Sunset of Times

Kabanata 21

The first and second contestants are already done performing. And the third contestants are currently performing on the stage. Nasa pangatlong kanta na sila at ibig sabihin 'non ay kami na ang sunod.

I keep on looking at the crowds. Paling linga ako at napapakagat sa labi ko sabay mahinang pinapadyak ang kanang paa sa sahig. I took a glance on my phone and then sighed when I saw nothing from my notifications.

Mahinang iniwas ko na lang ang mata ko sa mga tao. Nasa likod na kami ng stage. Four men are with us, dalawa sa piano ni Zeya and the other two are standing beside my instrument. Sila ang mag bubuhat ng mga iyon pataas ng stage.

"Get ready now, Contestant number four." Sabi ng babaeng incharge dito sa backstage. Tumango kami sakanya at humanda na.

I did a one last look on my phone before putting on my jean's pocket saka unti unting naglakad sa harap. Tapos na nag perform ang banda ng ikatlong contestant. We gave way for the men who's carefully bringing our instruments up on the stage.

"Okay guys, enjoy lang natin ha? Parang practice lang pero this time, more effort!" Ngiti saamin ni Mika

"Shet, kabado twenty!" Hingal ni Sid

Tipid na ngumiti lang ako sakanila. We did a warm up first and cheered our band name which is ' Silent Core' and then started going on the stage. Narinig ko agad ang hiyaw ng mga tao and I'm sure that most of that cheer is from our friends and batch mates.

Naunang umakyat si Mika, then Sidney, Cassy, Zeya, at panghuli ako. But then hindi pa ako nakakaakyat ng hagdan ay napalingon na ang mata ko sa mga tao.

"Stephanie!"

My eyes landed on someone who's waving his hand of me. Natigilan ako at maging ang bibig ko ay napaawang. I saw Tito Archie, wearing a casual attire while there's a camera hanging on his neck. Nakangiti siyang kumakaway saakin.

Sumunod naman ang tingin ko na nasa tabi niya, It's Tito Cole. Still wearing his Doctor's Coat habang nakatingin siya sa relo niya. But when he look at me, agad siyang ngumiti at kumaway. Nasa tabi niya naman si Tita Tanya na may hawak na mini fan. She just casually nodded her head to me.

And then my eyes turned to Tito Archie's side, si Ate Amy na naka suot ng uniform niya. She's a student Nurse. Nakipagbeso muna siya kina Tito bago tumingin sa stage tapos nang makita ako ay kumaway rin siya saakin.

For some reason, they are not the people I'm expecting to come. My eyes tried to find something and sadly, I couldn't find anything. I immediately felt a chest pain and my eyes are like starting to cry.

"Steph..." Tawag saakin ni Sid, agad akong lumingon sakanya at umakyat na sa stage saka upo sa harap ng drum ko.

"A senior high school student from St. Claire's, Let us all welcome, Silent Core!" The announcer cheered

People screamed... I saw Tito Archie smiling while setting up his camera at tinutok iyon sa stage. Pumalakpak naman sina Tito Cole, ate Amy, at Tita Tanya.

Huminga ako ng malalim kasabay ng pag gitara ni Sidney sa electric guitar niya. Okay... Let's calm down now, Steph... Set aside your feelings and give your best shot.

"'Di ko maintindihan ang nilalaman ng puso... Tuwing magkahawak ang ating kamay... Pinapanalangin lagi tayong magkasama... Hinihiling bawat oras kapiling ka....♪" Mika sang. Just like how we practiced but she gave more effort this time. Napakaganda talaga ng boses niya, kung lalake lang ako ay baka na inlove na ako sa kaibigan ko.

"♪Sa lahat ng aking ginagawa... Ikaw lamang ang nasa isip ko, sinta..... Sana'y 'di na tayo magkahiwalay kahit kailan pa man... Ikaw lamang ang aking minamahal...Ikaw lamang ang tangi kong inaasam.... Makapiling ka habang-buhay, ..ikaw lamang, sinta... Wala na 'kong hihingin pa, wala na...♪"