#NewClassicRTMC

Chapter 27
Summer of 19

"Aleena!"

My team began panicking as soon as I entered my own dressing room. Ate Gina and Ate Blessie immediately dragged me in front of the vanity mirror. They were having cold sweats. Wala silang inaksayang oras at agad akong sinimulang ayusan.

Wala pang tatlong oras simula nang natapos naming dalawa ni Isaiah ang aking kanta. I was running very late. Isang oras na lang ay magsisimula na ang live broadcast. Muntik na akong hindi umabot. Kanina pa ako pinapaulanan ng mga tawag at texts nina Ike at Mr. Joel.

I assured them though that I would not back down from the competition. I also informed them that I wrote a new song. Kaya habang abala kami ni Isaiah sa kanta, abala rin sina Ike at Mr. Joel sa mga changes sa stage design ko.

I could feel their nervousness. Kahit ako man ay kinabahan na baka hindi na ako umabot. I didn't want my hard work go to waste. The thought that Willow would have a higher chance of winning, if I wouldn't make it, frustrated me so much.

Kahit si Zendaya na kasama ni Isaiah na naghatid sa akin papuntang arena ay hindi mapakali. I had never seen her so angry, but she was so pissed off because of the reckless drivers who were causing traffic. Sa rear view mirror naman, kahit medyo iritado rin ay nakikita kong nangingiti si Isaiah tuwing ipinapakita ni Zendaya na naiinis siya.

I'm really grateful to them both.

Isaiah was very hands-on as we worked together to finish my song. He almost didn't get a sleep while working on the music arrangement. He was very open to my suggestions. We would often exchange ideas, and I was glad that we both had the same vision for the song. Nakuha niya agad ang mga gusto kong mangyari. Nagkasundo kami sa mga synths, instruments, at effects na ginamit. Mayroon din siyang binago sa bilang ng tempo na mas ikinaayos ng kanta.

I realized how detailed Isaiah is when it comes to making a song. If I'd be honest, it was harder to work with him than Ike. As the youngest awarded songwriter in the country, he is in a different league.

However, even if it was a tough experience, I still learned a lot from him. He pointed out my mistakes and some flaws. He also shared some techniques when it comes to writing lyrics. May mga inirevise pa ako dahil sa mga payo niya sa akin.

Learning is really a never-ending process. You will keep on learning and discovering new things through experiences and from meeting other people. We learn every single day. If you think that you already know enough, you'll realize that it's just the surface and you still have to go deeper.

It's like running on a marathon. You passed the 3km to 5km to 10km or even 20km before you reached the finish line. But just when you thought it's already over, another marathon is set to start where you can challenge yourself once more.

That's why I'm grateful to Isaiah for making me reflect on these realizations. Ganoon na rin kay Zendaya na sinuportahan kaming dalawa. She would always check on us and bring us food to eat when we almost forgot about taking care of ourselves. And since I wanted to avoid crossing paths with Ike, she even invited me to sleep in their house and treated me like a sister. In this cruel world, I'm happy to meet someone like her who is pure and kind.

"Nandyan na ba si Aleena?" Sumabog ang boses ni Mr. Joel pagpasok sa dressing room, mukhang tarantang-taranta.

Our eyes met through the mirror. He sighed in relief.

"Mabuti naman..." sabi niya. "Bilisan ninyo na ang pag-ayos sa kanya. Kahit minimal hair and makeup lang muna dahil may time pa namang ayusan siya ulit bago ang performance niya."

Tumango lang sina Ate Blessie at Ate Gina sa kanya habang seryoso sa pag-aayos sa akin.

Not long after, Ike also came inside. Agad ding nagtama ang aming mga tingin sa salamin. His gaze lingered on me for a while before I decided to avert my eyes away from him and focused on my own reflection.

We had not talked properly ever since that night he came to say sorry because he wasn't able to keep his promises. We couldn't meet each other. He just kept sending me messages and trying to call me. Kapag may tanong siyang importante ay saka lamang ako nagrereply.

I thought Ike would just let me be but he walked closer and eventually stood beside me. Pigil na pigil akong lingunin siya. I kept wearing a straight face and looking in front.

"Where have you been? Si Isaiah daw ang naghatid sa 'yo rito?" bungad niyang tanong sa akin nang makalapit.

