Falling For the Rockstar (Published under Pop Fiction)

Wake Up

ANTHONY

I can't believe Jacob is telling that stupid story again.

Napatingin ako kay Abbie. Seryosos ito habang nire-record ang event gamit ang cellphone ni Jacob.

Habang kumakanta si Jacob ay naalala ko si Sam. Nalala ko ang gabing nag-usap kami sa pool ng mansion. Sam was so nice to me and I was really convinced that she felt the same way.

It's been a long time since we performed this song.

Biglang tumigil si Jacob sa pagkanta kaya't itinigil ko rin ang pagtugtog ng gitara. May tinitingnan ito. Nag-aalala ang kanyang mukha.

I instinctively glanced at Abbie's direction and my heart almost stopped.

Nakahiga si Abbie sa sahig habang pinipilit siyang ginigising ni Cecilia. I dropped the guitar at pinuntahan ko siya.

"Abbie?" I started to panic.

I checked her pulse. She's breathing but she's not responding.

Mabuti na lang at madaling nakapag-isip si Jacob. Lumabas siya ng kuwarto at tumawag ng nurse.

"Please step away, sir. We'll take care of this."

ABIGAIL

Sumasakit ang ulo ko habang dahan-dahan kong binubuksan ang aking mga mata.

Bakit napakaliwanag ng paligid? I closed my eyes and then I opened them again.

Unti-unting nawawala ang sakit ng ulo ko nang tuluyan ko nang binuksan ang mga mata ko. Saka ko lang na-realize na nasa hospital pala ako.

Nasa hospital na naman ako. Tulag nang nagyari five years ago.

I can remember what happened that night like it was just yesterday. Everything was so clear.

Everything was...

Napatigil ako. Naalala ko na ang lahat! Napaiyak ako.

I can remember everything!

Everything flashed in my mind. My childhood memories with my family. My first day in high school. I remember my friends. I remember Sam's wedding. I remember everything!

I was laughing and then I was crying. Then I saw Sam walking towards my direction.

"Mabuti naman at gising ka na. Kumusta ang pakiramdam mo?," nag-aalalang tanong nito.

"Ate..."

"I told Tony to—"

Napatigil si Sam sa kanyang narinig.

"Anong sinabi mo?" Her face full of anticipation.

"Naaalala ko na ang lahat."

Napaiyak si Sam sa tuwa at mahigpit akong niyakap.

"Oh my god, Abbie!! Hindi mo lang alam kung gaano ako kasaya," wika nito habang umiiyak.

Napangiti ako. I remembered the time when I was so cold to her. She did everything for me. Lumipat sila ng Manila para sa akin. Dahil masyadong matigas ang ulo ko.

After the accident, I decided to move away. Away from all the painful things.

"I'm sorry for treating you bad nitong nakaraang limang taon. I really tried to remember you," naiiyak kong sabi sa kanya.

"It's okay. Ang mahalaga naaalala mo na ang lahat," nakangiting sagot ni Sam.

Sam took her cell phone from her pocket.

"Tatawagan ko si Adrian, si mommy at si Nicky. And then I'll call Tony."

Tony? I got confused. Paano nito nalaman na nasa Pilipinas si Tony?

"Alam mong nandito si Tony?" nagtataka kong tanong.

"Yes. He was watching over you kanina. I told him to take Jacob home," sagot ni Sam.

"Paano mo nalaman na nandito si Tony? Matagal mo na bang alam?"

Sam's face looked confused.

"Oo, matagal ko nang alam. One day bigla na lang niya akong tinawagan. He got my number from you. Alam kong nakatira ka sa apartment niya. He even agreed to help you get your memories back."

Ano? Paano nangyari ang mga bagay na ito? Bakit hindi sinabi ni Tony sa akin ang lahat? And he's helping me regain my memories?

I remembered the time na biglang nawala ang cellphone ko. And then it suddenly re-appeared in my room. Si Tony pala ang may gawa noon.

So, lahat ng ginawa niya ay para bumalik ang alaala ko?

"Please don't call him," sabi ko na ikinagulat ni Sam.

"Ha? Bakit?"

"Ayoko siyang makita."

ANTHONY

I was worried sick while staring at Abbie lying on the hospital bed.

Ilang oras na siyang unconsious. Hawak-hawak ko ang kamay niya habang pinagdarasal na sana ay magising na siya. I'm not the praying type but I have prayed hard for Abbie to wake up.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto ay bumukas ang pintuan at pumasok si Sam.

"I came as soon as I can. Nakausap ko na rin 'yung mga doctor sa labas," ang sabi niya. She looked calm and composed.

"They said her vitals are normal but why is she still unconscious?" Hindi ko maiwasang magalit sa mga nangyayari.

I feel so frustrated dahil wala akong magagawa.

"Kailangan lang nating maghintay," mahinahong sagot ni Sam. "How about you? Okay ka lang ba?"

Tumango ako. I am fine. Nag-aalala lang ako para kay Abbie.

"She was doing so well the past few days. May naaalala na nga siya," ang sabi ni Sam while looking at Abbie.

"Really? When? How?" sunod-sunod kong tanong. Walang nabanggit si Abbie tungkol dito.

"About two days ago."

"Anong naalala niya?"

"Something about the accident."

Why didn't Abbie tell me?

"Mukhang hindi ka okay. Kailan ka ba huling kumain?" Sam asked me, her voice full of concern.

Hindi ko na maalala.

"Tony, mas mabuti siguro umuwi ka na lang muna—"

"No, I'll stay here. I'll watch over her," putol ko kay Sam.

"Nandito na ko. You need to take care of yourself and your friend. Jacob is waiting for you outside. Kailangan na ninyong umuwi. You don't want the press to know that you're here."

I totally forgot about Jacob. Tama nga si Sam. Mas malaking problem kapag nakita kami ng press dito.

"Okay, uuwi na ako. Please tawagan mo ako as soon as she wakes up."