#NewClassicRTMC

Chapter 13
Vague

It was almost midnight by the time we arrived at the tower. Sa sobrang traffic ay natagalan ang aming biyahe pauwi mula sa hotel kung saan kami kumain ng dinner. The van stopped at the driveway because Ike would go home straight after dropping me off.

"Just take two paper bags with you," Ike told me as soon as I tried to reach for the paper bags from the back. "I'll ask someone to take care of those tomorrow. I know you haven't organized your personal things yet, so you can work on those first."

With my lips pursed, I nodded. "Kung ganoon ay mauuna na ako?"

He nodded back with a small smile lingering on his lips. "Thank you for working hard today," he told me, his tone soft and gentle.

Bahagyang napaawang ang aking labi habang nararamdaman ang pag-init ng aking pisngi. "I should be the one thanking you..." sabi ko. "Kahit na hindi naman kailangan ay sinamahan mo ako buong araw."

Back in Roxas, especially in our neighborhood, I wouldn't worry too much hanging out with him. No one knows him there. He could freely be himself. However, everything was different in Manila. I could feel him being extra cautious once we were out of Top Star Records. All of the places we went to are all exclusive.

How does it feel to live with people watching your every move? How suffocating it is to live your life like you're always under surveillance?

I had no idea. I didn't have a single clue. But I was sure that it must had been hard for him―and for other public figures. If it was me in his position, I wondered how long I'd last... I wondered if I could sacrifice my freedom in exchange for my dreams...

"Aleena..."

I snapped back to reality when I heard Ike calling my name. I directed my attention on him. He cocked his head on one side while looking at me with concern.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Oo, uhm, may naisip lang ako..." sabi ko na lang.

His lips formed into a thin line.

Since he didn't say anything, silence reigned in between us. Tanging ang tunog lamang ng makina ng van ang aking nadidinig.

"Uhm... Aakyat na ako," paalam ko ulit at saka sinikop na ang dalawang paper bag.

Ike still remained silent, he seemed to be in deep thought. I nervously swallowed the feeling of uneasiness before I turned my back on him and faced the door. I was about to reach for the door handle when I felt Ike seized my arm.

I jumped in surprise as I looked at him again. He was no longer out of focus. His eyes were all on me, looking so determined.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow after lunch," he suddenly stated.

"May schedule din ba ako bukas?" Naramdaman kong bumagsak ang aking katawan sa pag-iisip na magiging abala na naman ako kinabukasan.

I thought I would have a free time tomorrow. Gusto ko sanang ayusin ang aking mga gamit dahil hindi ko iyon magagawa pag-uwi sa sobrang pagod.

Napailing ako at agad na ngumiti. "Pero ayos lang!" I immediately tried to lift my spirits up. "Ano ba ang schedule ko bukas?"

Ike huskily chuckled while shaking his head. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm just going to take you somewhere that I think you'll really like."

His answer piqued my curiosity. There was a bolt of excitement inside me. I still had no idea where he would take me, but I had a feeling that I was really going to like it.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Hindi ko mapigilan ang magtanong.

Ike just smiled. "You'll know tomorrow," he avoided giving me an answer, and then offered me his phone. "Put your number here on my phone so that it'll be more convenient for the both of us."

I bet my eyes twinkled while looking at his phone. I'd been longing to ask for his number after that incident where he arrived late. I don't really use my phone much but I was delighted to think that I could text or call him.

Maingat kong pinindot ang aking numero sa kanyang cellphone. Sinigurado kong hindi ako magkakamali. Ilang beses ko pang binasa nang paulit-ulit bago ibinalik sa kanya.

I saw him immediately saved my number on his contacts. May isa pa siyang pinindot at nadinig ko ang pagtunog ng aking cellphone. Kinuha ko ito at nakitang unregistered number ang tumatawag. Mabilis iyong namatay bago ko pa masagot.

"That's my number," sabi ni Ike.

Tumango ako at hindi ko na muna sinave ang kanyang numero. I didn't want him to see what I would put as his name on my contacts. Kaya naman ibinalik ko na lamang ang aking cellphone sa loob ng bag.

"Sige. Uhm, aakyat na ako para makauwi ka na," sabi ko na lang.

He looked a bit baffled but he still smiled at me. "Okay..." he trailed for a few seconds. "You should go up to your unit and take a rest. Bath your legs in a lukewarm water so that you wouldn't feel sore. I'll see you tomorrow."

Napangiti na rin ako at saka napatango ulit. Even though I didn't want to part so soon, the thought of meeting him again made me move quickly. Pagkatapos magpaalam sa kanya ay lumabas na ako ng sasakyan at dumiretso papunta sa elevator.

I quickly pulled my phone out of my bag. Bago ko makalimutan ay sinave ko ang number ni Ike. A smile broke out on my face while I typed his name, ending with a bashful smiling emoji with three hearts all over the face.

