Damgeen High School Musical (Tagalog)

Chapter 12

Maestro Dulcet

I was quick when I did a hard right towards our building. I tried peering back over my shoulder and seethed when I didn't even lose the girl.

"Michaela Singh! Sandali lang!"

Dahil nasa pasilyo na, lumiko ulit ako pakaliwa para lumabas ng gusali.

I surveyed the area. Bumagsak ang magkabilang-balikat nang wala nang iba pang malulusutan dahil malalayo pa ang ibang establishment. Kung tatakbo naman, base sa naging habulan namin ay duda kong mahahabol pa rin ako.

Pesteng tanod ng Damgeen.

"Bakit ka ba... t-tumatakbo?" she hissed in between her pantings, both hands resting on her knees as she chased for her breath.

I angled my head to the sky and pinched my nose stressfully.

"Kung hindi mo ako hinahabol, hindi ako tatakbo," pabalang kong sagot.

The girl with a shorter hair than me snorted unbelievingly. I peeked at her even if my head's facing upwards to the sky, both hands on my waist, resting.

"I'm not a dog! Wala akong rabies! Kala naman nito?" ismid niya.

I rolled my eyes as I tore my eyes off her. Tiningala ko na lang ulit ang ulo dahil bahagya pa ring hinihingal. These past few days, I lost my jogging routine! Damn it!

"Ano pa bang kailangan niyo? Sinabi ko nang ayaw ko, 'di ba?" I asked impatiently.

"Bakit ba ayaw mo? Ikaw na nga ang tinutulungan," pagtataray niya rin sa akin.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at umayos na ng tayo para harapin ang babae.

"I don't need your pity."

"Pity!" she echoed hysterically, as if the word was a disgrace to their dignity. "Sinong nagsabing naaawa kami sayo? We're just doing our job. SOLMA can't just sit there and watch a superstar aggrieved."

"Superstar, huh?" I grimaced, laughing without humor. "If you're just torn between your disgust to me and responsibility as the leaders, then listen, ako na ang nagsasabing lubayan niyo na lang ako."

"What? Hey!" habol nito nang muli akong tumalikod.

Kinaway ko nang saglit ang kamay kahit nakatalikod na. "Good riddance."

"Anong nangyayari dito?"

Nanliit ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses.

"Duran!" si SOLMA girl. "Close kayo ng babaeng 'yan, 'di ba? Pakiusapan mo nga!"

"What for? Kung ayaw ni Darna, wala na tayong magagawa pa."

The corner of my lips rose as I stopped on my tracks. Humarap ulit ako sa kanila at nakangisi pa rin nang tinanaw si Dante na kausap ang babae. Kasama pa nito si Eli. Hindi mo talaga ako binibigo, Durante.

"May ginawa ba?" tatawa-tawa pang dugtong ni Dante sabay tanaw sa banda ko.

You know, I can just walk away and let them discuss about their lives. Pero duda ako sa bagay na iyon. In this case, they'd probably discuss about mine. Mabuti nang matyagan ang sasabihin ng kupal na 'to. Baka pa ibenta at ipahamak ako imbes na tulungang makatakas.

"Order ni Honcho, e."

"Oh? Si Big Shot!" Dante chuckled.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko na masundan ang pinag-uusapan ng mga tao rito. Inasar pa ni Dante ang kabandang si Eli na kasalukuyan nang napapakamot sa ulo.

"Ano raw ba problema non?" tanong na ni Eli.

Sumulyap sa akin iyong babae at napanguso, parang nagsusumbong pa.

"The widespread bullying. Wala pa kasing binababang notice galing kay Executive President. May inaasikaso pa sa ibang bansa. At kilala niyo naman si Honcho. Mahigpit sa ganitong mga kaguluhan sa DHSM."

"Really, huh? Oh bakit namumula ka, Melisma?" puna ni Dante sabay siko kay Eli.

"Patay tayo dyan!" halakhak naman ng huli.

I swiped the plarameter and learned that I still have ten minutes before my first class. Tuesday ngayon at nakalipas na ang ilang linggo. Ibig sabihin, music class namin.

Napagpasyahan kong lumapit sa kanila at napansin naman iyon ni Dante na agad akong tinukso.

