"Lia, can you take the day off tomorrow? It's your brother's birthday."

Oo nga pala! Nawala sa utak ko na birthday ni Kuya. He's turning 26 tomorrow and we haven't even planned anything yet. I mean, we have plans pero kulang kulang pa. Dito lang din naman sa bahay 'yung party pero maraming guests si Kuya.

Marami siyang kaibigan from college na dadating, our parents even got a catering for his birthday. Ako nga wala ako masyadong pinabibili kala Mommy tuwing birthday ko eh. Maliban sa laptop at latest iPhone ko. It was for school din naman kaya pumayag sila doon.

Narinig ko pa nga na gusto ni Kuya ng bagong kotse eh. Lamborghini pa, that thing costs a fortune!

"Of course, Mom. I'll let my superior know," As I was getting my phone, binaba ni Mom ang kamay ko.

"I already told her, sweetie," She smiled. I nodded before scrolling through my food.

"Lia, you're close with Ravi, right?" Nasamid naman ako sa tinanong ni Kuya ng walang dahilan. Tinapik tapik naman nito 'yung likod ko, I smiled awkwardly before I recovered.

"Bakit mo naman na tanong, kuya?" I asked him curiously at nagkibit balikat naman siya.

"I don't know, I want a live band performing for my birthday. And them coming to my birthday would be an honor kasi may sikat na banda sa birthday ko," He answered. "It would always be the right time para kilalanin si Ravi kung matino bang tao o hindi."

I glared at him, hindi naman niya kasi kailangan kilalanin eh. Ano ba si Ravi? He's just a friend na kailangan ko pang kilalanin, I already made a few inferences tungkol sa kanya. Hindi naman siya bipolar, iba eh. I'm guessing he has borderline personality disorder.

Mandalas ang mood swings niya, mabilis din siyang magalit. Minsan hindi niya kontrolado ang ginagawa niya, and sometimes I caught him having a panic or anxiety attack. Pero masyado pang maliit ang kaalaman na alam ko tungkol sa kanya kaya hindi ko pwede ideclare na may BPD nga siya.

"Oh and also, you have to invite Gabe here. Dad told me about everything," Kuya said. Agad naman ako napalingon kay Daddy na umaktong inosenta, I just sighed before nodding. Ito na ata ang tamang time na mag paalam sa kanila na tungkol sa music video shoot.

"Speaking of Ravi and his other bandmates, they asked me to be part of one of their music videos. Sa linggo na 'yon," I informed them. Itinuon naman sa akin ni Mommy ang buong atensyon niya sa akin at tumaas ang kilay.

"Right, before you continue, I saw a video of you announcing the boy band on stage. Isn't that affecting your schedule, Lia? As far as I know you don't have time for any of those leisure activities," Mom rolled her eyes. I cleared my throat.

"Don't worry, Mom. My grades are still up high, no reason to be worried."

Nagtinginan ang mag asawa at umiling si Mommy, "No."

Agad naman ako nalungkot, pero wala naman akong magagawa. Baka kasi kapag humirit pa ako at pinilit sa kanila 'yon, hindi na ako makalabas ng bahay. Kahit naman tumanda na ako, takot pa rin ako sa kanila kasi sila pa rin ang pinaka mataas sa akin at nakadepende pa rin ako sa kanila.

Tingnan mo, 23 na ako pero sa bahay pa rin nila ako nakatira kahit may income na rin naman na ako.

"You should let her do it," Napako ang atensyon namin kay Kuya. Seryoso ba siya, ano naman nakain nito at pinapayagan niya ako? Lagi naman kasi siya sunod sunuran din sa gusto nila Mommy eh.

"'Wag mo kunsintihin ang kapatid mo, pag 'yan bumagsak, paano na ang reputasyon ng ating pamilya?"

Fuck, don't tell me ang pagaaway nila ay magmumula sa akin. Kuya 'wag na. Hindi ko naman pinipilit na payagan ako eh.

"Mom, is that all you think of? Our fucking reputation—"

"Language, Cole," Dad glared at him pero hindi niya pinansin si Daddy.

