Damgeen High School Musical (Tagalog)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Coffin

Another dream woke me up. Ah, no. Scratch that. It's a nightmare.

"Settled na tayo sa piyesa natin. Any violent reactions or suggestions?"

"Kailan start ng practice, Maestro?"

"We can start tomorrow habang nilalakad ko pa ito. Every Tuesdays and Thursdays, pwede kayong mag-practice nang wala ako dahil may mga klase pa ako ng tanghali."

"Vocals na po talaga ako?"

"Oo, hija. Gusto mo bang tumugtog?"

"Ah! Okay na naman po. Pero kung pauunlakan ni Nolan, gusto ko pong mag-chimes."

"No. Mag-shaker ka na lang."

"Ang damot naman ng pagkatao mo."

"Ikaw, Michaela? May sasabihin ka ba?"

Wala sa sarili akong napatuwid ng upo nang sikuhin ako nang malakas ni Faye. I cleared my throat and pointed at myself while turning to Maestro Gibs.

"A-Ako po?"

Imbes na sumagot, humalukipkip ito at animo'y sinusuri ako.

"Are you sure you're okay, hija? Kanina ka pa namin hindi mahagilap."

The four snickered that were immediately restrained by Maestro Gibs. Muli itong humarap sa akin gamit ang nagtataka at kuryosong hitsura. Umiling ako.

"I-I'm sorry. Uhm... Kulang lang po sa... sa tulog," tikhim ko.

Kailangan ko pang umiling nang ilang ulit para lang mahimasmasan sa kalutangan.

Worriedly, Maestro nodded his head and slapped his thighs before standing.

"You are dismissed. Humabol na kayo sa mga klase ninyo," he declared.

Nagsitayuan na rin kami para magpaalam. Pinatawag kasi kami ni Maestro Gibs sa kanya-kanya naming klase sa katauhan ng SA niyang si Philip para sa panandaliang meeting at signing of contract.

It indicates the terms of agreement such as staying in the band at least until the end of October and that our performance for the concert is a must for our recital debut. No backing out.

Bago tuluyang makalabas ng opisina ni Maestro, tanging tango at munting ngiti na lang ang iginawad sa amin ni Philip pagkaalis. Besides, hinahanda ko na rin ang earphones ko ngunit mukhang hindi iyon hahayaan ng kadaldalan ni Achelois.

"Navi-visualize ko na ang performance natin. Ikaw ba, Mich?" Faye asked enthusiastically as we paved our way to our separate classes.

Napakurap-kurap ako dahil medyo tulala pa rin kahit sa pagbaba sa Strings Department. Napabitaw na lang ako sa earphones at nakuntento na sa paglalakad.

"Uh... O-Oo."

She slanted her head to catch my vision and smirked teasingly.

"Ano ulit ang tanong ko?"

"Huh?" Napalingon na ako dahil para akong na-corner.

"Hindi mo naman narinig pero sumasagot ka dyan!"

Bumuntong-hininga ako at napamasahe na nang tuluyan sa bandang kilay. Simula pa lang kaninang umaga kahit bago pa man pumasok, pansin na rin iyon nila Manang Tina at ng mga trabahador namin.

I'm certain it was because of that drea-I mean,  nightmare. Because this time, they both visited me last night. That pianist guy and the origin woman whatsoever.

Nakakapagtaka dahil noon naman, hiwalay silang nagpapakita sa akin. And I don't know if I was just imagining it... but the familiar nursery rhyme played somewhere, too.

Lahat iyon ay sinulat ko sa isang papel para lang hindi makalimutan. I guess I should list down every strange and weird things happening to me. Nababaliw na ako. Metaphorically and literally. 

"Don't mind me for now. I'm not myself today," walang gana kong sagot nang malapit na ako sa building ng kasalukuyang klase ko.

Tumawa siya habang abala sa pagpapabuhat ng bag kay Lancelot.

"Sino ka ngayon kung ganoon? Si Minerva ba? Ayan, a!"

I know it was something not to be taken seriously because that folklore became an inside joke for Damgeen. However, I felt an electrifying feeling that crept out from my system. Medyo nasamid ako at sana hindi nila iyon napansin.

