Love, Finally

Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

"THE NEXT BAND ON OUR LIST is a pop punk/rock band consisting of five members – Ryo Yamazaki on vocals, Rhyken Alejo on guitars, Luke Evans on drums, Yohan Lizalde on bass and Jona Torres on keys. Hold on to your hearts real tight, people, because they will not only take your breath away but will mercilessly rip off your hearts with their music. So, without further ado, let's give it up for Katharsis!"

Napaatras ako sa panonood mula sa backstage nang tawagin kami ng emcee.

Kung gaano kalakas ang hiyaw at palakpak ng mga tao sa labas, ganoon din kalakas ang tibok ng puso ko. My ears were pulsating, and cold sweat was starting to form on my forehead.

Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

Not good. I am starting to tremble. Nanginginig yung mga kamay ko. Walang humpay kaming nag-practice para sa araw na ito. I don't want to ruin this for the band.

This is the band's first official gig together with other bands, and yes, it's a big one.

"Breathe, Jona. We're up for a good time!" sabi ng boses sa likod ko kasunod ng mahinang tapik sa ulo ko.

It was Luke who just casually walked out from the backstage, went behind the drums and hit it with a pattern which made the crowd go wild.

He just announced the band's entrance in the flashiest way possible.

"Relax and have fun. We got this," rinig kong sabi ni Yohan sabay tapik sa likod ko bago pumunta sa stage.

At katulad ng ginawa ni Luke, pagkasaksak niya ng gitara niya sa amp ay tinugtog niya ang session piece namin tuwing practice.

"Tss. Don't you go chicken on us now, Jonabee or I'll fry you."

Hindi ko na kailangang tingnan pa kung sino ang nagsalita. Only one person could say those mean words without batting an eye.

Rhyken walked past by me, his guitar giving me a little nudge. I must be crazy for thinking that it was his way of encouraging me because suddenly, all the tension I was feeling was gone.

He gracefully walked to the stage; the people became silent as they watched him tune his guitar. And with one single strum, the crowd roared back to life.

Lumawak ang ngisi nina Luke at Yohan habang patuloy sila sa pagtugtog kasabay ni Rhyken.

Kung kanina ay mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil sa kaba, ngayon ay mas mabilis ang tibok nito dahil sa excitement.

God! I wanted to fangirl over them!

"Ahh... those guys went ahead and took my words."

Napatingin ako sa gilid ko at nakita si Ryo na nakatayo sa tabi ko habang nakatingin kina Luke.

Pakiramdam ko bumagal ang takbo ng oras nang bumaling siya sa akin kasabay ng pagkuha niya sa kamay ko.

He brought it to his lips and kissed the back of my hand.

"Will you play your music with me, hon?" he said in his singing voice and I swear I could feel the goosebumps all over me.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath until he chuckled and pinched my nose.

He was smiling like he feels the happiest in this very moment.

The band's first gig in a university fair.

And our first gig as a couple.

"That goes without saying, hon," sagot ko bago bumitaw sa pagkakahawak niya at tumakbo papunta sa stage.