#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 40

I became busy the following days— attending TV shows, photoshoots, and interviews to promote our new series together with the other casts. And today, I'm going to Pampanga for the big event Maisie was talking about. At first, I'm hesitant to say yes, but at the end, I just accepted the offer. I still don't know kung sino ang mga makakasama ko, mamaya ko pa malalaman. I think I'll need to stay there for two weeks— for the rehearsals.

"Okay na ba lahat ng kailangan mo? Aalis na tayo," tanong sa 'kin ni Maisie.

"Yes, I think I already got everything I need." sagot ko naman sa kanya na tinanguan lang niya. "Can I just take my car?" tanong ko pa sa kanya habang pinapa-ikot ko ang car keys ko sa daliri ko.

Nag-isip pa siya nang ilang minuto bago tumango sa 'kin. Sinabihan ko na rin siya na sa akin nalang sumabay, mga gamit na lang namin ang nandoon sa isang sasakyan. Marami rin kasi ang dala namin dahil nga dalawang linggo kami sa Pampanga.

While driving, I glanced at the sky, it's already afternoon. I decided to turn some music on so it won't be too quiet. Maisie and I were both quiet, I think she's tired. The silence lasted for a long time, it was her who broke it.

"Ang ganda naman ng driver ko," she joked which made me chuckled. "Anyways, your keychain looks cute. It's my first time seeing that..." Maisie suddenly said which made me look at her.

I glanced at her, only to see him looking at my car keys. I glanced at it, and saw the keychain she's talking about. I adjusted to my seat, trying to cover the keychain. It was the guitar keychain... That's the keychain she's talking about.

"Parang may nakasulat... Ano 'yun?" she curiously asked.

"Nothing... It was nothing." I nervously answered, glancing at her, trying to dodge her question.

"Hmm... Binili mo? Ngayon ko lang nakita." tanong pa niya sa 'kin. I glanced at her , again, I saw her looking at me like I'm suspicious.

"Uh, no... It was a gift from a... friend." I answered, not looking at her. I felt her looking at me, and from my peripheral view, I saw her nodded and shrugged.

Gladly, she didn't ask any question after that. Mukha naman siyang convinced na sa sagot ko... I mean, it's a gift naman, right? I glanced at the keychain, again, and saw the signature in it. Ang linaw naman ng mata ni Maisie para makita 'yon. Kaagad akong umiwas ng tingin at nag-focus na lang sa pagda-drive.

It was a long drive... I think it took us almost three hours to finally get near our destination. Then I remember, it's been years since I last went here in Pampanga. I just can't find a reason to go back here... There's no reason to always be back here. After how many years, I'm back... and I don't know what to feel about it. Should I be excited?

When we arrived, I looked out only to see a big house. Maraming sasakyan sa labas, kaagad na kumunot ang noo ko. Madilim na, buti na lang ay maraming ilaw sa labas ng bahay. Is this where we are going to stay? It's not bad... The house is actually great, I just thought we're going to stay at a hotel.

"Pumasok na tayo," pag-aaya sa 'kin ni Maisie nang makababa kami ng sasakyan. "Mamaya ko na ibaba ang gamit mo. We still need to check the room kung saan ka mananatili ng dalawang linggo."