GETTING TO KNOW MS. ANGER | MaColet

05 NEW DRUMMER?

NICO

"ayokong magkaroon ka ng utang na loob sakin"

I shrugged it off, trying to convince myself that I had done nothing wrong.

I just helped her out because I felt bad.

Naawa ako kasi nakita ko kung paano tumakbo palayo yung nakadisgrasya sa kanya. Kung hindi ko siya tutulungan sa box baka maulit uli yung nangyari kanina.

Lampa pa naman siya.

Wait, ba't ba ang defensive ko?

Tinulungan ko nga lang siya dahil naawa ako, yun lang.

Sana last na rin naming encounter yun. Ayokong mapalapit sa katulad niya.

I was lost in my thoughts when someone bumped into me na nagpawala ng balance ko kaya napaupo ako. "piskit, tanga kaba" I angrily said at mabilis na tumayo sa pagkakaupo dahil sa lakas ng impact.

"I'm sorry, okay? You don't have to curse at me," she said, reaching out a hand to help me up.

I glanced at her hand but ignored it "Kung gusto mo makipaghabulan doon ka sa playground, wag dito sa hallway." I sarcastically said habang pinagpag ang pwetan ko.

She looked me over, concern flickering in her eyes. "Are you okay? May masakit ba?" She reached out as if to check for injuries.

I quickly stepped back, avoiding her gaze as I muttered, "Wala." But my voice lacked the usual fire-it came out colder.

She let out a soft sigh, the sound filled with a mixture of frustration and something else-sympathy, maybe? "Let's settle this, Miss. I am very sorry, okay?" She offered her hand again for a shake, her expression more serious now.

Tinitigan ko lang ang kamay nya kaya napabuntong hininga ulit siya kasabay ng pagbawi ng kamay niya. "Look, if may masakit or nagkabruise ka, just tell me," she said, her tone softening with genuine concern. "You can find me in the council office if anything's wrong, hmm?"

Tumango lang ako para tapos na ang usapan.

"Sorry talaga, I'm in a hurry eh" she added at nagmadali ng umalis kaya nagpatuloy na rin ako sa paglalakad.

"Miss Arceta, wait!" a voice called out, breaking through the steady hum of the hallway.

Dumilim ang mukha ko as I recognized the figure running toward me in a volleyball jersey, her red hair. Even from a distance, I knew it was her.

I clenched my jaw, siya yung nakabangga kay-

I shook my head, trying to brush off the irritation as I noticed she wasn't even running toward me. She was calling out to the girl walking away from me-the one who'd bumped into me.

With a sigh, I decided to ignore it all, letting it go as I turned back to my path. I had more important things to worry about than someone else. I was about to continue on my way when my phone vibrated in my pocket, the screen lighting up with an incoming call.

I pulled it out, glancing at the name on the display. As I answered the call, I stole one last glance at the red-haired girl. Naabutan na niya yung tinatawag niya and mukhang nag aaway sila. Sa hallway pa talaga. But I shook it off, focusing on the voice on the other end of the line.

It's Shawn.

"Where are you, Nics? kanina pa ako dito sa bench ha" Shawn's voice crackled over the line, filled with impatience.

"I'm on my way" maikling sagot ko.

"I'm on my way, ulol kanina kapa on my way ano galing lang ng ibang planet-"

I didn't let him finish. I ended the call, annoyed by his endless complaints.

Nang makarating sa bench ay nakita ko ang nakabusangot na mukha ni Shawn. Lumapit ako dito ng nakapamulsa at umupo sa katapat niya.

"Ang bastos mo talaga kahit kailan" he scolded, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe my behavior.

"Ano ba kasi yong gusto mong sabihin?" I asked, cutting straight to the point. I wasn't in the mood for small talk.

He smiled na parang nanalo sa lotto "Eto kasi yun, nakahanap na ako ng papalit sa mokong na si Glen"

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Okay? Sino?"

"His name is-"

"He?" I interrupted, frowning. "So lalaki ulit? Hindi ka na ba nadala?"

"Ang hirap maghanap ng drummer na babae," he explained, trying to justify himself. "Pati Taneo has a good background. Kuya Dave already approved him" he added, giving me a thumbs up like that would convince me.

"Nagdecide na pala kayo eh, alis na ako" I said, starting to stand up, but Shawn quickly reached out to stop me.

"Wait, Nics! Napakaiksi talaga ng pasensya mo, eh. Mag-sa-sample muna siya. Tapos ikaw na mag-judge kung pasok ba. We'll just wait for him, patapos na 'yung first class niya," he pleaded, practically begging me to stay.

Napailing na lang ako. "Fine, but I'm not making any promises."

"Ayy, sa music room na lang pala tayo magkikita. Malapit lang daw doon yung department niya" he said, quickly checking his phone for directions. "Tara na."

I rolled my eyes but followed him, thinking about how this day was turning out to be more of a hassle than I'd expected.

As we approached the music room, a loud, rhythmic sound echoed through the hallway. Someone was playing the drums, and each beat was filled with raw emotion-anger, maybe, but also something deeper, a message waiting to be heard.

Shawn and I exchanged glances, curiosity sparking between us. Without a word, we both quickened our pace, almost running to the door.

When we burst inside, I was caught off guard by what I saw. The powerful drumming we heard outside was coming from a girl. She had her bangs neatly falling over her eyes, a black jacket zipped up to her neck, and a beanie pulled low on her head. The way she moved, the intensity with which she played, demanded attention.

We stood there, silently listening as she finished her piece, completely lost in her own world. When the final beat echoed through the room, Shawn couldn't hold back his excitement.

"Ang galing" pumapalakpak na sabi ni Shawn.

Nagulat pa siyang lumingon samin. She quickly stepped away from the drum set, looking a bit flustered. "Sorry po, Pres" she said in a small voice, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"Pres?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at Shawn, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Ako ang president sa department namin" he said, puffing out his chest like it was the most important news in the world.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Hindi halata."

Ignoring my sarcasm, Shawn pointed at the girl. "I know you. Ikaw yung tahimik pero halimaw pag nagluluto"

Tumango lang siya bilang sagot.

"Magkaklase kayo?" muli kong tanong

"Yes, we're both culinary" tumingin siya sakin ng nakakaloko "Naiisip mo ba ang naiisip ko?"

I just raised an eyebrow, already half-knowing where this was going.

"Siya ang kokompleto sa Z-Quad," pumalakpak nanaman siya at nakangiting lumingon sa babae.

The girl looked hesitant, almost like she wanted to disappeared. Shawn stepped closer to her, his tone softening as he asked "What's your name again?"

There was a pause, and I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. But after a few seconds, she finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Gwen"