Damgeen High School Musical (Tagalog)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Lost Boy

I was dismissed on my tracks when I bumped into a group of students walking on the way.

Dahil hindi pa rin nahihimasmasan sa nangyari kanina, paulit-ulit akong yumuko bilang paumanhin bago sila lagpasan. Iyon nga lang, mabilis akong naharangan ng dalawa sa kanila.

"Oops! Where are you going?"

A familiar bitchy voice penetrated my senses. Sa mabilis na sandaling iyon, napabuga ako ng hangin sabay dasal sa lahat ng santo.

Are you kidding me? Weren't my problems enough? Pwede po bang dahan-dahan lang?

"It's my pleasure to bumped into Ms. Pop of the Year!" si Bridgette Madrigal kasama ang mga minion niya sa Quartepopella.

Umayos ako ng tayo at hinarap sila. Wala akong ganang tinignan sila isa-isa samantalang nagngingitngit na ata sa galit ang kanilang lider, pilit na lang ang pagkasa sa ngisi.

She snorted. "You know what? You should be thankful that I was busy the past days and I fortunately found you here."

Was that something to be thankful for? Patagal nang patagal, pabigat nang pabigat ang nararamdaman ko.

I wanted to go somewhere far from here to breathe but fate just wouldn't easily allow me off the hook.

Sa huli, pagod na lang akong pumikit at tumango.

"Yes, very thankful. My life was at ease the past days, too," I lied to take my turn to throw a banter.

Of course, that's not true. Bridgette Madrigal was only a fraction of fragment of my overall problems and trivial predicaments.

But because of that, the princess went postal and ready to lash my neck when she advanced.

"You're a f*****g harlot! You took my boyfriend away from me, you filthy w***e!"

Mabilis siyang pumorma na para bang sasabunutan ako nang naunahan ko siya sa pagtulak sa kanya. Nasalo siya ng tatlo niyang kabanda, pulang-pula na ang balat dahil sa pinaghalong galit at puwersa.

I glared at her with condemn.

"Rave Jackson is neither my boyfriend nor your boyfriend. Grow up, stupid! Wake up from your f*****g daydreams and stop pestering me like a leech!" I blurted out when I couldn't bottle it up anymore.

My breathing turned heavier than usual. Bridgette's eyes flickered with fire and gnashed her teeth tightly.

Winaksi niya ang hawak sa kanya ng mga kasama at muling sumugod nang agresibo sa akin.

"Take it back! He loves me! I know that!"

"Oh, my gosh. I don't care!" I scoffed.

Ngunit pagkalapit niya, mabilis akong napadaing nang naramdaman ang kalmot sa braso ko. f*****g hell!

Parang nag-aapoy na ang mga mata kong nilingon siya. How dare she scratched my skin!

I was in the middle of puckering my eyebrows and lifting my gaze when I saw her fast approaching hand.

My pupils dilated when I realized it's too late to evade. s**t! I closed my eyes immediately, accepting my fate to feel the pang on my left cheek but instead, a groan reverberated.

"What the? Let go of my hand!" sigaw ni Bridgette.

Unti-unti kong minulat ang mga mata. The color drained out of my face the moment I laid my eyes to Ezra, grabbing Bridgette's right hand almost just an inch from me.

Kumawala ang hininga ko dahil natahimik ang paligid. Kahit ang tatlong babaeng kasama ni Bridgette ay natameme sa biglang pagsulpot ng Honcho.

My eyes drifted to Bridgette, veins popping out in her neck as she tried releasing her wrist from Ezra's hold.

"Damn it! What the hell are you doing?!"

Ezra glanced at her critically. "I thought you've already learned your lesson, Ms. Madrigal."

"Sino ka naman para pangaralan ako? President ka lang ng SOLMA!"

Ah, that hurts.

Tinulak ni Bridgette si Ezra nang nakawala na siya rito. May pagtingin pa nang masama sa akin habang inaayos ang nagusot niyang outfit.

"I'm telling you, b***h. Rave is mine."

I faked a smile. "Saksak mo pa sa baga mo."

Her nostrils flared up. Akmang susugod ulit siya sa akin ngunit pumagitna na si Ezra.

"Stop it! This so pathetic! Makakarating ito sa papa mo, Ms. Madrigal."

