Fragmented Rhapsody

Fragment 23

Disclaimer: This chapter contains crumbs of political violence in the end and you are importantly advised to be receptive in consuming the events of this chapter.

23
Positive infinity

"Kuya Leon," I called our driver to get his attention.

"Ma'am?"

"Hintayin niyo na lang po ako dito. Babalik din po ako," I curtly said and looked out the window. Kitang-kita ko ang umiilaw na pangalan ng club sa bandang bukana nito at ang mga bouncers na maingat na nagbabantay sa mga papasok na tao.

From the rearview mirror, I saw how Kuya Leon nodded hesitantly. I feel a little bit guilty by tagging him along. Sobrang pasasalamat ko na lamang at pumayag siya para ihatid ako dito sa Ampersand. Medyo nahirapan din akong mag-paalam kay Nanay Flores kanina pero nakumbinsi ko pa rin siyang idaan ako palabas sa mga body guards sa bahay.

When I got out of the car, dali akong pumasok at naghanap ng upuan sa sulok kung saan medyo malayo sa kumpulan ng tao. Madami-dami na rin kasi ang na sa loob at halos lahat ay nagsisitayuan na para sumayaw at makipag-usap sa iba pang mga na sa club. Clutching the cuffs of my red knitted sweater, I looked around the place and the familiar neon strobes of light hit my eyes, reminding me of the first time I met the four guys.

It was like this set-up – loud music that seems to be reverberating in my ear, the assembly of the people's noise, and the cold and extreme night life of Baguio city.

Nakipagsiksikan ako sa mga tao at naghanap ng upuan sa gilid. I sighed in satisfaction when I found the perfect spot dahil itang-kita ko ang buong entablado at dancefloor mula sa aking pwesto. Nang maka-upo, gumala ang aking mata at hinagilap kung andito na ba sina Octavian.

Kinagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi upang pakalmahin ang naghuhurumentadong puso. I didn't tell him I'd go. I just wanted to see him sing and play from afar – and just talk with him afterwards.

Buo ang desisyon kong nag-punta rito kaya dapat buo rin ang desisyon kong aalis.

The music suddenly went slow and the DJ motioned the people on the dance floor to transfer their attention to the next one who's going to perform. Dahil doon, lumipat agad ang tingin ng buong club sa harapan nang lumabas ang apat na lalaki.

Apollo 1997 – they looked mighty and cool on that stage. The three of them are wearing manly casual clothes which complemented really well their physiques. There was a random guy with them because Alfred's still unavailable and on his way to recovery.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin si Octavian – he's wearing a fitted faded jeans and oversized white printed shirt, along with his white boat shoes. I can still feel the giddiness and peace he radiates just by staring at him.

He still makes me feel calm, even from afar.

Hovering the strap of his guitar unto his shoulder, he bit the pic between his lips while he continues to adjust the mic stand in front of him. Rinig ko ang tili ng mga tao sa paligid. Kinuha rin niya ang kaniyang pic at ngumiti nang bahagya bago nagsalita.

"Good evening, Ampersand," he said smoothly, "This your Apollo 1997 – I'm Octavian. Lucifer's our bassist, Dominic the keyboardist, and Alfred's our drummer, but he's not here. We got Damian to play for us tonight."

"So, sino ang single?!" sigaw ng isa sa mga nanonood at tumawa ang lahat doon.

"Sila siguro...basta hindi ako," he chuckled and smirked. Nairinig ko ang kantyaw at angal ng mga tao roon habang ramdam ko ang pag-iinit ng aking pisngi. Kasabay no'n ang sakit sa aking dibdib para sa isang particular na desisyon.