"Someone's trying to eavesdrop," he whistled teasingly before eyeing the girl named Melisma. "Ano na naman bang kalokohan ni Darna at pinatawag na ng Honcho niyo? Detention ba?"

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil kuryoso na. "Honcho?"

Melisma hissed and folded her arms. "We called the SOLMA President, Honcho. That's how you should address him."

I pressed my lips and made face nonchalantly. Hindi na ako nagsalita dahil naunahan na rin naman ni Dante.

"Kilala mo ba ang Honcho?" hamon nito sa akin, may pagkiling pa ng ulo at paghalukipkip.

I glared at him. Naintindihan niya ang ibig-sabihin noon kaya natawa lang ulit. Siniko niya si Eli at tinanguan ito, sinesenyas na sagutin ang kuryosidad na namumutawi sa hitsura ko.

Eli smiled cordially at me. "Ang honcho o ang president ng student body ay walang iba kundi ang kapatid ko... Si Ezra."

I think I just had a buffer.

"Huh?"

"Don't tell me you really had no idea?" hindi makapaniwalang untag ni Dante.

Umiling ako. Inisip ang narinig.

Ang tahimik at snob na iyon, student council, este, SOLMA President?! These people got to be kidding me! There's no way I'd face that attitude guy!

Mararahas na singhal ang iginawad ng tatlo sa akin.

"Nasa pamphlet 'yun, a?!" they snorted in unison.

I groaned. That pamphlet again? Gaano ba kakapal iyon at parang lahat ata ng bokabolaryo at isyu sa eskuwelahang ito ay nakapaloob doon?!

Napailing ako, hindi pa rin nagtitiwala.

"Kung ganon, bakit hindi ko siya nakita noong oath-taking niyo?" hamon ko sa babaeng taga-SOLMA.

Magsasalita na sana siya, handa nang bumuga ng apoy, nang muling sumingit ang epal na Dante.

"If we're talking about punctuality, that's something you can't expect with that guy. Late na namang nakarating. Buti nga nakahabol pa sa tribute ng Kaharayan," aniya.

Napatikhim ako. "Then he's not an effective leader."

The SOLMA girl glared at me. "Dyan ka nagkakamali, Singh. Don't judge the Honcho just because you heard the preface."

"Whatever."

"In fact..." Dante chimed in. But he was immediately scolded by Eli and Melisma.

I zoomed in my eyes suspiciously. Dante laughed at them.

"Chill. Trust me, Darna is on our side," he said, as if assuring these people.

Now I don't think I know what they're talking about again. Palibhasa, baguhan kaya hindi maka-relate sa ganitong mga usapan, e.

I grimaced at that thought. Baguhan? So you really admit that you're a rookie, huh, Mich?

"Here we go again, Duran. You'll get yourself in trouble with a girl again. Hirap sayo, madali kang magtiwala, e. Masyado kang malambot sa mga tao."

Natahimik ang paligid sa binatong sentimyento ni Eli. Kapansin-pansin ang biglang pagiging seryoso ng paligid. The ambiance was a bit tensed. I pursed my lips and knew my place. I know when to throw banters and when to shut the hell up.

"Eli-"

Hindi na natapos pa ni Dante ang dapat na sasabihin nang dismayadong umiling ang kaibigan at umalis na nang walang paalam. Sinundan niya iyon gamit ang mga mata at sa huli, napamura na lang na bumaling ulit sa amin.

"I'm sorry for that..." Dante uttered quietly.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita agad, sinusubukang sukatin ang lalaking kahit papaano... tinuring ko na ring kaibigan.

I know he's bothered by his friend's abrupt sentiments. I know there's something. And I know, too, that that something is something I should not dwell. Kung ano man iyon, rerespetuhin ko na lang at hindi na gagambalain pa.

Ilang sandali rin bago nakabawi si Melisma. Napasinghap ito at sa huli, bumuntong-hiningang tinanaw si Dante.

"You heard Eli, Duran." Bahagya itong lumingon sa akin at dismayadong binalik ang mga mata sa kausap. "Kahit para na lang sa mga taong nakaasa sayo."

Akala ko hanggang doon na lang iyon. I anticipated her leave-taking when she turned this time to face me.