Buong pag-akyat ng elevator ay nakatitig lamang ako sa kanyang contact name. Natigil lamang ako nang makarating na sa tamang palapag. I didn't bother washing up after I got inside the unit. Dire-diretso akong pumunta sa kuwarto upang maghanap ng maisusuot sa mga damit na dala ko. I didn't bring much clothes to wear outside because Ike told me he would take care of that. Ang mga semi-formal outfits lang halos ang dala ko kasama ng mga pambahay. Good thing I still brought a few casual clothes with me.

I knew better that I shouldn't think of it as a date but I couldn't stop myself from being excited. My heart was fluttering. The butterflies in my stomach were going wild.

I couldn't believe how fast I went back on my word. I just told myself not to assume things. I decided not to think beyond the platonic relationship we currently have. However, I was finding it hard to control myself and police my feelings.

It was like those uncontrollable feelings put a blindfold on me so that I wouldn't see those red warning signs up ahead. No matter how much I wanted to pay attention, it seemed inevitable to be blinded by pure desires. I was defenseless. I didn't know how to fight back. I was like a hopeless woman, recklessly submitting to my intense emotions.

Pagkatapos kong mamili ng maisusuot ay saka na ako naglinis ng aking katawan upang makatulog. I slept with only the thoughts of spending the day with Ike the next day.

I'm an early riser but I woke up past the usual time I get off the bed. I thought that maybe it was because I couldn't hear the morning call of the birds' hymn that I used to hear every single morning. Ang tanging nadidinig ko lang ay ang pag-ugong ng aircon at ang mahinang tunog ng mga sasakyan sa labas. People were already hustling early in the morning to earn for a living.

I just saw a glimpse of the people's life here in Manila. With just that, I could already tell that you have to live a tough life in order to survive. I was actually feeling lucky and guilty when we were on our way home last night. I was comfortably sitting in the car while I saw average workers fighting for a space inside the bus or patiently waiting in a long line to ride the train. And on top of that, the traffic was worse than I could ever imagine. It just shows how dreadful the transportation system is, accompanied by irresponsible drivers.

Pursing my lips and shaking my head, I tried to get those thoughts out my head. Umagang-umaga ay problemado ako. I didn't want that so I thought of something that could make me forget―the date slash rendezvous with Ike. It was very effective because my mood turned 180 degrees the moment I did.

Nagmadali akong maligo. It was only nine by the time I finished taking a bath. Nagsuot muna ako ng pambahay at nagawa kong ayusin ang aking mga gamit. Inilipat ko ang damit na nasa aking bagahe papunta sa kabinet. Once I was done, I headed over to the kitchen to cook myself a brunch. Madaming laman ang fridge at pantry dahil talagang pinuno ito nina Cloe at Jirro para sa akin.

Inubos ko ang oras sa pag-aayos ng aking sarili matapos kong kumain at maghugas ng pinggan. Although I didn't really do much, I felt satisfied while looking at my reflection on the full body mirror. I wore a plaid beige jumper dress on top of a plain white top, and a flat nude slip-on for my shoes.

I spent most of my time doing my hair. I braided a small section of my hair from both sides, starting from my temples, and secured it with a barrette. I didn't put much on my face―just powder and cheek and lip tint to give it some color.

In the midst of staring vainly at the mirror, my phone on top of the dresser rang as I received a call from Ike. The corners of my lips lifted into a shy smile like I was mirroring the emoji I used with his name on my contacts.

"Hello?" Medyo kabado akong sinagot ang kanyang tawag.

"I'm five minutes away from the tower. Are you ready to go now?" Ike went straight to the point.

"Oo. Nakabihis na ako," sagot ko.

"Let's just meet downstairs. I'll be waiting for you at the driveway," he said.

"Uh, sige..." Hindi ko na alam ang aking sasabihin.

"Okay. See you later."

"See you later," ulit ko sa kanyang sinabi.

Nanatiling nakalapat ang cellphone sa aking tainga. Hindi pa rin binababa ni Ike ang tawag.

"You can end the call now. I'll be there very soon," he suddenly said after a while.

"Ah! Oh, sige! Mamaya na lang," natataranta kong sabi at saka tinapos ang tawag.

Because I didn't want him to wait for me, I quickly grabbed my crossbody bag and wore it. I turned off the aircon and the lights before I went out of the unit. Bago sumakay sa elevator ay sinigurado kong dala ko ang lahat ng aking kailangan―cellphone at wallet.

The security guard greeted me as I walked out of the tower. Being in a great mood, I smiled and greeted him back enthusiastically.

Hindi pa nakakarating si Ike nang makababa ako sa driveway. I was waiting for the same van to come and pick me up. However, I was starstruck when an expensive-looking car halted right in front of me. I don't know much about cars but I know how a luxury car looks when I see one.