"Aleena, pikit ka," utos ni Ate Blessie upang lagyan ng eyeshadow at eyeliner ang talukap ng aking mga mata.

Hindi ko sinagot si Ike at sinunod na lang ang sinabi ni Ate Blessie.

"Ike, saka mo na siya kausapin. We're pressed for time," ani Mr. Joel na parang sumasakit na ang ulo sa mga nangyayari. "Hayaan mo nang matapos siyang ayusan at magsisimula na ang live broadcast."

"Aleena..." tawag ulit sa akin ni Ike sa isang maamong boses, umaktong hindi narinig ang sabi sa kanya ni Mr. Joel.

"Aleena, dilat ka tapos tingin ka sa taas," sabi naman ni Ate Blessie.

Muli kong sinunod ang sinabi niya at hindi pinansin si Ike.

Napabuntonghininga nang malalim si Mr. Joel. "Halika na nga sa labas, Ike. Kung hindi ka hihilahin ay hindi ka aalis."

Pagkatapos akong lagyan ng manipis na eyeliner sa waterline ay kita kong tangay-tangay palabas ni Mr. Joel si Ike. Although I was still mad at him, I couldn't help but get hurt as I watched him leave dejectedly.

"Nag-away ba kayong dalawa?" sabay tanong ni Ate Gina na mukhang kuryoso sa hindi namin pagpapansinan.

Ngumiti na lang ako at umiling upang itanggi iyon. I couldn't afford to have another issue after this night.

Mabuti na lang at hindi na ako inusisa pa nina Ate Gina at Ate Blessie. Pagkatapos akong lagyan ng kaunting makeup at simpleng ayos ng buhok, pinagbihis na nila ako.

I had three dresses on my wardrobe. Iba-iba ang isusuot ko sa opening, sa performance ko at saka sa closing.

For the opening, I wore a printed yellow, sleeveless, midi dress with a thin black waist belt to highlight my curves. And just right after I dressed up, a staff called me and led me to the backstage.

Pagkarating ko sa backstage ay parang may mini sala set doon na waiting room. The other finalists, including Willow, were already there. Ako na lang ang hinihintay nila kaya agad silang napalingon sa akin.

Aside from Willow, the two finalists looked indifferent. Naisip ko na baka may sama sila ng loob sa akin dahil kahit na hindi ako umattend ng rehearsals ay kasali pa rin ako sa finals.

"Doon ka umupo sa tabi ni Willow," sabi sa akin ng staff. "We will start in five."

Nginitian ko lamang ang staff at saka taas-noong naglakad papunta sa tabi ni Willow. She flashed me her deceiving sweet smile, but I know better. Under her bright smile and a light pink dress is a dark soul.

"It's good to see you here." She began to act while I took a seat beside her. "Wala ka sa rehearsals kaya akala ko ay hindi ka na kasali sa finals."

One corner of my lips lifted into a smirk. I turned to her with an apathetic stare. "Then, you must be very disappointed to see me here," I remarked which caught her off guard. "You think I'll back down, keep quiet, and disappear from here just because you stole and plagiarized my song, and spread rumors about me?"

Her lips parted. She looked nervous as her eyes kept trying look at the other side where the other two finalists sat. Natatakot siyang baka naririnig ng dalawa ang aming usapan.

"Kinakabahan ka?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay at napangiti na. "Well, you must be. Alam mong may ginawa kang mali."

Sinubukan niyang itago ang kanyang kaba. Her lips tightly pursed as she showed her discontentment and anger.

"Sa ating dalawa, hindi ba't ikaw dapat ang wala rito?" Itinagilid ko ang aking ulo habang tamad siyang tinitingnan. "You should thank me that I still haven't done anything to expose you of stealing and plagiarizing my song. Kaya payo ko sa 'yo ay sulitin mo na ang gabing 'to. This might be the last time you're going to stand and perform on stage."

The color drained from Willow's face even though she was wearing makeup. I just smiled and looked away. It was enough for me to see her seething with anger and fear. It might be cruel but I was glad to see her troubled and terrified.

Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na ulit ang staff upang i-direct kami. Pinaghiwa-hiwalay kaming apat dahil magkakaiba kami ng sasakyan na stage lift. The live broadcast was already starting. I could hear the emcees hyping the crowd. I waited down patiently until they began calling the finalists one by one.

