Garden of Wounds (Panacea Series #1)

Chapter 11

Eleven.

Music is my best buddy whenever I'm alone. It's addictive. You couldn't stop listening to your playlist especially when you understand the lyrics. It gives a soul to the universe. Without it, life would be really boring. I think I'd be really sad forever. Ayon lang 'yong kadalasang nakakaintindi sa akin— mula sa liriko nito na dahan-dahang sinasaksak ang aking dibdib sa sobrang sakit ng ipinaparating ng kanta... hanggang sa tono nito na para bang hinehele ako sa sobrang sarap sa tainga.

Based from what I've read, when you understand the lyrics of the song, maybe it's because of love or sadness. In my case, I usually don't understand the lyrics whenever I'm listening to a song even if I'm in love. Kinakanta ko lang 'yon because of its beautiful melody and rhythm, ngunit parang wala lang sa akin, walang epekto. Ngunit sa tuwing nalulumbay ako, ro'n ko napagtanto na tama nga ang nabasa ko— naiintindihan mo nga ang kanta lalo na kapag malungkot ka... at sobrang sakit pala talaga lalo na kapag tugmang-tugma sa liriko ang iyong nararamdaman.

It's my grandma's birthday party today. The DJ is playing a different songs from time to time and I can't get those songs off my mind. I came here to have fun, but I just can't enjoy the party because memories are starting to flash back in my mind. Halo-halong ala-ala ngunit mas matimbang ang masasakit na ala-ala.

"Is there something between the two of you?" I asked Margarette and Zavion, teasing.

They stopped talking to each other and faced me. Margarette's eyebrow arched, mabilis na namuo ang disgusto sa kan'yang mukha.

"Ew?" Margarette, in her high pitch voice.

"I was just curious because uh... you're always together?" I said, unsure.

"Gago, kadiri! Wala, ah!" She shivered. Nakita ko pa ang palihim na pagsiko ng kaibigan ko kay Zavion. I shrugged and didn't ask again.

There are a lot of attendees and of course, they're having fun. Lola and Lolo are entertaining the visitors. Kasama ko si Zavion at Margarette dahil hindi sumama sina Mama. Marami raw silang pinagkakaabalahan at hindi nila maisingit 'to sa oras nila. As if they're really that busy. I know that they don't really want to attend because they want to avoid my grandparents. Natatakot na tanungin sila kung paano nila ako itrato sa bahay. Knowing my Lola at Lolo, hindi sila makakapayag na gano'n ang nararanasan ko sa kamay ng mga magulang ko.

"Tangina mo, Seferino. Ano pa nginanganga mo riyan?" Margarette murmured but I still manage to hear it because they're just inches away from me.

"Tumahimik ka. Nakakahiya," ani Zavion sa seryosong boses.

"Kadiri ka naman. Ngayon mo pa pagaganahin 'yang hiya mo..." She whispered.

I tilted my head on the side. My eyebrows furrowed, confused with their actions. Hindi ko na narinig 'yon nang maayos dahil mas'yado niya nang hinihinaan ang kan'yang boses upang sila lang ni Zavion ang makarinig. They really have a hidden jokes that only them could understand it. Even my best friend, who's not fond of hiding something, is now hiding something from me.

Baka may sila ngunit ayaw lang niya sabihin sa akin?

"Dali na! Ang ganda ng kanta, o!"

Zavion ignored her. Margarette keeps on saying something to him that I couldn't hear. His lips curved into a grim line, his eyes darkened. Mukhang napipilit na siya ng kaibigan ko sa kung ano man ang pinag-uusapan nila ngunit pinipigilan lang niya ang kan'yang sarili. Umiwas na lamang ako ng tingin at hinanap kung nasaan sina Lola. I want to talk to her but she's currently busy because of her visitors. Ang daming kaibigan, akala mo nangangampanya.

Crazier by Taylor Swift started playing on the speaker. I was singing quietly and enjoying the song. I keep on tapping my fingers on the table while watching those lovely couples that were dancing in the middle. Napangiti ako sa aking sarili. Everyone seems so in love and happy.