In the Midst of the Crowd (Loser #1)

Chapter 46

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Bright lights and deafening screams from the crowd greeted me as Gayle and I walked towards our seat. She was giggling and bouncing around in my arms, taking in all of the excitement. May mangilan-ngilang napapatingin sa akin pero inabisuhan ako ni Kobe na huwag silang pansinin.

"Mimi!" sigaw ni Gayle, dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanya. "Dami po tao!"

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa marating ko ang pinakaunahan. Walang ibang nakaupo roon. I sat calmly and put Gayle next me. Masayang-masaya ang anak ko. Kaninang umaga ay pinuntahan pa siya ni Kobe sa apartment para personal na batiin.

I wore a black mini dress with ruffled ends that dropped two inches past my knees and a black sling-back stiletto. I didn't look like I was going to a concert, but I was so nervous about what to wear. Ni hindi ko napansin na ang OA na pala ng suot ko! Si Gayle ay pinagsuot ko lang ng pale pink na dress na bigay ni Kobe. It suited her well.

Ilang minuto pa bago magsimula ang concert pero dinadaga na ang dibdib ko. Kobe must be busy at the backstage. Wala tuloy akong mapaglabasan ng kaba.

I remember how I told my friends about this. Mari, Ate Kat, and Eddie were happy for me. Si Mill naman ay pinaalalahanan akong maging mas maingat. Now that we're about to make our relationship known, our lives will be monitored. Even Gayle's. Pero naniniwala naman akong lilipas din ang ingay. At isa pa, wala naman kaming ginagawang dapat ikahiya.

I started to look around, and my heart filled up with different emotions when I realized how far I'd come. I used to be one of the fans, chanting Kobe's name from the end row of general admission seats. Ang tanging alam ko lang noon sa lalaki ay ang mga kanta niya at kung ano ang pamilyang kinalakihan niya. I had always admired him and his life. Parang mayroon siya ng lahat ng bagay na wala ako.

And now, while waiting for him to introduce me as a part of his family, I knew that he shared everything he had with me, despite the fact that all I could offer him was my love.

"Are you ready?!"

Isang malakas na sigaw mula sa stage ang nakapagpaingay lalo sa mga tao. It is the most famous band our country has. The lead guitarist and bassist created sensuous riffs, driving the crowd to grow even wilder as the drummer slammed the two drum sticks together to signal their start. Matapos ang intro ang pumaibabaw sa buong arena ang malamyos na boses ng vocalist.

Wala akong katabi sa unahan bukod kay Gayle kaya hindi ko alam kung anong pagpalakpak ang gagawin. I couldn't keep up with the crowd. Kanina pa kasi ako ninenerbyos. Pasayaw-sayaw naman ang anak ko at mukhang tuwang-tuwa sa musikang naririnig.

I couldn't focus. Kahit hinawakan ni Gayle ang kamay ko ay hindi kumakalma ang puso ko.

After singing a few songs, sumunod na nagperform ang isa rin sa mga pinakasikat na duo. I could hear people talking about me even if the artists were performing. Pinilit kong ignorahin iyon. They would know me tonight. No need to cause a commotion.

I held the promise ring in my finger. Ngayon ko na lang ulit iyon isinuot. Gayle wore another necklace. I closed my eyes and tried my best to remember Kobe's vows when he gave this to me.

This represents my pledge to protect and cherish you until the end of my days. I knew one lifetime with you wouldn't be enough, and just as this ring I'm giving you today is an infinite circle, so is my love for you.

He stayed true to his word with all his might. Kahit hindi niya ako kasama sa mga nagdaang taon ay itinabi at iningatan niya ang pangako sa akin. Kahit walang kasiguraduhan na magkikita ulit kami. Kahit walang kasiguraduhan na babalik ako.