"Malay mo," ngisi ko, nakikisakay na rin sa biruan.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal nang lumiko na ako para umakyat sa building ko ngayon. Magkakaiba kasi kami ng klase every Tuesday dahil iba-iba kami ng prof sa general music lessons.

Habang sa specialization naman, kaklase ko si Faye at Cruz kay Maestro Gibs since pare-pareho kaming nasa strings section. Nasa percussion naman si Nolan at Lancelot.

Meanwhile, as I walked closer to our hall, I started shitting bricks with my anticipation of Maestro Dulcet's grumpy face the moment I enter the room.

Hindi ko alam kung anong mukha ang maihaharap ko ngayon tuwing iniisip na nasa team ako ni Maestro Gibs.

She fought for my ability and she believed in me. Pero hindi rin naman ako nagkulang na ipaintindi sa ginang na wala akong balak na ilantad iyon sa lugar na ito. Dahilan ng pagpapanggap ko ngayon.

However, I think I just underestimated her professionalism. Sa kabila ng nangyari at ng pagkakahuli ko sa klase, tinanguan niya lang ako at nagpatuloy sa pagtuturo nang kumatok na ako para pumasok.

Shocks. Pulang-pula siguro ako habang nakayukong naglalakad patungo sa pwesto ko. May iilan pang bumabati at kino-congrats ako ngunit marami pa rin ang pasaring na nagpaparinig.

"Anyway, where are Cervantez, Bergado, and Salas?"

I hurled my crossbody bag against the vacant seat on my side before throwing myself on my seat. Bukod sa tabi ko, bakante na rin ang katapat kong upuan.

As soon as he called off the rumor about us being an item, lumipat na rin siya ng puwesto roon sa pinakadulo. Bagay na pinasalamatan ko kahit papaano dahil siya na mismo ang dumistansiya.

I could just imagine myself sweating bullets of fear if he remained situated across me. Baka pa ako na ang nagkusang lumipat kung ganoon lang din.

Tinanaw ko ang mga kaklaseng nagsisilingon sa paligid habang inaayos ko naman ang damit ko.

Uhm... wait, what's happening?

"Wala, Maestro. Absent po ata 'yung magkakaibigan," sagot ng isang kaklase.

Maestro Dulcet fixed her eyeglasses and positioned her stick on her lectern.

"That's odd. They were always present during my class. This is the first time they slack off. And... all at the same time?" puno ng pagdududang turan ng ginang.

May isang nagtaas ng kamay. "Maestro, I actually contacted Bergado's parents because I still have a presentation with her later and I'm worried if she wouldn't make it. Then base po sa sinabi ng mommy niya, she's acting strange ever since yesterday when she came home."

Mukhang nasurpresa si Maestro Dulcet sa nalaman.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Opo. Pero sabi naman po ng parents niya, hindi ito first time na nagkaganoon po siya pero nagtataka pa rin kung bakit na-trigger kahapon pagkauwi. Hindi raw po makasagot nang maayos, e. Parang wala sa sarili pagkauwi."

Napatango nang dahan-dahan ang ginang, animo'y may malalim nang iniisip. "I've known her for being aggressive but faint-hearted at the same time."

"Matatakutin nga po 'yon."

"Pero sina Salas at Cervantez kaya?"

"Sabay-sabay silang absent ngayon, a?"

Kanya-kanya nang lahad ng opinyon at tanong ang mga kaklase. Samantalang ako, gulong-gulo na sa kinauupuan dahil hindi naman kilala ang mga babaeng nabanggit sa talakayan.

Idagdag pa na may isang babae na mariin ang tingin sa akin sa kalagitnaan ng kaguluhang iyon, para bang nanghihinala sa akin sa kung ano habang abala pa ang iba sa pagbubuo ng kanya-kanyang teorya.

Kumunot ang noo ko. What the heck is with that expression?

Pairap pa itong bumaling ulit sa harapan niya kaya lunod na lunod na ako sa mga katanungan pagkatapos ng klaseng iyon. Kaya naman nang nag-breaktime, kung lutang na ako kanina, tuluyan na atang lumilipad ang kaluluwa ko ngayon.

Me:

Are you there? I'm on my

Hindi ko pa natatapos ang ititipa ko nang nahinto ako sa paglalakad. I think I saw a shadow on my peripheral vision.