May bakas ng takot sa mukha ni Bridgette nang narinig iyon ngunit nagawa pa ring angasan si Ezra.

"You're protecting that illegal b***h?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Bridge, medyo mangha at sarkastiko.

I heard Ezra scoffed. "I'm protecting no one here. I'm just cutting the roots of this mess."

"So I am the roots, Mr. Alejandrino?"

Wala nang salita na lumabas kay Ezra samantalang pulang-pula na sa iritasyon ang babae. Her minions whispered her something and gestured her to just leave. Lumipat sa akin ang kanyang mga mata at mariin akong tinitigan.

"You're a wrecker, Michaela Singh. You ruined everything!"

I ruined... I ruined everything?

My shoulders fell as I watched them leave. How about me? Am I not... ruined enough? How could anybody throw names and curses at me when I wasn't even doing anything?

Siguro hindi na nakakapagtaka na kahit nakatayo lang ako sa gitna at walang ginagawa, awtomatikong magpapatong-patong pa rin ang mga kasalanan kong nakikita ng ibang tao.

Napukaw ang atensiyon ko nang napansing nagsisimula na akong talikuran ni Ezra. Tumalim ang mga mata ko. Sinundan ko siya at humara agad sa kanyang dinadaanan.

He halted when I showed up. Walang emosyon niyang nilapat sa akin ang kanyang mga mata.

"Are you happy now?" I asked bluntly.

Ezra shortly looked rightward before resting his hands on his waist problematically.

His brows knitted. "I have nothing to do with you."

The dismissing tone in his voice insulted me big time, as if I'm just a waste of his precious time.

Patapos na ang program. I gave him a once-over and realized he's still wearing his SOLMA uniform.

Our past encounters flashed on my mind and spite took over my emotions.

"Bakit ko pa nga ba itatanong kung halata naman? May victory party ka ba mamaya kasi tagumpay ka nang nagkasiraan na kami ni Dante? Congrats. This is your plan from the very beginning, right?"

"I'm not doing anything. I'm just concerned for Duran and the others. If everything messed up, it is you who signed up for this."

"How could I sign up when in the first place, I have no idea where's the form? Wala akong kaalam-alam, Ezra! Nawala lang ako ng isang araw, kinamumuhian na ako ng Kaharayan!"

My eyes began to pool another supply of tears again. Suminghap ako at tumingala para pigilan iyon.

Surprisingly, Ezra gave a lopsided grin.

"Can I confess something?"

Bumagsak sa kanya ang paningin ko. Hindi ako nagsalita. Humakbang lang siya nang isang beses bago ako tapunan ng aroganteng ekspresyon.

"Talking to you right now is disgusting."

My mouth fell open. Something glowed in his eyes when I studied them. At para akong binuhusan ng nagyeyelong balde ng tubig nang banggain niya ang aking balikat nang lagpasan na ako.

I thought they just hit my limit button. Tuluyan nang bumigay ang mga tuhod ko at bumagsak na sa semento. Sa mga sandaling iyon, wala na akong pakialam sa iisipin ng ibang tao na makakakita sa akin. I just want to release everything. Pagod na ako. Pagod na pagod.

Can someone just kill me? Because I'm done saving myself.

I heard a rustling sound on the bushes near me. Inangat ko ang ulo habang nakatuon pa rin sa semento ang mga tuhod at palad.

I scanned the vicinity around me, particularly at the bushes. Humalakhak ako na parang nasisiraan at binuka ang mga braso sa ere, nakatingala sa langit.

"Whoever you are, just... just kill me you know!" Muli akong tumawa at pinukpok ang dibdib. "Sobrang sakit na, o! Parang... P-Parang kaya ko na nga ng mas matinding sakit, e. Pucha, I'm born to die! Handa na ako! Who ever you are, are you... are you f*****g happy now?!"

Muli akong napayuko at kinagat ang labi. Ilang sandali pa, isang pares ng sapatos ang tumigil sa harapan ko.

Natigilan ako, medyo natatawa pa samantalang parang umiikot na ang paningin ko. Ito na ba? Is the Grim Reaper here to take me?

Hirap na hirap kong inangat ang ulo dahil ramdam ko ang pagbaba ng dugo paalis sa aking kaibuturan.

