Stop The Endless Chase

Epilogue

I stared at the house where my grandfather brought me. I may be young but I know exactly why I need to live here with him. I heard Dad said that he doesn't want to see me yet because whenever he does, all he can see is how my mother cheated on him.

Iyon lang ang alam ko. Ang tanging tumatak sa isip ko. Ang laging naririnig kong isinusumbat ni Dad kay Mom kapag nag-aaway sila. Hindi ko na rin alam kung paano pa sila naghiwalay dahil isinama na ako ni Lolo.

"Use this whenever you wanted to play your drums, DJ." Lolo said with a hint of smile on his face. I stared at the drumstick he's giving me with my brow furrowed.

"Bakit po, Lo?" I asked curiously. Lolo flashed me a smile and patted my head.

"Para maalala mo ako sa panahong wala na ako. Apo, life's like a drum. The harder you hit on it, the louder sound it can produce. So I want you to play your drums louder. Play it like you're the only person in the world. Time will come and you'll realize how happy life is, and every once in awhile you're lucky because you're still young to cherish every moments you have. Alam ko na sa murang edad ay galit ang nararamdaman mo sa mga magulang mo. Don't hold grudges, hijo. Learn to listen to the beat of your own drum, your own life and your own heart."

At first, I don't really understand what Lolo  wants to say. But he's right; all I can feel for my parents are anger. I envy my friends who have their parents when it's family day. Who are supporting them when they're playing their sport, while I only have my Lolo. But then, life's always been unfair because months later, Lolo passed away. Naging mag-isa ako. Katulong ang lagi kong kasama.

Mas lalo akong nagalit sa mga magulang ko kasi pakiramdam ko ay inabanduna nila ako. I was on highschool when Mom and Dad got back together. They even told me that they'll make it up to me and they want me home but I refused. What for? I've already live alone half of my life. I don't need them anymore.

I was on my third year college when I decided to build a band together with my friends who are fonds of music too. And then I met Calvin. So we build Amber. Mahirap pero dahil sa gusto namin ang ginagawa namin ay nagpatuloy kami.

Hanggang sa unti-unti ay nakilala kami sa unibersidad na pinapasukan namin. It was intramurals when we first sang a song in front of a crowd. But we played like a pro and I can say that everyone already like us.

Right after we sang some songs, I accidentally saw a girl who's looking at the stage and watching us as if she's bored. I smiled out of nowhere at the realization of how beautiful she can be. Mapupungay ang mga mata, matangos ang ilong, mapupula ang labi. Her beautiful face screams perfection.

It may sounds cheesy but I feel like everything goes in a slow motion and it's only the two of us are moving. I was taken aback when Calvin snapped me back to reality. Tumingin ako sa kanya at nakakunot ang noo niya. Tumingin ulit ako p'westo ng babae at napangiti ako.

"Her name's Kathryn Charise Sarmiento," I threw Calvin a gaze as he spoke.

"Who?" I asked curiously.

"The girl you're staring at, DJ. Stop playing innocent now and tell you what, that's my bestfriend bro," marahan akong humalakhak at napailing nang sinimangutan ako ni Calvin. Bago kami bumaba ng entablado ay tumingin ulit ako sa kanya.

Pagkatapos no'n ay lagi ko na siyang tinitignan mula sa malayo. Nang malaman ko kay Calvin na halos magkapit-bahay lang sila ay lagi ko nang niyayaya ang banda na tumambay sa bahay nina Calvin. Hindi ko naman isinikreto sa kanila ang interes ko kay Kath.