Song of the Wind

Kabanata 23

Whist

It's all coming back to me—the deafening sounds I hear whenever I am at the peak of my emotions.

I looked away from Sandro and stared at my feet to calm myself down.

He's here! He's also competing! Bakit naman siya kasali? At sa dinami-daming araw na pinagsamahan namin noon, ni isang beses hindi niya sinabi sa akin na kasama siya sa piano concerto ngayon.

What does that mean, huh? Kaya ba niya hindi sinabi para magulat na lang ako na kasali pala siya at talunin ako? For what? To continue pestering our family through me just like what her mother did? Blood cascaded to my face. The ringing sound is worsening by the seconds.

I took deep breaths and it wasn't working. I tried to pinch myself but the pain kept on contracting.

Someone tap me by the shoulder and I was immediately snapped out of the whirling tornado taking over me. The ringing sound subsided and my eyes were wide open in horror.

All of the contestants were looking at me with curious eyes except for Sandro. Hindi maipinta kung ano ba ang nakikita kong emosyon sa mata niya.

"Miss, please pick a number in the bag." Sabi ng katabi ko. All of them are holding a small paper already. Nahiya tuloy ako.

I picked the last remaining paper inside before all of us opened it.

Number 8. I am second to the last.

"Please state your full name once your number is called... number one?"

A girl in her blue dress raised her hand and stated her name. Halos lahat ay natawag na nang numero ko naman ang tinawag.

"Number eight?"

I raised my hand, "Cybele Laurentine Seranilla."

Binigay ko ang maliit na papel sa host bago tinawag ang last contestant number.

"Number nine?"

Sandro raised his hand, "Alessandro Maximillan Gervacio," he said in a raspy voice.

Nagsinghapan ang tatlong kababaihang kasama ko. Binalewala ko na lang 'yon at nagpasyang maupo na. I am tired. I don't know if I can do this.

But I have to. Sandro is here. I won't let the flag of Graciella Cervantes rule and fail my mother. It's the last thing I would do.

Yes, be angry at him, Cybele. Remember how his mother traumatized my mother. Sa kaisipan lang na iyon, libo-libong boltahe ang sumanib sa katawan ko.

Not once did I look at his way. My anger is to the moon that my heart is pounding loudly. This heart knew that once I look at him, I'd forever be guilty for hating him.

No, not now. This is my moment. I won't let you take over my spotlight, Sandro. I'll be the prodigy between the two of us.

Sobrang bilis nang takbo ng oras lalo na't okupado ang isip ko sa galit. Nang tawagin na ako ng backstage crew para maghanda, tumayo ako.

"Remember, what I said, Cybele." Cassandra looked at me dead in the eye, "I never had a student who failed. Don't make me regret my decision for accepting you."

As if I'd let myself lose. Not on my watch.

I was about to walk next to the crew when a warm hand enveloped my cold heart. Natigilan ako sa paglalakad sa sobrang bilis ng takbo ng aking puso. I cannot express what I am feeling now that Sandro touched my hand.

Galit akong bumaling sa kanya. I was welcomed by a stoic face, "God bless."

It wasn't sincere but his words melted the core of my heart that is now seeping through to every fiber in my muscles and nerves.