I didn't move an inch to where I was standing. The window at my side slowly rolled down until I could see Ike's eyes looking at me from inside. He didn't bring the window all the way down as he was trying to hide himself.

Kaya naman mabilis akong kumilos papasok sa kanyang sasakyan. My nose was attacked by his scent that I was familiar with. Hindi pa ako nakakaupo nang maayos nang lumapit si Ike upang ayusin ang aking seatbelt. He made sure that I was secured on the passenger seat before he pushed the brake down and stepped on the accelerator.

"Did you have a good rest?" Ike initiated a conversation with me and quickly gave me a glance.

Wearing a smile on my face, I nodded until I was filled with curiosity once again. "Saan ba talaga tayo pupunta ngayon?"

Muli siyang sumulyap sa akin habang nagmamaneho. "We'll be there in thirty," he told me, still keeping our destination a secret to me. "But have you eaten already? Gusto mo bang kumain muna tayo?"

"I already ate," I answered right away because that's the truth and because I wanted to find out where he'd take me.

He pursed his lips lightly while nodding. "Okay..."

Not long after, Ike maneuvered his car down to the basement parking of another condominium tower. My brows furrowed. I couldn't help but feel that slight disappointment. I expected that he would take me somewhere light and open.

However, I knew it was wrong of me to expect that. Alam ko namang hindi iyon maaari.

From the basement, Ike and I went inside an elevator. He pressed a button and the lift immediately took off. Wala kaming nakasabay at tuloy-tuloy lamang ang pag-akyat nito hanggang sa huminto sa ika-24 na palapag ng tower.

Ike led me in front of a unit. He quickly pressed the passcode and pushed the door open. He walked inside and I followed him right away.

I was about to ask him where he took me, but I was lost for words when I saw the living area filled with awards. A huge group photo of New Classic was even displayed on the wall. It was like I was hypnotized seeing all of these music awards in person. The light disappointment I felt vanished in an instant.

Stuck in a trance, I unconsciously walked closer to a diamond certification of one of their albums. I reached to touch the glass and felt the cold surface at the tip of my fingers.

"Kaleidoscope..." I whispered, reading the title of the album.

I didn't know why but I suddenly felt emotional while looking at their achievements. A feeling of pride and happiness welled up inside me even if the award doesn't belong to me. I kept thinking that maybe, one day, I'd end up receiving the same reward.

"That's our first mini album..." I felt Ike moved closer and stood beside me. "Our debut album."

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the award. There were still so much to look at and appreciate, but I didn't know why that one caught my attention the most.

"It didn't receive any certification during its release. We understand because we were just starting back then. And besides, we didn't release an album just to receive an award," he said. "But our fans suddenly bought more copies of that album two years later until it received a silver, gold, platinum, and now, a diamond certification."

I dropped my hand on my side and turned to Ike. He gazed at the award lovingly. I could see his passion burning. And in my eyes, he was shining brighter than all the awards inside the room that it took my breath away.

"Kaleidoscope is the start of New Classic. It is the start of our history." he spoke softly, close to whispering. "And one day, I believe that you'll also be able to reach greater things..."

Ike slowly turned to me. His gaze grew deep as he focused his eyes on me. Attracted to his gentle and warm gaze, I stared at him without shying away.

"If you'll hold on to your passion for music and keep the fire burning by believing in yourself, I know you will..." he said, his voice filled with certainty. "One day, you'll see yourself standing on the stage with thousands of people screaming your name and singing to every song you make."

I couldn't help but picture myself the way Ike saw me in the future. I couldn't believe that I could finally see myself living my dream. It brought warmth to my heart. My chest tightened because of overwhelming happiness just by thinking about it.

I want it.

I want that.

I never knew how much I want it until that moment. It almost felt like I was craving for it, like I would never be satisfied until I finally have it.

"Oh! I'm sorry..."

The peaceful and intimate moment was interrupted when I heard the door opened, along with a surprised apology from an unfamiliar voice.

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Ike sa lalaking lumabas mula sa isang kuwarto sa loob ng unit. My eyes widened a bit when it focused on the man.

He is Isaiah!

"Isaiah," Ike called his name and moved closer to him. "Are you here alone?"

Isaiah casually nodded. "I decided to come here and write a song while waiting for Zendaya's off. Maaga ang uwi niya ngayon at may pupuntahan kami," he explained, and then looked at me with a smile. "Aleena, right?"

Out of excitement to meet him, I smiled and nodded eagerly. Aside from Ike, I guess I could say that I also really do admire Isaiah as a talented songwriter and vocalist.

"Mamaya ka pa aalis?" malamig na tanong ni Ike bigla sa kaibigan.

"Well, yes..." nag-aalangang sagot ni Isaiah habang sumusulyap pabalik-balik sa aming dalawa ni Ike. "Are you two going to spend time here?"

