Will I Know You? (The Lost Souls on Tour: The First Tour)

Stage 37

TW: Rape

Stage 37

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi ni ate. Nanatili ang gulat na mata ko na nakatitig sa kaniya, nainimbang kung totoo ba ang mga katagang binitawan niya. Umiling ako. 

"Y-You're kidding, right?" I shook my head repeatedly, refusing to believe her statement. 

"How I wish, Aster..." Nagsusumamo niyang sabi. 

Muli akong umiling. "N-No..."

Mariin siyang pumikit bago muling tiningnan ang lapida. "Hear me out, first."

"N-No..."

She shook her head. "Aster, aren't you wondering where you and Luck got the talent in music?"

Hindi ako sumagot. Nahihirapan pa rin akong iproseso sa aking utak ang lahat ng kaniyang sinabi. Hindi ko matanggap... Hindi ko kayang tanggapin.

"Definitely, not from Dad. You know how bad a singer he is," she tried to chuckle but her voice cracked. "Just like you, Mom was so in love with music that she almost gave up everything just to pursue her dreams..."

Gusto kong tumawa roon. No, she hates music. What is she saying?

"You heard it right, Aster..."

"T-That's impossible," pagak akong tumawa. 

"But that's the truth, Aster."

Mariin akong pumikit. Ang hirap maniwala. Hindi ako makapaniwala... o ayaw ko lang paniwalaan? 

"She was as stubborn as you, Aster. Her parents even disowned her when they made a decision for her and she opted to pursue music rather than her studies, even though there's a company waiting for her."

"Naging mag-isa, pero kuntento kasi ginagawa ang gusto. She acted rashly every time she made a decision. Para sa kaniya, kung ano ang nagapasaya sa kaniya, gagawin niya, parang ikaw lang..."

Hinayaan ko siyang magsalita. Nanghihina na ako sa lahat ng naririnig at nalalaman ko ngayong araw. 

"She was a band vocalist before. The band was so perfect. They never failed to ensnare the audience whenever they are performing. A lot of opportunities were offered to them. Hindi alam kung alin ang pipiliin. And since Mom is the lead vocal and the leader of the band, the other members gave the decisions to her..."

"And she made the wrong choice, Aster," tumingin sa akin si ate. 

Hindi ako sumagot. I can't find the right words to say. Hinayaan ko na lang siya kahit na hirap pa rin sa akin na iproseso ang lahat ng sinasabi niya. Para itong bomba na sumabog sa harap ko, and I can't even keep up with its destruction.

"She trusted the wrong people, bringing her almost-perfect band into its downfall... and to her own downfall."

My breath hitched. Nanatiling nakaiwas ang mata ko kay ate kahit maya't maya niya akong sinusulyapan habang nagsasalita siya. 

"One of the most well-known labels gave them a recording deal. She, however, declined the offer. Her pride wants her to accept the offer from a small company so she can prove to everyone that they can bring recognition to their name without being on a famous label, that they can achieve it through hard work alone."

Huminga nang malalim si ate. "At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly. Their company hired a manager. Dahil mahirap lang naman ang kumpanya nila, kahit sino na lang ang nakakapasok para lang may magtrabaho roon. They can't hire a skilled staffs and producers...and even managers."

"They started working with full determination to achieve their dreams. They worked hard for their songs despite lacking equipment. They did the recording in a basement because they don't have a studio. It was a smooth ride on a bumpy road."