Nag-umpisa nang tumugtog ang banda at hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti habang nakikinig sa kanila. Their kind of music was slow and acoustic style. Nakaka-relax at paniguradong magugustuhan 'yon ng nakikinig at pinapanood sila.
Including us, of course.
Ang iba nga ay sinasabayan na sila sa kanilang pagtugtog. Until someone raised his hands while joining the rhythm of the music with flashlight on his phone. Winagayway niya ang kaniyang kamay kaya ang iba ay sumabay na rin sa kaniya.
"Their choice of music is really fantastic," I said and smiled at my friends.
"At ang gwapo rin ng vocalist," sambit ni Ken at tumango naman ako roon.
I closed my eyes as I felt dizzy because I know I am already drunk. Nakakailang bote na ako ng canned beer at halos kaming tatlong babae ay patulog na pero itong si Ralph ay buhay na buhay pa.
Parang hindi siya tinatamaan ng alak dahil namumula lang ang kaniyang mga mukha pero ang kaniyang mga mata ay hindi pa mapupungay. I looked back again at the front and they were finished singing the first song.
Tumigil sila saglit at nagsalita na naman ang vocalist at nagtanong sa aming nag-iinuman na.
"Sino rito ang magaling kumanta?" he asked, but no one tend to raised their hands.
"I volunteer myself!" I shouted after I raised my right hand.
And because of what I did, the vocalist smiled at me and there I saw his handsome face again. Lasing ako pero hindi ko ipagkakaila na gwapo nga talaga siya.
I don't know what guts gave to volunteer myself to sing with them, but I want it. Gusto kong kumanta sa harap ng mga taong nandito. I don't know them and they don't know me except from my friends.
Matagal ko nang gusto ang musika ngunit hindi ako nabigyan ng pagkakataon para ipakita 'yon sa madla.
"What's your name, Ms. Beautiful?" the vocalist asked me.
Tumayo ako at kaagad pang inalalayan ni Ralph na katabi ko sa upuan dahil bigla akong nahilo. Damn!
Kaunting hilo ang aking naramdaman pero pinagsawalang bahala ko iyon. Ralph helped me to walked and went to the front. Hiyaw naman nang hiyaw si Ken at Haisely dahil sa pag-volunteer ko.
"Are you sure you want to sing in front of many people?" nag-aalalang tanong sa akin ni Ralph kaya tumango ako.
"Yes, I want to express myself through singing." I told him and smiled sweetly.
"Go, Savannah Caroline!" sigaw ni Haisely at Ken saka sila nagtawanang dalawa.
Lasing na talaga sila dahil sa alak na ininom nila. Hindi naman ganiyan kaingay si Haisely eh.
"Oh, Savannah." the vocalist said with amusement in his eyes.
Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at ibinigay sa akin ang mikropono na walang gumagamit. "Good evening to each and everyone who are here to sing with us," I said as if I'm really one of the members of this band.
"So, what's your name, Ms. Beautiful?" tanong nito ulit sa akin dahil hindi ko pala 'yon nasagot kanina.
"You heard what my friends call me, right?" sambit ko kaya natawa ang mga nasa harap namin.
"Oh, sorry to hear that." he said and raised his hands.
Para tuloy siyang pulis at nahuli ko siya dahil sa pagtaas ng kaniyang kamay. I laughed a bit and stood up straight in front of the microphone stand.
"Good evening everyone!" I nervously said as I looked in front.
Seryoso ang iilang mga taong nanonood sa amin ngunit ang iba naman ay nakangiti habang nakatingin sa amin. I looked at the vocalist and there I saw again his genuine smile.
Damn! He really looks familiar, but I can't determine where I exactly saw him.
"Good evening again, Ladies and Gentlemen!" Octav said and smiled to the people in front of us then he glanced at me for a second. "Ano ang gusto n'yong kantahin naming dalawa?" tanong nito, pero iba-iba ang kantang nirekomenda ng mga tao.