"Hindi na ako magungulit pa, Michaela Singh. But if ever you changed your mind, you know where to go."

Hindi ako kumibo at tinimbang lang siya sa pamamagitan ng titig. She just clenched her teeth and finally bid her good bye to Dante.

Meanwhile, after a few moments, the latter tore his fingers through his hair and shyly faced me.

"Sorry for that. Siguro mas mabuti pa kung kalimutan mo na lang ang mga narinig mo." He smiled weakly, very different from the smiles he always showed me. "Wala kang kinalaman don. They're just too sensitive and partly worried."

Why? What are they sensitive and worried for? Wala nga ba talaga akong dapat ikabahala? May nangyari ba noon?

Gusto ko sanang isatinig pero alam kong wala ako sa lugar para manghimasok. With all the conversation we had right now, a glimpse of epiphany made me think of something else.

For the past few days, SOLMA was trying to approach me in the persona of Melisma. According to her, their organization is trying to do something about my case but they wouldn't be able to move forward without my consultation and opinion for this. Hindi sila maaaring kumilos kung ang mismong concern ng kaso ay hindi naman nakikipag-cooperate.

Sa totoo lang, hindi naman na talaga kailangan. Hindi dahil nagmamatigas ako dahil trip ko lang, kung hindi dahil sa takot na baka... hindi naman talaga totoo ang pinapakita nilang tulong o ayuda para sa akin.

Now that I learned it was actually Ezra who's sitting on the highest chair of SOLMA, I'm more doubtful with their true intentions with this suspicious scheme.

Who would've have known? Maybe he's just doing this for his own selfish ulterior motives. Especially that I could still recall the way he looked and articulated his opinion about me last time. Hindi man direkta pero hindi ako pinanganak kahapon para hindi makaramdam na may pinamatamaan siya roon. He's obviously shooting fishy looks at me.

Dahil tuloy sa naging enkuwentrong iyon, medyo nahuli pa ako sa unang klase para sa araw na iyon. Good thing that the maestro is somewhat lenient to her students. But strict when it comes to music lessons.

"Does anybody here in this class still not know me?"

Nagpatuloy ako sa paghahanap ng bakanteng upuan.

May kalawakan ang bawat silid-aralan sa Damgeen. Malaking bilog ang platform sa harapan na nagsisilbing entablado ng mga maestro. May itim na grand piano sa gitna ng platform. Bawat mahahabang desk naman ay nakapalibot sa platform nang pa-semi circle structure, nakahilera at nakahanay pataas. Three wide columns with four rows each. Bawat hilera pa ay mayroong serye ng silyang nakapuwesto.

May ganito rin kami sa dating school. Pero dito, ganoon sa lahat ng silid. For us before, it was already considered as auditorium lecture hall exclusive for large audiences for the use of seminars and formal discussions. But here, Damgeen pulled it off like these are only their ordinary classrooms. Geez. Luxurious but what a waste of money!

"You, the latecomer girl. Do you already know my name? Strangely, I haven't seen you before."

Malapit na sana ako sa upuang nasa pinakamataas at malayo pa sa ibang kaklase dahil nasa dulo naman, nang biglang napansin pa ako ng prof.

Bagsak ang balikat kong humarap doon, bitin ang paang hahakbang na sana sa loob ng desk. True enough. This is my first time in her class. Bukod sa bago lang naman talaga sa Damgeen, hindi ko ata ito napasukan noong nakaraan.

"Not yet, Ma'am," sagot ko.

Rinig ko ang mabilis na pagsinghapan at gulat na reaksiyon ng mga tao. Huli na nang natanto ko kung bakit.

Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi. Bahagya akong yumuko.

"I'm sorry. I mean... not yet, Maestro."

Kapansin-pansin ang munting tawanan mula sa mga kamag-aral sa klaseng iyon. The professor gaped and nodded to acknowledge my answer. Mukhang pinalagpas naman nito ang naging pagkakamali na lihim ko namang pinasalamatan.

"Okay, take your seat," aniya sabay lakad patungo sa podium.

I nodded my head and swiftly slid myself down to the chair at the end of the long desk.

The professor picked her marker from the lectern and wrote her name on the white board. After that, she tapped it using her long stick and turned around to face the class.

