DROWNED

Chapter Eight

Kiare Cyler's

"The reason why I left when you didn't choose me." I said.

Nakita kong bahagya siyang natigilan natauhan naman siya agad at tumango.

"Let's welcome the Twilight's angel voiced duo, Kiare Cyler Guillermo and Athiane Sirene Pereña!"

Lumabas kami galing backstage at sumalubong samin ang malakas na sigawan ng mga tao. Pumwesto ako sa upuan na katapat ng mic at umupo naman si Athiane sa harap ng piano.

"This song is called "8 letters", enjoy." Nakangiting sabi ko at tiningnan si Athiane tsaka bahagyang tinanguan para sabihing ready na ako.

Sinimulan niyang tugtugin ang piano habang ako naman ay sinimulan ang kanta habang nakatingin sakanya.

"You know me the best
You know my worst, see me hurt, but you don't judge
That, right there, is the scariest feeling
Opening and closing up again
I've been hurt so I don't trust
Now here we are, staring at the ceiling"

Pakatapos kong kantahin ang unang verse ng kanta ay nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa harap ng stage tsaka binalik ang tingin kay Athiane na siyang kakanta ng pre-chorus.

"I've said those words before but it was a lie
And you deserve to hear them a thousand times"

Nagkatinginan pa kami pakatapos niyang kantahin ang linya na yon at tsaka sabay naming kinanta ang chorus.

"If all it is is eight letters
Why is it so hard to say?
If all it is is eight letters
Why am I in my own way?
Why do I pull you close
And then ask you for space
If all it is is eight letters
Why is it so hard to say?"

Nakatingin lang ako sakanya habang kinakanta ang chorus habang siya naman at naka focus sa pag piano. I was looking at her using my eyes that's full of love and admiration.

'When will this love that I have for you will disappear? I never knew that unrequited love can be this painful.'

Iniwas ko ang tingin sakanya at nag patuloy sa pagkanta hanggang sa matapos namin ito at sabay kaming yumuko ng konti at naglakad pabalik sa backstage para magbihis.

"Kiare, may dinner daw kasama lahat ng stockholders at mga nasa VIP area." Salubong sa'kin ni Arc na tinanguan ko lang.

Pagkatapos ng event ay dumiretso kami sa restaurant na pagmamay-ari ko na maaga kong pinasara para sa dinner na gaganapin. May sarili kaming kotse kaya nag desisyon kaming convoy nalang. Nasa iisang kotse si Arc at Khaion, Harmony at Ried, Kyshin and Crest, Anari and Khaios, Lex and Athiane samantalang ako naman ay mag-isa sa sasakyan ko.

Pagdating namin ay pumasok kami agad sa restaurant na nagmukhang dining area dahil sa napakahabang table na uupuan namin kaya kaniya-kaniyang upo kami.

Cyler-Khaios-Khaion-Arc-Kyshin
Grandpa                                 Mr.Pereña
Grandma                                Athiane
Harmony-Ried-Anari-Crest-Lex

Nagsimula na kaming kumain habang naguusap naman ang tatay ni Athiane at si grandpa hanggang sa napunta samin ng kambal, Arc at Ried.

"I heard the news, the Guillermo twins and Cyler is accelerated in Stanford together with Ms. Ralluego and Ms. Coronel." Nakangiting sabi ni Mr. Pereña.

"Yes, sir." Walang emosyong sabi ko.

"Why are you still studying, then?" Tanong nito.

"To pursue our dreams, we studied BA in Stanford then we decided to take the course that we really want here in the Philippines." Paliwanag ni Khaios mukhang napansin niyang wala ako sa mood mag explain.