Caitlyn's life is meticulously planned-work, family, and keeping everything in order. She loves her life, but sometimes, feels like she's missing out on fun. So when she hears a song that makes her heart skip a beat, she finds herself tangled with t...
"Napaka iksi naman nito! Makikita na ang kaluluwa ko pag nahulog ko tong susi ko eh" I muttered, tugging at the hem of my dress.
"Tumigil ka nga!" Maya exclaimed, slapping my hand away. "Sisirain mo yung atake bes!."
It was the day of the concert, and we were using my car. It was raining, and I couldn't really ride my babies wearing this little piece of fabric.
"Nagsisisi na ako na natapunan ko ng kape yung unang binili natin" I grumbled. "This feels like a punishment."
I was wearing a baby blue body-hugging dress with a slit, holes, and straps. It showed off my shoulders and collarbone, but it had sleeves and straps on the shoulder and over the chest. It ended a few inches below my bum and had a slit that almost showed my left thigh. It fit like second skin, but it wasn't too uncomfortable, to be honest. The fabric was soft and stretchy, and thank goodness Maya had those tapes you put under the hem so it wouldn't ride up your legs and flash everyone.
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"See? Sabi sayo bagay eh!" Maya said, beaming. "Medyo di kana nalalayo sa itsura ko, bes."
"No offense ha pero ayaw ko sa itsura mo noh.," I retorted, rolling my eyes.I put my hair down, the memories of my hair tie leaving soft curls on my usually long black straight hair. And since she insisted it's our official first concert together, we had to do our makeups. Well, she did it all, but you get the point?
"Okay, diko alam anong trip mo pero baka mag mukha naman akong sinampal sa dami nyan," I said, watching Maya apply a generous amount of pink to my cheeks.
"Manahimik ka nalang kasi," she said, her voice filled with confidence. "kalma ka lang!."
This is where I'm glad my skin doesn't hate me, because I barely grow pimples. She just put on some powder, lint, and blush, and some shimmer on my eyes.
"Alam mo ikaw lang yung inimbita na mas demanding pa sa nagyaya," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hoy, dalawa don ang may crush sayo," Maya said, giving me a playful nudge. "Dapat maglaway sila on stage"
"Napaka siraulo mo talaga," I muttered under my breath, but I couldn't help but smile.
It was now 2 PM, and we were ready to go. We'd eat in the car and packed some chocolate bars for the concert. They let people in for soundcheck at 3 PM, and Maya was too enthusiastic to be late.
"Tara na bakla, inaantay kana ng mga admirers mo!" she said, practically bouncing out the door.
"Tumigil ka nga!" I said, laughing. "Subukan mo akong ipahiya doon iiwan talaga kita." I half warned her playing with my keys.
"Papayag lang akong iwan mo ako kung kay Josh or Ken ka sasama. Other than that you, my girl, are stuck with me and my screaming era" she bumped her butt at me on our way to my car.
"Bitch I'm gonna run you over, I swear." I smacked her ass running over to the driver's seat
"Ulol, we both know you're past the murdering stage na kasi umiibig na ang baby-Q!" she does not fuckin rest.
--
Traffic was playing hard to get, but we eventually made it after what felt like a journey to the moon and back. We managed to snag a parking spot near Alimall and decided to treat ourselves to some liquid courage. Just a couple of cocktails to keep my sanity intact.
Maya, the ultimate tease but also surprisingly perceptive, caught on to my nervous habits of tapping my feet and fidgeting with my fingers while driving and poking my cheeks with my tongue - a sure sign that she knew I was a nervous wreck.
Normally, I wouldn't bat an eyelash if this is a BTS concert, but this time was different. It's SB19 and I had a bit of a history with two of the members, and it was seriously cramping my style.
To add to the chaos, my outfit felt like it was painted on, leaving me feeling like I was practically in the nude. Talk about feeling exposed!
After a cocktail or two (or maybe three), we were ready to face the music. To our surprise, the guard who let us in escorted us to a guy who seemed to be in charge - probably a manager, given how he was barking orders and clutching a clipboard like it was his lifeline.
"Sir, ito na po si Ms Caitlyn" Says the guard, Maya and I exchanged confused glances as the man in the graphic shirt smiled at us as if we were giving him a gift on Christmas Day.
"Ah. L'Elite Magazine! You're here! Buti maaga kayo. Salamat salamat!" he said breathlessly like we just saved his life.
"I'm Josue. Kapatid ako ni Pau."He held out his hand. I looked at Maya internally scolding her for not telling me who he is.
"Hi po!"She took his hand shaking it with pure bliss. She was giggling like a little girl. "I'm Maya bestfriend ni Caitlyn, future sister in law ninyo!"
At that moment I wanted the earth to open and swallow me with second hand embarrassment my bestfriend gave me. Oh my God!
Josue just laughed and led us at the backstage.
"Uh, san po tayo pupunta?" I asked honestly confused about the tour. I know we're supposed to be by the stage waiting like everyone else. They have started letting people in. I heard soundcheck will start in an hour.
"Ah, sabi kasi ni Pau isama daw muna namin kayo sa loob kung maaga kayong darating." and I immediately regret giving in to Maya's enthusiasm
"Tangina bes, sinagot mo na yung birthday ko pang isang dekada. The best ka talaga." Maya whispered
"Napaka harot mo! Akala ko ba si Ken ang bias mo?" I pinched her sides making her giggle.
"Bitch, I'm an OT5. Diba nga 1st come first serve sa marriage proposal ko?" she winked at me skipping over beside Josue like they've known each other for years. The poor man was shy and looked at me asking for salvation.
I can't say I saved him but here we are, by a door that is swung open and the first one I saw was Ken. His eyes glimmered, he stood up walking closer towering over me. Maya was long gone greeting Stell and Paulo like they're best of friends. I don't think they saw me yet because Ken was wearing bulky clothes that he blocked my body out of their vision.
"Hi, buti nakarating kayo." He was smiling at me.
"Uh, hi. Yeah alam mo namang fan mo si Maya." I replied avoiding his gaze.
He laughed "Dinaanan nga lang ako nung makita si Paulo." he glanced at them and led me in, his hand on my back. "You look amazing." he whispered behind my ear.
"Caitlyn!!!!" Stell hollered shoving Maya on the side jokingly to greet her. Maya looked pleased though because she was closer to Paulo that made him blush.
"Hi Stell! Good luck mamaya!" I smiled at his cheerful aura. Justin and Paulo greeted me too. Jah even offered me some drinks and sat beside them in the corner. Before I even sat down a hand grabbed me out of the dressing room.
A familiar wave of sharp citrus and warm woods. It was him, unmistakable. Like a signature, a scent that said "danger" and "desire" in equal measure. I knew that scent by heart, a blend of city grit and hidden vulnerability.
People were looking as we walked down the hallway.