"You can call me Maestro Dulcet. Repeat after me..." Bahagya niyang pinalo ulit ang stick sa board. "Maestro Dulcet," she pronounced with grace and sweetness, just like the word itself.

"Maestro Dulcet," gaya naman ng buong klase na nasabayan ko lang sa huling parte.

Her brow shot up. Mukhang napansin ang pagiging tuliro ko sa klase kaya napasapo na lang ako ng noo para itago ang kahihiyan.

That's alright, Mich. Nothing to worry about since you're ditching this whole bullshit soon, outright.

Dahil minor lang naman ito at general music subject, mas broad at diverse ang klase. Walang partikular na instrumental section barrier dahil hindi naman specialization. I swiped a zigzag motion on my plarameter and the on-going subject course flashed on its screen.

MUS12051. Theory and Practice of Tonal Music I.

MUS stands for course MUSIC. The first two digits indicates the grade level, the next two digits for the subject, and the last digit is for the term.

Heck, then what's in MUS11052? Don't tell me I really am undergoing this subject without any recap or background?

Frustrated akong tumunghay sa platform kung saan ini-skim ni Maestro Dulcet ang paligid, panaka-nakang binibilang ang kabuuan ng estudyante. At dahil unang beses ko sa music lesson ni Maestro Dulcet, hindi pa ako pamilyar sa mukha ng mga magiging kaklase ko sa subject na ito. 

Kaya naman nang bumukas ang pinto at niluwa noon si Rave Jackson, para akong tinadyakan ng kamalasan. Umingay ang silid at nagsimula ang mga impit na tilian at bulungan ng mga estudyante. Marahas naman na bumaling doon si Maestro Dulcet, mukhang iritado dahil naabala ang kanyang konsentrasyon.

"Mr. Jackson! Do you think I'd let you slip away again?"

Rave Jackson was surveying the whole lecture hall with his eyes when he stopped to faced the Maestro.

He massaged his temple a bit, showing how tired he was with everything.

"I've been called by Maestro Madrigal to discuss something important, Maestro Dulcet."

"No! Detention later. Here's your slip."

Jackson lifted his head and lazily reached for the slip Maestro Dulcet has handed him. I narrowed my eyes and thought that if ever I came later than that, I'd probably receive a slip, too. Naku!

Pagkatapos noon ay muli niyang pinasadahan ng tingin ang paligid na para bang may hinahanap, imbes na maglakad na agad para umupo sa kahit anong bakanteng puwesto. As if my situation wasn't unfortunate enough, I grunted when our eyes met and he began striding his way up to my direction.

Goodness. This guy is really driving me nuts!

Halos mabali na ang mga leeg ng mga kaklase habang sinusundan ng tingin ang lalaking nasa tapat ko na ngayon. I tore away my gaze and just fiddled with the treble clef charm on my necklace.

I just made myself believe that he's not going here but somewhere else. However, when I felt him pulled my chair a bit, I turned to him with a spiteful face.

"What?" mahina ngunit mariin kong tanong.

His jaw clenched, dropping his eyes on my chair.

"Move."

Bahagya akong natawa. "Why would I? Marami bakanteng upuan, Jackson."

Saglit siyang sumilip sa Maestro na abala pa rin sa pagbibilang ulit sa amin bago ibaba ang mga mata sa akin.

"This is my spot," he answered with a glare.

I glared at him back. Really, Jackson? That's your alibi? Then what took you so long to get up here if you really have your usual spot?

Hindi ko na lang pinahaba pa ang argumento. Baka pa matusta ako sa titig ng mga tao kaya palalagpasin ko ito, Jackson. Kinuha ko na lang ang mga gamit at kung inaakala niyang uusog lang ako sa tabi, manigas siya!

I bumped my shoulder to his shoulder before passing him by. Sa kabilang hanay ako lumipat, sa aisle ng column. Magkatapat man kami, at least hindi magkatabi!

Nagsisimula nang mag-discuss si Maestro Dulcet. Nakaupo na rin naman ako ngunit hindi ko mapigilang hindi sulyapan ang lalaking hanggang ngayon ay nakatayo pa rin sa pinag-iwanan ko sa kanya.

