Sad Song (Montefierro Series #1)

SS000

SS000: Erase You by Catrien

I made my way inside Route 196. A famous gig bar somewhere in Katipunan. Inayos ko ang pagkakahawak sa strap ng guitar bag na nakasabit sa balikat ko habang naglalakad papunta sa counter.

"You're here!" Sinalubong ako ng isang middle-aged man habang nakangiti. He's the owner. "The talented, Cyrelle Blessica Escareal."

Ngumiti ako pabalik at inikot ang paningin sa paligid. It's full-packed tonight. Madaming tao at may tumutugtog nang banda sa harap. I glanced at my wristwatch, it's already 9 PM.

"May magpe-perform lang na isang pang banda bago ikaw. Is it okay if you'll just sit here while waiting?" The owner said while offering me to sit at the high stool in front of the counter.

Tumango lang naman ako at nagpasalamat.

"Free drinks for you." Inabutan niya ako ng isang baso ng cocktail bago na siya tuluyang umalis. Hindi nakaligtas sa'kin kung paano niya ako tinignan nang may kaunting pagnanasa. I rolled my eyes.

Binaba ko muna ang dala-dala kong gitara at maayos na pinatong ito sa lapag. Pinanatili ko na lang ang mga mata ko sa band na tumutugtog sa harap habang umiinom ng cocktail na binigay sa'kin.

This is my third gig for this day. I'm a bit tired, though. I had one in the morning at my friend's bar called Rock & Destroy, after that ay diretso naman ako sa The 70s Bistro Bar sa tanghali, and then this. 'Di naman masyadong nakakapagod ang pagtugtog, what drained my energy was the driving and the traffic.

Nawala lang ang focus ko sa panonood sa banda sa harap nang may lumapit sa'king kakilala.

"Cyrelle! Sabi ko na ikaw 'yan, e." Umupo siya sa katabing upuan ng akin at uminom muna sa Heineken in-can na hawak niya.

I know her too well, though. It's just that, it's been months since I last saw her. I honestly don't know how to entertain her. I'm feeling a bit awkward so I decided not to talk and just smile at her.

"How are you, Cyrelle?" Nginitian niya 'ko, trying to create a conversation.

"I'm doing good." Tumango pa 'ko bago uminom ulit sa cocktail ko.

"That's good to hear." Tumango din siya at nilipat na ang tingin sa harap.

I drank the last drop of my cocktail bago tumalikod muna para humarap sa counter at tumawag ng waiter.

"Another cocktail, please. Same flavor." I said.

Cocktail lang muna ang iniinom ko kasi 'di ako pwedeng malasing. May tugtog pa 'ko. But usually, I'm into hard drinks like Black Label, Bacardi and tequilla.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are The Mythicals!"

Nagsimulang magpalakpakan at magsigawan ang mga tao sa loob ng Route 196. Ako naman ay halos manigas na sa kinauupuan ko. I felt my heart beating so loud, I can't even hear anything even if the whole place is now too noisy.

"Forgot to tell that I'm here because they will play here tonight." Frea said.

Pinatong niya ang Heineken niya sa counter at humarap din dito katulad ng pwesto ko. She leaned closer to me and tried to have a peek at my obviously shocked facial expression. She now has this grimace look all over her face.

"You're both working in the music industry, you should expect to have your paths crossed one day." Makahulugan niyang sinabi bago tumayo na at iniwan ako sa pwesto ko.

I closed my eyes in frustration and tried to inhale deeply to calm myself.

It's nothing. He's just someone from your past.