maayos. Though I'd appreciate it if you two can already think of some fan projects. We can do at least two or three fan projects for the concert.

@dawnramos:
Sure po, Miss President!

@ayalovesmusic:
You can count on us.

Napangiti ako nang mabasa ang kanilang mga reply. I was glad because I chose the right people to be the admins for New Classic. They were both responsible and trustworthy.

Pagkatapos naming mag-usap-usap ay kita kong qinuote tweet ng mga members ang post ng New Classic official tungkol sa kanilang concert sa December. I retweeted their tweets on the fanbase account.

@isaiahmallari
I'm so excited to sing in front of thousands of First Class.

@jestinike
Finally! As we promised, we will see each other in a bigger venue.

@sicjaranilla
Are you excited to enter our Kaleidoscope World, First Class?

@jeraiahamirro
A special day for New Classic and First Class! We are so excited!

First Class almost broke the bird app as we were all super excited. All trends were about New Classic and their upcoming concert. Even their international fans expressed their excitement. They hoped that they could attend the concert.

It was a day filled with excitement and euphoria. Mas lalo lamang akong ginanahan na mag-isip ng mga puwedeng gawin bilang fan project. I couldn't wait for our semester to end, so that I could focus on my duties as the president of the fanclub.

From: Mommy
Where are you? Uwian mo na, 'di ba? I'm here in front of your school's main gate.

My eyes widened a bit, when I read my mother's text message. Earlier this morning, tinanong niya ako kung anong oras ang uwian ko ngayon. I didn't expect that she would come here to pick me up.

To: Mommy
Puntahan ko po kayo. Wait lang po.

Nagmadali ako sa paglalakad. I was planning to study a bit at our library before going home, but I didn't hesitate cancelling my initial plan to go to my mother. Puwede namang sa bahay na lang ako mag-aral at gumawa ng assignment, lalo na't wala naman akong pasok kinabukasan.

As soon as I got out of the gate, I saw my mother's white sedan waiting, parked beside the sidewalk. I immediately ran towards the car. Binuksan ko ang pintuan sa passenger's seat at agad na umupo roon.

"Bakit hindi ninyo po sinabi kanina na susunduin ninyo po ako?" tanong ko sa kanya nang makaayos na ako sa loob.

She smiled at me. "Well, I wanted to surprise you," she answered. "I went on a meeting in QC. Naisip kong isabay na kita pauwi. But before that, let's go eat early dinner first. Saan mo ba gusto kumain?"

"Sige po! Kayo na po ang bahala, 'mmy," maligalig kong sagot. "Though I'm craving for pasta."

My mother and I couldn't always hangout because she always had events to attend during weekends. I wouldn't let this opportunity to hangout with her pass.

"Okay! Pasta it is!" she said before shifting the gear to drive and stepped on the accelerator.

My mother and I talked about my studies and her work, while we were on the road. We decided to eat at the mall near our subdivision, so that it wouldn't take long to get home.

Medyo traffic, pero mabuti na lang at medyo mabilis pa rin ang pag-usad ng mga sasakyan. Nang makarating kami sa mall ay nakalubog na ang araw. We arrived just in time for dinner. It made me crave for rice, instead of just eating pasta. Sinabi ko 'yon kay mommy kaya nagtungo na lang kami sa Mad Mark's. They offer affordable, but delicious steak, which I would recommend.

"I actually texted your brother," sabi ni mommy habang naghihintay kami sa aming order. "Ang sabi ko ay sumunod siya sa atin dito kung pauwi na siya, pero gagabihin daw siya ng uwi ngayon."

"Mayroon po ata siyang importanteng project na tinatapos," sabi ko.

Mommy nodded. "He told me that," she said. "Sinabi ko nga sa kanya na kung nahihirapan na siya dahil medyo malayo ang firm niya sa bahay ay mag-condo na siya. Ang sabi niya naman ay hindi ka raw niya maiwanan sa bahay."