Curious gawks began progressing to intrigued whispers. His eyes met mine when I glanced at him. Nag-igting ang panga niya at bakas ang iritasyon sa hitsura. Nagtagal pa nang ilang sandali ang titigan namin bago niya napagpasyahang umupo na.

Diniretso ko na lang din ang tingin sa harapan at pigil na pigil ang ngisi. In your dreams, boy.

"Since I assume that all of you passed MUSIC11051 and 2 in Music Tonality and done with its theories, we will now go with its practices. Today, we will do an initial activity."

I fiddled with my pen as I mentally protested with what the Maestro has said. Great. All of them undergone, alright. All of them except me. Sure.

I rolled my eyes and dropped my forehead on my palm. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagtanaw sa daliri kong pinaglalaruan nang propesyunal ang ballpen.

"Since each column has an ample number of superstars, I'd just prefer you to choose only one representative each to partake in this activity. I recommend someone from the vocals section or anyone who has an ideal voice."

At the corner of my eyes, I saw how Rave Jackson tossed and turned on his seat. Mukhang hindi mapakali sa puwesto. Nang tignan ko, saka ko lang nalaman na dahil iyon sa mga titig sa kanya ng mga kagrupo sa kanilang hanay.

I moved a bit sideways to eavesdrop on their group discussion. Obviously, the guy wasn't the type who cooperates.

"Uh... si Rave na?"

"I go for Rave Jackson."

"Who else sings better than him in this class? Haller?"

"Who'll talk to him?"

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa naririnig. Taka kong tinanaw ang pinag-uusapan ng lahat nang nahuli itong nakamasid din pala sa akin.

My eyes widened. I realized my position. Halatang-halata na nakikiusyoso! I cleared my throat and just acted like I really didn't care. Tinaasan ko pa ng kilay, nanghahamon na ng titig. In return, he just gave me a one-shoulder shrug and mouthed the word "sure."

Antipatiko.

"Bella, kaya mo na 'yan!"

"Sure win. Fribella!"

"Activity lang naman. Hindi contest!"

Rinig ko ang mahinang tawanan sa bandang harapan ng column namin. Napangiwi ako. Ngayon ko lang kasi natuklasan na kaklase ko pala iyong nakaharap ko sa Show It at iyong alipores din ni Bridgette na halatang pinaplastik lang sila.

I figured that they're part of Bridgette Madrigal's girl group. They're an acapella group devoted to pop music. Iyon ang madalas kong naririnig sa kanilang grupo.

I just leaned on my seat. Kahit pa ramdam ko ang paminsan-minsang tingin ng katapat-upuan ay hindi ko na ito binalingan pa ulit.

"Why me?" the Fribella girl giggled.

"Why not you, Bella? You're the songbird of Damgeen!"

"Marinig 'yan ni Bridge, gegyerahin kayo noon!"

Muling nagtawanan ang banda roon. Umiling ang babaeng sentro ng atensiyon at sumulyap sa gawi ko. She smirked furtively. I stopped playing with my pen when I sensed something fishy.

"Ano ba kayo! I know someone who can sing better than me," malamyos niyang apila sa mga pumupuri.

The people looked confused. They tried examining our column and whenever someone crosses my direction, they'd flinched and shook their head, disapproving what the "songbird" has stated when they saw that no one could ever beat her in our group.

"Niloloko mo kami, Fribella, a!"

"Kung nandito lang si Ester, baka sakaling maniwala pa ako!"

Umiling ang ibong adarna at bahagyang umiling. Napadaing ako sa iritasyon.

"Si Darna, o? I bet she can do better," she smirked playfully.

I tucked my hair behind my ear and gritted my teeth in annoyance. Damn this unsound creatures. Ganoon na ba sila kabagot sa buhay para pagkatuwaan ako lagi?

Sa pag-angkla ng ulo, bahagya kong namataan ang sulyap ni Rave Jackson sa akin. Dahil tuluyan nang napukaw ang atensiyon, pinirmi ko ang sarili at hinarap na ito.

"What are you looking at?" I blurted out frankly.

Nanatili lang ang tingin niya sa akin at mayamaya pa'y napailing na lang ang ulo. When Maestro Dulcet clapped her hands and whacked her stick against the lectern, Rave Jackson stood up with both hands inside the pockets.

