Chapter 13: A Night To Remember

Ace's POV

MYGAHD!

Kahit saan ako tumingin lahat sila galit na galit at gustong manakit! Nasa pinakagitna pa naman ako ng venue at pakiramdam ko anytime dudumugin na ako ng kulto ni Seph.

"Ace! How could you! Akitin mo na lahat ng guys sa mundo, 'wag lang si Seph! He's our baby!" Tara shouted and she's furious.

Pati rin si Tara, kasama sa kulto ni Seph kaya nagseselos siguro siya! Kasalanan 'to ni Seph! Kung hindi niya tinawag ang pangalan ko, sana payapa pa ang mundo ko!

"Master, kanina pa kita hinihintay. Ikaw lang ang special guest ko at ikaw lang ang lagi kong hinahanap. Simula nang makilala kita, you've been on my mind the whole time." Seph announced and lahat ng fans niya narinig and I'm doomed!

Tiningnan ko sina Jeffrey and Lucas at umiiling sila. They're not happy and they were looking at me at parang sobrang disappointed sila sa akin.

"Ipagpapalit na lang tayo ni Seph, sa isang lalaki pa? Sino ba siya sa tingin niya?" Someone shouted in the background pero hindi ko alam kung sino.

"Lakas ng loob nito na mang-agaw ah?" Another one shouted.

Jeffrey and Lucas walked away dahil sa disappointment and Seph was laughing so hard at the stage. Then bigla na lang may namangga sa akin and I don't even know who that person is!

Bigla niya akong sinakal and tuwang tuwa ang mga nasa paligid ko. Tinatanggal ko ang mga kamay ng taong nananakal sa akin but I can't. Everything became red and tila nabingi ako sa napakalakas at matinis na tunog mula sa feedback ng mic. Sa sobrang tinis, it was hurting my ears na para bang mabubutas na ang eardrums ko. I can see that everybody's laughing and they were so happy na nahihirapan ako.

Palakas nang palakas ang feedback ng mic that I had to close my eyes and cover my ears dahil hindi ko na talaga kaya!

Ang nasa isip ko lang this time is makauwi na ako sa room ko and I want to hide under my bed! Ayaw ko na! Natatakot ako!

Habang nakapikit pa ako, nakaramdam ako ng mga kamay na patuloy na hinahawakan ang katawan ko na para bang niyuyugyog nila ako. Someone's calling my name repeatedly and after a while, a warm and tender hand suddenly touched my head and my back like it healed my mind and soul.

Biglang humina ang feedback ng mic but still, naririnig ko pa rin na tinatawag ang pangalan ko.

"Ace! Ace! Ace!"

Nang nawala na ang feedback ng mic, I opened my eyes...

"Okay ka lang, Ace?" I looked at the person who's touching my head so tenderly... it was Lucas and he was caressing my hair so delicately.

"Bakit bigla ka pumikit at nagtakip ng mga tainga? Naiingayan ka ba?" Jeffrey, on the other hand that's tapping my back, asked me.

Napatingin ako sa paligid ko and they were all standing and normal lang sila! Naghihintay lang sila na magsimula ang concert! Tara, Harry and Chester were looking at me and tila bigla sila nagaalala.

"Ace, uwi na tayo?" Chester asked.

"Kain na lang tayo sa labas?" Harry asked.

"Ace, what happened? Nag daydream ka na naman ba?" Tara also asked.

I looked at Lucas and Jeffrey and they were so worried. Then tumingin ako sa stage and no one was there!

MYGAHD!

Nananaginip na naman ako! Nag daydream na naman ako! Ano nangyayari sa akin! Am I really that bothered? Kung ano ano na naiisip ko!

Huminga ako ng malalim and I replied to both Jeffrey and Lucas, "Okay lang ako. Bigla lang ako may naalala." I said and tiningnan ko ang mga kamay nila na nakahawak sa buhok and sa likod ko and gave them a sarcastic smile.

They immediately removed their hands and said, "Sorry, natakot lang. Hehe!" Lucas said.

"Akala ko kung napano ka na eh." Jeffrey added.

Then, lahat ng tao ay biglang pumalakpak since lumabas na ang guy host that's also a senior high student sa school namin for the concert and welcomed us.

"Good evening sa inyong lahat! Thank you so much for patiently waiting dahil magsisimula na tayo sa ating Concert for a cause! Humanda na sa rakrakan dahil magpeperform ang tatlong band from our Music club! At siempre, ang pinakainaabangan niyong lahat ang may pinakamalaking fanbase sa school, ang "The Stay"!"

Biglang naghiyawan ang lahat and even Tara, Harry, and Chester were cheering. Sobrang fan siguro sila ni Seph and I didn't even know that guy is famous! So, tingnan natin kung anong ibubuga niya. I've never heard him sing, but yes, I admit maganda ang speaking voice niya. Nakakaakit, I would say.

"From music club lahat ng mag peperform?" I asked Lucas that's standing beside me sa kanan ko.

"Oo, 'yun ang naisip na project ng music club this year and by the looks of it, napakasuccesful na ganitong nagsisimula pa lang. Isa pa, si Seph ang nagisip ng concert na 'to since he's the president of the music club." Lucas said.