Kaya naman bago ko pa makilala ang lalaking nasa harap, bumagsak na ang balikat ko at tuluyan nang nanlabo ang paningin.

I woke up when a ray of sun almost burnt my eyes. Hirap na hirap kong dinilat ang mga mata dahil sa sinag ng araw na direktang nakatutok sa akin.

I lifted my hand to cover my eyes from the direct sunlight. Dahan-dahan kong inangat ang sarili nang natantong nasa ibang kuwarto ako.

Napansin ko ang sliding door patungo sa balkonahe. Doon nagmumula ang tirik na tirik na sinag ng araw na tumatama sa akin. Nakaladlad sa magkabilang gilid ang blackout curtains kaya naman para akong nagsa-sun bathing habang natutulog.

Anxiety took over me when everything dawned on me. I mean, this is obviously not my room! The bed is of the same size but the sheets, walls, decors, and furnitures in black, white, and gray are definitely unfamiliar to me!

Nilibot ko pa ang mga mata sa paligid para maghanap ng sirit kung nasaan ako ngunit tanging isang grand piano lang sa tabi ng kama ang nadatnan kong masyadong personal para sa isang kuwarto.

A pianist? Kumunot ang noo ko habang sapo pa rin ang ulo nang biglang napuwersa iyon sa pagsandal ko sa headrest.

Do I know a pianist? And a guy? Heck. This is a bachelor's pad for Pete's sake! What the hell happened? Bakit wala akong maalala? Ang alam ko lang, nasa Damgeen ako at break time. Nakaluhod sa gilid ng quadrangle at desperadang naka-

Namilog ang mga mata ko nang may naalala. May isang lalaking tumigil sa harap ko!

With the anticipation that that man was the one brought me here, I immediately reached for the comforter and covered my lower body. s**t! Nakasandal pa rin ako sa headrest nang mayamaya pa, bumukas ang sliding door sa wakas.

Pagkalingon doon, laking gulat ko nang mula sa balkonahe, pumasok sa kuwarto si Klavier.

My heart hammered and lips parted lightly. He put down his phone from his ear and pushed something on it before his gaze met mine.

In a split of second, it's strange seeing him in a different room aside from the Room of Phantom. And the fact that this is his room, it's stranger that he's still in his disguise. But seeing him in his comfy clothes, it felt brand new.

In addition to that, this shall be our first interaction outside the Room of Phantom.

"You're awake," he said more than ask.

Tahimik ko siyang pinanuod. Nilapag niya ang kanyang phone sa nightstand at inabot sa akin ang baso na naroroon.

"Here."

Napakurap-kurap ako, gulong-gulo pa lalo sa nangyayari.

"Why... Why am I here?" I stammered my nerves.

Kalaunan, tinanggap ko na ang basong inaabot niya dahil mukhang hindi niya ako sasagutin hangga't hindi ko iyon ginagawa.

"You passed out. I saw you. I don't know where to bring you so you're here. This is the nearest place I know."

Pagkatapos kong uminom ay siya na mismo ang kumuha noon para ibalik sa nightstand.

Napailing ako. "T-This is your house?"

"Unit."

Meron ngang matayog na residential tower na tanaw mula sa Damgeen. Sa pagkakaalam ko, pagmamay-ari iyon ng Trevino Group of Companies under Residentials so it must be here.

Muli akong napatingin sa kanya nang may naalala. Nakaupo na siya ngayon sa single couch na nasa gilid ng kama habang nakaharap lang sa akin. Bigla tuloy akong nailang.

"M-May clinic naman, ha? Bakit... hindi mo ako doon dinala?"

"Hindi ko alam kung saan," he said with a dismissing tone.

"You can ask, I think..." I trailed off when I noticed how disrespectful I was getting.

Napatikhim na lang ako at napadapo ang tingin sa mga kamay. Nanatili lang siyang nakaupo at tahimik. Nakakapanibago pa rin at nakakahiya.

"Sorry for the trouble. Sana hinayaan mo na lang ako. Naabala ka pa tuloy," I said timidly.

"Uh-huh?" he scoffed. "I was way too sober to do that."

