GETTING TO KNOW MS. ANGER | MaColet

31 PERFORMANCE

YVES

"Magsstart na ata." Stacey whispered, pointing towards the mini stage as the lights dimmed.

Immediately, all of our attention shifted to the front, where the red curtain slowly parted, revealing the stage. The lights dimmed, focusing on the center stage, where I saw her.

Standing at the center, under the soft glow of the spotlight, was Uyab. A mic stand in front of her, and a music stand to her side.

"So... siya ang vocalist?" I muttered under my breath, not quite believing my eyes.

I didn't expect this. Not at all.

As if sensing my gaze, her eyes found mine across the room. The noise of the crowd, the clinking of glasses, and the faint chatter-it all faded away in that moment.

Her lips curved into a smile, and without thinking, I smiled back. It was the kind of smile that said, 'I'm proud of you.' I didn't have to say it out loud, but I knew she felt it.

My eyes drifted down, she was still wearing the jacket I bought for her.

"Is that Lim?" Stacey's voice cut through my thoughts, kaya pilit kong pinutol ang titigan namin.

I cleared my throat at naglibot ng tingin, pretending to scan the rest of the band as if I wasn't just lost in her eyes.

There was Shawn on the guitar, waving at the audience like a rockstar. Then my gaze landed on the drummer-wait, I know her. Siya yung tumulong samin dati.

And then, there was Mikhs.

Malawak ang mga ngiti niya, her eyes fixed on something-or rather, someone. I followed her gaze, and to my surprise, she wasn't looking at the crowd. She was looking at us.

No, she was looking at someone specific.

Lumingon ako sa gilid ko at nakita ko si Ate Aiah. Nakayuko siya, parang may iniiwasan. She looked uncomfortable, and it didn't take much to figure out why.

May something ba between them?

Parang gusto kong magtanong, pero natigil ako nang may magsalita na.

"Good evening, everyone!" sigaw ni Shawn sa mic, his voice loud and clear, making the crowd come alive with excitement. "Are you guys ready for a great night?"

The crowd responded with scattered cheers, some still finishing their meals, while the rest seemed eager for the performance to start.

"Alright, looks like we've got our first request of the night!" this time si Uyab naman ang nagsalita, hawak na ang mic as Shawn settled back into his spot on the side.

"This first song is requested by Carla. Who's Carla? Lemme see." tumingin pa siya sa crowd na parang may hinahanap.

A loud voice screamed from the table across from us. "Meeeeeee!"

I rolled my eyes.

Papansin.

Dapat pala nag-Havens na lang kami.

Maybe it would've been easier not knowing this side of her, not seeing her like this. Charr

Sadgirl ang atake.

"There you are." Uyab pointed at a girl who looked like she was about to jump out of her seat with excitement. "This song is called 'Dalangin' by Earl Agustin. Hope you like it, Carla!"

I glanced around, noticing that most of the tables were filled with women, all staring up at the stage with admiration in their eyes.

So, dinadayo sila? Or... siya?