Goodbye Lullaby (COMPLETED)

Chapter 7

And so she sat me down and told me that I didn't have to cry
Said I didn't need to get down or feel empty inside
And then told me that she'll love me for as long as she's alive
-
Sunflower by Rex Orange County

***

"Fuck!"

"What's happening? Miss Gatch, is it true?!" Justin went straight to the lady.

She was surrounded by us. Si Valen ay nagbubukas na ng alak at may malaking ngiti sa labi. Tinulungan siya ni Eros magsalin sa mga shotglass habang hinihintay ang anunsyo ni Miss Gatch.

Damn, I already know the answer but I still felt nervous to hear it from her. Nang tumango ito ay tila nabunutan pa ako ng tinik sa dibdib.

Valen yelled, "Motherfuckerrrrs!!!"

Some people from the nearby dancefloor looked at us when we laughed. May mga nakikiusyoso rin at lumalapit para makipagkamustahan pero umaalis din agad nang mapansing abala kami sa ibang bagay.

"Everything is already settled. Building, permits, license, okay na. All I need are staff and talents. That's why you're here."

Valen was already celebrating. Justin was giving us shots. Eros and I were just there, experiencing the biggest fucking turn of emotions. From anger to shock to happiness. Everything was happening at once. It was crazy.

"You know you can count on us, Mommy Gatch!" Valen gave her another shot. Tumawa ang ginang at itinaas ang baso.

"Anytime." Eros said.

"For the new chapter of our lives!" Miss Gatch said as we raised our glasses.

"Hell yeah!"

The night was fucking crazy. It's almost like I was in a rollercoaster because of the series of events. Nandon din pala sa party na 'yon ang iba naming kakilalang banda at mga artists. We celebrated all night I even forgot about Calyx.

The next days were insane.

Miss Gatch's new label made it to the news as she opened it for applicants. Not the artist applicants though. Mga empleyado. May sarili na siyang team, but that's not enough for the whole company.

Once that's settled, doon pa lang magkakaroon ng contract signing. I know all the bands Miss Gatch got. Although unofficial, nasama iyon sa news. They released a list of rumored bands that will be signed to the label. Unang una kami ro'n.

And I refuse to believe that's the reason my Mom came home to me.

The instruments stopped while I was singing the ballad song that Valentine wants us to do. Dumilat ako at handa nang magreklamo sa makailang ulit niyang gustong baguhin ang tono. Ngunit hindi pala 'yon ang rason.

They stopped because my mother barged into the room. Kasunod niya ang assistant na may dalang bulaklak at mga kasambahay na may hawak na paperbags. Nangunot ang noo ko.

Justin and Valen put their instruments down. Si Eros nama'y tumayo habang ako'y nanatili sa harap ng mic stand.

I wasn't shocked that my mom's here. Hell, I should be, but I felt more curious. She never came here. Ako ang laging pumupunta sa kanya kapag may importante akong kailangan. Which also rarely happens.

She was looking around our studio but the thing is I can't read her face. I think that's the result of not getting the chance to know her as I grew up. I almost rolled my eyes. Napabuntonghininga na lang ako.

"What brings you here?" I asked.

Doon lamang siya napatingin sa 'kin at tinaasan ako ng isang kilay. The room got colder when she turned to her assistant to get the bouquet of red roses and walked to me. Mas lalong lumalim ang kunot sa noo ko. I even almost stepped back. Kung hindi lang hinawakan ni Eros ang likod ko ay baka napaatras ako.