Tipid akong napangiti nang may humaplos na mainit na palad sa aking puso. Mabilis na bumalik sa akin ang mga nangyari kanina. Parang ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang pagod.

"Anong oras na?" I asked quietly.

"One thirty."

Napangiti ako at sinandal ang katawan sa headrest. Somehow, knowing that he was the one who found me relaxed me a bit.

"Buti hinayaan ka ng guard na lumabas kahit hindi pa tapos ang klase..."

Sa pagkakaalala ko kasi, wala pang isang oras ng breaktime 'yon nang nangyari.

Hindi ulit sumagot si Klavier kaya na-realize ko na nagsasalita lang siya kapag kailangan. Muli akong umahon mula sa pagkakasandal para sana tumayo na kaso bigla na namang humapdi ang bungo ko.

Napatayo si Klavier para daluhan ako. Tinawa ko na lang ang nangyari at winagayway ang mga kamay.

"I'm okay. Sanay na ako."

"Sanay?" His critical baritone echoed on my ears.

Marahan akong tumango. "Uh... oo. Napapadalas kasi."

Sinubukan ko ulit ngunit narinig ko ang marahas na pagsinghal ni Klavier. Nakita kong umikot siya sa kama para makaharap ako. Iyon pala, balak akong pigilan.

"Don't be stubborn and stay still," mahinahon ngunit mariin niyang utos nang harangan ako sa binabalak ko.

Nanigas naman ako sa kinauupuan at walang nagawa kundi ang sumunod. I stayed still, literally. 

"I prepared your food. Wait here," istrikto niyang sambit bago lumabas ng kuwarto.

I shut my eyes closed in disbelief before dropping my forehead on my palm.

This is unbelievable! Paanong nauwi ako sa ganitong sitwasyon? Sobrang nakakahiya! Idagdag pa na hindi ko lubos maisip na buhat-buhat niya ako patungong parking lot para lang madala rito.

So embarrassing. Kung hindi pa sumagi sa isip ko ang mga nangyaring insidente kanina, baka nasampal ko na ang sarili sa sobrang kahihiyan.

Oo nga pala. Bumuntong-hininga ako.

I need to tell Klavier that I failed. I was a failure. Nakakatawang isipin na kung kailan ko sinubukan, saka ako tinalikuran.

The door opened and I saw Klavier carrying a bed table. Ginamit niya ang paa para isarado nang walang kahirap-hirap ang pinto. Seeing him doing this to me felt familiar and securing.

Hindi ko nga ba maintindihan kung bakit imbes na mailang pa lalo sa kaisipang nasa iisang kuwarto ako kasama ang isang lalaki, wala man lang akong ibang maramdaman kundi kahihiyan lang.

The rest, it was heartwarming. Tila ba sanay na sanay na ako sa ganitong pag-aalaga kahit pa man unang beses niya lang itong ginawa sa akin. Is it because I've been awaked for a couple of times in different guy's bedrooms before?

But whatever that is, hmm. Who would've thought that I only knew this man with just a few interactions?

Now, I'm in his pad out of a sudden. Geez. In just a serendipity, I felt suddenly so attached and safe amidst all these battles when I'm with him. Which is... odd. And corny I should add.

Inayos niya ang bed table sa harap ko na naglalaman ng pasta, bread, at fruit juice. All high fiber foods. My brow shot up when I realized he looked well prepared for this.

Nagtaas din tuloy siya ng kilay habang nakatuon pa rin ang paningin sa ginagawa dahil naramdaman atang nakatitig ako.

"I saw that. You just checked me out," paratang niya nang tumuwid na sa pagkakatayo pagkatapos.

Napanguso ako sabay bagsak na lang ng tingin sa pagkain.

"Hindi naman..."

He pressed his nose bridge stressfully.

"Are you normally like this with someone you just met?"

That question again.

I pressed my lips. Pinatong ko na lang muna sa bed table ang mga kamay na hawak na sana ang utensils bago siya tiningala.

"No, I'm not," I answered straightly. "I just find this whole setup overwhelming. And... you look weird in that disguise. Even in your own place?"

"I'm on the loose. Of course I should be vigilant even when I'm with you. Who would've known..."

Sinadya niyang bitinin iyon bago pumunta sa m nightstand para kunin ulit ang phone niya. Hindi ako nakaimik, hindi makapaniwala sa akusa niya. This man.

