Straight as Guitar Strings

chapter 33 [tag/fil]

OKAY? I'm trying to move on here sa relationship na never naman nag-exist pero siyempre habang maaga pa, simulan ko na para hindi na masyadong masakit. And then so suddenly, there's this one guy, na kasama ko sa banda, kasama ko rin ngayong kumakain ng lunch and he just confessed that he likes me.

What on earth was really happening?

Is Johann a distraction or a destruction... like Leo?

If he's gonna be a good distraction, then I would be perfectly fine with that. But I don't wanna use him or play with his feelings too. Should I just reject him or give him a chance? I don't know.

"Ang tahimik mo," sabi niya, mabagal na ngumunguya ng pagkain.

"Mas tahimik ka," sagot ko nang maagaw niya ang atensyon ko. Tingin kasi nang tingin si Leo sa'kin, nakakainis. Kung makatingin siya sa'min, akala mong papatayin niya kaming dalawa. Hindi ko naman siya inaano!

"I know," sagot ni non-chalant na Johann. Anyway, sagot niya pala ang lunch namin. He insisted, e. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, ako na magbabayad ng lunch ko. Sabi niya, siya na raw bahala.

"Since when?" I asked him after he took a sip from his Sprite.

"Na?" he asked, clueless.

"Na may gusto ka sa'kin," saad ko. I was being indirect kasi ayoko namang magtunog privileged dahil lang umamin siya today.

"Since day one nang mapunta ka sa banda." Sinabi niya 'yon nang nakatitig sa mga mata ko. First time niyang gawin 'yon sa'kin, naasiwa ako kaya umiwas ako nang tingin.

Nakita ko na naman si Leo saka si Grace doon sa kabilang table. Ang arte-arte talaga ng babaeng linta na 'yon, sinusubuan pa si Leo! E, kung magpasubo rin kaya ako kay Johann? Kidding. That's using!

I decided to turn my gaze back to Johann na lang kaysa maimbyerna sa dalawang 'yon na nagpapapansin. "Johann, I cannot promise you anything or assure you that I can reciprocate what you feel for me, just so you know. I hope I made it clear."

"Yeah, I understand. Just let me admire you and make you happy," he uttered as he let out a soft smile. I know it hurts deep inside, naranasan ko na 'yon. But...

How could he be so calm and sound so diplomatic? Damn! Fucking attractive.

"Alright," I replied at 'di sinasadyang mapatingin na naman kina Leo at Grace, I rolled my eyes and gazed back at Johann. "Can I have a favor?"

He gave me a questioning look, raising his eyebrows.

"Pwede ba tayong magpalit ng seat?" alangan kong sabi.

"Sure!" he said without a hesitation. Ang bilis niya naman kausap.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, mas okay ang view rito. Hindi ko siya makikita." And akala ko sa isip ko lang 'yon, na-voice out ko pala. Wala na, hindi naman siya tanga para hindi malaman kung ano ang tinutukoy ko.

"So, iniiwasan mo nga siya?" he asked, playing his spoon on his plate.

Napahinto ako sa paglalaro sa straw ng orange juice ko. "Will you stop asking if I say 'yes'?"

"Yes," he nodded, showing me that he zipped his mouth by his fingers.

"Good." I casually said.

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As I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock on that Monday morning, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness.

Time flies, I thought to myself, realizing that it was already the Founding Anniversary of Libertad University.

The campus buzzed with activity, resembling a lively festival. Colorful decorations adorned every corner, and students dressed in their best outfits. Booths offering various activities and treats lined the pathways, adding to the festive atmosphere. Yet, palatandaan din ito, na apat na araw na lang, we'd be competing in the Regional Battle of the Bands. The impending deadline weighed on my mind, pero sa ngayon, eenjoyin ko muna 'to.

Sobrang daming program today, first time experiencing it, it's so good for me. From spirited chant and yell competitions to captivating cultural shows and street and festival dances to the campus pulsed with the rhythm of the hip-hop dance competition, while bursts of color filled the air during the lively color run and float parade. Everywhere I turned, there were mouthwatering treats from the booths enticingly displayed by students majoring in BA, Entrep, and HRM.

Kasama namin ni Johann ang magjowang sina Chase at Aki. Libre nang libre si Johann, lahat nang lapitan ko binibili niya. Nakakainis, lagot ako kay Sir Richard kapag binasted ko 'to!

As the hours passed, we found ourselves backstage at the much-awaited Battle of the Bands event during Libertad University's Founding Anniversary, not mentioning the fireworks display after we performed. We were slated to perform last, showcasing the song we hoped would propel us to victory in the upcoming Regionals.

Madaming tao rito sa backstage, and Laura suggested that she do my makeup to ease my nerves. I agreed naman, so grateful for her support. Sa gawing dulo habang inaayusan niya ako, we found a quiet corner to chat.

"What's your plan?" she asked.

"I think to ease the burden, I'll finally confess to him after our performance, if we win," I replied and ang tinutukoy ko ay 'yong Regionals.

"What if you lose?" she inquired. "Not that I'm saying you will, but what if?"

"I'll still confess to him, but I'll give it a few days if we do lose," I answered.

"Good luck, friend! I'm so proud of you. I'll be up front later, you'll see me. I'll be cheering you on!" Laura hugged me tightly. "There, you look handsome now. I'll head out first, okay? Makikisingit at makikipagsiksikan pa 'ko to find a good spot to watch you and your band!"

"Thank you, Laura! See you!" I smiled as she left, nakakahawa 'yong energy at excitement niya.

Nang mag-start na ang battles ay naging sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari. Kami na pala ang pinapakilala ng emcee at pagtungtong namin sa stage ay nagsigawan na ang Libertians. Gano'n na pala ang trust nila sa official band ng university dahil sa maganda reputation nilang nabuo ever since na mabuo ito.

Sinimulan namin sa opening song naming pop-punk, 'Better Than Revenge' followed by a song na dapat from Musical and ang napili namin ay 'Somebody To Love' from Cinderella: The Musical by Nicholas Galitzine, originally by the band 'Queen'.

Nakuha namin ang crowd, sumasabay sila sa pagkanta ko dahilan para mawala 'yong kaba ko. Isa pa sa nagpawala nang kaba ko ay ang pag-interact sa'kin ni Leo at pag-join niya sa performance ko na lalong nagpa-hype sa audience. Everytime he laid his eyes on me as he played the bass guitar, it sent shivers down my spine. With just one glance, he can revive my heart that I've been killing its beat for him.

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

"Congrats guys! Nice! Nice!"

Umulan ng saya at ingay sa backstage after ng smooth performance namin. We congratulated each other for a job well done.

Ako naman, pupunta na sana ako sa field, doon sa pwesto ng mga audience para makigulo sa hinihintay ng lahat na fireworks display. Ilang saglit na lang kasi ay mag-start na kaya nagmamadali akong makahanap ng puwesto.

"Liam!" Narinig kong tinawag ako ni Leo, alam kong siya 'yon.

Hindi ako lumingon. Hindi ko siya pinansin. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad.

"Liam, wait!" Narinig kong sigaw niya ulit at palakas nang palakas ang boses niya. Meaning to say, hinahabol niya ako.

Binilisan ko ang paglalakad para hindi niya ako maabutan pero bigla kong naramdaman ang kamay niyang inabot ang kamay ko, mahigpit na hinawakan at pinipigilan ako sa paglayo.