Rhythm to My Chaos

Chapter 7

#NewClassicRTMC

Chapter 7
Deal

The awkward silence was very uncomfortable and suffocating. I couldn't move from where I was seated. On the other hand, Ike looked unbothered in front of me, not backing down from Auntie Divina's intense gaze.

Ever since Ike arrived to visit me at home, it was like Auntie Divina put a chain around his neck. She asked him to sit on the dining table after I introduced him to her. I thought she would ask him to join us for lunch, but she just stared at him like a suspicious criminal. She wouldn't even let me sit beside him.

No one dared to pay attention to the dishes served on the table. The foods were getting cold because of the silent confrontation between their gazes. Pakiramdam ko ay mababaliw na ako kung magpapatuloy pa ito.

Kung alam ko lang ay hindi ko na sana pinapunta si Ike sa araw ng day off ni Auntie Divina. Kaya nga lang ay naisip kong mabuti na rin ipakilala ko si Ike sa kanya dahil baka kung ano ang isipin niya kapag itinago ko.

"Kung may gusto po kayong itanong sa akin, huwag na po kayong mag-alangan," matapang na binasag ni Ike ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming tatlo. "I'll answer all of your questions honestly."

Ike never fails to amaze me when it comes to showing his composed self whenever he's being wronged, under pressure or sitting on a hot seat. It was like he knows himself well to be troubled by how others perceived him. He's got too much self-confidence that I aspire to have.

Pinagsalikop ni Auntie Divina ang kanyang mga kamay na nakapatong sa lamesa. Medyo umabante rin ang kanyang katawan upang mas matingnan nang malapitan si Ike.

"Kung ganoon, taga-saan ka?" walang pag-aalangan ni Auntie Divina na simulan ang kanyang pagtatanong. "Ang alam ko lang ay sa resort ka tumutuloy ngayon, pero hindi ka naman talaga taga-Palawan, hindi ba?"

Tipid na tumango si Ike. "Taga-Manila po ako."

"Ilang taon ka na?"

"Twenty-five po."

"Nakapagtapos ka ba ng pag-aaral?"

"Opo."

"Ano ang tinapos mo?"

"Bachelor of Arts in Music Production."

My lips parted as I heard what program he majored in. That was the program I wanted to take before. Kaya nga lang ay walang ganoong kurso na ino-offer dito.

"Ano ngayon ang trabaho mo?" Hindi pa rin tapos si Auntie Divina sa pagtatanong sa kanya.

"Nasa banda po ako," Ike vaguely answered her question, omitting the fact that he's a famous artist and celebrity.

"Nasa banda ka?" Dinig ko ang pagkadismaya sa boses ni Auntie Divina nang malaman iyon.

Napalingon ako sa kanya. Mukhang naging mas lalo siyang hindi naging kampante sa pagpasok ni Ike sa aking buhay.

I knew exactly why she became more wary of Ike the moment she heard that he's a part of a band. She must be reminded of my father who left my mother. Hindi ko rin siya masisisi kung nabahiran no'n ang tingin niya kay Ike.

"At ano naman ang posisyon mo sa banda?"

"Lead guitarist."

Mas lalong napangiwi si Auntie Divina. He has the same position as my father. Parehas silang lead guitarist ng kani-kanilang banda.

Tumikhim si Auntie Divina at sumandal sa kanyang upuan. Iniwas ko ang aking tingin sa kanya at saka ibinagsak sa aking platong wala pang kalaman-laman.