Binalingan ako ng tingin ni Octav kaya tiningnan ko naman siya at nginitian. "What if you decide what song that we will sing for them?" he asked me.
Tumango ako at ngumiti sa madla.
Magsasalita na sana ako ngunit bigla na namang sumigaw si Ken kaya natawa na lang ako nang mahina. "Go, Savannah!"
"What about You Are the Reason by Calum Scott?" I asked him and then I smiled.
"Oh?!" he amazingly stuttered and looked at me with his sparkling eyes.
Pinilig ko ang aking ulo nang dahil sa aking inisip at dahil sa nahilo ako bigla. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya pagkatapos at saka hinawakang muli ang mikropono.
"That would be great, Savannah."
His baritone voice emerged to my ear that I really find it handsome. Damn! Lasing na talaga yata ako!
Nagsimulang tumugtog ng gitara ang dalawa niyang kabanda at akala ko nga ay hindi nila malalaman ang chords ng kantang gusto ko. But yeah, they were too great because they knew the chords. Ang ganda pa ng pagkaka-blend ng gitara ng kabanda nitong si Octav.
"There goes my heart beating
'Cause you are the reason
I'm losing my sleep
Please come back now."
Ako ang kumanta ng unang stanza ng kanta at sumunod naman si Octav na nakapikit pa habang siya ay kumakanta.
"And there goes my mind racing
And you are the reason
That I'm still breathing
I'm hopeless now" he sung whole heartedly and I can't stop myself from swaying my hips while watching him.
He really looks good.
Ang kaniyang hubog ng katawan na tiyak na magpapahulog ng kalooban ng isang babae. And his cool baritone voice that will surely catch a girl's attention while he was singing is so damn fucking attractive!
Damn, Savannah!
Lasing lang ako at hindi nakadroga kaya pinilig ko na lang ang aking ulo dahil sa mga pinag-iisip ko. Tumingin na lang tuloy ako sa harapan at doon ko nakitang masyado nang wasted ang dalawa kong kaibigang babae.
Nakatayo na silang dalawa habang naka winawagayway ang kanilang kamay na may hawak na cellphone. The flashlight was also on just like the other people watching us sing.
Yeah, they were one of the reason why I did fight to my silent battles. Sila ang rason kung bakit nandito ako sa harapan at masayang kumakanta sa harap ng madla. I wouldn't able to do this without them. We graduated together in high school even though I wasn't with them when we were in 1st year high school.
And all I can say is that it's too good to be with them. It's too good to be with the right circle of friends.
Walang lamangan. Walang inggitan. Walang taguan ng sama ng loob at higit sa lahat ay nagmamahalan.
He is also the main reason. No man can love us unconditionally, but He can. He can give us the eternal love that's why we can do whatever we can do with our lives.
"I don't wanna fight no more
I don't wanna hide no more
I don't wanna cry no more
Come back I need you to hold me (you are the reason)
Be a little closer now
Just a little closer now
Come a little closer
I need you to hold me tonight"
Kumanta ko nang buong puso at pinikit ang aking mga mata sabay ang pagbuso ng aking mga luha.
This is the tears that I'm longing for years ago. Ang maiyak ako dahil sa tuwa dahil sa wakas ay nagawa ko ang gusto ko. Nagawa kong maging masaya sa piling ng mga mahal ko sa buhay.
"I'd climb every mountain
And swim every ocean
Just to be with you
And fix what I've broken
'Cause I need you to see
That you are the reason"
And even though I know that the pain wouldn't end tonight nor tomorrow, I would still fight.
I would still fight and will do my best to be the best version of myself.
And I'll do my best for myself and my mother's secured future.
Matapos ang unang kanta ay nagtamang muli ang mata naming dalawa ng vocalist. He smiled at me genuinely and so I did.
"Your voice is fantastic, Ms. Savannah." he said.
I bowed at him and faced the people in front of us. "Thank you for having me tonight and letting me sing in front of you," I said and smiled at them.
I stepped backward and bowed again. Tiningnan ko na ngayon si Octav at ngumiti sa kaniya nang buong puso.
