Ludic Selcouth #2: This Song Saved My Life

Chapter 5

I was in a hurry when my last class ended. Basta ko na lang sinalpak ang mga gamit sa aking bag at nagmamadaling lumabas ng room.

I found Mallory sitting on a bench near the soccer field. I immediately went to her and she stood up the moment she saw me approaching. Isinukbit niya ang shoulder bag at excited akong sinalubong. “Let’s go! I can’t wait to go to that party!” aniya at hinawakan ang braso ko para hilahin na palabas ng school.

Dumiretso kami sa parking lot at agad na sumakay sa kaniyang kotse. I settled on the passenger seat as she started the engine. Agad iyong tumulak habang pareho kaming nakangisi.

“The party will be held in their hideout! It’s a secret from the public so there won’t be any too chaotic and aggressive fans that might possibly attack the place,” she said, chuckling.

“Only some close friends and acquaintances were invited. Buti na lang at tumawag sa’kin si Hexon at sinabing imbitado siya, he can also bring four or five of his friends so here we are!” 

“Hexon? Your cousin?”

"Yeah. You know... He’s kind of close to the band so...” I nodded.

I briefly checked my clothes. Mabuti na lang at hindi namin kailangang mag uniform ngayon dahil friday.

We are currently heading to the hideout of Ludic Selcouth tonight. Mallory said that there will be a house party on their place for Castriel’s birthday, their lead guitarist.

Maraming ganap kaninang umaga dahil sa birthday niya. There are lots of greetings and best wishes for him the whole day. It is scattered all over the social media. May nagpost pa ng video niya kanina kung saan maraming gifts ang dumating sa school nila. Nagkaroon pa raw ng special performance sa university nila dahil sa birthday ni Castriel.

Kaninang hapon lang sa’kin sinabi ni Mallory na pupunta kami. Pareho pang 7:00 pm ang tapos ng klase namin kaya heto kami ngayon, wala man lang dalang regalo.

I don’t have to worry about Tita and Tito tonight because they are both having a seminar in Olongapo. Sa isang araw pa sila darating at wala naman akong pakialam kina Iris at April. I’m sure they also have their own errands tonight because it’s friday.

Na-eexcite ako sa isiping makikita ko na naman si Rush. I don’t know why but I just feel giddy by the thought of seeing him again.

“I feel bad that we don’t have any gifts for Castriel but we’re already late so...” she said as she turned right.

“Me too. Do you think he will mind?” I asked jokingly.

She chuckled and shrugged. “I don’t think so. Castriel is matured enough to still worry about birthday gifts. Besides, I’m sure he already received a lot of gifts today. Imagine that?! I saw the story of one of his blockmates! The pile of gifts that were sent to their school looked like a freaking mountain. Siguradong aabutin siya ng ilang araw bago tuluyang mabuksan ang lahat ng ’yon.”

Hindi na nakakapagtakang makatanggap siya ng ganoong karaming regalo. Maraming nagmamahal sa kaniya, sa kanila.

Ilang sandali pa ay narating namin ang isang exclusive na subdivision. Hindi kami agad pinapasok at pinapirma pa ng kung ano-ano. Pinaiwan din ang ids namin at binigyan ng sticker para mamaya kapag lalabas na kami ay walang problema. Mabuti na lang at nasa list kami ng mga bibisita raw ngayong gabi.

It’s very obvious that the people living here are rich to the point that the security is so high.

Nag-drive na papasok si Mallory at nagsimula akong mamangha sa mga nadaraanang bahay. These houses look like mansions. Medyo magkakalayo ang distansya ng bahay at hindi mukhang crowded ang subdivision. Siguro ay dahil na rin sa malalaki ang mga bahay kaya malalaki rin ang sakop na lote at ang naglalayong space sa bawat kabahayan.