CHAPTER 20

"Mabuhay SJIan! 30 minutes na lamang at mag-uumpisa na ang Cheer Gimic Battle!" Bungad ng isang guro na magsisilbing host ngayong intramurals.

Nagsigawan naman ang lahat. Nakaupo na halos lahat ng estudyante sa kani-kanilang bleachers, kung saan naka-assign ang bawat grupo.

"Xyrex, what if magkamali ako?" Kinakabahang saad ko at nag-aalalang tumingin sa kanya.

He cupped both of my cheeks then uttered, "Kaya mo 'yan, Selenn sweetie. Lampasuhin mo 'yang drummer ng iba. Ang papangit pa nila. Mas maganda pa bebe ko." Aniya saka ako hinalikan sa noo.

"Thank you," I murmured.

My lips instantly stretched as I watched Xyrex grinned.

"'Yan, ganyan dapat. Ngiti lang bebecakes ko." He winked at me.

I smacked his shoulder and laughed. "Oo na."

Patuloy lang na nakapulupot ang braso ni Xyrex sa beywang ko nang sumulpot si Ma'am Amira.

"Selenn, hija, pumwesto ka na doon. Malapit na mag-start ang battle. Huli na pala nasabi sa amin na may sarili ring battle for drummer. You can do freestyle or kahit ano basta hindi aabot ng 2 minutes or so. Maximum is 1 minute lang. So do your best, I know you can do it!" Saad ni Ma'am.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Ma'am! H-Hindi po ako handa." Halos maiyak na sabi ko.

Ramdam ko ang pagbilis at pagtibok ng malakas ng puso ko. I never tried doing freestyle!

Ma'am Amira patted my shoulder. "Alam kong kakayanin mo 'yan, Selenn. You are the gifted student in our school. Swerte nga namin na nakuha ka namin ngayon."

But I'm not gifted. I'm just a simple student.

Akmang makikiusap pa ako kay Ma'am nang bigla siyang magpaalam na mayroong aasikasuhin. Pero bago pa man siya umalis, she assisted me first. Sinamahan niya akong pumunta sa pwesto ko. While Xyrex on the other hand, he went out for a while. He told me the he'll just buy a bottled water at the canteen.

"Selenn! Fighting!" I looked up at the bleachers and saw my friends cheering for me. I unconsciously smiled. Seeing them supporting and cheering for me makes my heart melts and my confidence started to rise.

Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas nang makabalik na si Xyrex. He gave me a water bottle that he bought.

"Thanks," I uttered. 

"Good luck, bebe ko." I almost choked when Xyrex smiled cutely.

"Xyrex naman...umiinom ako, eh," natatawang sambit ko. "Enough with those endearments." namumulang sambit ko pa.

"Bakit? Bebe naman talaga kita. What's wrong with that?" Nagtatakang tanong niya. "Nahihiya ka ba? Ikinakahiya mo ba ako na bebe mo?" 

Napangiwi na naman ako nang mag-umpisa na naman siyang magdrama.

"A-Ano ka ba! Hindi 'no!" I denied.

Humalukipkip siya't ngumuso. "Sus, nauutal ka na nga eh." 

Napailing ako at humugot ng isang malalim na hininga. "Stop being a baby, Xyrex." 

"But I am your baby!" Pagmamaktol pa niya.

Hindi ko na napigilang hampasin ang braso niya. "Oh, shut up."

"You're hurting me, Iccen." Nakangusong sambit niya habang hinihimas ang hinampas kong braso niya. "Ayaw mo na ngang tinatawag kitang bebe ko tapos sinasaktan mo pa ako. Grabe ka na sa akin." 

Napamasahe ako sa aking sintido dahil hindi ko na alam kung ano ang gagawin sa lalaking ito. "Nagiging OA ka na naman, Xyrex." I looked directly at his eyes and cupped his cheeks. "I like how you call me 'bebe ko'...well in fact, I love it. But please, don't call me that in public hmm? Hindi naman sa nahihiya ako, it's just that...kinikilig ako." Pahina ng pahina ang boses ko habang nagsasalita.

