straight as guitar strings!

chapter 1 [tag/fil]

PWEDE PALA 'YON?

'Yung taong inis sa buong pagkatao mo, sa kahit anong gawin mo o maski sa paghinga mo, magiging kaibigan mo? Kadalasan nangyayari daw 'yan, pero 'yong maging best friend mo? Man, that was the most unexpected plot twist sa istorya ng buhay ko.

Liam Ramirez, they call me Liam or Li like 'Lee', 18 years old and freshie, ready nang mag-explore. Well, that's true naman pero do'n muna tayo sa twist na sinasabi ko.

Our first encounter started when I was in the last grade of my high school years, twelfth year. That's not actually an encounter for me because siya lang naman ang nakakaalala at dahil siya nga ang nakatatanda ng mga detalye at paulit-ulit kinukwento, nakabisado ko na ang mga pangyayari. Yata? Sana.

This is according to his narrative, and I would try to remember them sa abot ng aking makakaya...

Sa hindi magkamayaw na mga estudyanteng palisaw-lisaw at palaboy-laboy sa masikip na hallway ng Libertad University, na maluwang naman talaga kapag normal days. Gan'to ang eksena talaga kapag katatapos lang ng finals at nalalapit na ang summer break.

Samu't saring ingay, kwentuhan at tawanan ang ume-echo mula sa lockers na bukas-sara din kasabay ng mga bibig ng mga Libertians na may kanya-kanyang topics. With textbooks stashed away and pencils set aside, ready to say goodbye na sila lalo na ang mga seniors; hindi lang sa summer break kundi sa graduation nilang sumisilip na rin na dinaig pa si Jose Marie Chan kapag papalapit na ang holiday seasons.

Dahil nga limot ko na, mabilis ako makalimot kasi, pero ayon sa kanya ay naglalakad raw ako no'n sa corridor na parang hinahangin ang isip, mukhang pagod at boring. That's true.

Tumigil ako sa paghakbang at napako ang mga paa nang mapatingin sa bulletin board, my eyes scanning over various posters and announcements. A frown creased my brow as I pushed aside my unruly dark hair. My gaze landed on a colorful poster that practically vibrated with excitement, its bold letters spelling out the words "Battle of the Bands."

That announcement caught my attention, parang may idea na nag-spark sa isipan ko. The Year-End Party's centerpiece event, the Battle of the Bands, tila inaakit akong i-take ang chance na 'yon to explore new things. Well, music had always held a special place in my heart, but it was a realm I had never dared venture into beyond my solitary guitar sessions.

Binasa ko ang detalye ng competition, maigi at inulit-ulit pa. Marami na ring nagdaraan at lumalampas sa'kin, hindi ko naman in-expect na do'n na pala 'yon magsisimula. Given that overflowing crowd, in the midst of the commotion, a collision occured. I got staggered slightly, a sharp jolt coursing through my body as my gaze collided with another's. I found myself locking eyes with someone I didn't know. Yeah, hindi ko pa siya kilala that time. But he is Leo. What a pretty name that suits his pretty face.

Leo Quintero is his name, whose gaze held a mixture of annoyance and indifference. Amidst the clamor of his bandmates, an apology seemed to be an unspoken casualty.

"Fucking watch where you're going bullshit," he muttered under his breath, his tone laced with irritation.

His bandmates erupted into laughter; their playful teasing directed at the collision that had occurred. "Seems like this one's not in the mood to dance, boys," one of them quipped, earning a chorus of chuckles.

He said that day I seemed so flipped like my heart wanted to explode 'cause he said he saw my fingers tightened around the edge of the poster but he said that encounter, brief as it was, lingered in his mind.

Ang nakakatawa kong ginawa... He said, I just pretended to be busy looking at the bulletin so I wouldn't have gotten into a trouble, besides it wasn't in my genes to do such terrible act.