"Thank you," I uttered.
Bababa na sana ako sa entablado nang biglaan akong mahilo dahil sa alak. Akala ko ay matutumba na talaga ako roon at mapapahiya sa mga tao pero may isang bisig na nakahawak sa aking baywang. He supported my weights and the moment I saw his face, I saw sparkling in his face.
Damn! Ano ba 'tong nai-imagine ko?!
"Damn! You're drunk!" he said and laughed a bit to ease the awkwardness between us.
Umiling ako sa kaniya at nang mahimasmasan na ilang segundo niya nang hawak-hawak ang aking baywang ay kumalas ako sa kaniya. I bowed at him once again and smiled because damn! I felt really shy!
"Thank you!" sabi ko at bumalik na sa upuan ko roon.
Ken and Haisely were laughing at me because of course, they saw it!
"Hoy, Savannah! Akala ko ba walang boy hunting?" bulyaw sa akin ni Ken kaya umiling ako sa kaniya.
Sa sobrang kahihiyan ko kay Octavius ay nawala na ang alak sa sistema ko. Damn!
"Wala akong lalaki na hina-hunting kaya tumigil ka riyan," I seriously told her.
Pinanlakihan ko pa siya ng mata at napatingin sa unahan. Wala na roon ang banda nila Octavius at sumunod naman ang ibang banda. I shook my head and breath deeply because finally, he was not around.
Pero ang akala ko na hindi ko na siya makikitang muli pakatapos kong kumanta sa harap ng entablado ay pinuntahan pa nila ang mesa namin. But he was not alone because he was with his other band members.
"Oh, hello!" Ken said to one of the bass guitarist and smiled widely.
Well, gwapo naman siya pero nangingibabaw sa paningin ko si Octavius. Umiwas tuloy ako ng tingin mula sa kanila. I drunk my canned beer all of the content there and not minding them.
"Ms. Savannah, you're a great singer and you have a cool fantastic voice." sambit ng isang myembro ng banda at kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay siya 'yong drummer.
"Y-Yeah... Thanks," I said and forced a smile.
Bubuksan ko pa sana ulit ang canned beer nang biglang agawin 'yon sa akin ni Ralph. I sighed and rolled my eyes on him.
"I want some more, Ralph." I told him, but he just look at me with his furious eyes.
"You're already drunk, Savannah Caroline." he cooly said and put the canned beer away from my reach.
"Can I drink this instead?"
Nagulat ako sa nagtanong at nang tingnan ko 'yon ay hindi nga ako nagkamali. It was Octavius.
"Damn! That's my drink!" pagdadabog ko dahil iyon na lang ang paraan para makaiwas ako sa awkwardness na nararamdaman kong nandito si Octavius.
"Your boyfriend doesn't allow you," he said that me rolled my eyes.
"Whatever," I said and sighed.
"Love, let's go home." lasing na sabi ni Haisely kay Ralph kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.
I laughed at her face, she's a fucking mess! Ang gulo na ng kaniyang mukha at binubuksan niya na rin ang butones ng kaniyang damit kaya kaagad na napamura si Ralph.
"For fuckin's sake, Haisely! Don't unbutton your cropped polo!" Ralph furiously said and went to Haisely just to stop her.
Natawa kaming parehas ni Ken dahil sa ginawa niya at natawa rin ang mga lalaking kabanda ni Octavius dahil sa ginawa ng kaibigan namin.
"Silly, Haisely!" I laughed and glanced a while at Octavius and there our eyes met.
Kaagad akong umiwas at tumayo na para kuhanin ang mga gamit ko. I think we should go because Haisely is getting mess!
Baka mamaya ay sumayaw na lang ito sa gitna!
"Damn, bro, she's hot!" sambit ng drummer habang nakapukol ang tingin kay Haisely kaya uminit ako dugo ko sa kaniya.
"Stop staring at my best friend or else I'll kick your ass." I told him and rolled my eyes.
