The Inverse

- 12

PAT'S POV

When news made round that we are having a reunion gig and we had to release a deluxe album where Agnes is now playing on all the songs, mabilis na nasold out yung tickets and even yung album. Iba talaga ang charm ni Maristella.

We were now in the van papunta sa gig. We were making our way sa condo ni Agnes kasi dun namin susunduin silang dalawa ni Jam. I never even asked them bakit sila magkasama kasi I know that Jam had been taking care of Agnes. Alam ko ring hindi niya pababayaan si Agnes dahil mahal niya rin naman si Agnes.

Nung bumukas yung pinto, I was taken aback when I saw Agnes. She was smiling and she was wearing her usual long sleeves and shorts. I felt stunned. Her hair was down and parted on one side. Since when did she look so beautiful? Nagulat ako kasi nagkatinginan kami ni Agnes then she winked tapos sumakay na siya at umupo sa likod ko. Di ko alam pero parang biglang tumalon yung puso ko. Luh Patricia. Sana okay ka lang.

I can tell from my peripheral na tumitingin sa 'kin si Agnes. Unless, she is looking out the window. Ano ba Pat, of course she's looking out the window. Bakit ka naman niya titingnan?

Nakarating na kami sa venue at nagready na kami para sa cue namin. Busy sila Andrew at Jam sa pagkuha ng pictures habang si Agnes naman nasa isang sulok at nakasuot ng headphones niya habang seryoso siyang nakatingin sa laptop niya. Mukhang nagtatrabaho pa rin siya until now. I went closer and sat in front of her.

"Hey. You need something?"sabi niya sa 'kin sabay inalis niya yung headphones niya.

"Hindi, wala. Just wanted to sit down."sabi ko sa kanya. She just smiled tapos sinuot niya na ulit yung headphones niya.

Agnes was always a hardworker. Sa sobrang sipag niya, she would often forget to take care of herself. Kailangan niya talaga ng mag-aalaga sa kanya. I frowned at the idea of Agnes having someone else taking care of her. Lately, iniisip ko yun. To be honest, it scares me kasi Agnes is never hard to love. Sa laki rin ng fan base niya, I am sure na maraming lurkers sa paligid. If Agnes really wants to find love, I know she'll find it. I know it is unfair and selfish, but I cannot shake the fact on how I would react if I find out na Agnes has a new girl. I know she deserves to be happy. Pero hindi ba pwedeng sa 'kin siya maging happy?

"Why?"sabi ni Agnes.

"What?"

"You're frowning. You okay?"tanong niya. Tumango lang ako and flashed her a smile. She smiled back tapos nagconcentrate na ulit siya.

"Chuddle na tayo guys. Lapit na tayo."sabi ni Migs. I signalled at Agnes at mukhang nagets naman niya. Unfortunately, her hand landed on mine. She smiled. Bakit ganito yung feeling? Come on self. Umayos tayo please.

"Light. Energy. Feel. Hamana. Hamana!"

Umakyat na kami sa stage. Nauna na umakyat sila Jam, Toni, at Andrew. Sumunod naman kaming pumasok ni Keifer. Grabe. Ang daming tao. Kumaway kami sa kanila at nagsigawan sila. After namin, pumasok na si Poch at si Agnes. Pagpasok nila, lalong lumakas yung sigawan ng mga tao. Agnes was all smiles kaya nakakahawa yung energy niya. Then suddenly she looked at me. Nung nagtama yung mata namin, feeling ko tumahimik yung paligid. Hindi ko talaga alam ano bang nangyayari sa 'kin. It's not the first time we saw each other, but I guess this is the first time were sharing the stage again. And seeing Agnes in her comfort zone is mesmerizing.

Tinugtog na namin yung Limasawa Street. Nasa solo na kami ni Jam at nakakabingi na yung tilian ng mga tao. Pero lalo pang lumakas nung bumaba na si Agnes at gumitna.

"WE LOVE YOU AGNES!!"

Feeling ko kahit kami nila Miguel nanuod na lang sa solo niya. I missed watching Agnes play. Grabe talaga yung energy niya eh. And when she's playing, you can see her heart. After ng solo bumalik na siya sa pwesto niya. I missed her energy. Ganon pala yung feeling na matagal mong hindi nakita yung isang tao. I was so used to Andrew playing the bass that I forgot how it feels to watch Agnes performing. And for sure, lahat ng fans niya na nandito, missed watching her too.