Si Torpe at Si Feeling

Chapter 11~ A Big Show

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Ang nakaraan... (a/n: wow ano to, teleserye?)

Finally, the host announces that we're up and the nerves set in. I took my bass and slipped it on, umakyat na sila sa stage. Pero bago pa naman ako makaakyat sa stage may pumigil sakin.

"Avy." He looked at me with that knowing look. I feel like it's beginning. "Break a leg, princess."

And he cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead as I feel like namula ako. Yup, the plan is on.

Chapter 11: A Big Show

I was first stunned when he kissed my forehead, but I shook it off noong nag-interrupt samin si Candy. And so I finally went on stage and cheers from our classmates and friends erupted from the crowd.

"Good Day Graciello High!" We chorused. "It's Electric Love!"

"I'm Clare Avery Sanchez," I introduce,

"I'm AJ Warsow," followed by Ate AJ,

"I'm Louisse Irving," then Louisse,

"And I'm Szanelle Magbanua." And Szane.

"But unfortunately Jeanna, our leader, can't make it. But the show must go on, shall we begin?" I say to the crowd and they cheer. "Okay, this song might be familiar to you all."

And Szane hits the drums, and we begin.

~Now Playing: Siguro by Yeng Constantino.~

I looked at Ate AJ, slight nervous. Oh god what am I doing? Pero tinignan niya lang ako with a motherly smile and nodded.

"'Ang gusto ko, Ang gusto ko
Gusto ko sanang Sabihin sa iyo
Pero paano, Paano
Pag malapit ka'y Nauutal ako..."

Tinignan ko ang crowd and my eyes instantly spot Jared sa front row sa far right. I suddenly felt nervous again. Baka malaman niyang siya ang kinakantahan ko nito noong recording session namin.

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa mga bandmates ko at sinignal si Louisse na siya naman ang kumanta.

"'Nahihiya, Tumitiklop
Nawawala bigla ang sasabihin ko
Ang nakikita ko lang Ay ang mukha mo
Lahat sa paligid ko Ay naglalaho...'"

I leaned my head slightly forward and began singing the chorus; my eyes staring at him through my peripheral vision as Szane and I sang the chorus with Ate AJ and Louisse did the backing vocals.

"'Siguro'y umiibig, Kahit di mo pinapansin
Magtitiis nalang ako, Magbabakasakaling Ika'y mapatingin
Kahit sa panaginip, Ikaw lang Ang aking hinihiling
Sa bawat ngiti mo, Sa panaginip ko
Parang ayoko nang magising..."

Ate AJ comes over next to me while Szane sings her verse.

"'Ayaw ko, Ayaw ko
Ayoko sanang magmukhang tanga sa'yo
Pero nalilito, Nalilito
Pag sasabihin ay nagbubuhol ang dila ko,'"

"Para ba to kay Jared?" She mouths at me and I nod shyly. "Then show him how you feel."

Then she comes back to her stand after winking at me to sing her part. And I suddenly felt this surge of confidence in me.

"'At tulala nalang sa'yo
Ano ba naman bakit lagi nalang ganito?
Ang nakikita ko lang Ay ang mukha mo
Lahat sa paligid ko Ay naglalaho...'"

I headbanged, letting my hair on the loose, catching J's attention and looked at him while I sang the chorus with my bandmates. He drops his jaw for a second but closed it when I winked at him.

"'Siguro'y umiibig Kahit di mo pinapansin
Magtitiis nalang ako,Magbabakasakaling Ika'y mapatingin
Kahit sa panaginip, Ikaw lang Ang aking hinihiling
Sa bawat ngiti mo, Sa panaginip ko
Parang ayoko nang magising...'"

Tumibok ng mabilis ang puso ko nang tinignan ko na talaga siya sa mata during sa solo ko. Nakatingin din siya sakin at hindi ko alam kung nararamdaman niya rin pero parang kami nalang ang dalawang nandito; no crowd, just the two of us. I could feel my pulse beating like a sledgehammer and... and I hope he's feeling the same way.

"'Parang wala nang mangyayari sa nadarama
Sa bawat araw parang lalong lumalala
Bakit ba sa'yo di parin ako nagsasawa
Aasa nalang, Kahit sa pangarap lang...'"

"'Siguro'y umiibig, Kahit di mo pinapansin
Magtitiis nalang ako, Magbabakasakaling, Ika'y mapatingin
Kahit sa panaginip, Ikaw lang Ang aking hinihiling
Sa bawat ngiti mo, Sa panaginip ko
Parang ayoko nang magising
Siguro'y umiibig Kahit di mo pinapansin
Magtitiis nalang ako, Magbabakasakaling Ika'y mapatingin
Kahit sa panaginip Ikaw lang Ang aking hinihiling
Sa bawat ngiti mo
Sa panaginip ko
Parang ayoko nang magising...'"

I look up from my bass and see the crowd going wild. And I smile inwardly. They love it. But does he?

We gathered sa center ng stage para mag-bow and I chuckle while doing this. We have a high chance of winning this and I couldn't care less. Tapos umalis na kami through the backstage.

I'm still on the high cause of the adrenalin rush kaya napatakbo ako sa dressing room with my arms spread around like an airplane and squealing, "I'm sugar hiiiggghhh!!"

Pagdating ko sa dressing room, napatalon ako at napahiga sa couch. I stared at the plain ceiling and laughed silently, I'm such a fool.

I sat up, determined. At least sa mata nila nililigawan niya ako. He may be trying to win her back, but I'll make him realize that I'm the perfect match for him.

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