One last glance at me before finally paving his way down to the platform. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng isa pang babaeng galing din sa unang column. Bumaba na rin at gumilid sa piano.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko nang natantong kami na lang ang walang representative sa baba. At nang tanungin iyon ng Maestro, halos sabay-sabay na nagsiangat ang ulo ng mga kagrupo para tanawin ako.

"Si Michaela Singh po ang sa amin, Maestro Dulcet."

"Who's Michaela Singh? I thought you have decided Miss Fribella to represent your group?" Maestro Dulcet asked perplexingly.

"Si Darna po."

"Huh?"

Dahil doon, panay ang turo sa akin ng mga nagbubungisngisang kagrupo.

"Oh. If that's the case, then no problem with me. Hija, come here now."

I whispered soft curses under my breath as I flickered my way out of my seat. Wala na akong lakas para patulan ang mga isip-batang iyon. Plastik pa nila akong pinuri at pinalakpakan. Sa isip-isip ko, ginigilitan ko na sila ng dila.

Wala sa sarili akong tumapak sa platform. Hindi ko na pinansin pa ang mga sulyap ng lalaking katabi at humalukipkip na lang, walang ganang nakikinig sa instructions ng ginang.

Maestro sat down in front of the piano and did a *glissando, gliding her fingers all the way to the piano keys and played a random short piece.

"Tone color is what we called timbre. It is present in both instruments and vocal as it relates to the quality of sound and tone. In an instance, if I play this tune..."

Then she did a simple *triads and notes of Happy Birthday.

"...on piano and play it, too, at the same frequency, amplitude, or for some durations with a guitar..."

This time, she picked a guitar on the side of the piano and she began plucking and strumming the same melody she did on the piano. She hugged the guitar with her left arm and faced the class again after.

"...You'll notice that there's quite a difference with their sounds. The same case with trumpet and violin, banjo and guitar, and whatnots even with the same category of instruments even with a relatively same volume," she ticked the examples off on her fingers before putting down the guitar back on its place.

"You might consider this one as a no-brainer area of music, but knowing the subtle differences in timbre as well as being able to correctly identify voices and instruments by their tone color is a great knowledge to practically understand more about your instruments. If each instrument has a unique color, then one can achieve even more colors by blending and mixing them like a painter does. So let's begin."

Napalunok ako nang sa wakas ay lumingon na ito sa aming tatlo. Without any word, she pressed a key and point to each one of us. Kada pindot niya naman ay sinusunod namin. For every key, we will then interpret it with our straight "ah" syllable using the same pitch.

Actually, I was sweating beads of water on my forehead and nape. Hindi naman siguro ako mabubuko sa simpleng *harmonization, hindi ba? Dahil palagay ko, iyon ang gagawin namin ngayon.

Aaminin ko, hindi ako ganoong marunong sa *percussion so piano is definitely not my thing. Kaya naman hindi ko alam kung ipapahamak ko ba ang sarili ko kung susundin ko ito.

"Good. Hold that. Have an ear. Don't forget that harmony. Next," Maestro Dulcet said to Rave then looked at me this time.

Napakurap-kurap ako pagkatapos ng turn ng lalaking katabi. I didn't have any idea that he has that range!

Pagkatapos kasi ng random triads, vocalization, and *scats, binibigyan kami ng parehong harmony sa iba't ibang key notes. At dahil mangha pa sa natuklasan kay Rave, saka lang ako nakabawi nang bumagsak na ang tingin nito sa akin, dahilan para mapagtantong ako na pala ang sunod!

"Miss Michaela," Maestro Dulcet called out.

Muli akong napakurap nang ilang ulit bago pumeke ng ubo. Tumango ako.

"Follow," aniya sabay pindot ng five-note harmony.

Parehong tono ng *pentatonic scale ngunit namilog ang mga mata ko nang sundin ko nga iyon at huli na nang mahinuhang sa aming tatlo, nasa akin ang pinakamataas na pentatonic!

What the heck, Mich? You should've known before you could even follow!

"Good," Maestro smirked at me when she noticed my alarmed reaction.

