Her Greatest Fall

11th

"Looks like you've both worn something twinny. Hahaha goodluck impressing Vitto, Mari."

Umalis na siya at pumunta kay Elis.

Minutes after he left me ay may lumapit sa aking lalaki.

"Hi, you must be Marina", nag shake hands siya sa akin. "I'm the first cousin of Vitaly, Iris."

"A pleasure", I wore my fake smile.

"Uhm hey, can I get your num---"

"I think it's time for you to rest, Iris", nilapitan nila ako. Umalis naman siya agad.

"Sorry we're late, Mari. Vitto insisted to bring his car, hindi ko siya mapigilan", nakipag beso siya sa akin. I just nodded at him.  "It's okay, Almira. Hindi naman natin plinanuhan yung time."

"You must be Vitaly", he came to us. "And you must be Chancellor," nag shake hands silang dalawa. "I'm sorry but, Marina it's time for you and your cousins to sing", he whispered to me.

"You want to join us sing Almira? or you can do an interpretative dance if you want."

"Sure, sure. My dress is fitted naman for dancing so why not?" We did a one minute practice and she seemed to grasp the beat.

"Let me welcome you, the highlight of today's party, the Estobal cousins!", sigaw ni Chance. Agad namang pumunta sa piano sina Alastor at Aciel. The other girls ay second voice at ako yung main while Almira will dance.

"Hello everyone! Thank you for coming to the party. As a sign of gratitude me and my cousins would like to express our thanks by performing an acoustic version of Complicated by: Avril Lavigne. Kanina lang kami nagpractice pero we will try our best to beat your expectations. Enjoy!", pumunta ako sa gitna at umupo na sa highchair.

The sound of the piano surrounded us all. Alastor and Aciel have an amazing chemistry pagdating sa mga instruments. They treat music like their soul mate. Si Almira naman ay nagsimula nang sumayaw kasabay ng musika.

Chill out, what you yelling for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if, you could only let it be, you will see
I like, you the way you are
When we're, driving in your car
And you're, talking to me one on one but you become

Bigla kong naalala ang first time na nakilala ko siya. That night.. I hate that night..

Somebody else
'Round everyone else
You're watching your back
Like you can't relax
You're trying to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Tell me

Almira chased the speed and played with her flowy dress. That's when I realized, 'Isn't she pregnant?'

Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated
Life's like this, you
And you fall, and you crawl, and you break
And you take, what you get, and you turn it into
Honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it

Our eyes met for the first time in a long time. His eyes were blank... Is it because he's misunderstood or guilty? I don't know anymore. Nakakapagod din palang magmahal.

You come over unannounced
Dressed up like you're something else
Where you are and where it's at you see
You're making me
Laugh out, when you strike your pose
Take off all your preppy clothes
You know, you're not fooling anyone
When you become

Almira ran infront of me blocking my view.  Is this part of the performance or is it intentional? I just sighed. They're making me more stressed.

Tinapos ng girls ang kanta with harmonization at agad namang pumalkpak ang audience, but somebody in the crowd shouted, "Let Marina sing!"

A group of men were agreeing to his statement. The one who shouted was Iris.

"Uhm I think it's not---"

"It's okay Chance. Since party 'to, nakakahiya namang i-decline ang offer nila kaya, sige. What do you want me to sing?"

"Into the Unknown", Almira shouted. The crowd followed. I caught her rolling her eyes on me and smirked.

Sinusubukan mo 'ko ha?

The instrumental filled the room while everyone focuses on me.

I can hear you but I won't
Some look for trouble while others don't
There's a thousand reasons I should go about my day
And ignore your whispers which I wish would go away, oh

The crowd was silent and some stopped what they are doing.

I quickly looked at Almira. She looked furious and Vitto was still blank. I continued the song.

"You're---"

"You're not a voice, you're just a ringing in my ear", a guy interfered. I looked back and saw Manu holding the mic. I just smiled at him.

And if I heard you, which I don't, I'm spoken for I fear
Everyone I've ever loved is here within these walls
I'm sorry, secret siren, but I'm blocking out your calls

I decided to join him as he held my hand and looked at each other.

I've had my adventure, I don't need something new
I'm afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you

Into the unknown
Into the unknown
Into the unknown

As the song finished, the crowd applauded. Manu's siblings were shouting.

Bumaba na kami ng stage pagkatapos.
"Thank you Marina, we haven't heard Manu sing in years!"

"Shut up King!"

"Oh look at him, he's blushing", Lance teased him and pinched his cheeks. "Stop it kuya. You're embarrassing me, you know?"

"Manu, C.R muna ako."