"Kapag nagpakamatay si Aurelia dahil hindi niyo siya binigyan ng normal teenage life noon and still now, mas lalong maapektuhan ang reputasyon na sinasabi mo. My sister wants to enjoy her life, and if you can't give that to her, we'll pack both of our bags at dadalhin ko siya sa Japan," Seryosong saad niya at imbis na magalit sila Mommy, nagtaka sila.

Ako din naman, anong gagawin namin sa Japan?

"Yes, I'm going to Japan in a month. I have a girlfriend there, I'll live with her. Pero that's not the point, papayagan niyo si Lia or I'll take her with me."

Our Mom sighed defeatedly, "Fine. Pero hindi ka dapat malaglag, kasi kung lumaglag ka, you're grounded," Banta ni Mommy at tumango naman ako. I checked my phone when it vibrated.

@ShawnJere: Dude, where are you? We need you na.

@ShawnJere: The producer and scriptwriter is already here, ikaw na lang kulang.

I excused myself and changed my clothes. I wore denim high waisted shorts, and a white sports bra over a tucked in green cardigan. I fixed my hair and looked at myself in the mirror before going back down stairs.

Papasok na ako ng kotse when I saw Kuya papalapit sa akin.

"I know about you and Gabe, Lia. I saw you making out a few days ago. But I'm not going to stop you, I'm just here to warn you that if you fail... hindi na kita sagot."

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at umalis na, I know what I'm doing. Hindi ako babagsak dahil parehas kami ni Gabe ng gusto, pumasa at maabot ang pangarap namin.

We both are good for each other, we motivate each other to keep going and be determined.

Minsan nga napapaisip ako kung deserve ko ba siya eh. He's too good for me, wala na akong kailangan problemahin. But sometimes, some part of me still wants some thrill in the relationship.

I was stuck in traffic so I messaged Ravi.

@aurelia_: hey, i'm stuck in traffic. give me 10-15 minutes.

Nag online naman siya agad and I saw the three dots indicating that he's typing pero bigla nawala 'yon.

Ang bagal naman niya mag reply.

I opened Gabe's direct message and I told him about the birthday party.

Ravi finally replied at medyo malapit naman na ako sa location.

@ravicrtz: don't text and drive, be careful po.

Kumunot naman noo ko, why did he say po? That's odd of him.

After a few more minutes nakarating na ako sa meetup namin. It's at a small company, pagpasok ko ay may mga ilaw at iba't ibang backdrop doon. This must be where we will also shoot some parts of the music video.

Nakita ko si Ravi na nakatayo sa dulo ng corridor, he was looking at his phone with a worried face.

I smiled by just observing him from afar, ang gwapo niya kasi sa suot niya. He always had a great fashion style, and I get why so many girls have fallen for him.

"Ravi," I called him. Agad naman niya hinanap ang boses ko at nang magtama ang tingin namin, ngumiti siya.

Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang aking kamay at hinila papasok sa isang kwarto. There I saw 3 unfamiliar faces at naroon na din sila Harvey.

Hinila ni Ravi ang upuan para sa akin at umupo ako roon tsaka ako tinabihan ni Ravi. I apologized to all of them and they all said it was fine.

Buti nga na hindi strict ang producer and director na nakuha nila eh.

"The music video that we will be discussing today is Ultravivid. That is the song title of it. The main concept of this is that Zach will be the main character here and you, Ms. Alcantara is the so-called stranger that Zach dreamt of." The director started.

I recorded the conversation para pag uwi ko mamaya ay marinig ko ulit ang mga kailangan kong malaman.

"Thank you for listening, we'll see you Sunday. Be here at 5 am sharp."

Nakipag kamay kami sa director at producer bago lumabas ng sabay sabay.

Nang makalabas na kami ay tumigil ako sa paglalakad kaya tumigil din sila, "I have something important to ask you four," I said in a serious voice at mabilis nag bago ang ekspresyon nila. I wanted to laugh but I wanted to tease them.

