Diary of an Introvert

Extra: Post-Valentine Concert

"Cee, please just sing this song with me."

Kasalukuyang nakikiusap ngayon sakin ang katrabaho kong si Jori. He and his band will perform in a concert and for their song, they need a girl to do it with him.

"At bakit kailangan ako pa? Pwede namang si Teacher Chloe di ba?" Teacher Chloe is Jori's friend na magaling din kumanta. Mas magaling pa sa'kin kung tutuusin.

"I asked her pero ayaw niya. Also, sa susunod na linggo na ang concert, Cee. You're the only one I can think of na kayang kantahin to. After all, you wrote this song."

"Sinulat ko nga yung kanta pero yung banda mo naman ang nag-arrange di ba?"

"Hindi naman kalayuan yung arrangement namin sa original na ginawa mo eh. Sige na please."

We stared at each other's eyes, not letting the other win. Until he said, "I'll give you access to my anime site."

And so I agreed.

That night, I told Cal about the concert on the phone.

"So you'll get busier until that concert ends." He said. And I can somehow sense the pain in his voice. "May oras pa ba tayo para magkita?"

"We only have a few days left so every after work and weekends, we'll meet to practice. Sorry, Cal."

Silence came between us. It was just 5 seconds but it felt like an hour to me. Siguro nga dapat umayaw talaga ako kay Jori, eh!

I heard him make a deep sigh. "Honestly, I don't like it."

"Sorry talaga, Cal. Sorry if we can't see each other that much."

"Ah... it's not that, Cee. Hindi ko lang gusto na you're working this hard. Will you have enough time to do your work? O baka magtatrabaho ka na naman hanggang hating gabi o lampas pa? Paano kung magkasakit ka?"

I smiled---well, I actually laughed at him.

"Hoy. Seryoso ako dito." He's annoyed.

"Ah, masaya lang ako dahil nag-aalala ka sakin. But don't worry, okay? I can manage so far."

"Fine. But," His voice became serious. "Masaya ka ba sa gagawin mo?"

"Actually, excited ako at medyo...kinakabahan. Heh, ako kasi ang sumulat ng kanta kaya---"

"Magkano yung ticket?" 

"Pupunta ka?"

"Malamang! Unless you don't want me to---"