Missing Melody (COMPLETED)

Missing 7: School Festival

SINJI'S POV

"KANINA ka pa nakangiti dyan, para kang tanga."

I didn't even bother looking at Ernaline. I just let her words slide. Ano ngayon kung mukha akong tanga kakangiti dito? If she only knew the butterflies crashing inside my stomach, she'd probably look like a fool, too. It's been three days since Senri proposed to me, and honestly? Feeling ko lumulutang pa rin ako sa alapaap. The only downside? It's also been three days since I last saw him. My brother, in his typical bossy fashion, dragged him all the way to France for some important matters. Perks of being my brother's deputy man, I guess? Malamang, laging buntot ni Kuya si Senri sa lahat ng business ventures nito sa ibang bansa. But despite the distance, my heart feels so full because finally, I have the right to say that Senri is mine.

"Hoy, ano ba? Earth to Sinji!"

Nagulat ako nang biglang tinampal ni Ernaline ang braso ko. The stinging sensation finally woke me up from my daydream.

"Bakit ka ba nananakit?" I hissed, rubbing my arm.

"Eh paano, kanina pa kita kinakausap, para kang tanga dyan na sariling mundo ang iniisip. Ang sabi mo sa akin, ikaw ang magma-manage nang festival pero wala ka namang ginagawang plano!"

I let out a sigh and fixed my posture. We were currently hanging out at the school's Greenhouse—the only place where I could breathe. Sinabi ko na rin kay Ernaline na inutusan ako nang may-ari nitong school na ako ang bahala sa mga activities na magpapa-saya sa mga estudyante. The catch? I haven't started a single thing, and Ernaline's patience was officially wearing thin. What Ernaline Ashleigh Montenegro didn't know was that the owner of this prestigious school is none other than my older brother. Honestly, there's a certain thrill in being a mysterious person, especially when you're part of the high society.

"Ano bang alam ko sa pagmama-manage nang festival?" I groaned, leaning back.

"Ewan ko din? Di ko rin naman alam ang mga nangyari last year dahil hindi naman ako pumunta," she retorted, crossing her arms.

I frowned and gave her my best glare. "Wala kang kwenta!"

"Wow? Bakit, ikaw ba may kwenta?" she shot back, standing up. "Ikaw na nga itong dumistorbo sa pagsusulat ko nang kanta tapos sasabihan mo pa akong walang kwenta? Dyan ka na nga!"

Before I could even apologize, kumaripas na nang takbo si Ernaline palabas nang Greenhouse. I blinked, stunned. Binibiro ko lang naman siya, eh. Masyado siyang sensitive! I figured I'd just treat her later or maybe ask Dezrail to court her para tumahimik na siya. Masyado na siyang obsessed sa pagsusulat nang kanta na lagi lang namang nakatengga sa notebook niyang kasing kapal nang encyclopedia.

Left alone, napakamot na lang ako sa ulo ko saka ko hinarap ang planner na nakapatong sa hita ko. Blank pages stared back at me. Kung i-google ko na lang kaya ang mga dapat gawin saka ko ibigay sa student council?

Masyado na kasing common ang haunted house. Pwede naman akong mag-organize nang battle of the bands or maybe some interactive games? I stared at the ceiling, trying to brainstorm for the festival next week. If I'm being honest, I was annoyed at Kuya Luther. Bakit sa akin pa niya ibinigay 'to kung pwede namang kay Rent na lang?

Then it clicked. My eyes widened as the realization hit me. Rent! Dali-dali akong tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo ko sa carpet. I grabbed my things and practically sprinted out of the greenhouse to find him. Bakit nga ba hindi ko naisip agad ang isang Rent Drake Martin? He's one of Kuya Luther's most loyal men and a literal genius when it comes to logistics. Malamang, marami siyang alam tungkol sa school festival mechanics.

Pagkarating ko sa tapat ng opisina ni Kuya, pumasok ako nang walang katok-katok. I saw Dezrail and Thunder huddled over a chessboard, looking intensely focused.