It passed through me on the side but the familiar feeling was still there. Nasa liblib na parte pa naman ako ng lanai dahil madadaaanan talaga ito papunta sa Neverland!

My heart raced so fast. Nilingon ko ang direksiyong dinaanan ng anino ngunit laking gulat ko dahil pagkalingon, isang babae pala ang nakasunod sa akin sa likod.

My lips parted as I studied the face of the girl. She's the girl from my last class. The one with the shady glare at me earlier.

I pursed my lips as I turned to her. Was she also the one I saw who came through a while ago? Dahil kung kanino mang anino iyon, nasisiguro kong iyon din ang madalas kong nararamdaman na nakasunod sa akin palagi.

"Kanina pa ako nakasunod. Buti at napansin mo na ako," the girl announced.

Tinanggal ko ang nakasuot na earphones. Napataas ito ng kilay dahil ngayon lang siguro napansing naka-earphones pala ako.

She was about to repeat what she said but I responded immediately.

"Kanina ka pa dyan?" I asked earnestly to hear the truth.

She laughed sarcastically. "Tama nga ang balita. Mayabang ka nga, Michaela Singh."

"Anong kinalaman ng kayabangan ko sa tinanong ko?" I countered casually.

"Imposibleng ngayon mo lang ako napansin. Nagbubulag-bulagan ka ba o sadyang mataas na ang tingin mo sa sarili mo dahil lang kabilang ka sa Ensemble? O dahil nali-link ka sa matataas?"

"Beats me. If that's the case, ikaw rin ba ang dumaan dyan kanina?" senyas ko sa liblib na parte ng lanai.

Nilingon niya iyon at mukhang nainsultong humarap ulit sa akin. Wala pa man ang kanyang sagot, nakumpirma kong hindi nga siya iyon base sa naging reaksiyon niya.

"Pinaglololoko mo ba talaga ako, ha?" sa pikon na niyang boses.

Umayos na ako ng tayo at sumeryoso na.

"Anong kailangan mo? Bakit mo ako sinusundan tulad ng sinasabi mo?"

"Dahil alam kong ikaw ang puno't dulo ng lahat ng ito. Didiretsuhin na kita, Singh. Anong kinalaman mo sa biglang pagliban nila Bergado?"

Naalala ko ang pinag-uusapan kanina sa silid tungkol sa nawawala naming mga kaklase. Pati na rin ang nagsususpetya niyang tingin sa akin kanina, malinaw pa rin sa akin hanggang ngayon.

Tumawa ako. "Ni hindi ko kilala 'yung tatlong pinag-uusapan niyo."

"Do you think I'm stupid? Nakita ko kayong apat kahapon na nag-aaway! Ikaw lang ang huli kong nakita na kasama nilang tatlo kahapon kaya huwag ka nang magkaila pa!"

Nasa kalagitnaan pa lang siya ng kanyang panaghoy, nagsasalubong na ang kilay ko dahil sa pinaghalong kaliwanagan at pagkalito.

Una, sa kadahilanang ngayon ko lang natanto na ang tatlong iyon pala ang kanina pa pinagkakaguluhan sa klase at anila'y kataka-takang lumiban nang sabay-sabay. Pangalawa, dahil hindi ko makuha kung anong kinalaman ko roon dahil alam kong wala naman akong ginagawa!

"Did you even see what entirely happened? Kung may tao mang dapat nagrereklamo at napahamak ngayon, ako 'yon at hindi sila! Utang na loob, sila ang nanakit sa akin! Pinagtulungan ako!"

"Then maybe you took a revenge against them. That's why they're nowhere to be found today?"

"Wow! Tingin ko maling school ang pinasukan mo. Siguro mag-transfer ka na sa law school, Miss. I think you can even unfold mysteries faster than Sherlock. Accuracy is another case to tell though."

By that, she looked like she could throw a fit right now. Dinuro niya ako at tinulak-tulak na sa galit.

"Kahit sinong nakakita ay iyon ang iisipin dahil 'yon lang naman ang kapani-paniwala! Don't tell me it's a coincidence? Na kung kailan kayo nag-away, saka sila um-absent nang sabay-sabay na ngayon lang naman nangyari? Dahil kung pagbabasehan, mas madaling paniwalaan na may kinalaman ka rito kesa nagkataon lang ang lahat!"