Lumabas na ang first band and nagsimula na sila kumanta. And ang una nilang kinanta is "Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat".

"Ahh! This song's my jam! Sobrang paborito ko 'to!" Jeffrey said and he was standing beside me sa kaliwa ko naman. He looks so happy and was just listening to the smooth melody and harmony ng singers ng first band.

"Favorite ko rin 'tong kanta na 'to! Napakalight kasi ng music!" I said to Jeffrey.

"Talaga? Nice! Pag may concert si Jason Mraz, gusto mo sumama? I'll treat you." he said and smiled at me.

Gusto ko pumunta and sumama since I've never been to a concert ng mga famous artists from the west. Kaso, nahihiya ako since it would cost a lot and siempre kaming dalawa lang ni Jeffrey and it would look like a date, so I'd rather not. Hindi ko na lang siya sinagot and I smiled at him and umiling.

While I was just looking at the stage and listening to the chorus "I'm lucky I'm in love with my bestfriend...", Lucas then asked me, "Ace, pwede ba kita maging bestfriend?"

"Ha? Baliw ka Lucas! Hindi naman agad agad na dedecide 'yan!" I said and laughed.

"Joke lang! Hehe!" he said.

Sige lang, ituloy niyo lang 'yang mga ginagawa niyo and itutuloy ko lang isarado ang puso ko from any interferences!

After a while, the last band, which is Seph's band,  started to walk on stage. Biglang humiyaw ang lahat nang makita nila si Seph. He looks so cool with his leather jacket, black ripped jeans and dahil sa rocker outfit and aura niya, kaya madami talaga nagkakagusto sa kanya. Isa pa, he's good looking and an eye-catcher.

He went in the middle of the stage and hindi man lamang siya nagsalita. He's showing this deadpan face but still everybody was shouting and cheering for him. Even sina Harry, Chester and Tara ay nakikicheer din.

Pero habang nakatingin ako sa kanya, iba siya from when I first met him. Hindi siya nakangiti and he looks so cold. Tama nga sila, he looks so unsociable, but maybe it's just a facade as well para hindi siya lapitan? But then again, he was smiling the whole time noong kasama ko siya, was that his different side na ako lang ang nakakita?

The drummer started the beat and walang pasabi, Seph started to give us a very high note with a husky and deep voice. With that, just one note na nanggaling sa kanya, I became a fan. Nagulat ako dahil not only his speaking voice is awesome, but pati na rin kung paano siya kumanta. Sobrang "into it" siya habang nag peperform and kinikilabutan ako while watching him from a far. And what's amazing is that even though na malayo siya sa paningin ko, para siyang kumakanta sa harapan ko and I feel like I'm melting! But that's not good! Hindi pwede 'yun!

He's currently performing "I Write Sins Not Tradegies by Panic! At the Disco" and it's so good! Grabe! Bagay na bagay sa kanya 'yung ganitong song and my heart is pumping like gusto ko makipagrakrakan kina Harry, Chester, and Tara but I needed to back off! I can't let him touch my heart through his singing!

After their performance, grabe ang hiyawan ng mga tao and 'yung tipong kita na 'yung litid sa leeg nila... but wait! Parang familiar 'tong scene na 'to! Mygahd! Baka magkatotoo 'yung daydream ko!

Then someone from Seph's band, the lead guitarist, his name is Joker and may sinabi siya...

"As part of our last song, mag iinvite kami ng isang jammer from one of our audiences! Sino kaya ang maswerteng makikipag-jamming kay Seph?"

Everybody raised their hands and even Tara, Harry and Chester. Not only that, pati si Jeffrey and Lucas were raising their hands!

"What? Pati kayo guys? Come on!" I said and napansin ko na ako lang ang hindi nakataas ng kamay. Well, mag eexpect pa ba ako sa kulto ni Seph? Haha!

Joker, the lead guitarst of Seph's band is still searching for a Jammer. Sobrang daming nagtataas ng kamay and makapili kaya siya?

"Ayun! May nakita na ako!" he said habang may tinuturo siya. I can't tell kung sino 'yun dahil sa dami ng tao na nasa venue.

"Ako 'yan! Ako 'yan please!" Tara shouted and was begging. Grabe, fan na fan talaga siya ni Seph. Nakakatawa lang! Haha!

"Hindi! Ako 'yan! Ako ang kakanta!" Chester interrupted.

I guess even my friends are members of the cult. Haha!

"Ang napili naming makikipag jamming kay Seph is 'yung nasa middle part ng venue." Joker said.

"Yes! Ako na 'yan!" Chester shouted.

"No, not you!" Joker said, "'Yung nagiisang tao na hindi nagtataas ng kamay."

Chester, Harry, and Tara slowly looked at me na para bang I did a mortal sin. Even the others ay napatingin sa akin... Oh no! Nagiging totoo na 'yung daydream ko! Pakiramdam ko, kailangan ko na makaalis sa lugar na 'to!

Tinuro ko ang sarili ko and I was looking at Joker na nakatayo sa stage.

"Yes! Ikaw! Please pumunta ka dito sa stage." he said.