Naputol lang ang tensyon nang tumunog ang bell. The final echoes of the school bell were replaced by the harmonious buzz of excited chatter. The exhilaration of impending summer break permeated the air.

That's recess time, nagpunta raw sila sa cafeteria. Kasama niya ang mga bandmates niya, a lively bunch of characters, of course, surrounded ba naman siya ng mga kaibigang infectious ang energy. 'Yong mga tawa nilang pinupunan ang hangin na parang 'yon at 'yon din lang ang gusto nilang lasapin.

"Man, that collision earlier... that was epic," Jesse, the drummer, exclaimed with a wide grin, nudging Leo playfully. "You and that guy... it's like a meet-cute straight out of a movie."

Leo rolled his eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Yeah, right. More like a meet-awkward," he retorted, recalling our collision earlier.

"Don't mind him, Leo. It's just that hunger talking," Remy, the keyboardist, chimed in, ruffling Leo's hair in mock sympathy as the group erupted into laughter.

"Alright, alright, let's feed the hungry beasts," Leo conceded, leading the way toward the crowded cafeteria.

Inside the cafeteria, the aroma of freshly cooked meals wafted through the air, enticing hungry Libertians to form orderly lines. Leo and his bandmates shuffled along, trays in hand, their enthusiasm undiminished by the inevitable wait.

Noong papalapit na sila sa cashier, naisip niya na lang daw ako bigla kanina. Bumalik daw ang inis niya at itinatak na isipan niya ang mukha ko as his most hated person that God mistakenly created.

His brow furrowed, a curious mixture of emotions bubbling within him. A pang of irritation and an unexplainable yearning seemed to intertwine as he remembered my obliviousness to my surroundings. Then napansin niyang natulala siya sa malayo at sobrang distracted sa kung anong iniisip.

"Hey, Leo," Remy quipped, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Earth to Leo!"

Jesse and the others joined in, playfully nudging Leo and chanting his name, as if trying to pull him out of his reverie. Leo finally blinked, and shot his friends an exasperated look.

"What's got you starstruck, man?" Jesse teased, waggling his eyebrows.

Leo's lips twitched into a half-smile; his cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "Nothing, alright? Just lost in thought."

His thoughts returned to my absorbed expression as per he assumed. He couldn't quite pinpoint why it bothered him.

Once malagyan nang mga foods ang mga tray nila ay hinanap na nila ang available na table na kakasya silang lahat. Sa pinuwestuhan nilang table ay halos pumalakpak ang tainga ni Leo nang marinig na usap-usapan siya ng mga Libertian girls na excited sa paparating na Battle of the Bands.

"I'm telling you, Rhythmix is going to crush it this year," one voice proclaimed confidently.

"OMG, true! I've heard they're super tight-Leo's bass skills are killer," another chimed in.

Leo exchanged a knowing look with his bandmates, the confidence in their abilities bolstered by the praise that surrounded them. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride-they had their sights set on victory.

S'yempre, may angking kahambugan, in-approach ni Leo ang mga babae. "Hey," pagsabat niya, malarong ngiti ang binigay, halatang sinadya, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Sorry ha, ang lakas kasi ng maritesan n'yo but I'm glad to know you're all rooting for us."

Siyempre ang mga girls daw, for the blush and for the giggle. Caught off guard sa approach ni Leo, obvious naman, 'di ba?

One of them, a freckle-faced brunette, offered a shy smile. "Yeah, we're totally Team Rhythmix. You guys are going to show everyone what you're made of, right?"

E 'di lalong lumawig ang ngisi ni Leo, lumaki ang ulo. "You bet we will. Get ready for a performance you won't forget," sabay kindat.

As Leo returned to his table, the excited whispers of the girls followed him, their conversation now centered on the encounter. "This time, we will end the curse. We'll never be the always first runner up. We will be the champion," said Leo while looking in the eyes of his bandmates one by one.

Amid the laughter, the aromas of comfort food, and the spirited conversations, the countdown to the Battle of the Bands had officially begun.