My Lost and Found Love

Chapter 8 (Playing Together, Just like the Old Times)

        NAGING successful ang pagbubukas ng Herms Hotel sa Baguio. Maraming socialites ang pumunta at agad na nagustuhan ang facilities at promos na inihanda nila. Marami rin agad ang nagpa-book sa hotel. Itinaon kasi nilang February ang grand opening upang marami ang customer na maengganyong mag-stay doon sa darating na Valentines Day.

Mabuti na lamang at hindi nakapunta ang mommy at daddy ni Luke sa grand opening ng hotel, dahil kung hindi ay baka makita nito si Kairie at may sabihin itong maaring magpagulo sa isip ng dalaga. Luke can't afford that to happen.

Gabi na iyon at nasa The Highness' Club na ang karamihan sa mga guests ng hotel. Kasalukuyan na ring tumutugtog ang Almighty band. Maririnig na ang malaanghel na boses ni Primrose.

"Want to but I can't help it, I love the way it feels. It got me stuck between my fantasy and what is real. I need it when I want it, I want it when I don't. Tell myself I'll stop everyday knowing that I won't.."

Prim was singing Because of You by Ne-yo. Request iyon ng isang customer kanina. Mabuti na lamang at maraming alam na kanta ang mga ito. Nakalimutan kasi niyang sabihin na maaring mag-request ng anumang kanta ang mga customers nila kaya dapat maraming alam na kanta ang mga ito.

"And I know this much is true, baby you, have become my addiction.. I'm so strung out on you, I can barely move, but I like it.. And it's all because of you.."

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao pagkatapos ng kanta. Pumalakpak din siya. Kung alam lamang ni Primrose na kaya ito marunong maggitara ay dahil sa kanya..

He's so proud of Kairie. He knew, Kairie's still there, her heart's just sleeping and silently waiting for someone to make her remember her past..

And I want to be that someone. I'll wait for her to remember me..

 "HI, pa-request naman ng Who You Love ni John Mayer at Katy Perry. TYSM."

Iyon ang mga salitang nabasa ni Primrose sa maliit na papel na binunot niya mula sa 'Jar of Requested Songs' ng The Highness' Club. Napangiwi siya. She knew this song, but she doubt it if her bandmates knew it also. Kahit kailan ay hindi pa nila iyon nasubukang tugtugin, kaya naman kinabahan siya na hindi nila matutugtog ito.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin at nakitang maraming tao ang naghihintay na tumugtog silang muli. Inaabangan ng mga ito kung kaninong request ang nabunot niya. She faced her bandmates. Chuck raised his eyebrow. "What's wrong, Primmy?"

She handed him the note. Kumunot ang noo nito. "I don't know this song.. Do you?"

Tumango siya. "That's the problem. Duet ang kantang iyan, at hindi puwedeng ako lang mag-isa ang kakanta."

"Hey, Almighty band! Kanta na ulit kayo please!," sigaw ng isang grupo ng mga kalalakihan. Lalo siyang kinabahan. Ayaw niyang sa unang gabi pa lamang ng trabaho nila ay mapahiya sila.

She looked helplessly at the crowd. Then her eyes spotted someone. Luke! Nakatitig ito sa kanila. Her heart slammed against her chest, but she ignored it. She met his gaze. Idinalangin niyang sana ay makuha nito ang gustong iparating ng tingin niya. Maybe he could help them.

Agad itong lumapit at umakyat sa stage. "Hey, what's the matter?," his voice and eyes were concerned.

"M-my bandmates don't know the requested song, Sir. Only me knows it. Ang problema, duet ang kantang ito. Pasensiya na Sir, hindi kasi namin alam na ganito pala ang magiging sistema sa bar. Sila pala ang magre-request ng tutugtugin namin."

Huminga ng malalim si Luke. "I'm sorry too, Prim. I forgot to tell you about it. Wait, can I read the song request?"

Iniabot niya iyon dito. Matapos mabasa iyon ay napatango ito. "Okay, let's do it. I know this song. Tayong dalawa na ang tumugtog," walang kaabog-abog na sabi nito.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Luke knows how to sing and play guitar? Napamata na lamang siya rito ng hiramin nito kay Alby ang gitara nito at naghanda. Tumabi muna ang mga kabanda niya. Chuck went to her and whispered, "What would he do, Primmy?"

"H-he knew the song, Chuckie. We're going to play it. Diyan lang kayo," sagot niya at nagtungo ng muli sa gitna ng stage.

Itinapat niya ang bibig sa mic at nagsalita. "So, okay, ang nabunot kong song request ay Who You Love ni Katy Perry and John Mayer. Nice song, huh."

Nagsalita rin sa mic si Luke na ikinagulat niya. "Stop and listen, guys. This is to all the people who are confused with who they really love."

"Go, Sir Luke!," sigaw nina Laxus at Alby na bumaba upang panoorin sila.

Luke looked at her and smiled. "Ready, Prim?"
She said nothing but smiled back and nod. Luke is so beautiful.. Bagay rin dito ang may hawak na gitara. Hindi niya alam kung bakit bahagyang pumitik ang sentido niya habang nakatingin dito. A fast, blurry image creeped up in her head. Isang lalaking may hawak na gitara at nakangiti sa kanya.. But his face is blurred..

"Prim?"

She blinked and focused her eyes on him again. Nakatingin ito sa kanya at nagtataka sa pagkatulala niya. What's that?

Ipinilig niya ang ulo at tumikhim. Iwinaksi niya muna iyon sa isip. Nagsimula na silang tumugtog ni Luke. Sabay silang kumanta sa first part ng kanta.

"You love, who you love.. Who you love.. You love, who you love, who you love.."

Then Lukass sang his part. "My girl, she ain't the one that I saw coming.. And sometimes I don't know which way to go. And I tried to run before, but I'm not running anymore, cause I've fought against it hard enough to know.."

She held her breath. Lukass has a nice voice! Kaboses nito si John Mayer. And the way he strum Alby's guitar... He plays like a pro. Was he a former member of a band? Tumingin pa ito sa kanya na tila siya ang kinakantahan nito. The audiences screamed in delight, while she tried calming her wild heart.

She composed herself when it's her turn to sing. "My boy, he ain't the one that I saw coming. And some have said his heart's too hot to hold.. And it takes a little time, but you should see him when he shines.. 'Cause you never wanna let that feeling go."

Nagsabay na sila. "Oh, you can't make yourself stop dreaming.. Who you're dreaming of. If it's who you love, then it's who you love.."

They were looking intently at each other while singing all throughout the song. Bakit ganito kapamilyar si Lukass sa kanya? The way her heart beats, the reaction of her body when he's near.. Wah, she just can't believe it.

Nang matapos ang kanta ay nagpalakpakan ang mga tao. Itinaas ni Luke ang isang kamay at yumukod pa. Then he looked at her. His eyes were shining.

"Good job, Prim."

She cleared her throat. "Y-yeah. You saved us, Sir Luke. Thank you.."

"No, you saved your band, Prim. Don't thank me. You did well," he said then winked at her. She flushed. What are you doing to me, Lukass Hermosa?!