Pursing my lips, I felt slightly guilty.

It was touching, but I knew why my brother couldn't leave the house. It wasn't just because of me, but also because of my mother. He feared that something might happen while he's gone.

Our parents' relationship wasn't getting any better, so he wanted to be there for me and my mother. Kahit na nasa tamang edad na siya at kumikita na, hindi niya pa rin magawang bumukod. Ang sabi niya ay kapag nakatapos na ako ay saka lamang niya pag-iisipan ang pagbubukod, pero sa ngayon ay wala pa 'yon sa isipan niya.

"But anyway, may sasabihin ako sa 'yo kaya kita sinundo ngayon," sabi ni mommy at mukhang nagagalak sa kung ano man ang ibabalita niya sa akin.

Medyo napakunot ang aking noo, nagtataka sa kanyang pagkagalak. "Ano po 'yon?"

"Didn't I say earlier that I went on a meeting in QC?"

I nodded, giving all of my attention to her.

"Well, I actually came from Top Star Records," she said, and my eyes widened a bit. "I had a meeting with Mr. Joel, the members of New Classic, and their performance director."

Having a hunch on what she was about to tell me, my heart pounded so fast because of excitement. I shifted on my seat, trying to get ready and prepare myself.

"I signed a contract with them as New Classic's official event organizer," she told me. "So, I'll be the one to organize their upcoming concert this December."

"Talaga po?!" Hindi ko maitago ang aking kasiyahan na medyo napataas pa ang aking boses.

Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised anymore. Since the successful fan gathering, they took a liking of my mother. They also booked her to organize the fan signing and meet and greet event for Canvas album. She handled almost all their events this year. It might seem unfair to some fans, but I always got a free pass because of that. My mother was allowed to bring at least two companions every event. Kapag puwede kaming dalawa ni Dawn ay sumasama kami.

"Yes!" she said, seeming more excited than I was. "Kung hindi ka man makabili ng ticket, huwag kang mag-alala. I can take you to the backstage with me."

"Mom, I know your pure intention is to make me happy, but I want to get the ticket on my own," I told her, being cautious with my words. I didn't want to hurt her feelings. "If it happens na hindi po ako nakakuha, bibilhin ko na lang po sa inyo ang ticket na makukuha ninyo. No need to give me a backstage pass."

Bahagya siyang ngumuso, pero kalaunan ay napangiti rin. "I'm glad that you have that kind of mindset. Alam kong siguro ay medyo nagui-guilty ka rin sa ibang humahanga sa kanila na hindi makakabili ng ticket dahil hindi kaya o mauubusan. But Zendaya, I mainly accepted this job for you," paliwanag niya sa akin. "Sige. I will let you buy ticket on your own. Pero kung hindi ka nakabili, I can give you the ticket I'll get as a Christmas gift. Sayang din kasi kung walang gagamit, 'di ba?"

Nodding my head, I smiled. Kung makabili man ako at si Dawn, siguro ay puwede kong ipa-giveaway ang tickets na makukuha ni mommy para sa mga fans na hindi makakabili.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay plano ni mommy'ng maghanap muna ng mabibiling damit to celebrate the contract she just signed. But as we were on our way to the floor where the clothing boutiques were situated, I saw my father got out of a restaurant with a woman.

He was wearing a smile, while talking to the woman in yellow body fit dress. Mukhang hindi nalalayo ang edad niya sa edad nina mommy at daddy.

It felt like time halted for me as my heart also stopped beating for a while. My mother seemed to also see what I saw. Parehas na parang natigil ang mundo namin.

I had been hearing my mother's accusations of my father's alleged affairs. However, this was the only time I saw it with my own two eyes that he's with a woman. It didn't help that the woman was touchy.

While talking to my father, she smiled and held my father's forearm. It pulled the trigger for my mother. No one couldn't stop her from marching on her way to them, even though I tried to pull her back with me. Her mind was filled with dark clouds. Her eyes were pitch black because of anger.

