Dead Tune

2ⁿᵈ Note

2ⁿᵈ Note

I prepared all the requirements needed to enroll. Sa kasamaang palad, I had to wait another month before I could audition to the school. After that, saka lang ako puwedeng mag-enroll. I carefully picked an aria that suits my voice. Takot ko lang na hindi matanggap 'no.

Like my routine, I tried calling Fuego again. Pero unlike the usual na ringing sound na naririnig ko, he can't be reached. Ano kayang nangyari do'n? Baka na-low batt.

Minsan, nadi-dishearten talaga 'ko na hindi niya sinasagot 'yong mga tawag ko pero iniisip ko na lang na nakikita naman n'ya 'yong missed calls. For sure he knows I'm still running after him.

"Pakipot overload," bulong ko habang tinatadtad siya ng text.

Ako:

Pst! Cannot be reached? Need a new phone? Send me your address so I can give you one.

Lah, mag-reply ka, ha? How many days has passed already, you're still impassive as ever. Robot boy.

Ano na kayang itsura mo ngayon? Send pic, guwapo.

Napailing ako sa mga t-in-ext ko. Maiirita 'yon lalo sa 'kin! Baka pa hindi ko malaman lalo 'yong school address niya. Sa ngayon, audition location pa lang 'yong alam ko dahil sobrang exclusive daw talaga ng academy ni Fuego.

I'm growing impatient lalo pa dahil sa audition pero ilalaban ko talaga 'to. I need to see him again. Ayoko nang maghintay ng another two years. Baka mabaliw na 'ko at pangatawanan ko na ang pagiging school geek.

Tamad akong bumangon from the bed. Sige na nga, I'll get up and practice. Tinawagan ko rin si Coach Kelly para maging accompanist at para na rin humingi ng opinion. If Mom's here, I could ask her for help since she's a retired vocalist but she's in the company with Daddy. Maids lang talaga ang nandito sa bahay.

I read the music sheet and sang. Paminsan-minsan akong pumipindot sa piano para ma-check kung natatamaan ko ba ang note. I kept doing it until Coach Kelly arrived.

"You sure you'd pull this off sa audition?" medyo worried na tanong ni Coach nang ma-explain ko kung bakit iyon ang napili kong kantahin.

"I really want this school, Coach. Saka kaya po 'to ng vocal range ko. Hindi ko pa lang po siya gaanong nakakanta pa unlike Olympia aria."

Huminga siya nang malalim. "Okay, we'll do this. But just in case, I'll give you a substitute piece para prepared tayo..."

I practiced day and night for three days. Ginawa ko rin lahat ng method para mapabuti 'yong throat ko. I just know I couldn't mess this up. All or nothing. 'Yon lang ang choices ko sa puntong 'to.

Came audition day, I was accompanied by my Mom. Nandito rin si Coach Kelly as my répétiteur and accompanist. We waited at a coffee shop in the hotel. There's a function hall where the audition will be conducted. Wala akong gaanong nakikitang auditioners pero meron naman kahit papa'no.

"I don't see anyone yet. Dito ba talaga 'yong audition, hija?" Mommy's eyes wandered curiously.

"I saw some, Mom. Baka lang po hindi sila dito naghihintay," I assured her dahil baka magbago pa ang isip niya.

"Oh, is that it?" She looked at her wrist watch. "Ten minutes to go. You're the third one, right?"

I nodded. I didn't expect I'll get the third spot because we arrived twenty minutes before, but this is better. At least hindi ako kakabahan masiyado dahil nasa bandang unahan ako.

It will be a blind audition. That works to my advantage because I might get cold feet. Ngayon lang ako dinapuan ng matinding kaba after all these years. I've been singing almost my whole life but it felt like I'm gonna sing the last song of my life.