"Finish your food. We'll talk later," he ordered breathily.

Tumungo na siya sa sliding door at muling lumabas sa balkonahe. Nga lang, napabalik siya sa loob para hawiin ang kurtina upang takpan ang tanawin ko roon bago muling lumabas. Dahil doon, bumuga na lang ako ng hangin habang inuubos ang hinanda niya.

I was busy scanning his bedroom while eating. Thus, I felt a sudden slight pinch on my side when I latched onto the fact that I'm indeed in a guy's bed-f*****g-room.

Oh, my goodness! Adding the F word in it made it even worse!

Dahil sa iniisip, napabalikwas ako nang tumunog na ulit ang sliding door. Buti na lang mukhang abala siya sa kung ano kaya hindi niya iyon napansin. Labas-masok na siya sa kuwarto, halos hindi na ako pinapansin.

However, I realized it's true that you really never see how toxic something is until you breathe fresher air.

Kahit papaano, ang mapunta sa sitwasyong ito ay nakakagaan ng loob. Walang bahid ng mga isyung kinakaharap ko. Napakapuro. And for some reason, it helped me feel normal even if it's only temporary.

"Thank you," sambit ko sa kanya nang kunin na niya ang bed table nang nakitang tapos na ako.

He didn't respond as usual. Lumabas na lang siya ng kuwarto dala-dala iyon at hindi rin naman nagtagal bago siya bumalik.

Nasa gitna pa rin ako ng kama. Kaya sa pag-aakalang sa couch siya didiretso, naghuramentado ang puso ko nang umupo siya sa gilid ng kama.

"How's your feeling?" namamaos niyang tanong.

I looked away, heat gushed on my cheek with our proximity.

"Medyo maayos na. Salamat..."

"What happened?"

"Huh?"

Napasulyap ulit ako sa kanya. Hindi ko inaasahang itatanong niya iyon. I thought he wouldn't care.

"Uh... That..." I laughed awkwardly. "I screwed up."

"Tell me, Athena."

Panibagong sensasyon na naman ang naramdaman ko dahil sa paraan ng tawag niya sa akin. This is not the first time but it feels like it, now that we're not in that haunted room. Plus, he was always gentle when we're there.

Ngayon kasi, parang may pagkaistrikto at malupit ang tungo niya sa akin. Kaya ang marinig ang marahan at namamaos niyang boses, gumaan ulit ang loob ko.

Binalot ako ng pamilyar na sama ng loob ngayong naging paksa na naman ito.

"It's a shame to say this but... I don't know. I guess my attempt was futile." Bahagya ko siyang sinulyapan. "I took your advice. Finally, I tried... Pero kung kailan ko sinubukan, sila naman ang nang-iwan."

Hindi ko inaasahang ibababa niya ang kanyang mask ngunit nabitin din agad siya sa kanyang pakay. Hindi na niya tinuloy hanggang baba. Nakuntento na iyon hanggang sa ilalim ng labi niya.

"You didn't fail. You actually did it," makahulugan niyang sagot.

"What do you mean?"

"What you did was testing them, not winning their favor. Well, it comes with that. But you successfully assessed their trust for you."

Umiling ako. "Hindi naman nila kasalanan. They just need to make sure."

"Hmmm. Did they ever consider you their friend?"

Napaawang ang labi ko nang napaisip doon.

"O-Oo," I answered hesitantly.

The corner of his mouth lifted. "How about you, since day one, did you consider them your friends?"

I'm not certain where this is heading but, "No."

"Why?" He titled his head.

My eyes looked sideways and gasped.

"Gusto ko sana munang... mag-slow down bago iyon. Hindi ko kasi sigurado kung handa na ba ako."

"At masasabi mong naging handa sila sayo... dahil lang tinanggap ka nila?" he countered critically.

"S-Siguro... oo. Pwe...de."

I blinked trice now that I processed what's going on. Mabilis akong napatingin ulit sa kanya.

Klavier's lips formed into a grim line before nodding his head lightly, acknowledging my answer which sounded like a wild guess.

"Let me ask you again, Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War like Minerva..."

Sumimangot ako, handa nang dinggin ang kanyang hatol.