"Ano iyon?" Tanong ni Zach.

"Are you guys... free tomorrow afternoon?"

They all looked at each other, "Yeah." Sabay sabay nilang sambit.

"Then, can you guys perform at my brother's birthday party? He wants a live band and wants to get to know Ravi for some reason," I shrugged.

They teased Ravi and he seemed nervous. I won't let my Kuya hurt him naman so he doesn't need to be nervous whatsoever.

"Akala naman namin kung ano!" Harvey said and I chuckled.

"Of course we are free, we couldn't miss the chance to meet your Kuya and your family, Lia," Shawn smiled and I nodded.

"Magkano talent fee niyo?" I asked them and they shrugged.

"Hindi namin alam, wait tawagan ko lang manager namin," Harvey said and gestured a wait sign as he dialed a number on his phone.

Akala ko ba wala pa rin silang manager and they were waiting for me? Siguro sobrang bagal ko nga magdesisyon at nainip na sila sa akin.

Nagulat ako ng mag ring ang cellphone ko and it was Harvey, I gave them a questioning look at hindi sinagot 'yung tawag.

"Wala pa, 'wag kayo masyadong excited. I'm still not your manager," I said and they disregarded what I said and continued to walk.

Hinatid nila ako sa kotse ko, "Just be at our house before 3 pm to set up your instruments and amplifiers. The party starts at 5 pm. 'Wag kayo malelate, my Kuya doesn't want tardy boys in our house," pananakot ko sa kanila at sumaludo naman kami.

"Bago ka umalis, picture muna!" Sambit ni Zach and we all took a few photos.

Pagkauwi ko ng bahay ay nagvibrate agad ang phone ko, tinag na naman nila ako sa isang post.

Did some contract signing with our future manager ;) @aurelia_

I sighed before taking a quick bath and slept for the rest of the night.

I woke up at 11 am and the caterers were already here at wala akong choice para maligo na agad dahil ayaw kong makita ako nila na bagong gising lang.

I wore a black body fit satin dress that ends 2 inches above my knee.

After an hour more of staying up inside my room, bumaba na ako and the tables were already set up and the food is now being cooked.

I even drove to pick up my brother's expensive cake and stopped by Starbucks for coffee. I haven't had breakfast or lunch so coffee would do the job.

After I arrived back at home, I chilled on the sofa and waited for the time to pass by.

Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras at 2:45 pm na at saktong may kumatok sa pinto, pag bukas ko nito ay naroon na sila Ravi. I smiled at them before letting them go inside of our home.

"This is our house, doon 'yung mini stage. Kailangan niyo na lang ipasok 'yung equipment niyo," I told them and they all nodded. Lalabas na sana sila nang may tumawag sa akin.

"Lia, who's at the door?" Kuya's voice asked. Tumayo naman ng tuwid ang apat noong nakita na nila ang kuya ko.

"Guys this is Kuya Cole, they are Bloodthirst. This is Shawn, Ravi, Zach, and Harvey." Pagpapakilala ko sa kanila, ngumiti naman si Kuya.

"So you're Ravi, it's nice to put a face on a name. But, as much as I want to get to know you right now, I still have to prepare so go do your thing first," Kuya excused himself.

"Your brother seems nice," Shawn said after a long silence.

"Trust me, he isn't."

Nagsimula ng magdatingan ang mga tao at buti na lang tapos na silang apat mag ayos.

Kuya greeted his guests at marami sa kanila ay kilala ang Bloodthirst. Parang naging private concert na nga ang nangyari ngayon eh, maraming nagpapapicture at autograph sa kanila.

But they seem to be enjoying it so it's okay.

"Saan po makakabili ng tickets para sa concert niyo next month?" A girl asked them.

"Visit our page and look at the pin post there, you'll see the details at that post," Shawn smiled.

Noong marami ng tao, I told Ravi and the guys to start performing.

"Before we start, we would like to wish Kuya Cole a happy birthday. We thank you for having us," Harvey said.

They started performing and people were enjoying it. Sumasabay pa nga ang mga tao sa kanila eh.

