The Fight Between A Feelingerang Gay and A Pretty Me

CHAPTER VI- The Audition

AUDITION DAY

Ilang estudyante na ang nakatapos sa pagtugtog ng kani-kanilang instruments sa harapan at heto ako, parang tangang kinakagat yung kuko ko sa kamay dahil sa sobrang kabado.

Nagulantang ako nang may sumundot sa tagiliran ko at nilingon ko ang nasa likod ko. Arrghhh! Leaf!

"Excited na kaayo ko."

Buti pa siya. Napapikit ako at huminga ng malalim. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at mahina kong pinapatugtog ang ukulele ko.

"Ms. Sassy Trinidad, you're next."

My heart! Ako na talaga. Lord help me!

Dahan-dahan na kong humayo papunta sa stage at naupo sa stall. Heto na Sassy. Do your best!

"I know you can do it anak. I'm here to support you always."

Yes dad. Hinding hindi kita ididisappoint kahit kailan!

Bago ako magsimulang tumugtog ay nagsalita muna ako at inilapit ang bunganga ko sa mic.

"Hello everyone, I am Sassy Trinidad from the department of Arts and Sciences and currently a freshmen student. Aaahhh..."

What else Sassy? Ba't ka ba madalas matameme!

"Fighting!"

I heard Leaf shouted mula sa audience. I smiled at naging sanhi yun para ma-boost yung confidence ko. I mouthed thank you to her and I cleared my throat.

"Today, I'll be playing my Ukulele and I'm going to sing a song for you all. Hope you enjoy it!"

Nagsimula na akong magstrum at kumanta.

You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me
You, have knocked me off my feet again
Got me feelin' like I'm nothing

You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard
Calling me out when I'm wounded
You, pickin' on the weaker man

Well you can't take me down
With just one single blow
Cause you don't know
What you don't know

Napatingin ako sa kanilang lahat bago ko pa man sambitin ang mga susunod na linya ng kanta. Alam kong lahat sila, kinamumuhian ako dahil sa itsura ko pero who cares? I have my own charm.

Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean.

Why you gotta be so mean?

Tinapos ko na ang kanta at dahan-dahan ko na ring finifade-out ang pagsstrum ko sa ukulele ko.

After kong makapagperform, hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakita ko.

All of them stood up and clapped their hands.

"You're so good!"

"Gorgeous!"

"We have our lucky ace now!"

Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti. I bowed at them at hindi ko mapigilang tumalon sa saya habang pababa ako sa stage. Nilapitan ako ni Leaf at niyakap.

"I'm so proud of you."

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"After all, you all did a great job for this year's music club audition but sadly, hindi namin kayo lahat makukuha because of some instances. Some of you might have the potential but were not just looking for someone that knows how to play an instrument but someone who knows how to sing and to play an instrument at the same time."

Ilang beses na akong napapalunok habang hinihintay kong sambitin niya na ang mga pangalan ng passed auditionees.

"So here it is!"

Sumasabay sa beat ng drum rolls ang puso ko.

"Ramdam mo ba?"

Tanong ko kay Leaf at inilapat niya ang kamay niya sa kaliwa kong dibdib. Napatango siya ng ilang ulit at sinenyasan niya akong huminga ng malalim.

"Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out---"

"Please step forward..."