Mabilis akong sumunod sa kanya. Sa sobrang bilis ng pangyayari, nang makalapit si mommy ay agad nitong hinila papalapit sa kanya ang babae at walang pag-aalinlangang lumagapak ang kanyang palad sa pisngi nito.

"Mom!"

"Frida?!"

The woman was so shocked because of the sudden blow from my mother. Bago pa muling umakto si mommy sa galit ay pumagitna na si daddy sa kanilang dalawa.

"What are you doing, Frida?!" Hindi nakatakas sa akin ang galit sa tinig ni daddy.

Some passerby stopped to look at the commotion.

I held on my mom's arm and whispered to her, "Mom, let's go, please... Sa bahay na po kayo mag-usap ni daddy."

Hindi nadaan sa pakiusap si mommy. She was so angry to listen to me. I could feel her arm shaking in anger as I held her.

"Ang lakas pa ng gana mong tanungin ako niyan?" Kahit kalmado ang boses ay dama mo ang matinding galit at sakit na kanyang kinikimkim. "I caught you and your mistress with my own two eyes! Ang kapal ng mukha mo, Richmond! Pinagtatanggol mo pa siya sa akin!"

"She's not my mistress! I don't have a mistress! Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa 'yo 'yan?!" Dad frustratedly fired back. "She's a client of mine, Frida! Nakakahiya ka!"

"So, this is your wife, Richmond." Tumikhim ang babae at ngayon ay humarap sa amin ni mommy.

"Yes, I am his wife!" My mom said, pulling herself up by being my father's legal wife.

Dad bowed his head a bit and faced the woman. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Medina. I'll talk to my wife. I'm very sorry."

Iniwas ng babae ang tingin kay mommy para harapin ang daddy ko. "Let me reconsider our contract, Mr. Gregorio," malamig na sabi ng babae. "You're a good Architect, but please, teach your wife some manners first. Excuse me."

The woman quietly made her exit. I turned my head to my mother, the anger I saw in her eyes earlier had faded. Now, she looked confused and dumbfounded as she stared at my father.

"Look what you've done, Frida..." Dad said in a low baritone. "This is an important project to me. I can't believe you." Shaking his head, my father was so disappointed that he just left us there.

It took a while before my mother could recover. Tahimik na rin lamang siyang naglakad papunta sa parking at agad ko siyang sinundan. Pagkapasok sa sasakyan ay binuksan niya ang makina, ngunit hindi niya agad ito pinatakbo.

When I looked at her, tears were already streaming down her face. It broke my heart. I gently pulled her towards me. Kahit mahirap at hindi ako kumportable sa posisyon ay niyakap ko siya. I wanted to comfort her as much as I could.

"I didn't m-mean it. I lost myself, Zendaya..." she told me, crying. I could tell that she was feeling guilty.

She knew that she was at fault this time. She acknowledged that―and that's why she was feeling guilty.

"As soon as I saw the woman holding him... I d-don't know..." She shook her head. "I feel like I'm about to lose my mind. Galit na galit ako... I don't know what to do..."

I felt like the alleged affairs of my father for these past few years were taking a toll on her mental health. She couldn't deal with her jealousy anymore. It put too much emotional stress on her. She wouldn't ever be positive seeing my father with another woman.

"I-I really didn't mean it, Zendaya..." she told me, stuttering.

Wala akong masabi kaya niyakap ko na lang siya nang mahigpit. She cried on my shoulder more. Every sob was equivalent to one stab in my heart. It hurt―but I knew she was hurting more than I was.

I didn't know why my day had to end this way.

At the start of my day, it felt like I was in an open field, enjoying some sunshine and butterflies, but then suddenly, there was an unforecasted rain falling down on me―with heavy droplets of water. I didn't know where to shield myself, and I didn't know when it would stop. All I could do was to let it rain on me.