"Oh? I'm just joking, Ms. Savannah." natatawa pa nitong sabi pero umiling ako.
"You're just taking advantage of our drunk bestfriend and I think we should go." I said and faked a smile. "Thanks for having me earlier."
Ayaw kong makipag-away sa kaniya dahil wala naman iyong magagawa sa aming dalawa. I just want to clear out things to him.
I accompanied Ken on our way to the parking lot. Ang bigat niya dahil medyo matangkad na babae si Kennedy at medyo chubby kaya hirap ako sa kaniya.
"Ken, stay put, please! Ang gulo mo!" saway ko sa kaniya pero ang gaga ay tinawanan lang ako!
"Goddamit! I think we should stop going to beer plaza if the ending would always be like this!" reklamo na ni Ralph nang sumuka si Haisely sa gilid ng parking lot.
"Yeah, I think we shouldn't do that anymore! Ang gulo nitong dalawa!" asik ko at inilalayan nang makapasok si Ken sa loob ng kotse ni Ralph.
Mabuti at hindi naman siya nakaramdam ng isusuka. Panay ang kamot ni Ralph sa kaniyang ulo dahil sa pagsuka ni Haisely.
"Shit! Papatayin ako ni Tito kapag inuwi ko 'tong si Haisely nang ganito ang itsura!" bulalas ni Ralph kaya napailing na lang ako.
"I'll text Suzzane that she will sleep with us. Doon na rin matutulog si Ken at sa iisang kwarto na lang sila. May guest room naman sa bahay ni Tita Suzette eh." I uttered for him to stop himself stressing with these two.
"Yeah, mabuti pa nga." Ralph agreed with me.
Pumasok na ako sa kotse at sa unahan ako habang ang dalawa ay sa likuran at tulog na tulog na. Pinapasok kami ng maid ni Tita Suzette at gulat pang mukha ang bungad sa amin ni Tita Suzette dahil sa itsura ng dalawa.
I explained it to Tita while we are sipping on our coffee. Nahiya pa nga ako dahil binanggit pa ni Ralph ang pagkanta ko kanina roon sa Beer Plaza.
"She's good in singing, Tita." Ralph said.
"Really?" tanong niya sa akin ni Tita at hindi makapaniwala.
Tumango ako sa kaniya at ngumiti.
"So, nagmana ka pala kay Ate? She's also a great singer when she was just like you!" tuwang-tuwa na sabi nito kaya napangiti ako.
So, I really inherit my singing hobby from my mother. And it feel great.
Kinuha ko ang kursong gusto ni Mama noon, ngayon naman ay minana ko rin pala sa kaniya ang pagkanta.
Pakatapos naming mag-usap-usap ay umuwi na si Ralph habang ang dalawa ay nakitulog na sa bahay. Early in the morning, someone knocked on my room and I thought it was our maid, but it was Haisely and Ken.
It was already quarter to eleven in the morning and I still want to have some sleep. Alas dos na yata kami kagabi nakauwi eh.
"Uuwi na kayo?" tanong ko sa kanila dahil ayos na ayos na ang kanilang suot.
"Oo," sabay nilang sabi kaya tumango ako.
I have no choice but to finally wake up and fixed myself. Pinahatid silang dalawa ni Tita Suzette sa isa sa driver nila at sumama na rin ako para magpaliwanag sa parents nilang dalawa.
Pakatapos kong maihatid silang dalawa ay pina-stop over ko si Kuya Rolly para bumili ng noodles. Hindi pa ako nag-aalmusal o kahit ang panghalian kaya kumakalam na rin ang simura ko.
"Hey!"
I turned my back only to see him. Yeah, I won't forget his name!
"Hey, what are you doing here?" I awkwardly asked him while I'm picking noodles for me to eat when I got home.
"Nandito ako para bumili ng noodles, pangpatanggal lang ng hang over. How about you?" tanong niya sa akin pabalik.
"Same," I simply said and walked towards the counter when I'm all set.
"By the way, Ms. Savannah, can I get your phone number?"