#WUM40
I thought it would be the last song that'd hurt me. Masasaya naman iyong ibang mga kanta sa listahan ni Chique pero mas lamang ang love songs na nananakit din ang lyrics.
I had no doubt that she had a good taste of songs. I just couldn't believe I'd be the one to sing them with Ajax. Just what the hell did I do to be here.
"Next, next!" Tanya demanded jokingly as she clapped. She was sitting on Rangvald's lap while eating a cake.
"Jax looks so pressured and constipated!" Rangvald laughed. "Habang patagal nang patagal, pumapangit 'yong timpla! Just saying, the party's tonight! It doesn't look good to me."
I was nervous at that comment because I didn't notice what wasn't good. I was too focused on my own part and I just loved Ajax's voice. Hindi ko pansin ang negatibo kahit mapagpuna ako sa sarili kong performance. I was doing my best to make this work for Chique—also, I didn't want to get embarrassed in front of these people.
"True," Hesperus lazily commented as he drank on the bottled water. He was still at the drum throne. "Just relax for a while, Jax!"
Sinulyapan ko si Ajax na tahimik lang at naka-indian sit sa lapag habang nagbabasa sa hawak na papel. Bumaling siya nang marinig ang kumento ni Rangvald.
"You missed some keys. The vocalist would sound out of tune," Rangvald said.
"Ilang beses na niya 'yan nagawa. Kahit nga sa live performances na," tawa ni Tanner. "Si Kees na lang nag a-adjust minsan!"
"Ha? Pano 'yon, winawala rin ni Kees sa tono 'yong kanta?" malakas na tawa ni Tanya.
Tanner rolled his eyes. "Yup, Tanya. If that's your happiness."
Rangvald laughed.
Huminga ako nang malalim at kahit kabisado ko ang susunod na kanta ay nagkunwari akong abala sa pagbabasa sa papel.
Kees stood up, he surprisingly went to me while I was reading the lyrics of the next song. He looked at it with stoic expression. Malamig ko lang siyang sinulyapan at ibinalik din ang tingin ko sa song lyrics.
"That's the next song, do you wanna play guitar while singing it?"
I nodded. "Yup, I can do that."
He shrugged then looked at Ajax who was already watching us. Nagkatinginan kami pero isang segundo lang at kay Kees siya nagtuon.
My heart throbbed.
"You two should play the next song alone."
Ajax didn't react. He just licked his bottom lip and nodded as our eyes unintentionally crossed again. His lips parted to say something but he ended up looking down at the keyboard in front of him while scratching the back of his head.
Kees patted his shoulder before leaving the jamming spot. Sumunod si Tanner na maligayang naupo sa sofa. Hesperus whistled and stood up. Hawak ang drumsticks sa isang kamay habang ang isa naman ay hawak ang lollipop na binalatan niya gamit ang ngipin habang naglalakad patungo sa isa pang couch.
My cheeks heated as my heart began to pound harsher. Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Ajax sa jamming spot para sa susunod na kanta.
What have you done, Chique? Why did you have to put our name together in this song? This isn't even a duet song.
Dalawang beses na pinatunog ni Hesperus ang drumsticks niya saka tumango habang natatawa.
"You can begin now!"
Malamig ko namang sinulyapan si Ajax para tingnan kung ayos na siya. Sinasara na niya iyong bote ng tubig ngayon at nakalobo ang pisngi mula sa pag-inom. He glanced back at me without any reaction on his face that hardened my heart. Isang beses siyang pumindot sa keyboard kaya iyon ang sign para sa aking ayos na magsimula.
