Half Past Midnight

wee hours

"Andre! Andre! Andre!"

Even though the guests were limited, their ears was still welcomed by the resounding echoes of the audience's chant.

Contrary to what the band expected, the interview became the last part of the event.

Kakatapos lang nilang magperform.

Nakasagot na rin halos ang mga miyembro ng Quantum Leap. The interview became like a fansign and interacting event between the band and their fans.

"Kalma tayo mga lods, ako lang 'to." Andre said as soon as he gets a hold of the mic, habang marahang pinunasan ng tissue ang pawis sa noo gawa nang katatapos lang na pagtatanghal.

And there came the question set for him.

They first asked him, "what would you say to those aspiring musicians who are working hard to achieve their dreams?"

"Na walang easy path, and you'd be able to feel the sense of success after facing every slumps. I remember my tatay said, when it comes to the things you want, you have to work smart to earn it, but when it comes to the things you love, work hard. Lumaki ako na hindi masyadong binibigyan ni Tatay ng advice, that's why once he says something tinatandaan ko talaga. Tinanong ko siya no'n e, he said he wants me to grow, learn, as my own person, because we have different experiences. Pero 'yun 'yung sa tingin ko pinaka sinunod ko sa bilin niya sa'kin and it still helps me to this day."

Midnight was there just watching him sincerely answer all the questions thrown to him.

He got her thinking just how lucky she is, to be able to have Andre by her side. Looking up at him at the stage just being himself, she felt proud of him.

"Then are there times when you can't find your way to your dreams? Avan mentioned earlier that you didn't have it easy to get this far. How did you handle slumps personally?"

"I have always loved music since I was a child. I was exposed with different instruments growing up with my uncles being in a band and then I met my own bandmates, thought when it comes to music it could never go wrong, this is where I should be. Pero parang sinampal ako ng katotohanan. I was completely wrong. There would always be a time where everything will become uninteresting and will lost it's glow. Nung dumating sa'kin yun 'kala ko wala ng silbi 'yung buhay ko. I had no motivation to move forward, not knowing what I was working hard for," He talked slowly but at the last part he laughed for a while remembering something.

"Na-guilty pa ako non and I pressured myself because I'm not alone with that path anymore, I had to get myself together, I'm in a band. But then.. then one time I heard River ranting about everything, he was in our hide-out murmuring with himself, ihing-ihi na ako non pero di ko siya magawang istorbohin narealize ko mas okay pa ako kasi hindi pa ako nakikipag-away sa sarili ko." may tumamang face towel sa mukha niya, mula sa direksyon ng mga kabanda. Then a series of cursing could be heard. Yeah, Quantum Leap.

The Berandah was filled with laughter again.

"Base sa narinig ko sa reklamo niya, we had the same problem, we went to Dous for advice kasi it's becoming serious, but fuck he's facing the same problem as we have, imbis na malungkot ako natawa ako kasi para kaming mga tanga. Kaya ayon I decided to give myself a break, sa library ko napili." Gian started with the "ayiiee" and although the crowd didn't know what it meant they followed him, teasing Andre with it. Natatawang pinigilan ni Andre ang mga ito by motioning them to shush using his index finger.

"'Yon nga sa library, dahil kinabahan ako I tried reading academic books kasi naisip ko nung mga panahon na 'yon wala na akong kuwenta pag nawala 'yung musika sa'kin. Kailangan ko ng plan B kasi ayoko maging patapon. Tapos sa library may nakita ako 'ron, may mga maiingay na first years na dumating, may nag-away na prof saka librarian, meron la ngang kumakain ng chicharon at nakakairita kasi ang lutong nang nguya, nakakainggit, but with all those chaos it did not wake up someone sleeping beside the shelf. Pero nung tumama yung sinag ng araw biglang kumunot 'yung noo niya na parang galit na galit sa araw, her brows wrinkling to the point na matatanggal na yung salamin niya.. I wanted to scold the sun that time, the lady just wanted some sleep."

Hearing those words, Midnight, from her seat was frozen, her back was stiff. That scene was oddly familiar.

Tumawang muli ang mga tao, but occasionally chanting "ayiiee" to tease Andre.

"Then ewan ko bigla bigla nagalit din ako sa araw, I wanted to curse it, why can't the sun just let her sleep peacefully? Hindi ko alam kung paano, tapos hindi ko namalayan sumusulat na pala ako ng kanta about scolding the sunlight. After almost a year of fearing to hold the pen and writing some lyrics, nung mga panahon na 'yon hindi ko naalala basta gusto ko lang pagalitan 'yung sinag ng araw. Luminance came, nakahanap ulit ako nang dahilan kung bakit nasa musika ako. So I was thankful for that person, I didn't expect that after years makikita ko ulit siya, hanggang ngayon, siya pa rin pala 'yung magiging paraluman ko, ha-
Hindi na naituloy ni Andre ang sasabihin dahil nangibabaw na ang tilian sa buong lugar. Napakapit pa nga siya sa inuupuan dahil sa biglaang paghampas ni Avan sa kaniya.

In a corner, Midnight seems to forget already how to move. She had goosebumps and felt warm at the same time.

Andre surprised her again, she just loves this guy.

"Sandali guys kumalma tayo- wag na kayo mag ayiee kinikilig ako. Tapos ayun deserve ko pala mahalin ng tama."

The event ended after jamming to some songs.

Andre was the last to get out of Berandah dahil nagsipag-alis na ang mga kasama. Tomorrow would be the start of their 4 days off.

Pagkatapos naayos at malagay sa lalagyan si Marie he opened the door to exit.

His lips immediately forming an arc when he saw who's waiting for him outside, holding a bottle of warm mineral water.

'my muse'

Then a thought came, gusto niya pag lalabas ng pinto si Midnight 'yung sasalubong sa kaniya, kahit hindi nakangiti, ayos lang. Basta siya.

Midnight's arms were open wide as if waiting for his hug which he gladly and excitedly did.

"Ano 'to madam, manliligaw benefits?" Hirit niya habang nakayakap kay Midnight. Embracing the warmth and faint scent of calmness.

"Boyfriend benefits."