Saglit akong tinitigan ni Xyrex at maya-maya pa'y sumipol na ang pilyo niyang ngisi. 

"Oh, I get now." He nodded. "Alright, I'll try but I won't promise...bebe ko." 

"Xyrex naman!" Namumula kong reklamo na dahilan kaya mas lalo pa siyang tumawa.

Nagsimula na ang Cheer Gimic Battle at halos manginig ako sa kaba habang nakaupo sa likod ng drum set ko. Naririnig ko ang sigawan ng bawat grupo, ang saya at ingay ng buong gym. Nakakabingi, pero sa totoo lang, parang humihina ang lahat ng iyon sa tenga ko dahil sa kaba. Pumikit ako sandali, pilit na kumakalma.

"Selenn, kaya mo 'yan!" sigaw ni Xyrex mula sa bleachers. Nakita ko siyang nagtaas ng kamay, ngumiti sa akin, at biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko—sa kaba at konting saya.

Pinanood ko ang mga cheerleaders namin na nagsisimula nang pumuwesto. Kailangan kong galingan, kailangan kong sabayan ang bawat galaw nila. 

Pero paano kung magkamali ako? Paano kung mali ang beat na ibigay ko? 

Ramdam ko ang bigat ng mga drumsticks sa kamay ko. Malalim akong huminga, sinusubukang pawiin ang lahat ng pag-aalinlangan.

Tumunog ang whistle ng host, at ang pangalan ng grupo namin ang tinawag.

"Grade 12 Red Alpha, let's go!" Sigaw ng leader namin na kasama ko sa ibaba g bleachers. 

At sa puntong iyon, wala na talagang atrasan. Buong lakas kong Hinampas ang drumsticks sa snare drum, hudyat na magsisimula na kami. 

"RED ALPHA, HERE WE GO,
WE'RE THE TEAM THAT STEALS THE SHOW!
WITH HEARTS OF FIRE, HANDS OF STEEL,
TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE YOU FEEL!

ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL, WE'LL NEVER FALL,
RED ALPHA, STRONGEST OF THEM ALL!
UP WE RISE, CAN'T BE BEAT,
FEEL OUR POWER, HEAR OUR FEET!"

Naramdaman ko agad ang bigat ng bawat palo, pero kasabay nito, ang malakas na tunog na nililikha ko.

"MARCHING FORWARD, BRAVE AND BOLD,

WE'LL CLAIM VICTORY, WE WON'T BE TOLD!
NO TURNING BACK, NO FEAR INSIDE,
WE'LL FIGHT TO WIN WITH ALPHA PRIDE!

CHEER LOUD, CHEER PROUD, SHOUT IT OUT,
RED ALPHA'S HERE, THERE'S NO DOUBT!
ON THIS COURT, WE'LL TAKE THE LEAD,
RED ALPHA'S TEAM IS BUILT TO SUCCEED!"

Papali-palit ang beat ko—bass drum, snare, tapos ang crash cymbal—parang may sariling buhay na ang mga kamay ko. Ramdam ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko, pero hindi na dahil sa kaba. It's like...an adrenaline.

"GO RED ALPHA, WE'LL TAKE THE PRIZE,

WATCH US NOW, AS WE RISE!
WITH EVERY BEAT, WITH EVERY YELL,
RED ALPHA WINS, AND WINS SO WELL!"

The cheers from my friends filled me with confidence. I could feel their support with every strike of the drum. As I approached the final part of my routine, the beat intensified.

With my last hit of the drumsticks, a wave of applause erupted from the audience. I was exhausted, but my heart swelled with joy. I turned to see Xyrex rushing toward me. He greeted me with a warm embrace, and it felt like the happiness exploded around us.

"I told you, you could do it, my love," he whispered, making me laugh.

All my doubts and fears seemed to vanish in an instant. The only sounds I could hear were the applause and cheers from my friends and fellow cheerleaders, celebrating our performance's success.

