Explicitly (Marisson Series #1)

Chapter 3

My irritation leveled God's place when I stopped playing drums during song rehearsal for tomorrow's church service. The backup singers are all over the place. It is as if they have no idea about the lined up songs. Not to mention that those lists of songs were already given a week ago.

"Di po kayo sabay-sabay," our lead guitarist pointed. "Tsaka meron pong bumibitaw sa tono. Meron din pong sinasapawan ang song leader."

I wanna smile victoriously, because of his unbelievable courage to point all of that, knowing that all of the backup singers are elders in the church.

"Masyado kasing mabilis 'yung mga kanta," one of them justifies. Some of them even reasoned out that the songs are new.

That's why it was given a week ago for us to study and familiarize ourselves with the songs and not to pray to make it old or slow. Duh!

At that moment, I really wanna roll my eyes but of course, I couldn't do that. It'll be a mortal sin. Instead, I twist the drumsticks between my fingers, calming myself.

And with all honesty, that's not even the main problem of the worship team in our church.

While our worship leader tries to correct them by attempting to sing along with them, emphasizing every note, the backup singers started to excuse themselves to go to the comfort room or eat or chatter to other elders away from the band.

Witnessing how frustrated our worship leader was, I exchanged meaningful glances with our electric guitarist and bassist who are just in front of me.

Playing drums can be a tough task at times. A timekeeper and a leader who also follows at times is the foundation of every song made it exceedingly difficult but I've never complained about it.

There are times that the songs are very fast that it made me sweat and catch my breath as I jogged for an hour. But I never whined because I love what I'm doing and I take pride in it. That's why I can't understand those people who are treating the ministry like it's just a past time.

"Let's take a break first!" worship leader, Ate Jenni, exclaimed instead. Though the backup singers are already taking their break.

Amazing!

We're a little bit displeased for the delayed rehearsal but what can we do? Troy, the lead guitarist, and Peter, the bassist, looked at me simultaneously with a grin.

I know what that grin means. It's our free time to play any worship song we wanted. Without anyone complaining how recent, fast, or high the songs are.

"Hirap kapag mas matanda 'no? Hindi mo mapagsabihan," Troy mumbled.

"Samantalang sa ating mga musician, magkamali lang ng kaunti parang ang laki na ng kasalanan natin," Peter added.

"Hindi ko nga alam eh," Ate Jenni whispered beside us. "Kung iisipin mo ang kailangan lang nilang gawin ay kabisaduhin ang tono pero parang ayaw nila. Kapag tinuruan mo, ayaw din."

I just shrugged as I sigh for the nth time. Not giving any contribution to their disappointment.

Tapping my drumsticks thrice, our jam session begins.

After almost an hour of break time, the practice went well. I believe. Natapos kami ng alas nueve y media. Leave the church's premise after a short closing prayer.

For someone who stays in Manila for weekdays, Cavite's cold wind makes me extremely shudder while I was walking on the street to our house inside an old subdivision. It's quiet and dark enough to convince myself to use my phone's flashlight to make sure that I would never step on dogs' feces.

"Anong oras na?" Dad's introduction as I enter the house. "Ano bang napapala mo sa simbahan? Dapat focus ka sa trabaho mo."

I didn't answer. Though it's kinda irritating, I just keep my mouth shut because there are no words that can convince him that I already know what I'm doing, that I have plans.

"Dapat sideline ang inaatupag mo," he implied, arms folded over his chest as he stared at me with those disapproving eyes of his.

I twitched but bit my tounge, remembering how I wasn't supposed to talk back and be on my best behavior all the time.

With his reddish face and slurry words, I already know that he is drunk, as usual. And his speech will not end any time soon.

Sanay na ako sa ganitong eksena tuwing Sabado. At kung mamalasin ay may kasama pang hampas at sampal.

I kissed my Mom as a greeting then go to our bedroom. With our typical small row house, I can still hear Dad inside the room. Not exaggerating but his voice can still be heard by our neighbors.

"Punta ka ng punta sa simbahan, ano bang naitulong nila sa'yo. Binabayaran ka ba nila? Wag ka na nga magsimba dyan! Humanap ka ng sideline para ikaw na sumagot ng buong allowance ni Eidderf."

Yeah! With my current salary, I can't fully take my financial responsibility to Eidderf. Humingi pa rin ako ng tulong sa kanila sa weekly allowance ng kapatid ko, but other than that I'm doing it just fine. Well, that's what I think.

"Tignan mo 'yung anak ni Kuya Francis mo. Twenty thousand ang sahod kada buwan, nakapagpagawa na ng second-floor nila."

Here we go again.

Nakakasama ng loob. Lahat na lang ng gawin ko ay hindi pa rin sapat. Ikukumpara pa rin sa iba.

I could feel tears suddenly fill up my eyes. I greeted my teeth while trying to keep myself busy by unloading the laundry from my bag, taking slow breathes to calm myself down. But the heavy feeling in my chest just wouldn't go away.

"Mag-focus ka, hindi 'yung drums ka ng drums hindi ka naman nila binabayaran. Kailan ka kukuha ng licensure examination mo? Iyon ang mga dapat na pinagtutuunan mo ng pansin. Paano kapag namatay ako? Pupulutin ka na lang sa kangkungan?"

Edi mamatay! Hindi titigil ang buhay namin dahil lang namatay ka, bakit sa'yo lang ba umiikot ang mundo?

Unfortunately, I can only do that inside my head because once those words came out, there'll be a World War III inside our house.

Anyway, I already know how his speech will end.

"Huwag kang magsisimba bukas!"