Thelieka (TagLish Version)

Lee 13• Betrayal

[Almost three years ago]

[Bro, hindi ba pwedeng unahin mo muna ang banda, kahit ilang oras lang?]

"Sorry Ivo, I swear this is the last time. We still have four months."

['Yon nga, four months. And in between may exams. Kelangan rin natin mag-practice para sa Foundatin Day. Kulang pa nga oras mag-practice sa shcool, hindi pa umuusad ang mga kantang isa-submit sa audition. You even lost the notebook. Lahat ng lyrics natin andoon. Mabuti nalang may files tayo sa ina. It's not enough bro.]

Sa pagmamaktol ng piyanista sa kabilang linya, namasahe ni Lee ang sentido ng maalala ang nawawalang notebook niya. "I'm really sorry. Huli na talaga 'to. If I won't attend the practice next week, maghanap na lang kayo ng ibang drummer. Kailangan lang talaga ako ni Nika sa ngayon."

[Sigurado ka bang siya lang ang may kailangan sa'yo?] Tanong nito matapos ng ilang segundong katahimikan.

"What do you mean?"

[May balanse ka, para kaya Nika, sa musika at sa sarili mo. But now, you're losing yourself Lee. Masyado ng nakadepende sa kanya ang buhay mo.]

Lee ended the call before he could talk back. Inaamin niya, nawala ang kanyang balanse. Because he's afraid she'd remain the same when her mother died. Kahit na maganda ang response ni Nika sa trauma therapy nito, ayon na rin kay Kathlyn, takot siyang na malunod ang kababata sa lungkot. In the process, he's afraid to lose himself.

Still, he left for the Decortia residence after receiving a text from Ivo. [This is the last time, bro.]

Sumalubong sa kanya ang regalo ni Nika, kahit hindi pa ika-dalawampu't lima ng buwan.

"Human Rights for Dummies," he read the book title.

"Tito said you'll be a lawyer, so I think it's a perfect book for you."

"Siya lang may sabi," giit niya. His life would depend on the audition a recording label invited them to. Dahil ang mga miyembro ay menor-de edad, walang tumatanggap na club o bar. Kaya maliban sa school performances, sa Youtube at Soundcloud nila ina-upload ng komposisyon. That's where Spicy Berry gained a small following, increasing a little day by day.

"You want to pursue music?"

Hindi sumagot si Lee, nilaro ang libro sa kamay.

"Why don't you try law? Pwede namang isingit mo ang pagbabanda in between."

"No. The guys are serious, I couldn't give a half-assed effort. That's unfair."

"Then leave the band."

From the letters on pages, his eyes snapped at her direction. "What?"

Nagkibit balikat ito. "I said leave. May future ba talaga sa banda niyo?"

Lee could not understand whether to feel sad or angry. Although she hated how music was taking his time away, Nika was always vocal about praises for his lyrical and composing skills. Yet, his self-proclaimed number one fan is now also doubting him. "Naririnig mo ba ang sinasabi mo?"

"Ang point ko lang naman, bakit ka mag-aaksaya ng oras sa banda? Enough wasting your time. Tama ang daddy mo Lee, we are talking about the future. And your band doesn't have one."

Nahilamos ni Lee ang palad sa mukha. Ang dami niyang gustong isumbat. Ipinagtanggol niya ito sa mga kaibigan at mas mabigat pa sa pangarap niya. Yet, she herself didn't believe in him and his dream.Tumayo si Lee, hinayaang mahulog ang aklat mula sa mga kamay niya. "I'm leaving."

"Wait, saan ka pupunta?" Humarang ito sa harap niya.

He faintly pushed her aside. "Band practice."

"Paano na ako? You're supposed to be with me! Iiwan mo kong mag-isa? I'm sad Lee, why are you leaving me?!"