I was feeling nothing but vengeance. I wanted to perform, win the competition and get over this survival show.

"Aleena Iris Caringal!" I was the last one who made an entrance.

The crowd went wild as the lift slowly raised me up to stand on the stage. Goosebumps prickled on my skin. My eyes widened in awe when I saw the arena packed with people. Most of them were wearing yellow, and according to Mr. Joel, that's my color—the reason why I was also wearing a yellow dress.

I almost didn't believe that they're all my supporters until I saw them carrying banners and tarpaulins with my name.

"Aleena! Aleena! Aleena!"

They were screaming out my name in unison. I could feel the stage floor vibrating because of their loud voices.

From the general admission down to the standing area, the fans in bright yellow were like one big ray of sunshine. Just by looking at them, I received a huge amount of strength and confidence. Because of their presence, I even forgot the grudge I held in my chest. They brought warmth to my heart and gave me light.

"Once again, these are the four finalists of Road to Record!"

Muling dumagundong ang sigawan sa buong arena. Pinasadahan ko ulit ng tingin ang buong audience. Bahagyang nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang makita kong kasama nina Isaiah at Zendaya sina Jirro at Cloé.

When they saw me looking their way, sabay na kumaway ang magkatabing sina Zendaya at Cloé sa akin. It seemed like they were both capturing that moment. Tinapat sa akin ni Zendaya ang kanyang cellphone habang si Cloé naman ay may hawak na professional camera.

Pagkatapos akong kuhanan ng litrato ni Zendaya ay muli siyang ngumiti sa akin at nakisabay sa sigawan ng fans. Her lips mouthed my name as she chanted and showed support. She really looked like a fangirl at that moment.

Nahagip ng tingin ko si Isaiah na natatawa habang pinapanood ang girlfriend. Si Jirro naman ay mukhang nagpapapansin kay Cloé na seryosong pinapasadahan ng camera ang buong arena. I realized that she wasn't taking a picture. Rather, she was trying to film everything.

Nalibang ako sa panonood sa kanila. Naagaw nga lang ulit ng napakalakas na sigawan ang aking atensyon nang tawagin ng emcee ang mga mentors, kasama na rin ang mga mentors ng na-eliminate na mentees.

"Ike Rolloque of New Classic!" the emcee introduced Ike to his fans who all turned frantic because of his appearance. "Mentor of Aleena and Willow."

Ike walked on the stage like he was on the runway. His one hand was on his pocket, screaming confidence. His aura while wearing an all-black formal suit was way stronger than his stage clothes. One look at him and you could tell that he holds a lot of power in his hands.

Nang umabot sa harap si Ike kasama ng ibang mentors, nakita ko ulit sina Isaiah at Jirro na seryosong nakatingin sa kaibigan. But unlike Jirro who was wearing no expression, Isaiah's eyes had a smoldering intensity—showing anger and irritation. Sa gilid naman niya ay nagfafangirl pa rin si Zendaya. She kept taking pictures of Ike on her phone. Si Cloé ay abala pa rin sa pagvivideo.

After the mentor's entrance, Ike went to stand in between me and Willow. Feeling his presence beside me, I had a hard time stopping myself from looking at him. On the other hand, I could see in my peripheral vision that he kept on glancing my way. But despite the temptation, I managed to resist it and held my chin up as I looked at my supporters.

Isa-isang ininterview ng emcees ang mga finalists hanggang sa napunta na silang dalawa sa amin ni Willow.

"Can you share to us what song did you write for the finals?" The emcee asked Willow and shared her microphone.

"L-Langit..." Willow stuttered.

I clenched my fist as I stopped myself from exploding.

"Oh, tungkol saan naman ang kantang iyon?"

"Uhm, you'll know once you hear the song later," she simply replied.

If only the emcee asked me, I could answer the question for her.

"Wow! Parang mas lalong nakakaexcite ang sinulat mong kanta. Napakamysterious!" puri ng emcee.

Willow just laughed awkwardly. I could tell she was losing her confidence. She was bothered from my threats. I was sure that it would affect her performance badly.

"How about you, Aleena?" Lumapit sa akin ang isa pang emcee. "Can you tell us about the song you wrote?"

Ngumiti ako at muling nagsigawan ang aking mga taga-suporta.

