Eternal Tune (Haunted Series 1)

Chapter 11: I Know you Care

"Tangina nakabihis na kayo di pa naka set up instruments sa taas!" Sinigawan ni Juaquin ang mga members na nasa gilid, suot na ang attire nila for the first performance.

Tumawa si Hana sa tabi ko, "Galit na galit Juaquin!"

"Isang oras nalang!" Rinig kong sigaw ni Daniel kung saan man siya, and our members moved faster.

Napailing ako at tinaasan ng kilay ang kaibigan ko, "Tawa tawa ka diyan 'di ka pa nga nakakabihis."

She glared, "Si Francis kasi nagkalat! Amoy na amoy sa dressing room amputa." Nagdadabog siya paalis kaya natawa nalang ako.

Ambilis ng araw and it's presentation day! I helped with setting up and reminded them of the last-minute instructions. As their producer, wala na akong kailangang gawin kaya I'm helping in other ways.

But to be honest? I do miss performing. I miss the adrenaline and the butterflies that come with it. Sa susunod na concert, I will. Gabe and I have been working on our piece.

"Okay, one full circle!" Nagsilapitan sila nang sumigaw ako minutes before the showcase starts. Melanie lead a prayer and we all cheered when she finished. Tiningnan ko silang lahat na hindi mapakali sa kinatatayuan.

They were all in full costumes, and we're all in black attire for the opening number. I smiled at each of them, glad at all the determination and excitement on their faces.

"Alam kong andaming nangyari bago tayo umabot dito and I just want to say I'm proud of you guys." I clutched at Francis' and Rotcehlei's shoulder na katabi ko. "Be the performer you guys want to see yourself in when you go up there. Goodluck."

Ngumiti ako at lumabas sa tumatakip na pulang kurtina. I walked right into the middle of the stage, holding the microphone on my right, and smiled so wide kahit nabubulag na'ko sa spotlight. "Good evening to our valued guests! I hope you're prepared for tonight's show because it's going to be a wild ride!"

Nagsigawan ang mga audience na nasa likod, obviously, because people on the front row are VIP's and doesn't know how to have fun...joke lang. I take it back the moment I set my eyes on my family on the very front row. Habang nakaupo si Jaceon, CJ, at si kuya Sky, nakatayo naman ang kambal ko at malakas na pumapalakpak. Napailing nalang ako sa kakulitan niya.

Dad was nowhere to be found, but I didn't expect he'd come here, so it's okay. And speaking of Dad, we never got to talk about what happened at the last gathering we went to. Napansin ko lang na hindi na pumupunta si Tita sa bahay. I don't know if that means they've broken up or nagkikita lang sila sa ibang lugar.

I walked around while I was telling stories about our org, then I saw Melanie signaling an okay sign in my peripheral vision, that's why bumalik ako sa center and exaggeratedly shrugged. "You guys, hindi na'ko magpapatagal pa because I'm also excited to watch them all. Welcome to the Arts Mediatiques concert! The stage where dreams come true."

Ngumisi ako at naglakad pababa ng stage and the crowd grew wild when they could hear the fast drum beat. "Anong ginagawa niyo dito?" I whispered and squatted sa harap ng pamilya ko.

"Surprise!" sigaw ni Cici at niyakap ako, so I pinched her cheek.

"'Wag kang sumigaw." she pouted and I smiled, touched na pumunta sila. "You'll all stay here hanggang sa theater play?"

Tumango si James at pinakita ang ticket niya. It's a gold ticket, meaning they'll watch the two shows. A black ticket is for the concert, and a beige-colored ticket is for the play. Jaceon and Kuya were focused on the performance, so I stood up at nagpaalam while Cici waved at me.

"Enjoy the show," I whispered and went towards my spot. We have designated places, so I can't sit with them.

Nang nasa kaligitnaan ng concert. It was Rona's set to perform a ballad, and she was wearing a nude, flowy dress to match the feeling of the fogged stage. When it came to the part where she'll whistle a high note, napatuwid ako ng upo nang marinig ang crack sa boses niya. It was an awful crack, but she was still in character. Sumulyap siya sa'kin, and I immediately smiled and nodded at her, signaling to her that it was okay. She recovered quickly, and that's fine, but I can still see her quivering lips hiding behind her smile.