Frustrated na ako napamura at winaksi ang kamay niya sa akin, matalim na rin ang tinging iginagawad sa kanya.

"Believe me... I'd like to see things from your point of view, but I can't get my head that far up my ass."

"What did you just say?!"

From here, I could see the throbbing veins in her neck with her shaking fists as her face was now covered with crimson anger. Agresibo na itong umabante para sugurin ako pero naunahan ko siya sa paghaklit ng kanyang mga kamay.

"f**k! Not again!" I groaned frustratedly before throwing her hands off me.

"Bruha ka! Umamin ka na!"

Mabilis niyang hinablot ang ulo ko at hinigit ang buhok ko. Muli akong napamura at napapikit ang mga mata ko sa sakit.

"Damn it!"

I also reached for her hair and pulled it even lower! Nang napabitaw na siya sa buhok ko para tanggalin ang kamay ko roon, napadaing ako sa sobrang sakit nang kagatin niya ang braso ko!

"f**k!" I cursed under my breath as I checked my swollen arm. "What the?!"

I fixated my eyes at her fiercely. I was about to kick her ass with all my might when someone grabbed me from behind the same time someone pulled her, too!

"Ano ba? Tumigil nga kayo! Mich!"

Bahagya akong natauhan nang narinig kung sino ang nasa likod ko.

Dante took my hand and examined my bruise on the arm. With bulging eyes, I was able to pull my hand back before I could even convince myself that the worry manifested in his face was true.

Inabot naman sa akin ni Eli ang nahulog kong phone ilang sandali. Natanto kong siya ang lumayo sa babaeng iyon sa akin. We glared at each other. Sinubukan niyang umatake ulit ngunit muli siyang napigilan ni Eli.

"Let go of me!" gigil niyang takas sa mga braso ni Eli samantalang naestatwa na ako sa kinatatayuan ko.

"Tara sa clinic," Dante said authoritatively as he grasped for my arm but I shook it away.

"Bakit kayo nandito?" I asked coldly.

Halos ihilamos na niya ang kamay sa sobrang problemado.

"Can we spare our issue for a moment? We need to have it checked, Michaela."

"Wala ito sa sakit na pinaramdam niyo sa akin, Durante. Sanay na sanay na ako."

Dante put his palm on his forehead, shutting his eyes close problematically. I transferred my eyes to Eli and learned how troubled he was with the violent girl.

"Hindi pa tayo tapos, Michaela Singh!" banta niya sa akin.

Agad siyang inawat ni Eli at pinirmi sa kanyang pwesto. "Tapos na 'to, Miss. Tumigil ka na."

"Bitawan mo ako sabi! Alam kong Kaharayan kayo pero magtutuos pa kami ng babaeng 'yan kaya kung pwede-"

"Isa pa at hahalikan na kita!"

Gulantang na natigilan ang babae sa sinabi ni Eli. Gayunpaman, hindi naglaon, nakabawi na sa gulat pero bakas pa rin ang iritasyon sa hitsura nang kumalas na sa pagkakahawak ni Eli at tinalikuran kaming lahat.

"Sayang," tawa ni Eli sabay panhik sa amin. "Ano kayo dyan? Tapos na ang drama."

Umirap ako at sinuri na lang ang phone kung may basag ba. May konting c***k lang sa screen protector pero maayos pa naman.

"Ayusin mo buhok mo," si Dante sa pagod nang boses, pinapanuod ako.

I glowered at him in utter annoyance. "Ayusin niyo buhay niyo."

He smirked without humor. "You're one to talk."

Not wanting to take this to a higher level, I turned my back without anymore adieu. Bwiset na bwiset kong tinalunton ang dulong gusali habang napapamurang nakatingin sa braso kong may panibagong sugat na naman.

Siguraduhin lang ng babaeng 'yon na nagpaturok na siya! Ayokong gumastos sa vaccine ng rabies!

At saka, ano kayang pumasok sa kokote no'n para sugurin ako basta-basta? Malamang, kaibigan niya ang tatlong bruha na 'yon kahapon. Pare-pareho lang silang walang magawa sa buhay! Palibhasa, maraming oras para gumawa ng problema dahil mukhang wala sila noon!

