You Make Me Smile [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR - WHAT MUSIC MEANS TO ME

ISAVELL'S POV

Inayos ko ang pagkakahawak ko sa gitara, as well as the angle of the mic, and its distance from my mouth.

This would be my first time performing outside my house, hopefully, nothing goes wrong. I took a deep breath before strumming the guitar and began singing.

It was my favorite of Justin Vasquez'. The way he strums the guitar, the way he sings his heart out, it's just pleasing to the ear.

Makes me fall in love with music.

Music calmed me down nung mga panahong kaiiwan pa lang sa akin ni Dad.

Music was there nang iwan din ako—kami—ni Mama.

Technically, I wasn't alone.

I had music, that's for sure.

I use music to express what I feel.

It helps me a lot, especially when it comes to emotional matters.

Yaya was there, but not always. May sarili rin siyang pamilya, at kada uuwi siya noon sa probinsya nila, maiiwan akong mag-isa sa bahay.

Music was my savior. Well, up until now. Definitely, something I should be thankful for.

Right after my performance, I heard claps after claps, and then there were cheers. Some people are even asking for another one.

I was happy, I really am proud of myself after surviving the minutes of stage fright, but then again, I felt weird stares coming from that guy, again.

I looked at him and noticed him smiling at me. I turned away and smiled at the other audience members.

"Isa pa!"

"Another one, Ate!"

All I could hear were those phrases, so I looked at Madam J. She gave me a go signal and so I continued.

I performed two more songs, one is another of my favorites and the other is a song request of an audience, before taking a short break.

"Ang astig mo pala, Ms. English Speaking!" Ate Madelene complimented me.

"'Di naman po masyado."

"Nako nako, pa-humble masyado, ghorl. Pero seryoso, ang ganda ng boses mo."

"Thank you po."

Ate Madelene is four years ahead of me. She's one of the waitresses here in the pub. She also has a family like Ate Iska, the official performer of the bar. Yung kanina naman, Ate Ruby, four years older than me as well, is the head waitress slash assistant manager.

"Oh siya maiwan muna kita at may aasikasuhin pa ako. Kami muna nila Ruby ang nakatoka rito sa pagseserve kaya focus ka lang muna sa pagtugtog mo, ha?" I nodded. "Okay sige sige, babye na muna." She began serving orders to the customers and I was just sitting on the high stool here on the bar.

"Hi." I heard a guy behind me speak.

I didn't pay him any attention. What if he wasn't talking to me? Then I'll get embarrassed.

"Umm... Miss performer?" Now, I'm sure he was referring to me.

I turned around and saw the weird creep, and then again, smiling at me.

"Hi," he repeated.

"Hi." I awkwardly smiled. He was just staring at me while smiling which made me feel uncomfortable. "Uh... Do you need anything?"

"Oh, right..." He offered his hand, gesturing for a handshake. "I'm Rain Alfonz Isaac Esguerra."

Full name, huh? Should I introduce myself as well?

"I-I'm Isavell." We did a handshake before letting each other's hands go.

"Gaano katagal ka nang nagtatrabaho rito?"

Cautiously, I answered his question. "A week, I believe."

I think he sensed that I was a bit—not a bit actually—wary. "I'm so sorry for looking like a weird guy." Good thing he's aware. "Nacu-curious lang ako sayo eh."

Huh? "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "'Di ko talaga sigurado pero para kasing may kamukha ka eh."

Eh? "Who?"

"My future girlfriend." He smiled. I was sure I literally raised my eyebrows, which caused him to laugh. "Sad, I guess it didn't work."

"What didn't work?"

"My charms."

"Oh, you have one?" He just laughed at my sarcasm.

"Magpe-perform ka na ulit ata, Miss Isavell." I nodded. "Okay okay, perform well. I'll wait for you to finish if that's okay with you."

It was my turn to shrug. "As long as you mean no harm and just chatting, why not?" He smiled at me and I excused myself so I could go back to the stage.

I performed another three songs before calling it a night. I saw how the audience liked my performance, and it made me so happy.

Music really is my life, and starting today? Music will be my reason to live.