But this wasn't the end. I knew another challenge awaited me—the Drummer's Battle.

"Now, let's proceed to the Drummer's Battle! Each drummer will have only one minute. Are you ready, drummers?" the host announced.

Cheers erupted from my friends and classmates. Despite my nerves, I decided to showcase everything I had learned.

"You can do it, my love. Go for it!" Xyrex kissed my forehead.

"I hope so..." I replied, feeling the tension in my voice.

"Win or lose, I love you. You're still a winner in my eyes. Just give it your all, and I'll cheer for you as loud as I can. Remember that, okay?" he said sweetly.

I flashed him a big smile. "Thank you, Xyrex!"

He was the only one who could ease my anxiety and self-doubt. I felt so lucky to have him by my side.

"Do your best, okay? I'll be in the bleachers," he reminded me before heading to where our friends were cheering for me.

I grabbed my drumsticks and took a deep breath. It felt like the world around me faded away, and the only sound was the pounding of my heart.

The first drummer from another group stepped up. I couldn't help but be impressed by his skill. With each strike of his drumsticks, I felt the rush of adrenaline, and the audience's excitement was palpable. After his performance, the crowd erupted in applause, and he stood smiling.

As the next drummers performed, I watched their impressive rhythms, but I felt the weight of the drumsticks in my hands. I knew I had to show my talent; I couldn't afford to lose.

I scanned the crowd, seeing my classmates cheering for me—their smiles and shouts filled me with strength.

When the host called my name, a loud cheer erupted from my friends and classmates throughout the gymnasium.

"Selenn!" they shouted. "You got this!"

I beamed as I waved my drumsticks. Taking a deep breath, I spun the two sticks in my hands before hitting the snare drum with a strong beat. I followed with the bass drum, and the rhythm kicked in.

As I continued to play, each beat grew louder, and gradually, I noticed my nerves and fears melting away. I felt more at ease. I began to freestyle, letting my hands move naturally. I showcased the techniques I had learned during rehearsals, flowing with the rhythm of my body.

Slowly, all the hard work and practice surged through me. I blended different styles—ghost notes, paradiddles, and of course, my signature moves.

The cymbals rang out, and I could feel the intense gazes of the other drummers around me. Some whispered to each other, but I brushed it off. I needed to focus.

I continued, demonstrating complex beats and solos filled with emotion. I wanted to prove that I wasn't just a drummer; I was an artist. The crowd moved with the sound, their bodies swaying as if everyone was united in the rhythm I created.

In a powerful final hit, I launched into an energetic solo, each strike resonating from the depths of my heart. I heard the crowd roar with excitement. The joy in my chest soared, and as the drums echoed, I felt everyone joining me in my performance.

Finally, I ended my freestyle with a strong hit on the snare, and a sudden silence enveloped the gym. I waited for the wave of cheers to wash over me.

"Selenn! Selenn! Selenn!" their chants reached my ears, and in that moment, my heart overflowed with happiness. I knew I had given it my all.

After my performance, we waited for the results. The tension in the air was palpable, and my heart raced with a mix of anxiety and excitement. With every passing second, the anticipation and joy urged me on.

When I heard our group's name announced as the winners, everyone leaped up and embraced one another. I found myself wrapped in Xyrex's arms, filled with elation.

"Selenn, you're the best drummer!" he exclaimed.

"OMG! I won!" Hindi makapaniwala pero masayang sigaw ko.

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong hawakan ni Xyrex sa beywang at walang pasabing binuhat habang sumisigaw.

"Panalo tayo! Panalo ang bebe ko!" 

Hindi ko maiwasang mapatawa dahil pati ang mga kaibigan ko ay nagkakagulo na rin.

Binaba ako ni Xyrex at mahigpit na niyakap sabay bumulong. "Sabi asyo, eh. Mananalo ka. I'm so proud of you. You unlocked another achievement, bebe." 

I grinned and kissed his cheeks and whispered back. "Hindi ko ito magagawa kung wala kayo. I'm looking forward to unlocking more achievements with you."