AVRIL
SUMANDAL ako sa nagmo-moist na bintana ng sasakyan habang nakapikit ang mata. Andres probably thought that I'm already asleep kaya hindi niya na ako kinausap pa. The window hazes every time I breathe.
Sa totoo lang, medyo nasayangan ako do'n sa natapon na buko juice.
But—uhm—
No. Sino bang niloloko ko? Of course, it's more than the spilled juice. I was actually bothered with Ben's effort being in vain. I saw how his face become dismayed after seeing the thing he bought for us spill on the ground.
Nag-sorry naman roon si Andres and good thing, natigil na ang tensyon sa aming tatlo. After giving me a serious look, Ben turned to Andres and nodded before looking back at me.
"Fine, take her home," sabi niya. Pagkatapos no'n, tahimik na lang naming kinain ang libre kong pagkain hanggang sa natapos kami't nagsiuwian na.
"I know you aren't asleep Avril." Bumukas agad ang mga mata ko nang bigla akong kausapin ni Andres. "There's no need to pretend," sabi pa niya habang nagmamaneho.
That told me to sit erect. I gave him a questioning look, pretending that I didn't get what he said.
"Huh? Anong pretend? Bakit ako magkukunwaring natutulog?"
He chuckled. Mabilis siyang tumingin sa'kin habang tumatawa pero agad ring ibinalik ang tingin sa daan. "I don't know," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.
Umirap na lamang ako roon at muling sumandal sa malamig na binatana.
"Are you pressured with our new band member being around?" tanong niya. I averted my gaze to him but my head was still leaning to the glass pane.
"Huh?" nakakunot-noo kong tanong. "You mean Ben?"
"Yup." He nodded. "Hindi ka ba naiilang o na-iintimidate sa kaniya?"
Saglit akong napaisip sa sinabi niya. I was way too intimidated in front of that man. Na-aawkward rin ako. Pero there's something strange about those feelings.
Sa umpisa lang kasi awkward. Alam niyo 'yon? Yung parang nahihiya o naiilang kang magsimula ng usapan. But after you brewed a little conversation, parang nagiging kalmado ka na. You suddenly felt at ease as the minutes pass by. Ganoon ang nararamdaman ko sa tuwing kasama ko si Ben.
"Uhm—hindi naman, bakit?" I lied. Masyadong complicated na para i-explain. Ni hindi nga alam ni Andres ang rason sa pagiging awkward ko kay Ben. He doesn't know anything about our failed one night stand and the sequel of it which happened during the Beat Night Gig.
"You sure?" pahabol ni Andres na para bang hindi siya kombinsado sa sagot ko.
"Yeah."
Napatango-tango siya roon. Ibinalik ko na lang ang tingin ko sa daan. Akala ko'y wala na siyang sasabihin pa pero napalingon na lamang ako muli sa kaniya nang magsalita na naman siya.
"I will get out of that crazy deal if I were you."
My brows furrowed with what he said. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?" tanong ko.
What deal? Don't tell me—
"There's no need to hide it Avril." I saw a grin plastered in his face. "I don't know what it is pero alam kong liban sa relasyon natin bilang isang banda ay may iba pang namamagitan sa inyo ni Ben."
My eyes widened this time. Muli akong napaupo ng maayos. I stared at him, studying how his grinning lips move. "Something sexual, isn't it?" he added.
BINABASA MO ANG
Stringless Guitar (Musicians Series 1)
RomanceHe's hot, he's popular and he's definitely handsome. And he's as fascinating as a guitar when he plays it. But when it comes to women, he hates commitments and he prefers it as 'No strings attached'. He's bound to perform music with her onstage but...
