Music Lovers (AU)

Chapter 5.2

Naramdaman naman ni Aria yung pagpound ng puso niya nung narinig niya yung katok sa pintuan niya. Sigurado siyang si Jaron yun. It was already time.

Medyo ninenerbyos siya. Alam niyang she's probably a little overdressed, pero in-insist ni Melody na isuot niya yung dress na binili nila.

Shaking her head, she answered her door.

Si Jaron nga. He was wearing a simple shirt and jeans. Simple, pero bagay na bagay sa kanya. Medyo napatigil si Aria at napatitig. At nung narealize niya yung ginagawa niya, nagblush siya, even though alam niyang hindi naman siya nakita ni Jaron na she was staring at him.

Tahimik lang naman si Jaron long while that Aria felt confused. Magsasalita na sana siya, when suddenly he said,

"Wow, you look really pretty."

Napablink naman si Aria. "Huh??"

Bigla naman tumawa si Jaron. "Sorry, just had to try that. Dinescribe ni Mel how you look tonight."

Napailing naman si Aria in fondness and exasperation. For a second there, kala talaga niya nakakakita na bigla si Jaron. Medyo nasanay na siya sa morbid na humor ni Jaron tungkol sa condition niya, but still it doesn't keep her from feeling a little sad for him.

"Well, ang gwapo mo ngayon." Sinabi naman ni Aria. Nakakahiya, pero gusto lang niya talagang sabihin. Nakatulong din na nagjoke si Jaron at hindi na siya masyadong kinakabahan.

"Ngayon lang?" Tanong naman ni Jaron.

Natawa naman si Aria at nagshrug. "Mas gwapo sa usual?" Sinabi na lang niya na pa-joke, although truth din naman yung sinsasabi niya.

He grinned sheepishly at her. "Thanks."

"Well, we better get going or we'll be late." Sabi naman niya sabay offer ng elbow niya kay Aria.

Smiling, Aria, linked her arm with his.

Nakarating sila sa Arena earlier than expected. Sobrang daming tao, pero dahil may VIP tickets sila, nakapagod naman sila kagad.

"What time is it?" Tinanong naman ni Jaron nung nakarating na sila sa seats nila.

"7:30." Sagot naman ni Aria.

"May oras pa tayo." Sabi naman ni Jaron. "Come on."

Kinuha naman niya yung kamay ni Aria tapos hinila siya patayo.

"Go where?"

He just grinned.

-

Sobrang na-amaze naman si Aria at how Jaron could navigate. Siguro sa ibang tao, hindi nila aakalain na hindi nakakakita si Jaron. Mukhang papunta sila sa backstage. Nung nandun na sila, the guard took one look at Jaron, smiled and let them pass.

"How many times have you been here?" Tinanong naman siya ni Aria.

"More than I can count." Sabi ni Jaron as he pulled her to a door.

"Ah, nandito na tayo." Sabi naman ni Jaron.

"Oi, Jaron." Someone suddenly said.

Na-star struck si Aria. It was Kotone Turner, Elysium's lead guitarist.

"Tito Kot." Sabi naman ni Jaron casually.

"Oh, sino 'to?" Tanong naman niya, looking at Aria.

"Si Aria Castro nga pala." Jaron introduced. "Super fan niyo siya. I don't know why, though."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady." Sabi naman ni Kotone kay Aria, even taking her hand.

"Ah. Pleasure's all mine po." Sabi naman ni Aria. She knew she probably looked stupid. Nagpapasalamat lang siya hindi siya nag-stutter. Pero either way, at the moment, she didn't much care.