DBS#3: Mending the Scars

IKA-TATLUMPU'T APAT

Today is the day we’ve been waiting for and practicing for. Sa wakas, makakaranas na rin tumugtog sa harapan ng maraming tao.

“Good luck, Beasts! Maraming audience, means maraming pera,” ngising ani Seven nang bisitahin kami sa backstage bago kami umakyat.

“Mukha kang pera! Ang bayad namin dito ha”

“Secured na, don’t worry”

Later on, the DJ did the intro as we finally went up to the stage. Maingay na kaagad ang paligid at totoo nga na maraming pumunta ngayon kumpara noong mga nakaraang punta namin dito. Nakikilala ko pa ang ilan mula rito sa itaas, kabilang na si Anikka na kasama ng mga babaeng kaklase namin. She waved at me and raised her glass of cocktail.

“Ready?” Fred, in his drummer mode, counted as in.

Bahagyang dumilim ang paligid at tanging iilang ilaw lang mula sa stage ang nakikita. Para bang sumasabay ang neon lights sa beat ng drums ni Fred kaya lalong kinagiliwan ng marami. Maging ang smoking effects ay talaga namang nakakamangha. For sure, Seven did these effects to add to our performance.

“Bry,” signal ni Akiro, hudyat na kailangan ko nang sumabay sa ritmong unti-unting nabubuo.

Now, it’s my turn. I took a deep breath first, centering myself before plunging into the opening riff. The vibrations of the electric guitar filled the room, commanding attention as I set the rhythm for the band. With each note, I felt a connection forming between myself, the music, and the crowd, binding us together in a shared experience.

“Let’s enjoy this night,” narinig kong marahang bulong ni Top sa aking tabi kasabay nang bahagyang pagtapik niya sa aking baywang.

I agree with what Top said. This is my ultimate dream, even before I was a kid. Ngayon ay unti-unti ko nang nararamdaman ang kalayaan. I can now do whatever I want to do. It feels illegal, but this is the life I wanted, walang restrictions, malaya.

My fingers trembled with excitement as I plucked the chords of my guitar, hitting each note perfectly. Then I slightly adjusted the strap, felt the familiar weight settle against my body, preparing me for what was coming next.

Nagsimula nang kumanta si Top at lalong lumakas ang paghiyaw ng mga nanonood. Hindi ko sila masisisi. Kahit ako nang unang beses kong marinig ang pagkanta niya ay n-nakaramdam din ng kakaiba.

Nag focus ako sa pagtugtog at dinamang mabuti ang bawat kalabit ko ng strings. As the set progressed, I finally let myself get lost in the music, letting my fingers dance across the fretboard with practiced precision.

“I wish that I could wake up with amnesia and forget about the stupid little things…”

I immediately glanced at Top and saw nothing in his eyes but a hint of sadness and pain. What was that for?

“…It hurts to know you’re happy, yeah, it hurts that you moved on. It’s hard to hear your name when I haven’t seen you in so long”

Damn it. Is this just because of the song that we’re playing, or is there something else more profound?

He’s seriously singing every line of the song while looking at the crowd. Sinundan ko ang tingin niya, and to my surprise, I saw someone familiar. The girl is looking at the stage— no, she’s just looking at Top. Muntik ko na siyang hindi makilala sa suot niyang sexy dress.