The Great Escape

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2

See you

My eyes widen a fraction. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa dalawang lalaking nag-uusap di kalauyan sa akin.

Mariette and the others were discussing other things and I was the only one who heard Ephraim's request. I bit my lower lip. Anong trip ng lalaking iyon at ako pa ang napiling prospect?

I am not into dates and I am a socially awkward person. Hindi ako papayag sa date na gusto ng lalaking iyon. And I am not also the type of girl who goes on a date whenever there's a chance.

Palihim ko silang nilingon nang hindi na nakatingin sa akin si Ephraim.

"No. I can't set you up with her, Ephraim. Choose someone else. Huwag ang kaibigan ko—"

"I'm not playing, then."

"Are you blackmailing me, kid? Don't make this hard for me. Definitely not Seraiah, Ephraim," seriousness was evident in Psalm's tone. "Not her."

The replacement guy shifted his weight and put his both hands inside his pants' pockets. He licked his lower lip.

"Then I won't play for your band, Psalm."

Psalm uttered a curse. Nag-igting ang panga niya at nakakuyom ang parehong kamao.

I know how important this performance is for everyone in the band. Pinaghirapan namin ang bawat practice, pinagpuyatan ang lahat ng preparasyon.

We were so passionate in performing and Ephraim was about to ruin that. I don't want to see my friends getting broken because we won't be able to perform. I don't want to see Mariette cry and Psalm sad.

Maybe I can make a sacrifice to save them from sadness? Maybe I can compromise and have a date with him once? They were all so good to me and spending a day with this guy is nothing, compared to those days I've seen them putting their all every practice and performance.

"Psalm," I butt in. "It's okay."

Tipid kong nginitian ang kaibigan na naguguluhan pa rin hanggang ngayon. Pinaninindigan niya pa rin kasi ang sinabi na hindi ako pwedeng makipag-date kay Ephraim.

I sighed. "It's just a date. There's nothing to worry about. It's okay."

Ephraim's lips curled for a grin. "See? There's no turning back, Psalm. Seraiah agreed."

I don't know what's on this guy's mind but I'm sure that date would be really awkward for the both of us. Dinadala niya lang ang sarili sa hindi kaaya-ayang pangyayari.

I never dated for the past years of my life. I had suitors but none of them were given a chance to date me. No, I wasn't picky and being a brat. Hindi pa lang talaga ako handang pumasok sa relasyon o makipag-date sa kahit na sino.

Baka gusto lang talagang asarin ni Ephraim si Psalm kaya ako ang napili niya. Ayos lang naman siguro ito dahil isang beses lang naman, eh. Mairaraos ko naman siguro ang araw na iyon nang maayos.

Naglakad palapit sa akin si Psalm at naupo sa tabi ko. He released a deep sigh, eyeing me intently.

"You don't have to do this. I am not requiring you to do any of his request, Sera. I'm sure I can find another—"

"No, Psalm," I cut him off. "Wala nang sapat na oras para makahanap pa ng kapalit niya. It's okay. Maliit na bagay lang ang hinihingi niya. Ayos lang iyon sa akin."

He was hesitating, I can see that. Na-appreciate ko rin ang kagustuhan niyang huwag akong maisali sa kung ano ang mayroon silang dalawa. But we don't really have enough time to find another replacement and I can't manage to see the whole band down because Ephraim refused to play.

This is just one of those little sacrifices I have to commit to make them happy. Kahit nag-aalangan, desidido akong gawin iyon. Para sa banda. At para sa dalawang taong malapit sa puso ko.

"Are you really sure about this? You can—"

"Yes, Psalm. I'm sure about this. Isang araw lang iyon. Ayos lang."

"T-Talaga?"

"Talaga."

Another negotiation ended and Ephraim agreed on playing for the band. Nagse-set up na kami ngayon sa stage at napapalingon ako sa mga nakahandang mga kulay puting silya sa ibaba.

Marami na ring narito kahit na kalahating oras pa bago magsimula. There were also reserved seats for the important people and guests. May mga dekorasyon din sa outdoor stage.

Makalipas ang kalahating oras, napuno na ang venue at nasa stage na rin ang buong banda. Magsisimula na kami kaya inayos ko na rin ang sarili at ipinatong na ang kamay sa keyboard.

"Good day, students. I know how excited everyone to hear us play but let me introduce our replacement for Nox, he was engaged into an accident this morning that's why, for this year's performance," panimula ni Mariette. "Let's give a round of applause for Ephraim!"

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao at may ilan ding nagbulungan. Kilala yata siya ng ilang estudyante rito sa school. Maybe Nox was telling the truth when he said that Ephraim's band was more famous than theirs.

Hindi ko nga lang marinig kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila. Ipinagkibit-balikat ko na lang iyon.

"Alright. Simulan na natin ito, AUGUSTUS!" Mariette said and the crowd rejoiced with her. "One, two, three, hit it!"

The speakers blasted with the playing instruments and Mariette was moving her head with the beat. Napapangiti ako habang tumutugtog.

I'm just gonna stand with my bag hanging off my left arm
I'm just gonna walk home kicking stones at parked cars
But I had a great night, 'cause you kept rubbing against my arm
I'm just gonna stand with my bag hanging off my left arm

I watched them one by one as I play the piano. I watched how Mariette gives her all in singing every lyric, how Psalm passionately plays acoustic guitar with Calumn, how Dylan skillfully hits the drums with his sticks, and how Ephraim exceeds the band's and the crowd's expectations in the way he plays the bass guitar. I even watched how proud Kiel is as our band manager while he takes pictures and videos of us on stage.

Get me a drink, I get drunk off one sip, just so I can adore you
I want the entire street out of town just so I can be alone with you
Now go when you're ready
My head's getting heavy, pressed against your arm
I adore you

Once again, I was amazed by the passion each of them possesses. Kahit na mini-concert lang ito sa campus para sa SHS Festival, aakalain mong may tumututog talagang sobrang sikat na banda. I am really proud that I was there with them. That I became part of AUGUSTUS even though I was a bit late.

She kicks the gutter in tight shorts, basketball courts
Watch me, watch her talk to boys
I'm known as a right-hand slugger
Anybody else wanna touch my lover?

Masaya akong makitang unti-unti nang naaabot ang mga pangarap ng banda at ngayon, kasama na ako.

Tumugtog pa kami ng apat pang kanta bago natapos ang performance. May sumunod naman sa aming banda kaya nanatili ang mga tao sa panonood.

We celebrated on back stage because we performed really well. Kahit na wala si Nox, nagawa namin nang maayos ang lahat. Thanks to Ephraim's jaw-dropping skills on playing the bass guitar.

Ephraim was just there, again, leaning his back against the wall with his both hands inside his pockets. He was just watching us with that what seemed like a plastered scowl on his face.

Habang tumatalon-talon pa si Calumn at Dylan sa tuwa ay nagsimula nang maglakad si Ephraim. Huminto siya sa tapat ko at bahagyang hinilig ang ulo malapit sa tenga ko.

"See you on Saturday, Seraiah."

That was his last words before he walked out of the room. And I was left with my mouth slightly opened and Psalm getting anxious once again.

Tuloy na nga siguro talaga ang unang date ko sa Sabado. I can do this. Naniniwala akong kaya ko.

Gabayan nawa.