Hiraya

Chapter 17: Sleep Tonight

Led lights, cozy chill vibes in the surrounding, and everyone minding their business waiting for the band to play on the podium that's currently getting ready.

Xyriena POV

"Xy! May game kayo bukas ah. Ba't ka andito? Hindi ka ba papagalitan?" Jerome, one of my blockmate asked.

Wala naman akong pakialam kung mapagalitan ako eh.

"Hindi ka pa ba sanay diyan? Alam mo namang supportive best friend 'yan" Amy said at diinin ang word na best friend. Tsk.

They proceed to rub it on my face how obvious am I so I repeatedly roll my eyes.

"Gagi. Kahapon nga pinilit ako bumili nung damit na binebenta daw ni Lily. Wala namang kaso sa'kin pero aanhin ko 'yung off shoulder eh wala naman akong jowa na mapagbibigyan" Anton said. One of my circle of friends.

"Wawa ka naman pala pre" Kian teased.

"Crush mo ata ako pre"

"Pano kung oo?"

"Are you guys drunk? Get a room nga! Shut up na din. They're about to perform" basag ko sa kanila at uminom ng beer.

Nilingon ko ulit ang gawi ni Lily at kitang naghahanda na sila. Napatingin ito sa'kin so I smiled, gave her a nod and a thumbs up.

"You two are unusually close these days ah" Kia said na katabi ko lang. They're twins pala ni Kian.

"Oo nga. Hindi niyo na nga ako sinasama"

"Excuse me, Ms. Kleo? You're the one busy flirting with your boyfriend"

"Oh atleast kami may label, eh kayo? Akala mo ba hindi ko napapansin na naglalandian din kayo"

"We're not. You're just malisyosa"

"Ewan ko ha pero hindi mo ba napapansin? She's sticking with you like a glue. I'm not saying it's a bad thing but I advice you to guard your heart" Kleo is acting like a mom again but I understand her so I just nod "Sino nga din ulit ang namili ng kakantahin nila?"

"Uh, I don't know"

"Ikaw, Xy. She took your suggestion which she had never done before. Yung totoo nag confess ka naba?"

"You know I won't do that. What's your point on this topic?"

"Sinasabi ko lang na you guys act lovey dovey. Malaki naman na kayo kung saan kayo masaya. I'll support you"

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko at napailingin. Hindi na rin ako nakapagsalita pa nang tumunog na ang mga instrumento hudyat na magsisimula na sila so my gaze automatically lock at the person in the center who's smiling sweetly in the crowd.

Sleep Tonight by December Avenue began to play. I suggested that because that's what I want to say to her. The crowd falls into silence upon hearing her sing the first verse with much emotion and her angelic voice naturally resonates in my heart. It's an alt-rock song but she magically turns it as if we're entering heaven and she's one of the angels singing upon welcoming us.

Hulog na hulog na naman ako sa babaeng 'to.

"Xy? Hey. Ayos ka lang ba?" Bumalik ako sa relayidad nang may tumapik sa'kin at napakurap nang makita sa harap ko si Lily. Tapos na ba sila? Did I just spaced out by her beauty and singing? Nakakahiya.

"Yeah. I'm fine. You were really cool up there" Ani ko na parang walang nangyari. Ngumiti naman ito. Pansin ko ding kasama nito ang banda niya.

"Thank you. Kinakabahan nga ako eh buti nalang talaga andito ka. Anyway, p'wede ba makiupo?"

"Sure" umusog naman ako at naupo ito sa tabi ko. Umupo din 'yung gitarista sa tabi niya habang yung iba ay pumunta sa kabilang table dahil wala ng space. Dahil kakilala din nila ito ay nagkukwentuhan sila at nag iinuman.