A Reviving Vocal

XLII - Dark Shadow

Ever since that day, we did not talk about the things that happened just so it wouldn't be awkward to be with him. During the second day of the foundation week, Aisha, Rae and myself enjoyed ourselves by attending the other booths of our schoolmates. Rain went with us from time to time and it seems like being with him is not an issue anymore for my friends and band mates. We have also invited Mikki before our performance in the school so she could at least have fun instead of being nervous all the time.

When it was already four o'clock in the afternoon, we moved our instruments to the outdoor backstage of the center part of the school.

"Ia, nalagay mo na ba 'yung instrument mo 'dun sa backstage?" Tumango lang ako sa tanong ni Aisha saka ngumiti. "Oh sige, mukhang nailagay na naman lahat ng mga equipments natin dun kaya mag-rehearse muna tayo ng kahit isang kanta lang."

Dumiretso na kami sa likod ng stage at kahit hindi naman nakasaksak sa amplifier yung mga instruments namin, tumugtog pa rin kami. Napagdesisyunan naming si Nicole na lang ang kumanta sa lahat ng ip-perform namin dahil mas confident siyang gawin yun kaysa kay Rae, kaya kumakanta na rin siya ng mahina para wala masyadong makarinig habang nag-aayos yung mga in charge sa stage. Lumipas ang mga minuto at ngayon, nasa gilid na lang kami ng stage habang hinihintay matapos yung sumasayaw na schoolmates namin sa harap ng maraming tao.

"T-Teka lang, wala pang pangalan yung banda natin, 'diba? Paano nila tayo ipapakilala?" Alalang tanong ni Nicole kay Aisha. Napangiti lang naman yung isa saka sinabing, "Nakapag-suggest na si Mikki at in-aprubahan ko naman yung sinabi niya!"

"Ano ba 'yung sinuggest niya?" Tanong kaagad ni Rae.

Lumapit sa'min si Mikki at nag-salita ng mahina. "Epsilon."

"Ha? Bakit 'yun?"

"I read some Greek lessons in a textbook in the library and I saw that Epsilon is the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet. Also, in Greek numerals, it has the value of five. Since we have five members in the band, I thought it suit us really well and it sounded mysterious too." Ngumiti siya pagkatapos niyang i-explain 'yun pero natulala lang kami sa mga sinabi niya.

"Grabe naman 'yun! Parang pang-matalino lang 'yung ganung word ah?" Komento ni Rae. Kaagad namang nag-salita si Mikki sa nasabi niya. "Yeah, but we wouldn't be Epsilon if we aren't together as five members of the band, right?"

Natulala ulit kami sa sinabi niya at pagkatapos ng ilang segundong katahimikan, binasag namin yun ng malakas na tawa sabay sabi ni Rae ng, "Ang cheesy!"

Nagulat pa ako dahil may konting boses na lumabas sa'kin. Natuwa ako dahil kahit papaano, gumagana nga 'yung therapy na ginagawa namin sa hospital.

All of us stopped in our actions when the person on stage called us out. "Representing the music club with their own band called, Epsilon!"

The crowd clapped their hands while most of our classmates cheered for us from the window of our classroom at the third floor. We lined up and walked up to the stage nervously but we all smiled to the audience when we were finally in front of them. I quickly grabbed the guitar I borrowed from Rae's brother and arranged the strap over my shoulder. When I had finally finished setting up everything, I shot my eyes up to the crowd to look for someone.

Why isn't he here?

Why... Why are my eyes still looking for him?

I still have so much of you left inside my heart.

My eyes scanned the surroundings and found Reece walking towards somewhere where I can't see him anymore. I want him to look at me so much but at the same time, I wish he won't because he would know that I am still in love with him. That nothing has ever changed.