"It's entitled Summer of 19," I answered. "It's a song that tells a story how this one girl met this guy that one summer and wish that she could relive that moment once again," I explained, and then looked at Isaiah and Zendaya. "Also, New Classic's Isaiah Mallari also helped me with the arrangement, so I can confidently say that it's something you can all look forward to."

The fans passionately screamed when they heard that Isaiah took part in creating and producing the song.

Although I wasn't looking at him, from the side of my focus, I saw Ike snap his head to me. I could already hear him asking me for an explanation. Kung wala kami sa entablado ay alam kong tatanungin niya ako agad. I realized that, for some reason, he doesn't want me involved with Isaiah.

Pagkatapos ng maikling interview at opening ay pinabalik kami sa backstage. I heard the emcee discussing how the live voting would work. I didn't hear the rest as we all went to our own dressing rooms. Muli akong inayusan para sa performance ko.

I was going to have an underwater theme for my stage. They did my hair and makeup like a mermaid. I had some seashell ornaments on my hair with other gems. They curled it and even put some pink and blue washable highlights on the braids.

For my outfit, they prepared a knee-length, blue sleeveless dress, paired with a strapped silver sandals. There were also shells and crystals sewed for the top part of the dress. The skirt had so many layers just to make it puffed.

Inaasahan kong bibisitahin ako ni Ike ulit sa dressing room, ngunit hindi siya dumating. Doon ko lamang naaalala na mayroon nga rin palang performance ang mga mentors. He was set to perform after Willow.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal inayusan, ngunit pagkatapos ay tinawag na rin ako ng isang staff para pumunta sa waiting area sa backstage.

Naabutan ko ang pangatlong finalist na magpeperform doon. Mayroong TV kung saan nakikita ang mismong live broadcast. My lips parted when I saw Ike closing his performance with a sentimental plucking of his guitar.

Cause when everything else fades
I'll promise I'll stay
With you, with you
Always...

He sang the last line of Always, one of New Classic's songs, and then blinked up to face the camera. The sincere look on his eyes tugged my stupid heartstring.

Mabilis akong umiwas ng tingin sa TV. Kahit hanggang dito sa backstage ay rinig na rinig ko ang sigawan ng mga fans sa labas. Madaming staff ang naghihintay sa gilid ng backstage kung saang pumasok si Ike. Ang finalist na kasama ko sa waiting area ay sinama na ng staff sa gilid upang siya naman ang lumabas sa entablado.

When Ike saw me, he immediately broke through the crowd flocking him. His eyes were all on me as he strode his way to me.

Iba na ang suot niya. Instead of the all-black suit, he was wearing a white shirt and jeans. Nakasabit pa rin ang gitara sa kanya. He looks very clean and manly.

"It'll be your turn soon..." Ike reluctantly started a conversation with me. "Are you nervous?"

With a heavy sigh, I looked up to him, smiled, and shook my head. "I'm not."

He licked his lower lip as his eyes searched for something on my body until it stopped on both my wrists.

"You're not wearing the bracelet I gave you..." His voice was quiet as he pointed that out.

Bumagsak din tuloy ang mga mata ko sa aking palapulsuhan. Napaawang ang aking mga labi. The stylist asked me to remove it because it wouldn't fit the concept. I secured it inside the pocket of my guitar case, though.

"Uhm—"

"Sir Ike, tawag po kayo para sa mini photoshoot," singit ng staff na lumapit sa akin bago ako makasagot.

Right. Pagkatapos nga pala ng performance ay mayroong nakahandang dressing room na ginawang studio. Magkakaroon ng photoshoot para sa mga official photos na i-uupload sa page ng Road to Record.

"Okay. I'll be right there," sabi ni Ike sa staff bago ako ulit nilingon. "I might not be here later before you stand on stage but I know you can do it. Show them why I believe in you, Aleena."

Ike smiled while staring on my face. His affectionate gaze brought heat to my cheeks that I couldn't stop.

"You look really beautiful tonight... I'm looking forward to the song," he uttered. "Good luck."

Agad siyang tumalikod upang sumunod sa staff.

I really didn't know why I was feeling guilty when he caught me not wearing his bracelet. Pakiramdam ko ay napakalaking kasalanan 'yon. Hindi ko maintindihan. Siya ang may ginawa sa aking mali, ngunit bakit ako ang hindi mapakali sa ideyang nagtatampo siya sa akin?

