CHAPTER 13

Everything goes right and well while we were training, except sa medyo nadidistract ako dahil nandun 'yung Kat at 'yung bata. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Jane also tried to be my friend today, and I thank her for that na ginagawa niya 'yun dahil mapapanis na ang laway ko dahil wala naman akong mga kaclose dito.

The training goes on 3 different levels. First is the vocalization, 2nd is the instruments, and 3rd is performing.

Meron 'din 2 managers ng recording company ng Retro na nakastand by dito. Maybe they were looking for new stars to be recruited.

"Uhm, Lauren..." Tinawag ang pagalan ko, it means ako na ang papasok sa recording room para ipresent and napili kong kanta. Nasa 3rd part na kasi kami ng training, at ang task naming ay pumili ng isang kanta na sa tingin naming mailalabas naming lahat ng kaya naming as a performer.

So we'd have to perform with instruments and ofcourse sing the song with ourselves.

My hands were shaking a bit when I walk close and closer to the area. Nakatingin siya saakin habang naka-smile.

I don't know, pero medyo nawala 'yung kaba ko nung nakita ko 'yong ngiti niya. And it's like kahit pagod na pagod na siya, hindi mo iyon makikita sa ngiti niya.

I can even see little sweats at the side of his face, but I can't see any tireness in his expression.

I held the neck of my guitar tightly and enter the room.

Umupo na ako sa high chair sa tapat ng mis at ipinatong 'yung gitara ko sa hita ko.

"You may start," I hear him say then raised his thumbs up.

His smile was all I got to start my performance.

I cleared my throat out of the mic then start playing my guitar.

I start strumming my guitar then sung the first verse,

When you hold me in the street

And you kiss me on the dance floor

I wish that it could be like that

Why can't it be like that?

'Cause I'm yours

I con't know why, but I felt different, ang naririnig ko lang ay ang sarili ko. It's echoing all over this room. And I felt a bit nervous on how it sounds outside.

And so I continued, as I open my eyes.

We keep behind closed doors

Every time I see you, I die a little more

Stolen moments that we steal as the curtain falls

It'll never be enough

I plucked my guitar as I roamed through the glass walls to see how everyone looks like. I can see Jane not so far just listening then showed a smile when our eyes met. Nakita ko rin na nageenjoy naman 'yung iba kaya gumaan ang loob ko.

And I can see Harris smiling at me, is it a good sign?

I just do what's right, sing and play in a way I know.

Up to the chorus I held my breath for a second then go on.

Why can't you hold me in the street?

Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor?

I wish that it could be like that

Why can't we be like that? Cause I'm yours

Sobrang pinagdadasal ko kanina, na maabot ko lahat ng notes, specially sa part ng chorus. And I'm so thankful I did.

After 3 minutes of performing, ibinaba ko na ang headphones at tumayo, I gazed around and saw them clapping.

Paglabas ko, narinig ko ang maingay nilang salubong saakin. I think I did a great job after all.

"That was great, Lauren!" Harris complimented. So I smiled at him.

The struggle is, sa sobrang palangiti niya, minsan hindi ko alam kung talaga bang totoo na masaya siya para saakin.

Binati rin ako nung 2 manager at nakipagkamay.

"Lauren! You did great! That was my favorite song! When you hold me in the street.." Sabi niya at kinanta ang unang line.

Niyakap ko siya at natawa sa expression niya.

"Grabe!" I placed my hand on my chest then breathe heavily.

"Buti ka nga pang 9th! Ako unang una! Bwena mano!" Sabi niya then she pouted. Ang cute niya talaga!

I laughed then we clapped our hands together.

"I knew you'll do great! I know kuya is telling the truth!" She exclaimed.

"What do you mean?" Tapos biglang nanlaki 'yung mata niya at tinakpan niya 'yung bibig niya.

Para siyang bata...

"A-hm. What I mean is, at the music fest, he told me that you were talented, that's why you deserved to win." She said then managed to compose a smile.

Tumango-tango ako at itinuon na lang ang atensyon ko sa susunod na performer.

Jarvis is really a big mystery to me...

Right after the training, nagpaalam na saakin si Jane, sabi niya magkita na lang daw kami mamaya. Kasi mamayang 3 o'clock may training ulit kami. We were just having our lunch break.

I was just waiting for Krish to come at the bay, sa may wooden bench malapit sa bay. Medyo malayo na to sa camp site. But may mga tao parin naman. Madaming nagpipicture taking.

I was just feeling the peace of the area and the brush of wind.