My lips parted. I felt betrayed by my own voice. Nilingon ko ang ibang kaklase bago balingan ang dalawa kong kasama. They looked startled, as if what they've witnessed was opposed to what they've expected.

"Tss," Rave hissed with a ghost of a smirk on his lips.

Kinuyom ko ang mga kamao at pilit iniwasang mapahilamos ng mukha sa iritasyon para sa sarili.

"Okay, we're settled!" Maestro Dulcet announced to the stunned audience.

Lihim akong napailing. Maestro Dulcet gradually did a short *reprise for each one of us to recall our delegated pentatonic without following after her anymore.

"Now, when I pressed a key, do the harmonization together. Don't disappoint me," she said, glancing lastly at me with a meaningful look.

Kinagat ko ang labi at wala nang nagawa pa. Nang tumayo siya at pumindot ng key, we breathed and did our own parts simultaneously and harmoniously.

The blending was so epic! Maging ako, hindi inaasahan na magiging ganoon ang resulta!

It was as if an angel has visited our room because of our classmates' reactions. They were priceless. Ramdam ko rin ang pagngisi ng katabi na hindi pa nakatulong para ibsan ang sama ng loob na nararamdaman ko sa mga oras na iyon.

"Bravo!" palakpak ni Maestro. "Okay, superstars. Did you hear those different tone colors? Same melody, but they have different timbres. And when the colors are mixed or blended together, they'll form another different color and art of melody."

Hindi ako nakaimik dahil aaminin ko, maging ako ay hindi iyon inaasahan! Damn, I was shitting bricks after that.

Sure, maybe I did well on that first take but for me, I failed myself. I failed my pledge to... forget about music... now that I'm doing it again.

Kaya naman nang hindi pa nakuntento at pinaulit muli ng ginang ang ginawa namin, pumindot ulit siya bilang senyales. We did it again for the second time but this time, I intentionally croaked my voice at the highest note of the scale and coughed.

"I-I'm sorry."

Hindi natapos ang pangalawang play. Dahil doon, dismayadong tumingin sa akin si Maestro Dulcet at ang dalawa pang kasama, taliwas sa naging reaksiyon ng iba pang kaklaseng nakikinig. 

As if their expectations were granted, my classmates gave out a harsh bark of laughters and criticized my performance merrily. Kahit ang mga kagrupong dapat ay nanghihinayang dahil pumalpak ang kanilang pambato ay sila pang pinakamasaya sa naging pagkakamaling iyon.

Rave Jackson shook his head and sported a dismayed look. Ganoon din si Maestro Dulcet na hindi ko na pinansin at yumuko na lang bilang paumanhin.

"That's okay. Job well done for the three of you. You can now go back to your seats," aniya, ngunit nang akmang paalis na kami sa harapan, muli siyang may pinahabol. "Miss Michaela and Mr. Jackson."

I halted from my walk and turned around to look at her.

"Yes, Maestro," I responded quietly.

Tumigil din ang dalawa ko pang kasabay bilang kagyat na reaksiyon doon. Hindi na umimik pa si Rave at hinintay na lang din ang sasabihin ng ginang.

Maestro Dulcet sighed. Sa akin siya tumingin.

"Stay for a while after the dismissal, Miss Singh. I have a word with you. And Mr. Jackson," baling niya naman dito. "Don't forget your detention."

Tipid na lang akong tumango bago tuluyang bumalik sa kinauupuan ko. As I paved my way towards my seat, insults and cackles didn't go unheard.

"Mukhang badtrip si Maestro. Ginalit ni Darna."

"Simpleng scat, pumalpak pa!"

"Nakakahiya. Galing pa naman sa grupo natin!"

"Lagot kay Maestro mamaya. Reprimanded!"

"Pa-*Prima donna lang. Pakitang gilas, sablay naman pala. Naku!"

Hindi ko na inabala pang makinig sa mga patutsada nila at nanahimik na lang sa natitirang oras ng klase.

Rave Jackson seemed unusually quiet, too. He looked disturbed about something. Pati iyon ay binalewala ko na lang at nagkunwaring nakikinig sa totoong diskusyon.

"Michaela Singh, right?" si Maestro Dulcet nang nakalabas na ang huling estudyante na maliban sa akin.

