Pursuing from the Shore (Sun Rays Series #2)

CHAPTER 9

Chapter 9

We ended up winning first place and then a special award for best theme among the other bands. All of our hard work and passion had truly paid off tonight. My bandmates and I stood together on stage, bathed with the warmth of victory.

Nag-take lang kami ng picture bago bumaba mula sa stage. Edorina, Renz, and Asther welcomed me with their warm smiles and greetings.

"Solid 'yong performance niyo, Red!" magiliw na sabi ni Asther. Edo nodded, agreeing with her friend.

"Yup, yup! Nabitin kaming dalawa ni Asther!" Edo commented this time.

Renzler cleared his throat, his eyebrows furrowed. "Ako rin, may ibibitin."

Natawa ako kay Renzler kaya inirapan niya ako nang sobra.

The night was already a bit late but Renz and I decided to stay still. Edo and Asther are with us, too. I somehow want to celebrate our achievement tonight, pero 'yong mga bandmates ko ay abala ro'n sa mga students na mukhang fans na nila.

While I was there, I was thinking about that dummy, and about what happened earlier.

And that moment still lingers inside my head, stirring a flutter inside my stomach. What the heck just happened earlier? I just know I feel so content that I overcame such fear, and Davin was there in his reassuring presence, being really supportive and proud of me.

However, I forgot to congratulate and thank him.

Kung paano ba naman kasi bigla-bigla siyang naglaho! Baka naman dinumog siya ng mga nahakot niyang fans dahil sa laro nila kanina?

"Guys! Tara kain ng pares sa labas!" anyaya ni Vans sa amin.

Nagkatinginan kaming lahat ng mga ka-banda ko. Sumang-ayon naman sila, kasama na sina Renz, Edo, at Asther na siyang kasabay ko sa paglalakad. They seem excited so I nodded as well.

Magkakasabay-sabay kaming naglalakad ng mga bandmates at friends ko. I couldn't believe it; I was getting more and more surrounded with genuine people, and I'm really comfortable with that. Hindi ko rin naman inaasahan na makaka-close ko sila.

Kahit gabi na, maliwanag pa rin ang paligid dahil sa sinag ng buwan at mga ilaw sa kalsada. 'Yong mga nanood naman sa event kanina ay palabas na rin mula sa school. Street vendors are everywhere, making the whole place bright and lively.

"Congrats, everyone!" we said before eating pares. Narito kami sa isang maliit na pwesto ng pares-an, sa gilid lang din ng kalsada.

While eating, we also shared wholesomeness and laughter the entire time. I observed how noisy they are, and sometimes I would just laugh with them. However, they didn't make me feel left out; the genuineness with which they treated me was still there.

"Aussie, aussie, o sige! Come on baby, come with me!" kanta ni Conan, may suot pa siyang shades.

Pinanindigan niya talaga 'yong pagiging starboy niya. And who would have thought that he was actually a starboy—or to be clear, a child star. Na-ikuwento ba naman niya kanina sa amin habang kumakain kami na isa siyang commercial actor when he was a little kid.

"Pare, Renz at Asther, ano ID niyo sa Wild Rift? Tara laro!" anyaya ni Vans sa dalawang lalaki.

Renz and Asther easily got along with the boys. At ito sila ngayon, nangunguna sa pag-iingay.

"Boys are really boys." Umiling si Edo habang tinitignan ang maiingay na lalaki.

"Don't mind them! We have got our own world too!" Ate Mioree started as she took a selfie. Pagkatapos ay isinali niya kaming mga girls lang sa picture.