Ludic Selcouth #2: This Song Saved My Life

Chapter 1

I checked the dark hallway before finally sneaking out of my room. I silently closed the door behind me as I tried to walk without making at least a little sound. It’s already 9:30 in the evening and I’m sure that they are already resting inside their room, even the maids. Mabilis pero maingat akong bumaba sa hagdan at tinanaw ang nakasaradong front door.

Obviously, I am going to sneak out tonight. Kagaya ng napag-usapan namin kanina ni Mallory, I will try to accompany her for the gig of Ludic Selcouth.

Hinintay ko talagang magpatay na ng ilaw ang mga kasambahay bago nagbihis at lumabas ng kuwarto. This house doesn’t have any guards so once I reached the gate, I’m going to climb it. Masyadong halata kapag binuksan ko pa ’yon.

Nakita kong umalis sina Iris at April kanina kaya ang inaalala ko na lang ay si Tita Carolina.

Dahan-dahan kong inakyat ang gate nang tuluyan ko ’yong marating. I struggled a bit but it was manageable. I already did this a lot of times.

I sighed heavily when I jumped on the other side, on the outside. I smirked and glanced at the gate before running. I arranged my black flannel to cover me from the cold night. My smile grew wilder when I finally got out of the village. Saglit pa akong naglakad hanggang sa matanaw ko ang highway na marami pa ring sasakyang dumadaan.

My eyes caught Mallory’s white Kia Sportage parked infront of a 24/7 café. Agad ko ’yong nilapitan at agad din na bumukas ang passenger seat. I hopped in and put the seatbelt. Nang lingunin ko si Mallory ay malawak siyang nakangisi sakin. “So... the escape is successful tonight huh. Akala ko magtetext ka na naman sa’kin na nahuli ka,” she said.

I chuckled. “They turned off the lights extra early tonight.”

We were vibing on some rock songs while heading to the bar where Ludic Selcouth’s gig will be held. Parehong nakabukas ang windshield sa side namin habang nilalanghap ang malamig na hanging dala ng gabi.

“I’m sure the bar is so crowded again tonight,” Mallory said as she parked the car on the parking lot. Nagtanggal ako ng seatbelt at lumabas ng kotse. I immediately heard the faint electronic music that’s coming from the inside of the bar. It’s already 9:55 when I checked my wristwatch. Malapit nang magsimula.

Hinigit ako ni Mallory papunta sa bukana ng bar at agad naming pinakita ang aming mga id. Nang tuluyan kaming makapasok ay siya ring pagtigil ng electronic music at simulang pagsisigawan ng mga tao.

The faint smell of smoke and liquor starts to invade my nose. The disco lights are making me dizzy. Sobrang daming tao at siksikan.

Muli kaming naglakad ni Mallory para makapunta sa harapan kung nasaan ang stage na ngayo’y may nakatutok na kulay asul at berdeng spotlight.

Wala pa man ay nagtitilian at nagtatalunan na ang mga babae. May isa pang naapakan ang paa ko. Her stiletto was so sharp that I feel like she crashed my toenails. Mabuti na lang at naka sneakers ako.

Iritado akong nakipagsiksikan sa mga tao habang hawak-hawak pa rin ni Mallory ang braso ko para hindi kami magkahiwalay sa dagat ng mga wild at wasted na tao.

My heart started to beat wildly against my ribcage when I heard the sound of the cymbal. Their drummer is already trying the drums! Mas nagwala ang mga tao kaya halos masiksik na kami ni Mallory. Sumunod na ang pagkalabit sa bass at electric guitar at mukhang tinotono. I can also hear the keys of the keyboard.

Oh my god... this is my first time watching them live!

Marahas akong bumuga ng hangin nang medyo makalapit na kami sa unahan. I wiped the perspiration on my forehead as I let my gaze wander at the stage. May mga tao pa rin sa unahan namin pero maganda na rin naman ang puwesto namin.