"Ako? May pakana ng lahat? These girls are crazy," I sneered to myself unbelievably as I went all the way to the third floor.

Ngunit aaminin kong napaisip din ako sa misteryong iyon. Baka nga hindi lang nagkataon o coincidence lang ang lahat? Kung may nangyari man at salungat iyon sa nangyaring pagsalakay nila sa akin kahapon, ano iyon at bakit kailangang sakto pa pagkatapos ng enkuwentro namin?

O kung may kinalaman nga ako roon, bakit at paano naman? Did I sleepwalk last night? Kaya siguro pagod na pagod ako pagkagising? Sa huli, kinilabutan na lang ako sa naiisip at naghanda na sa pagpasok sa abandonadong silid.

I sighed in relief the moment my eyes feasted the pleasant view inside. Payapang nakaupo si Klavier sa teacher's desk sa harap, mukhang inip na sa paghihintay sa akin.

I actually covered my wound with my folded hanky around my arm, hoping Klavier would not notice and just consider it as my peculiar taste for today's fashion.

Napasapo pa ako ng noo kanina dahil kung kailan ako magbabandana sa braso, saka pa ako hindi naka-shirt at jeans lang! For the love of God, I am wearing a dress! Balak ko kasing mag-ayos ngayon ng suot, pandagdag puntos sa gagawin kong panunuyo ngayong araw sa nagyeyelong taong ito.

Paano, simula kasi kahapon nang nagkamali ako ng pangalan habang yakap niya, nagsimula na siyang maging malamig sa akin.

Naiintindihan ko naman. Kasi kung ako ang nasa kinatatayuan niya, baka pa tuluyan ko na itong hindi kinakausap ngayon. Siya kasi, nagagawa pa akong i-text kahit tipid lang. I still feel terrible and ashamed for that one. Mismong ako ay nagalit sa sarili ko noon.

"Kanina ka pa?" tanong ko habang papalapit na sa kanyang pwesto.

My eyes got caught by a long rectangular box covered with a cream white wrapper and glossy gold ribbon.

Nasa ibabaw iyon ng lamesang nasa harapan niya habang nakasandal lang siya sa kanyang kinauupuan. Para tuloy bigla kong nakalimutan na hindi niya pa nasasagot ang unang tanong ko nang may panibago na naman akong tanong.

"What's that?"

"Corpse inside a coffin," he answered coldly with a pinch of sarcasm.

I tossed my bag, slightly pouting with his cold treatment and remark.

"I don't want to expect but is that for me?"

"For me. Because I love me so much."

"Can I translate your sarcasm?" Napangisi na ako sa sariling kapilyahan.

However, I think I just saw him rolled his eyes behind his wayfarers.

"I wonder when will you stop ruining the moment. Just f*****g open it. And maybe thank me later without using your old friend's name," he scoffed, emphasizing the two words like they were some kind of insult.

My eyes widened. Oh, my god! Ang taray!

Dumbfounded, I stifled a smile as I watched him get up from his seat.

"Are you normally like this with someone you just met?" he asked suspiciously.

Ang pinipigilang kurba sa mga labi ay napalitan ng simangot.

"You already asked me that same question a hundred times but fine, I will answer it a hundred one." I slammed the desk, narrowing my eyes at him. "Only this once, Klavier. I'm only like this with someone I just met. And it's you."

He whispered a soft curse before turning his back to go to the window.

"Shut up and just open the goddamn coffin."

Ang suplado naman.

Gusto sanang iparinig 'yon kaso baka magalit na nang tuluyan. Baka nakakalimutan mong susuyuin mo pa 'yan, Mich. Mamaya ka na mamikon kapag nanghaharot na ulit 'yan.

One last glimpse at him before I poured my attention to his so-called coffin. Naghanap ako ng card pero mukhang hindi siya fan ng ganoon kaya maingat ko na lang na kinalas ang gold na ribbon. Dahil glossy, mabilis ko lang na natapos kaya sa mismong wrapper na ako nagdahan-dahan.

My heart pounded in excitement. Wala pa man ako sa kalahati ng ibabaw ng box, nanigas na ako sa kinatatayuan nang natuklasan kung ano ang tatak sa likod ng balot niyon.

