When This Song Ends (When Series #1)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1
Getaway Car

“May concert daw ang Ben&Ben sa December, ah? May ticket ka na?"

Gabbi, my best friend, sat beside me, holding two cups of kwek-kwek in her hands. She handed me one of the cups, and looked at me, waiting for me to say something. Umiling ako at nag-umpisa na lang na kumain.

"Wala akong pambili. Saka, sold out na rin naman daw ang tickets. 'Di na rin ako makakabili," I told her. Napailing si Gabbi. Alam ko ang iniisip niya kaya inunahan ko na. "Whatever you're thinking, that's not gonna happen. Ayokong humingi ng pera kahit kanino."

"Wala naman akong sinasabi," tanggi niya. Alam ko namang iyon talaga ng iniisip niya. "Tapos ka na sa exams mo?" Pag-iiba niya sa usapan.

Umiling ako. "Dalawa pa sa Monday."

Minor subjects na lang naman iyon dahil na-take ko na ‘yong majors nung mga nakaraang araw. Nag-oral exam kami kanina sa isa kong major kaya naka-formal attire pa rin ako ngayon, required kasi iyon at bawal ang uniform.

"Grabe 'yong exams namin kanina! 'Di naman na ako nag-expect dahil Math 'yon," reklamo niya kaya natawa ako. "Balik tayo roon sa concert, ‘di ka ba talaga pupunta? Reward mo na lang sana sa sarili mo. You've really worked hard this year.”

"May next time pa naman," I told her.

I'm trying my best to save money for my future expenses. It's a good thing that I'm not paying for my tuition. Pero kung sarili kong luho at iba pang expenses, 'di ko alam kung anong saan ako kukuha.

"Gusto mo umutang ka na lang sa'kin? Kahit 'wag mo nang bayaran!" Gabbi suggested.

I glared at her. There's no way I would do that. Hindi naman niya pera ang hihiramin ko kung sakali dahil wala pa naman siyang trabaho. 

I've known Gabbi since we were eight. I've known her through our dads, who were also friends. Nakilala naman namin si Jess at Drew noong highschool na kami. Nasa iisang university kami ngayon nina Gabbi at Jess. Si Drew lang ang napahiwalay dahil sa ibang university niya gustong i-pursue ang pagdo-doktor niya.

"That's a tempting offer, but no," I said. Hinigop ko 'yong natitirang sauce doon sa cup saka tinapon iyon sa trash can na nasa gilid ko.

Tumunog 'yung phone ko kaya kinuha ko iyon mula sa bulsa ko. Pinilit pang silipin ni Gabbi 'yung screen kaya iniwas ko sa kanya. Napanguso naman siya.

From: Alyssandra

Are you coming later, Ate?

Nevermind. I know you wouldn't miss my birthday. I can't wait to see you ^^

"Sino 'yon? Bakit mukha ka nang natatae diyan?" tanong kaagad ni Gabbi nang ibalik ko sa bulsa ko 'yung phone ko.

"Alyssa," I replied. Tumaas ang kilay niya, naghihintay ng kasunod sa sinabi ko. "Her party's tonight. I should be there, right?"

Am I a bad sister for not wanting to go? I wanted to see her too, but not this way. Not in a way where I also have to see my family. I already escaped them not too long ago. I don't think seeing them again would do me any good.

"Gusto mo sumama kami nina Jess? Madali namang ayain 'yon basta alam niyang may alak," sabi ni Gab kaya natawa ako.

“Don't you have a paper to finish?"

I could see the horror in her eyes when she glanced at her watch. “May paper nga pala akong tatapusin! Sure ka bang 'di mo kailangang magpasama?"

“I'm sure,” sabi ko. “Go.”