Nang biglang may tumakbo papaunta saakin.

I looked at her, siya 'yung batang kasama nung Kat... na maybe anak nila.

She was holding a chocolate ice cream tapos nakangiti siya saakin.

I just smiled at her too. Why is she here?

"Can I sit there?" Tinuro niya'yung vacant space sa tabi ko. I can even see her front teeth empty. I smiled fully then nod.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito? Nasaan 'yung parents mo?" I asked her, while he was busy eating her ice cream.

Ano ba'yan, pinapabayaan nila 'yung batang gumala kung saan saan.

"Andun po."Ngumiti siya hanggang sa wala na kong matang makita and pointed her finger upstairs.

Sinundan koi yon ng tingin at nakita ko si Harris na nakadungaw sa malayo habang may kausap sa phone, tapos tumingin siya sa gawi naming at ngumiti at naglakad na pababa.

"Asan 'yung mommy mo?" I asked.

She shrugged tapos bigla siyang tumili ng malakas nung nalaglag sa cone 'yung ice cream niya.

Kumuha agad ako ng wipes sa bag ko at pinunasan 'yong kamay at bibig niya, pati 'yung laylayan ng yellow dres niya na natuluan ng ice cream.

"Uy, wag ka na umiyak.." Pagpapatahan ko sakanya. Bigla na lang siyang umiyak nung nalaglag 'yung ice cream niya.

"Peachy!" I looked up then saw Harris.

"Daddy... d-dad...y" She sobbed crying then wiped her tears with her hands.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaluhod at hinawakan mabuti 'yung wipes na dala ko habang pinapatahan niya 'yung bata.

I don't know, nakaramdam ako ng kirot habang ginagawa niya 'yun. Maybe I'm just jealous at the fact; my parents never did that to me...

"Sige mauna na ako.." Sabi ko at kinuha na 'yung bag ko.

But the little girl refused me to leave.

"Wait!" Peachy screamed.

"Let's play first." She smiled widely then clapped her hands.

Tumingi ako kay Harris, pero I can't read his expression. Ibinaba niya si Peachy tapos tumingin ulit saakin.

"May pupuntahan pa si ate eh... Next time na lang." I pleased her then she pouted.

I smiled then pinched her cheeks. "Next time maglalaro tayo ha? Aalis muna si ate." Tapos tumayo na ako at umalis.

But before I even take a step, Harris called me.

Hinarap ko siya, "Yes?" I tried to compose a smile.

"Thanks." He smiled tapos binuhat ulit si peachy.

I nodded then walked away.

"Ay grabe friend!" Humiga si Krish sa kama pabagsak at tinanggal ang pagkakaayos ng buhok niya.

"Akala ko magaling na kami, may mas magaling pa pala saamin! Tapos naiistress na nga ako, nakisabay pa 'tong si Ken!" She rolled her eyes tapos nataawa ako dahil mukha siyang bata mag-rant.

"Aba alam niyang selosa ako! Makpag-entertain ng babae 'dun nakooo!" Sabi niya tapos hinilot 'yung noo niya.

Kinuha ko na 'yung tray ng food ko at binuksan.

"Baka naman kasi nagoover think ka lang." sabi ko.

"Anong overthink—" Biglang tumunog 'yung phone ko at nakita ko 'yung pangalan ni Mommy.

Sinagot ko kaagad 'yon at sumenyas kay Krish na tumahimik muna.

"Hello, Ma?" I answered.

"How are you Lauren?" I can't read the expression of her voice...

"I'm fine Ma." I stayed still.

"Oh, ingat ka dyan ha? Goodluck sa laban niyo." I can feel the sincerity in her voice kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil wala pa siyang alam. All she knew is, we were having our competition in research papers.

"Pagbalik mo dito, samahan mo ako sa meeting kay Mr. and Mrs. Del Liano. You will learn a lot from them about business." I sighed. Not again...

"Ok po, sige." I tried to make it sound cheerful.

"Sige po, bye." Ibinaba ko na 'yong phone ko at umupo.

"Oh ansabe?" Tanong ni Krish.

Before I even answer her question someone knocked the door.

"Ako na." I presented.

Nang buksan ko ang pinto, medyo napaatras pa ako ng konti at napabitaw sa door knob sa nakita ko.

I felt random emotions...

"Hi?" Sabi niya at humawak sa gilid ng doorway.

"Uy! Hi Jarvis!" Krish greeted him tapos ngumiti siya ng konti kay Krish.

"Bakit ka nandito?" I asked him.