The Great Escape

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

Set up

I was watching Psalm make a few calls as we walk around the field. Although I told him to calm down, panic was still written all over his face. I can't blame him though.

Nadisgrasya si Nox at kung hindi kami makahahanap ng kapalit niya, masisira ang huling performance nila. I was panicking too, but I'm trying my best to not become as anxious as much as how Psalm was.

"Just pick up your freakin' phone, kid..." he murmured. "What the hell? Pinatayan ako ng tawag?"

He made another call and got the same outcome. The 'kid' he was referring to ended the call again. Hindi ba siya titigil diyan para humanap na lang ng iba na hindi siya mahihirapang kumbinsihin?

He's been calling that certain someone for fifteen minutes and that someone kept on rejecting his calls. How consistent.

Kanina pa rin ako nag-iisip kung may kakilala ba akong marunong tumugtog ng bass guitar pero maliban kay Nox, wala na talaga.

Luminga-linga siya sa paligid at huminto siya nang may makita. He probably found the one he's looking for. Sa wakas.

"Gotcha."

Sinundan kong muli si Psalm nang lumiko siya papunta sa lalaking nakatalikod mula sa amin. The guy was wearing a plain white hoodie, faded jeans and black Converse. Nakatayo ito at may kausap na ilang kalalakihan din.

And that guy gave my friend a hard time. He was really consistent on ignoring the calls and finally, Psalm found him. Sana lang ay pumayag siya.

Huminto ako nang huminto rin si Psalm. If my memory serves me right, I think I saw this guy earlier when I was walking around the field.

"Ephraim," Psalm called out.

Nahinto sa pag-uusap ang mga kasama noong lalaki at lumingon naman ang tinawag ni Psalm. Hinarap niya ang kaibigan ko, ang parehong kamay ay nakapamulsa sa pantalon.

He was tall. Though Psalm was a few inches taller, parang dalawa hanggang tatlong inches lang ang pagitan ng height nila. Maybe this guy's six feet flat. He also has same features as my friend. They both have jetblack hair, thick brows, dark eyes, narrow nose, thin lips and angled jaw.

Psalm's muscles were more defined than Ephraim. They also have different hairstyles. Naka-undercut ang lalaki samantalang clean cut naman ang buhok ni Psalm.

"What?"

"I want you to play," said Psalm. "Ngayon. Sa SHS Festival bilang bassist. Get that?"

Ephraim's brow crooked. He ran his fingers through his jetblack hair as he took a step back. The boys around him was in awe. Pati ako ay medyo gulat na nangyayari.

Siguro ay kilala ng mga ito si Psalm bilang gitarista ng sikat na banda sa campus. Pansin ko rin na hindi outsiders ang mga lalaking kasama ni Ephraim. Among all of them, it was only Ephraim who looked unfamiliar. The visitor's ID lace was also hanging from his jeans front pocket. Siya nga lang talaga ang outsider.

Magkakilala silang dalawa, that's for certain. Pero sigurado ba si Psalm na tatapat ang skill ng lalaking ito sa galing ni Nox? Sana nga.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because I told you so. And..." lumapit si Psalm at may kung anong ibinulong.

The guy's thin lips curled for a mocking grin. He shook his head as he chuckled sarcastically.

"What do you take me for, Psalm? Alright, I'll play but you have to grant me a request after the performance."

"How many?"