The Broken Soundtrack

Track 35: Into My Arms

"Get out, get out of my head and into my arms..."

The words filled my ears like what I intended it to be. Kahit na tapos na yung kanta, patuloy pa ring nag-play ito sa utak ko na parang sirang plaka. Wala akong gustong isipin ngayon.

"Jam!" A tall guy blocked my view of the narrow aisle filled with cans and bottles on either side. Binaba niya ang kanyang ulo kaya nagtama ang tingin namin. "You're not here right now," he stated and it was partly true.

Sighing, pinindot ko ang pause button sa playlist ko bago ko siya nilingon. "Sorry, Ash. Ano yon?"

He set down the basket full of groceries and looked at me again. "Are you still thinking about Lake's dad being your dad?"

Ang totoo niyan, dapat nasa trabaho ako ngayon, pero dahil sa birthday ni Lola Olive, wala akong choice kung hindi samahan itong pop star ngayon para mag-grocery shopping.

Taking off my Airpods, I turned back to Asher. "Hindi ko na nga iniisip pero pinaalala mo pa."

"Sorry." Asher huffed, diverting his attention back to his phone. "I think we got everything ready."

I pressed my lips in a thin line, following him to the counter.

Asher scanned the stuff he got, half of which were party supplies. Gusto kong ipaalala sa kanya na para ito sa lola niya at hindi sa kapatid niya kaya lang masyado akong preoccupied kaya hinayaan ko nalang siya.

Ni hindi pa kami nakakarating sa loob ng kotse pero binuksan na ni Asher yung party blowers.

I creased my brows at him, turning around and pretending that I didn't know the guy next to me.

"Phroooooft!" The sound of the whistle irritated my ears even with my hands blocking the noise.

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Asher with the colorful "Happy Birthday" glasses over his eyes and the party blower on his mouth.

"Phrooooft!" He chuckled, taking it off with his hand. "Works pretty damn well. What do you think?"

"I think..." I folded my arms over my chest, my eyes firing him with incredulity. "I think may kasama akong five-year old na bata ngayon."

"Hmmm..." He knitted his brows at me before bursting out loud, "You're absolutely right!" He opened the car door for me, gesturing me to go in. "After you."

Pumasok na ako sa loob ng kotse at hinintay si Asher. Resting my head on the seat, thoughts of Lake and his dad streamed my mind.

Kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko maiwasang hindi ito isipin. Mababaliw na yata ako kakaisip kung yung dad ba talaga niya ang totoo ko ring tatay.

"Still sleepy?" Asher asked, bringing my attention back to him. He already started the car, but his face remained towards my direction.

"No, I'm all right." I forced a smile at him.

"Jam, I already told you I'm going to help you, okay?" he assured me, stepping on the accelerator.

I nodded at him, though his eyes were already fixed on the road. "Pwede mo ba akong gisingin pag nandun na tayo?"

He partly glanced at me and chortled. "I'll wake you up when all the food is gone."

"Phrooooft!"

Napapikit ako for the nth time habang pinipilit kong kumbinsihin ang sarili ko na mga college guys ang kasama ko at hindi mga preschoolers.

Kanina pa sila naglalaro na para bang ngayon lang nakakita ng balloons at party blowers.

I heaved a sigh as I continued to blow air inside the balloon using the manual pump that we bought earlier.