"Did they trust you?" he added.

"No. Only Dante."

Nag-igting ang panga niya nang tila hindi inaasahan ang sagot ko. Saglit siyang natahimik. Napangiti ako nang kaonti.

He sighed and crossed his arms. "He befriended you with doubt. You can't say there's trust in it."

Bahagya akong natawa nang winakasan na niya agad ang konklusyon nang wala nang sabi-sabi pa.

Salungat sa naramdaman ko ang naging hatol niya roon. Para bang kahit masakit ang narinig ko, mas angat pa rin ang pagkaaliw ko sa reaksiyon niya.

"What's with the sudden grumpiness?" nguso ko.

"Tss," he grimaced. "What's your plan?" pagbabago niya ng usapan pero sinakyan ko rin naman.

"I just want to go somewhere where nobody knows my name."

"I can pretend I don't know you."

I chuckled faintly. "You do that then. I'm in. Let's play pretend."

Ngisi lang ang sinukli niya. Ngunit may kung ano sa ngisi niya na ikinalito ko. Parang bigla akong nakaramdam ng bigat sa loob.

"How did it start?" he just asked huskily.

"I-I don't know. I mean..." I struggled. "I know how it ends. Of course I know. I just... forget how it began..."

Kagaya nito. Hindi ko alam kung paano nagsimula ang lahat na bigla na lang nauwi rito. Ang alam ko na lang, nangialam na ako ng gamit at sa isang iglap, nakaupo na ako sa bench ng piano at pumipindot doon.

"Klavier is a German term for piano, isn't?" I asked while pressing random keys as I glanced at him.

Nang pumunta kasi ako sa harap ng piano, lumipat siya ng puwesto ng kama kung saan nakatapat iyon. Nakahilig ang pisngi niya sa kamao samantalang nakatuon naman ang siko sa case habang pinagmamasdan ako, nakadekwatro at istrikto pa rin kahit ganoon ang posisyon.

"Yeah," he answered.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa tattoo niya nang napukaw noon ang pansin ko. Now that I saw it this close, I could tell that it really looked like a minimalistic cipher, vertically alined on his forearm. What does it mean?

I pressed a triad keys and acted like a great pianist with my postured stance.

"So... you play? You're a pianist?" I asked curiously.

"No. Just playing to kill time. But... I'm not good at it."

"Huh? Pero may piano sa kuwarto?" tawa ko, may pagdududa pa rin.

"That's owned by my mother. She asked me to install it here for safety."

"Oh. Family of musicians."

I smiled weakly. Because, I am, too. But...

"Can you play for me?" Klavier asked gently.

Para akong pinukpok ng maso sa kabog ng dibdib ko. My eyes dropped on the keyboard and stopped playing.

I sighed. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Alright."

Bakas pa rin ang munting ngiti sa mga labi ko nang harapin siya.

"Alam mo namang tinutuligsa ako dahil sintunado ako, 'di ba? You had a glimpse of that," I stated as if it's just a light course.

Marahan niyang tinango ang kanyang ulo habang ganoon pa rin ang puwesto. "Oo."

"Nagpapanggap lang ako..."

I examined his face if there's a vestige of surprise in there but he seemed like he already expected it. My lips parted when I realized he'a not shocked at all.

Klavier gave a half-smile. "Marunong magpanggap ang lahat ng tao, Michaela."

Nakakapanibago na tawagin niya ako sa tunay kong pangalan pagkatapos ng mahabang tagalog na pangungusap. Sa huli, hindi ko na lang iyon dinugtungan at tumingin na lang sa ginagawa.

"Sing for me."

I jolted when he spoke out of a sudden. It's definitely not a request. Uhm...

I wrinkled my nose playfully.

"Sing with me?"

He shook his head gently.

"Let me focus listening to you..."

May kung anong gumapang sa sistema ko kaya sa huli, hindi na ako nakasabat pa at nag-isip ng kantang may madaling piano chords.

Fortunately, a perfect song popped up in my head so without further ado, I placed my hands on the keyboard, pressing the keys, as I let him watched me intently.

(For those who don't know the song, please listen to it below to have an idea about the tempo, melody, and harmony  for a better emotional build up on this part. I'll really appreciate it!)