Laglag ang panga kong tinanaw ang kinatatayuan ni Klavier na mukhang may malalim nang iniisip kaya pinagpatuloy ko na lang ang pagbukas sa regalo niya.

Unconsciously, awe dawned on my face as I unwrapped it fully and took a Martin acoustic guitar from its packaging, especially when I discovered that it was of the same model I destroyed not so long ago.

My vision was clouded with tears. I quickly rubbed the tears off in the horror that the guitar might vanish from my hands once I removed my eyes from it for even just a second.

Sa sobrang pagkamangha ko ata roon, hindi ko na napansin pa ang paglapit ni Klavier sa akin.

"H-How did you know about this?" I turned to him with wishful eyes.

"Why are you crying? Don't you like it?" he asked me softly.

Agad akong umiling para pabulaanan iyon. Sinulyapan niya ang hawak kong gitara kaya hinagkan ko ang katawan noon sa labis na pangungulila.

Dang. It felt just the same.

"You mentioned it before. So I planned of surprising you with it."

"But... But you're mad at me," I tried making sense to him.

"I'm not mad."

Nilapag ko ang gitara pabalik sa pagkakabalot noon na may puno ng pag-iingat bago humarap sa kanya nang tuluyan.

"Thank you... This means so much to me. I didn't..." Napailing ako, hindi pa rin makapaniwala. "I didn't expect this..."

Marahan siyang tumango at marahang inabot ang aking kamay.

"Anything for you..." It was almost a whisper.

Parang may kumurot sa puso ko. How could someone be this kind when I just offended him yesterday?

Yumuko ako at napakagat ng labi. "About yesterday... I want to apologize for what I said. I know I offended you with my words so I'm sorry... I really am."

He licked his lips and bit his lower lip to suppress something. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapasulyap doon.

"What made you think I was mad?"

Napakurap ako nang ilang beses. Muli kong inangat sa kanya ang mga mata.

"I... I..." I hesitated to confess my mistake because I know he knew it well. "I... called you the wrong name."

"Hmmm? I won't forgive you then," he then tucked some hair behind my ear.

"W-Why?"

"You hurt my feelings."

My jaw slacked a fraction when he just said that casually, as if it was nothing. Kumunot ang noo ko at tumikhim.

"Then... what can I do for you to accept my apology?"

Ilang beses ko na itong inensayo pero para pa ring sasabog ang dibdib ko nang tumigil siya sa paghaplos sa aking kamay at paglaro sa iilang hibla ng buhok ko.

Klavier looked down at me. I saw how his adam's apple jerked.

"Kiss me."

Rinig na rinig ko ang kabog sa dibdib ko pagkarinig sa sagot nito.

I sensed a challenge in his tone so I gulped. Unti-unting bumaba ang tingin ko patungo sa kanyang mga labi na para bang nang-aakit na sa mga oras na iyon.

"Cold feet?" he mocked seductively.

I pressed my lips. "C-Course not."

"Then kiss them."

Intentionally, his lips parted a bit like they were anticipating for my lips. Kumuyom ang kamay kong hawak-hawak niya bago napagdesisyunang tumingkayad upang maabot iyon.

I parted my lips, too. The corner of Klavier's lips stretched dramatically as I came closer. But the moment I only got an inch to work onto, he pursed his lips for a smile and tilted his head sideways, making my lips landed on his jaw instead.

"What..." I trailed off in shock when I got back on my place.

Klavier chuckled softly with my flustered reaction. Nag-init ang pisngi ko at napasinghap.

"I almost forgot you're just seventeen. You're still a baby," he said, slightly teasing.

Sa kabila ng pagkapahiya, nagawa ko siyang panlakihan ng mata.

"The heck I'm not!"

"Yes, you are."

"But you kissed me before! How about that?!"

"Well..." he chuckled throatily. "That time, you seduced me by ogling at them, you one flirty baby."

I gaped. "Then now you're not seduced?!"

I felt insulted! Like he just degraded my appeal or what!

His head lazily fell on his back as he groaned something to himself, emphasizing his adam's apple in his illegally attractive neck.

Damn. Even his adam's apple was just so s****l!

