Chapter 17
Gaya ng inaasahan ko, I was included in the performance. Ako lang ang nag-iisang gitarista ngunit dating gawi pa rin. Si June sa drums, si Maelle ang vocals. Isang kanta lang. Eroplanong Papel ng December Avenue. Coincidence na naman sigurong matatawag na alam ko ang chords niyon. If not, I don't know what else to call it.
"Salamat, The New Band!" Tapos na ang kanta. Na-enjoy ko ba? Probably? I don't know. I was too occupied. "Ngayon naman, dumako tayo sa..."
Napipikon akong tumalikod sa stage at hinubad ang gitara. Pinatong ko iyon sa kung saan at walang sabi-sabing umalis.
"Rhys, teka lang!" Paghabol ni Maelle. Hindi ko siya nililingon mula pa kanina. I was really pissed.
Mas binilisan ko pa ang paglalakad ko. I'd rather go straight to my car and lock myself there than to have a talk with her.
"Rhys!"
"Leave me alone."
"What are you..." She laughed. Ramdam kong tumakbo na siya kaya't nagkaroon siya ng tsansang maharang ako. "Are you serious? You're the one who told me to explain!"
"Oh, did I?" Nakalimutan ko na yata ang mga sinabi ko kanina. Imbes na mahimasmasan, mas lalo pa akong nalasing pagkatapos tumugtog. "That was gibberish, then. Goodbye."
She still stopped me from walking further when I went to my left.
"I'm sorry, okay?" Suminghap siya. "What I did is my last resort! Biglaan lang iyong performance and you had to be there because Derwick fractured his wrist! Hindi pa rin bumabalik si Hwang!"
Naningkit ang mga mata ko.
"You faked being followed and almost getting abused for that?" Do I have to remind her that those were not supposed to be taken lightly?
"Yes! I mean—iyon na lang ang naiisip kong paraan para mapapunta ka! I know you don't like doing this on public—"
"Alam mo naman pala..." Sarkastiko kong bulong.
"Seriously, what are you mad for?" She asked. "Dahil ba nagsinungaling ako na sinusundan ako ni Barton?"
"Oh, you think this is about you?"
"What?"
I took a huge sigh. For god's sake, do I have to explain everything?
"If it wasn't for our agreement, I wouldn't care. In fact, I shouldn't care. Ano bang pakialam ko kung may issue kayo ng ex-boyfriend mo?"
Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kaniyang paanan. Mukhang nasaktan siya sa sinabi ko.
"And Christ, will you stop dragging me into this band of yours?! Labas na ako sa kung ano mang pinagdadaanan ninyo!" Pagpapatuloy ko pa, mataas na ang boses. "Playing those fucked up guitars has a personal take on me! Hindi mo ba iyon kayang intindihin?!"
"I'm.. " Pumiyok siya. "I'm r-really sorry."
I massaged my nostrils. Lalong sumasakit ang ulo ko habang sinasambit ang mga salitang iyon. I never raised my voice kahit kanino pa man. What I did was impulsive. Importante sa akin na bigyang halaga ang mga bagay na kay Kariza ko lang ginagawa. I was not able to keep her by my side, pati ba naman ang mga memorya namin nang magkasama, mawawala pa?
"This is the last time, Rhys. Hindi na ulit kita guguluhin."
"Yeah. This is going to be the last time." I licked my lips.
"I'm really sorry—"
"Because our deal is off."
Her brows furrowed.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Touch of Eternal Sorrow (Altarieno Series #3)
Romance[COMPLETED] Getting over the fact that Meara Kariza Connors is gone has never been too easy for her boyfriend, Haryhson Tomas Altarieno. She was the best future he could ever have. The most valuable person he could ever hold. But then, things starte...
