Epicenter Tape #2: Point in Time

#PIT20

#PIT20

I tapped my fingers on my notebook, nakapangalumbaba ako at nakatulala sa abalang sila Tanner at Kees habang inaayos ang tuners bago tumugtog. Hesper was busy on the drum set, too—he was calmly testing it with his drumsticks while Ajax is laughing on his cellphone. Eris on the other side was just sitting; crossed legs, watching blankly.

"Eris!" Hesper called. "You wanna try here? I'll take the bass."

Eris didn't talk, he just stood up and went to him quietly. Hesperus rose up so he could take the seat, tahimik ang pagsulyap nila Tanner kay Eris at hinahayaan iyon sa bawat kilos.

Iyan ang natutunghayan ko tuwing weekends, madalas si Eris ang pugad ng sermon sa lahat at si Ajax ang taga kalma sa sitwasyon kapag nagkakapikunan habang si Kees ay iling lang at dismayadong nakikinig sa kanilang iringan. I kinda don't like his leadership because he's keeping his words in. Though, he has a choice to be silent.

Eris has been the Epicenter's headache for months, madalas nga ay wala siya sa training nila. His girlfriend is the biggest part of the issue, seems like he's losing himself because they're complicated.

They started practicing for Sonic Sounds' anniversary party this coming weekend, importante rin daw iyon dahil doon sila ipapakilala sa mga bisita bilang Epicenter kahit hindi pa nag de-debut at ang mga bisita ay malamang na mula sa bigating kumpanya sa industriya at business partners ng Sonic Sounds kaya enggrande at kailangan talaga nila daluhan kasama rin ang iba pang talents.

Tanner said that it can be a great card.

"Let's start, come on!" Ajax said gleefully while clapping.

Sa kanilang lahat, siya lang iyong tila walang problema at masaya lang sa gawain nila bilang banda.

They formed in front, nakapuwesto na sa kani-kanilang mga lugar. I straightened up in anticipation with a smile, inaayos ni Tanner ang guitar strap sa kanyang balikat habang nakayuko roon at bahagyang natatakpan ng medyo mahabang buhok iyong mukha niya.

My eyes couldn't leave his side, this is my damn routine every time I watch them. I really love watching him, he's like a light in my sight. I must admit but it would stay just thoughts, I'm never gonna admit it in his face.

Sa pang-unang palo ni Eris sa drum set ay agad silang naglingunan at miski ako ay napangiwi dahil wala man lang siyang senyales sa mga ka-banda.

"Can you at least give a signal?" Hesperus asked in a calm way while holding the bass guitar.

"Parang bago!" biro ni Ajax. "Hayaan na, ulit na lang!"

Eris lazily did it and the other instruments followed, iritado na si Hesperus nang bumaling at sumunod.

They'll be covering a song, hindi ko mabilang kung ilang beses silang umulit sa umpisa dahil sa mga pagkakamali ni Eris nang araw na iyon bago nakuha ang tama. Mukhang mataas naman ang pasensya nila kay Eris dahil alam nilang may personal na problema kaya nagpapatuloy pa rin sila at pinagbibigyan siya.

"Take the beats, Hesper," Kees demanded icily when Eris pointed another mistake.

Iritado si Hesperus pero hindi umangal at pinalitan si Eris sa drum set, he even whispered something that Eris almost strangled him but Ajax and Tanner quickly pulled them apart.

"Ano ba 'yan, mga tol?!" agap ni Ajax.

"I didn't say anything fucking wrong!" Hesperus hissed and pushed Tanner away to fix his shirt while glaring at Eris. "What's your problem, Arriaga?"

"Ikaw! Kanina ka pa, e!" pikon na asik ni Eris at tinulak si Ajax. "Anong problema mo sa akin?!"

The tension is undeniable, pati akong nanonood lang ay kinakabahan sa maaaring mangyari at magawa nilang dalawa.