Iyon ang mga gumulo sa aking isipan hanggang sa tinawag na ako ng staff para magstand by sa gilid ng stage. After the third finalist's performance, the lights went off. The staffs were trying to quickly change the set design for my performance.

Hindi ko alam kung paano nila naayos ang lahat sa loob ng tatlong minuto. The big LED screen behind was displaying an underwater video, like the stage was inside a massive aquarium. May mga kunwaring malalaking corals din na nakakalat. The mic stand was also decorated with different sea elements.

"Punta ka na sa stage," bilin sa akin ng staff na nakaantabay kasama ko.

Holding my guitar, I carefully walked to the center of the stage where the mic stand was placed. Inayos ko ang aking earpiece at pati na rin ang gitara.

Isaiah removed the main guitar for the MR he rendered for my live performance so that I could play the guitar myself. He did it on his own accord as he figured I would like to perform that way. Hindi naman siya nagkakamali. Gusto ko ngang ako mismo ang tumugtog ng gitara.

Sa dilim, dahil nasa pinakaharapan, kita kong may naglakad mula sa backstage papunta sa baba. Once the lights were open as the instrumentals began playing, I found Ike already sitting beside Jirro. He came out there just to watch me.

To be honest, his presence didn't bother me. It even helped me condition myself since the main character of the song is him. I wrote the song in hopes that once I let go of my feelings through writing it down, I would eventually forget him and move on from these feelings.

Ohh, ohh
That summer
Yeah, yeah

It was a cool summer day of 19
I sat on the sand and looked up at the cotton candy skies
While you walked up from behind
With your hands on your pockets
And said, "Uhm, hi..."

Ike's lips parted when he heard the lyrics of the song.

Naaalala mo ba Ike? That's how we met.

That summer
I fell for your smile
That summer
I drowned in your eyes
That summer, that smile, that eyes

Oh-oh
Oh-oh

I wish that time won't fly
I like you by my side
That summer, that summer
That summer of 19
That summer, can we do it one more time?

I wish we could go back to the time when we first met in Roxas and hope that time would stop right there. Kung puwedeng paulit-ulitin ang mga panahong iyon ay gagawin ko. I didn't want these painful memories of him. I didn't want to hate him.

The sea breeze blew and ruffled your hair
I found it rude but hard not to stare
The setting sun's reflection in your eyes
There is a golden paradise
Rainbows, red roses, butterflies
And when I finally realized that...

I tried looking at the audience but my eyes kept coming back to him. I couldn't even try to spot the camera filming me. It was like I stood on this stage just to sing for him.

That summer
I fell for your smile
That summer
I drowned in your eyes
That summer, that smile, that eyes

Oh-oh
Oh-oh

I wish that time won't fly
I like you by my side
That summer, that summer
That summer of 19

That summer I wondered,
"If the summer ends,
Will our story reach the end?"

As I closed my eyes to feel the song, I remembered how the thought of not seeing him hurt me so much. He became a huge part of my life. I gathered my courage and risked everything just to come with him to Manila and try to reach my dreams.

It was a cool summer day of 19
And you walked up from behind...

I tried to bury my feelings, thinking that I'd eventually disregard it. Little did I know, I was already falling deeper and deeper. And when I finally acknowledged my feelings, I was overwhelmed by how much I've come to love him. That even though I was hurt, and I got mad at him, my feelings didn't change.

That summer
I fell for your smile
That summer
I drowned in your eyes
That summer, that smile, that eyes

Oh-oh
Oh-oh

I wish that time won't fly
I like you by my side
That summer, that summer
That summer of 19

Muli kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata. Hininaan ko ang pagtugtog ng gitara kasabay ng paghuni ng ibon at pag-agos ng alon.

It was a cool summer day of 19
And you walked up from behind
With your hands on your pockets
You said, "Uhm, hi..."

Nang matapos kumanta ay unti-unti kong idinilat ang aking mga mata. My eyes automatically darted on Ike. Even when the crowd clapped and cheered for me, Ike remained staring at me, like the world stopped for the two of us. He was still watching me with his lips slightly parted. His eyes were filled in awe and more emotions that I couldn't identify at that moment.

"That is Summer of 19," I whispered through the microphone. "And that is our story."

Now that you know about my feelings, it's time to move on and get over it.