Tumango ako at sinuot ang crossbody bag pagkatigil sa gutter ng platform.

Dismissal at break time na kaya tulad ng kanyang utos, nanatili ako sa hall hanggang sa kaming dalawa na lang ang tuluyang naiwan.

Maestro Dulcet tickled her eyeglasses before going down the platform. Sinilip niya muna nang bahagya ang labas bago isara ang pintuan.

I observed her movements as she walked towards me, crossing her arms as she sighed.

Wala akong ideya sa pag-uusapan naming dalawa kaya kumbinsido ako na tulad ng mga parinig ng kaklase, pagsasabihan ako nito tungkol sa pagkabigo niya sa akin kanina.

"How come I didn't know about that name?" she asked quizzically.

Pilit akong ngumiti. "Transferee po."

Bakas ang pagkabigla sa kanyang mukha.

"Imposible! You're in twelfth grade!" she stated hysterically.

I almost chuckled but I just restrained myself to do so.

"I had the same reaction when I knew about it, Maestro. Even I don't have any idea how did it all happen," I confessed.

Napailing ito at tinanaw ang mga upuang bakante na dahil ubos na ang estudyante.

"No wonder why other superstars treat you like that," aniya, tila ba para sa sarili lang ang sinabi.

Natahimik na ako at hindi na nagsalita pa. Pagkatapos noon ay ganon din ang nangyari sa ginang habang nakatanaw lang sa kawalan.

She looked like there's a mental turmoil inside her head. But even before the silence stretched any longer, she shrugged her shoulders before facing me again.

"You strained your voice a while ago..." Maestro Dulcet mentioned the billion dollar topic.

Napatikhim ako at kamot ng kilay. Nagawa ko pang itawa ang pagkailang sa pinag-uusapan bago itango nang marahan ang ulo.

"Kaya nga po, e. Nag-"

"...intentionally," she added, cutting off from my words.

My breathing hitched. Bahagyang namilog ang mga mata ko nang dahil sa biglaang sinabi ng ginang. How did she...

Maestro Dulcet released her arms and put those at her back before stepping forward closer to me. I jolted in surprise, still unable to say something decently.

"I am a musical instructor and a vocal coach, Miss Michaela Singh. Ergo, determining my students' *musicality and vocal abilities is one of the breadths of my profession."

She stopped almost an inch before my so-called personal space before tilting her head as if examining my face.

"I have knowledge for this field. I have an ear for your music. I have my eyes for your posture. If you were able to trick the people around you, do you really think you can fool a maestro like me?" Her brow shot up.

I blinked repeatedly. For that moment, I was lost for words but I still forced my vocable to function.

"I-I... uh... I don't..." I licked my lips and closed my eyes frustratedly.

Tumikhim ito sa naging reaksiyon ko at tumuwid sa kanyang puwesto.

"In case you haven't realize it yet, I obviously tested your *vocal range by pressing vital notes around middle C. It took me a longer while for you since I already have an idea about Miss Harith's and Mr. Jackson's range. So what they did was only my front to determine yours."

I narrowed my eyes and gaped. "I-I see..."

"But the ranges are not enough to determine if someone is an effective singer. So I added melodies first before assigning scales for each one of you. And based on my observation, you're good at improvisation and you nailed scat singing."

Sa mga oras na iyon, tingin ko, tuluyan nang nalaglag ang panga ko sa paghanga at pagkagulat na pinaghalo.

"You're a *jazzy," she concluded with finality, as if nothing could ever change her mind.

Ngunit kahit sa pagkakataong iyon, matibay pa rin ang paninindigan ko na itago at talikdan ang pag-awit kaya determinado akong umiling bilang pag-alma sa naging akusasyon ng ginang sa akin.

"Maestro Dulcet, you're just-"

I almost jumped when she whacked her stick to the desk beside me. My jaw dropped in complete shock!

She zoomed in her eyes behind her thick glasses before whacking her stick again. Ano ba!

"You're one hell of a singer and don't you dare insult my knowledge by contradicting my analysis."

Tinikom ko na ang nabiting alibi at tuluyan nang nagbago ang isip, tumalima na lang bago pa man tumama sa akin nang tuluyan ang patpat.

April 20, 2020