"Now I see why people love them," Kuya said while observing them play. "Mukhang okay naman sila Mom and Dad sa kanila, wala ka naman nang poproblemahin."

Tumango na lang ako. Habang nanonood sa kanila, someone covered my eyes and when I smelled their scent I knew who it was.

Tinanggal ko ang kamay niya sa mata ko at hinarap siya, "Hey you! Ang gwapo mo," I said and gave him a quick hug. Baka kasi nakatingin sila Mommy sa amin eh.

"I didn't know they were performing," Turo niya kala Ravi.

"Yeah, it was last minute kasi."

"Come inside of my heart if you're looking for answers, look at the stars go a little bit faster," Zach sang. It was the first time I ever heard him sing properly. Usually kasi hindi naman kasi kumakanta ang mga bass players but in fairness, maganda din boses niya.

Pero kakaiba pa rin ang boses ni Ravi. Wala naman akong favoritism sa kanila pero ang mas naririnig ko kasi talaga kumanta ay si Ravi. Lead singer and guitarist siya eh.

Me and Gabe ate food together and talked about how our day went like the usual and eventually the band stopped performing to rest and eat.

Lahat sila ay lumapit sa table namin at nasa gitna na ako ni Ravi at Gabe. They both were giving each other stabbing glares. Kaya snapped my fingers.

"Kumain ka na lang, Ravi. Ikaw Gabe, just do what you want."

After eating, Gabe pulled me out to the backyard. He placed my arms around his neck and his hands on my waist.

We were slow dancing in the dark with the faint music playing from the house. It was like a modern fairy tale and I loved every moment of it.

"You look really beautiful, Lia," Gabe whispered before twirling me. I lean onto his chest while swaying my body with him. I could hear and feel his heartbeat.

"Are you nervous?" I asked him bago iangat ang tingin. He shyly rubbed the back of his head.

"Is it that obvious?" He asked and I nodded. He stopped moving and so was I. He tucked the few strands of hair covering my face in the back of ear and leaned in.

"I love you Lia," He whispered and it sent chills down my spine. Natulala naman ako sa kanya at hindi nakasagot.

Napatalon na lang ako noong may narinig akong dabog sa gilid, I saw Ravi's figure aggressively walking away from us. Nakita ko na may nahulog galing sa kaniya. Nilapitan ko iyon at narinig ko ang malalim na hiningang hinugot ni Gabe.

I picked up a small white rose, it was my favorite flower.

"I don't get why he always acts like that, but I do know there's something wrong with him," I told Gabe and he just scoffed.

"Lia, baby, the only thing I could see right now is jealousy," Gabe sighed and my brows furrowed.

"Walang dahilan para mag selos siya, Gabe. Mag isip ka nga," I rolled my eyes.

"Lia, he clearly likes you!" He shouted, and I flinched. It was the first time I heard him shout. Agad naman siya natauhan at nilapitan niya ako, he hugged me but I didn't respond to his touch.

The situation spiraled out of my control in a matter of seconds, hindi ko alam kung sasabihin ko kay Gabe na ayaw kong sinisigawan ako or hahabulin ko si Ravi kung saan man siya napadpad.

"I'm sorry for raising my voice po, it won't happen again," He apologized and I nodded.

"It's impossible that he likes me, he wrote a whole fucking album about a stranger, Gabe," I told him and he raised a brow.

"Why are you disappointed? Do you wish it was you he wrote those songs for?" He asked with gritted teeth.

"You know what... I can't deal with you right now, I'm going to find him."

I was still holding the white rose as I walked back inside the house, Harvey was seated beside Zach so I walked up towards them. "Hey, have you two seen Ravi?" I asked.

"Maybe he's vaping outside," Harvey replied and I nodded before leaving from the front door.

I scanned the whole front yard and there I saw him kissing a woman.

Nabitawan ko 'yung bulaklak na hawak ko. Hindi ko alam ang nararamdaman ko ngayon, was I hurt or was I mad?

But more importantly why am I suddenly crying inside of my room?

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:p