"I just want to show her our studio," Ike explained.

"Oh, right!" Isaiah turned to me again, looking interested. "Ike told me that you also write songs. Can I listen to one of your songs?"

Knowing that I could also learn from him if he has something to point out with my songwriting, I gladly obliged to his request. We went inside the studio right away, and it was even bigger than the living room area. It looked like a soundproof recording studio, filled with instruments and a big monitor with other equipment I wasn't familiar with.

It's like a paradise for me. It's even better than the view of nature back at home. It feels like it's a place made for me.

"Here." Isaiah offered me a guitar to play my song. "You can use my guitar."

"No need," agad gumitna si Ike sa amin at inabot ang isa pang gitara. "This is my guitar. Use mine. You're already familiar with my guitar, right?"

"Uh, oo," sabi ko at kinuha ang gitara ni Ike bago nilingon si Isaiah na nakataas ang kilay. "Iyong kay Ike na lang gagamitin ko."

"No problem," sabi na lang ni Isaiah.

Ilang beses ko nang nasubukang gamitin ang gitara ni Ike noong nasa Roxas pa kami kaya alam kong magiging kumportable ako sa pagtugtog gamit ito. Umupo ako sa couch sa loob ng studio at saka pinosisyon ang gitara sa aking hita.

"Uhm, this is the song I wrote with Ike..." I informed Isaiah and he looked even more interested.

Naisip ko na dahil hindi napanood ni Ike ang aking performance noong singing contest ay iyon na lang ang tutugtugin ko. My lips curled up into a gentle smile as I started playing the guitar.

Even when the skies turned gray,
I got you
Even through the cold and rain,
I got you

Yes, I'll be there
By your side
I got you
I got you

From the guitar, I looked up to Ike who was silently watching me as I played the song I wrote with him. Our eyes met, and I smiled wider as I sang the song like it was dedicated to him.

Even in your darkest days,
I got you
Even if you think that you're alone in this world,
I got you
I got you

Isaiah clapped his hands after I finished singing. Napangiti ako sa kanyang pagpalakpak at sinulyapan si Ike. He was still looking at me with a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"Ang galing!"

Naagaw muli ni Isaiah ang atensyon ko mula kay Ike. Nahihiya akong ngumiti sa kanya. I felt like I didn't deserve to be praised by a successful songwriter like him.

"Since you wrote that song with Ike, I really couldn't find faults," he told me. "But the way you conveyed the emotion of the lyrics while singing, I can see that you're very passionate. You sing like you're talking to the person you want to sing that song to."

Mas lalong nag-init ang aking pisngi sa komento ni Isaiah. It was like he was lowkey trying to sell me off to Ike by revealing what I had in mind while singing.

"Not many singers could do that. Most of them just sing while hitting the right notes and getting the lyrics right without delivering it with emotions," he continued to explain. "Now, I know why Ike insisted on trying to cast you."

Nilingon niya ang kaibigan nang mayroong makahulugang ngiti sa kanyang labi. Sinuklian siya nang matalim na tingin ni Ike bago ito tumayo at lumapit sa akin.

"You did great," Ike praised me and smiled at me like he didn't just glare at Isaiah a while ago.

My smile widened because of his acknowledgement. I was already contented to perform the song in front of him, but I felt happier that he liked it.

Isaiah hung out with us for almost two hours. He introduced me to different equipment used in producing a song. He even gave me the honor to listen to the song that he was working on. I learned that I still had a long way to go in order to catch up with him.

"It was really nice meeting you, Aleena," Isaiah told me as he was about to go. "If you have any questions, don't hesitate to approach me if ever we come across each other."

"If she has questions, she can just ask me," singit ni Ike at agad napataas ang kilay ni Isaiah nang nilingon ang kaibigan.

"Uh, tama si Ike!" pagsang-ayon ko. "Ayokong makaabala sa 'yo..."

Isaiah chuckled while nodding his head. "Okay, then. See you around," he said and tapped Ike's shoulder before walking out of the studio.

Hindi mawala-wala ang ngiti ko nang maakalis si Isaiah. I looked around the studio, still amazed with everything before my eyes met Ike who was looking at me with his curious eyes.

"Ang bait pala ni Isaiah," wala sa sarili kong sabi kay Ike. "Kahit si Jirro ay mabait din."

I'm glad that he's blessed with great friends like them. I'm really happy for him.

Ike stared at me with so much suspicion and said, "Isaiah has a girlfriend."

Napawi ang ngiti sa aking mga labi at napakunot ang noo. "Alam ko. Sinabi sa akin ni Cloé."

"Uhuh, and Cloé is Jirro's fiancée," he added.

"Oo nga... Alam ko..." sabi ko na lang dahil naguguluhan ako sa kanyang mga biglang sinasabi sa akin.

"Good," he simply said and ended our conversation about that with just one word as a vague response.