I took a deep breath when it's my turn to sing the first verse.

However, my voice croaked at the beginning. I blushed in embarrassment.

"T-There was a time... when I was alone. Nowhere to go and no place to call home." I breathed deeply when my throat quivered. "My only friend was the man in the moon. And even sometimes he would... go away, too."

I glanced at Klavier. He looked calm watching me play. I smiled heartily, pouring all my emotions in the music and closed my eyes just like what the next verse entailed.

"Then one night, as I closed my eyes

I saw a shadow flying high.

He came to me with the sweetest smile

Told me he wanted to talk for awhile."

I looked at him again and shrugged.

"He said, "Peter Pan, that's what they call me

I promise that you'll never be lonely," and ever since that day..."

Bumuntong-hininga ako at tinuon ang buong atensiyon sa keyboard. Kahit ang totoo, pinipigilan ko ang pagluha tuwing sumasagi sa isip ang isang imahe ng lalaki.

"I am a lost boy from Neverland, usually hanging out with Peter Pan. And when we're bored we play in the woods, always on the run from Captain Hook."

Nakangiti kong pinikit ang mga mata. "Run, run, lost boy," they say to me. Away from all of reality..."

"Neverland is home to lost boys like me

And lost boys like me are free."

"N-Neverland is home... to lost boys like me. And lost boys like me a-are free..."

Napabitaw na ako at mabilis na pinalis ang luhang nagsisimula nang pumatak sa pisngi ko.

I thought I can play this song without being emotional. I thought I can play and sing already. But how could I do that if my heart is still full with loneliness and insecurity?

Bigla kong naramdaman ang paglubog ng bench sa tabi ko. Laking gulat ko nang tumabi si Klavier at pinuwesto ang mga daliri sa piano.

"W-What..." I trailed off and just chewed with my lower lip.

Hindi niya iyon pinansin, hindi ako binabalingan. Nakatutok lang ang buong atensiyon sa keyboard hanggang sa nalaman ko na lang na tinutuloy na niya ang pagtugtog.

My eyes sparkled with awe as I dropped them to Klavier's hands, maneuvering the piano. Unlike me, he added special chords in combination to my plain harmony.

Hindi siya nakanta, patuloy lang sa pagtugtog kaya nang sulyapan niya ako at nakailang ulit na sa chords, binaba ko na lang ang kamay, humugot ng hininga, at nagpatuloy.

"Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Wendy Darling

Even Captain Hook, you are my perfect story book

Neverland, I love you so

You are now my home sweet home

Forever a lost boy at last."

I noticed how his lips stretched even with his eyes directly focused at the piano.

And without me noticing it, I reflected that smile and sang the lyrics as if narrating my own story. 

"And for always I will say

I am a lost boy from Neverland

Usually hanging out with Peter Pan

And when we're bored we play in the woods

Always on the run from Captain Hook."

Sa pagpikit ko ng dalawang talukap, binalikan ko ang mga trahedyang dinanas ko sa saglit na pagkakataong iyon.

And if it's that easy to run away from all these, I probably would.

"Run, run, lost boy, " they say to me

Away from all of reality."

"Neverland is home to lost boys like me and lost boys like me are free." Bahagya akong ngumiti nang tignan niya ako habang natugtog. "Neverland is home to lost boys like me... and lost boys like me are free..."

Kahit tapos na ang kanta, kapuwa kami tahimik at nanatili pa rin sa kanya-kanyang puwesto.

The room dominated by silence as if the world stopped breathing after that music. Me, staring at nowhere; Klavier, hands still on the keyboard.

That's why when he closed the keyboard with its cover, I lifted my gaze towards him and anticipated his words when he parted his lips.

"You're the lost boy," he declared more than ask.

Napayuko na lang ako at kagat sa labi. Sa sulok ng mga mata ko, kita ko ang pagharap ng katawan niya sa akin.

"I can be your Peter Pan," he added hoarsely.

Gulantang akong napabalik ng tingin sa kanya.

"H-Huh?" lito kong tanong na ngitian niya lang kalaunan.

"That haunted room... That room can be our Neverland."

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ:

Ruth B - Lost Boy

──────|───────────

|◁ || ▷|

∞ ↺

May 2, 2020