Prelude of Happiness

Fate

I went back to my studio after attending the funeral. I've been here for a week trying to write a song pero hindi gumagana ang musical instinct ko.

I started a live show instead. A little fan service while I'm finishing my tasks in the company.

"Hi, this is Kit and I won't sing any song today kasi madami akong work. Kailangan kumita ng pera para sa kinabukasan." sabi ko at sinimulan ng reviewhin ang mga documents na pinasa sa akin.

A lot of comments pop up so I tried to answer a few.

"Where do you work?" nahagip ng mata ko ang isang comment.

"Sa isang company na hindi ko pwedeng sabihin ang pangalan. Ang work ko dun eh taga-file ng mga report tungkol sa mga company activities." pagkukwento ko.

I can't tell them na isa ako sa mga advisors ng leading security company ng bansa.

After answering several questions, I decided to stop the live and go outside for air.

I wore my black hoodie and went out of the studio while thinking where to go. Naglalakad ako na walang papatunguhan. Maingay sa kalsada, mahaba ang traffic at maraming tao. Life is boring sometimes. I was about to go back nang makita ko ang Cielo's lounge. It's only 10am so sarado pa but I decided to try my luck and enter the back door. If it's close, I'll just go back.

The back door was open so I went inside and pass through the kitchen. Walang tao pero may naririnig akong boses sa di kalayuan. I continued walking hanggang sa marating ko ang gilid ng bar counter. Nakataob pa ang mga silya. Nakita ko si Bry na naghahalo ng drinks sa counter so I decided to observe a little bago ko sya tawagin.

"Libre ba yan?" tanong ng isang babae na galing sa kabilang side. Naupo sya sa harapan ng counter.

"Oo naman. Basta ikaw." nakangiting sagot ni Bry.

Awts. May chinichiks pala si Bryan. Wrong timing yung punta ko.

I was about to go back when the girl spoke again.

"May next gig pa si Kit?" casual nyang tanong.

I stopped on my tracks and went to take a peek. Na-curious ako kung fan ko ba sya.

"By public demands kaso hassle sa sched nya." sagot ni Bry. Oy teka, wala syang nababanggit sakin ah.

The girl drank and looked around. She saw me and I saw her. Parang tumigil ang oras sa nakita ko. Napako ako sa kinatatayuan ko. The fuck is happening right now?

She put down her glass and asked, "Kanina ka pa dyan?" walang bakas ng pagkagulat sa mukha nya.

Napatingin sa direksyon ko si Bry.

"Ahh shit! Here we go again." sabi nya habang papalapit sa akin.

I gulped. I can't take my eyes of her. Am I dreaming? Is this some kind of prank?

"Yo Kit. What drink do you want?" tanong sa akin ni Bry habang nakaakbay sa akin at dinala ako sa harapan ng counter. What kind of sorcery is this?

"Cyam?" I asked without breaking my eye contact.

"It's Erin." sagot nya bago uminom sa baso nya.

"How?" tanong ko ulit habang unti-unting nababasa ang mga mata ko. The tears just started flowing.

"Bro, here's the tissue. Don't cry here." pagpapakalma sa akin ni Bry. I wiped the tears with my arm.

"A long story. It involves the late Saavedra and that case with my brother." maikling paliwanag nya. I can't wrap my head around it.