However, our little bubble of joy popped up when we sensed someone nearing the room.

And just like an instinct, we hurriedly picked up our things. Siya na ang nagtago ng gitara sa likod ng desk samantalang dala ko ang bag ko patungo sa aparador.

Klavier was massaging his temple as he stalked me from behind. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil sakto lang ang pagpasok namin doon sa pagbukas naman ng pinto!

It's Bria!

The kid was rubbing her eyes, holding back her tears but not until she went inside the room.

Pinalaya na niya ang kinikimkim na hinanakit nang tuluyan na itong umiyak sa gitna, dahan-dahang naglalakad patungo rito.

"Bria..." bulong ko sa hangin, napahaplos sa likod ng pinto ng aparador habang pinagmamasdan ang paslit.

"Sing," Klavier whispered on my ear.

Because of the electricity intensified on my bones, it took me a couple of seconds before I could process the content of his whisper.

I bit my lower lip and took a deep breath as I glanced at Bria. Man, why am I always the one carrying and sharing the burden with you?

"When the tears are rolling down like a river to the ocean. And there's no one else around, you won't question my devotion."

I saw Bria flinched when I stared singing. But as time goes by, she got the hang of it and swallowed her sobs.

"Everybody needs somebody.

And you got me

You know that I know that you know that

I'll be there for the highs and lows.

Give you mine if your heart gets broke.

By your side, when you're all alone,

I will be there."

Hindi pa man tapos ang kanta, huminto na ako nang huminto na rin si Bria sa pag-iyak.

She clutched her chest and her head lowered. Samantalang sa buong sandaling iyon, tahimik lang si Klavier na hinahaplos ang aking kamay, nakikinig din sa aking pagkanta.

"Y-You're... there."

She's talking to Minerva. But I felt glad she acknowledged someone in the person of me indirectly.

"So-Sorry for uhm... disturbing you again. I just need somewhere to... escape," she then took a very deep breath. "It's a mess outside. Mommy and Daddy were fighting again. And Daddy... he's... ridiculing Ate again in front of everyone in the house. Making Ate scold and hurt me again at the end point... Everyone is a mess, as if... as if we're not family at all..."

I zoned out as I learned about Bria's sentiments. Looking at them from afar, the Madrigal family looked at ease and happy with their life, except for the part that Bridgette has something against Bria.

I thought that was only it! But thinking of it now doesn't make sense. Bridgette ridiculing Bria just because of her taste in music was just nothing but a front. Perhaps, there's a deeper surface. And this must be it.

"I hate them! I hate them all!"

After that incident, Bria rushed outside. Wala sa sarili akong lumabas sa cabinet tangan ni Klavier bilang suporta sa aking katawan. Dahilan para hindi ko mapansing natanggal na niya ang panyong nakabalot sa aking braso.

Horror overtook my system as I turned to him while he's looking so mad staring at my swollen skin.

"Who did this to you?" he asked dangerously.

Mabilis ko iyong binawi kaya napaangat ang kanyang tingin sa akin.

"Uh... n-nanggigil lang ako kanina kaya... kaya kinagat ko ang sarili ko."

"You think I'm dumb enough to buy that crap?"

Sa takot na baka lumala pa ang kahahantungan ng usapan, sumuko na ako at umamin na. But to be honest, I did sugarcoat and omitted some parts to patch things up for him.

"How does it feel? Does it still hurt?" namamaos niyang tanong sa akin kalaunan.

I was already sitting on top of the teacher's table and he's in front of me, checking my wholeness while arms cornering me on the table.

"It's fine and bearable. No need to worry," I assured him.

Marahan siyang tumango bago ilipat sa mga mata ko ang tingin.

"Come here. Let me kiss it and make it better."

"H-Huh?"

Instead of answering me, he already managed to push the back of my head towards him and planted a soft kiss on my temple.

Tinawa ko ang munting kabang naramdaman kanina na para lang pala sa wala.

"What's that for? My temple doesn't hurt," I jested.

Klavier c****d his head on the other side and slightly pushed my forehead.

"But your head does," he corrected.

I froze when he just suddenly hit a bull's eye.

"Rest and don't strain it, Athena... It doesn't deserve the dark."

May 8, 2020