I looked at Seph from a far and he gave me a smirk but then hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita.

But then, I can't go up sa stage! I'm not even cut out to be a performer! Though I do sing but not in front of crowd and sa banyo lang ako kumakanta!

Hindi ako makagalaw and I feel like na stunned na lang ako sa bilis ng mga pangyayari. This was supposed to be a normal night for me... but no it wasn't!

Hinawakan bigla nina Harry and Chester ang kamay ko and hinila nila ako papalapit sa stage.

"No! Ayoko! Bitawan niyo ako!" I shouted.

"Minsan lang 'to, Ace! Pakita mo 'yang talent mo! Lagi ka namin naririnig sa C.R. ni Harry na kumakanta! Ngayon ka kumanta!" Chester shouted.

"'Okay lang 'yan, Ace! Dito lang kami sa harap!" Harry shouted.

Wala na rin ako nagawa at nasa stairs na ako ng stage and the whole band is waiting for me. Nahihiya ako sa totoo lang since I don't want anybody's attention, especially not in front of Seph's cult!

"Tara na dito sa stage, cutie boy!" Joker said.

What "cutie boy"? That's not my name! Kung hindi ka lang senior high and kaibigan ni Seph, sinapak ko na 'to!

Umakyat ako sa stage and Seph was looking at me and gave me this bright smile na hindi niya pinakita kanina sa performance niya and everybody screamed nang makita nila na ngumiti si Seph. What? First time nila makita ngumiti 'yung tao?

Since nanginginig ako and hindi ako makaakyat ng maayos, sinundo ako ni Joker sa stairs and binulungan ako, "Don't worry, hindi ka naman namin pahihiyain."

"Dapat lang... po!" I said.

And ayun na nga, I was standing beside Seph and hindi niya ako kinakausap and he was so quiet like hindi kami magkakilala.

"Okay! Nandito na ang ating jammer for the night!" Joker shouted, "Anong pangalan ni Mr. Cutie boy?"

Tch! That's not my name!

"Martin Ace." I said while nakayuko ako because of the attention that everyone's giving.

"Tropa namin 'yan!" Chester shouted!

Lalo ako nahiya dahil sa mga kaibigan ko! Wew!

"So, Martin Ace, anong year ka na and from what section?" Joker asked.

"I'm from Section 1 third year po." I answered.

"Matalino pala si Mr. Cutie Boy Martin Ace! Senior mo 'to si Seph. Section 1 din 'yan!" Joker said.

So section 1 din pala si Lucas since classmates sila ni Seph. I guess matalino din pala si Lucas pero hindi lang halata. Haha!

"Anong gusto mong kantahin natin? Siempre kung saan ka mas comfortable, mas okay." Joker asked.

Hindi ako makapag-isip dahil paano pa ako makakapag focus sa kalagayan ko. Isa pa, I don't even want to sing in front of this crowd! What if ayaw nila sa boses ko?

I was so speechless so Joker decided to ask the audience and siempre, itong mga ever-loving tropa ko ang nanguna.

"Ang Huling El Bimbo!" Chester and Harry shouted.

"Nice 'yan!" Joker said, and then he whispered, "Martin Ace, okay ba sa'yo?"

"I guess?" I said as if I still have a choice?

"Seph, good sa'yo yan? Fave song mo 'to 'di ba?" Joker asked Seph.

"Mm." Seph said and nodded na parang ayaw niya talaga magsalita. Naninibago ako sa kanya at sobrang tahimik niya talaga! Bring back the old "Seph"! I'm not used to this kind of "Seph"!

"Palakpakan naman nating lahat, si Martin Ace our jammer for tonight mula Section 1 Third year!" Joker said and pumalakpak ang lahat.

As the drummer started the beat, kinabahan ako bigla and the spotlight was burning my eyes and wala akong makita. Ang nakikita ko lang is the stage, Seph and his bandmates and aside from that, wala na. Even my friends, hindi ko sila gaanong makita dahil sa spotlight.

Seph smiled at me like he's telling me na wala dapat akong ikatakot and that he's with me... or baka ako lang ang nag-iisip noon?

He started to sing and everybody was so amazed and pinalakpakan na agad siya sa first note pa lang. Paano ko tatapatan itong si Seph. Mamaya ma "boo" lang ako sa stage.

Seph was done singing his part from the first verse up until chorus and it's my turn to sing. Nanginginig talaga ako and hindi ko alam kung makakakanta ako. Mamaya my nerves will take the best of me!

And... it was my queue. 2nd verse na pero di pa rin ako nagsisimula kumanta. Hindi rin umaalis sa chords ng second verse and bandmates ni Seph and they were waiting for me to sing.

I don't know what to do and I don't know what will happen!

But then, may mainit na kamay na humawak sa waist ko and I felt the warmness from the right side of my body. Nilapitan ako ni Seph and he was holding me... no, almost like hugging me! Don't!

"Kaya mo 'yan, Master. Sing and nandito ako sa tabi mo." he whispered.

Pumikit ako dahil hindi ko na kaya, and my lips were shaking pero my body just went out of control. Bigla na lang lumabas sa bibig ko ang mga lyrics and I started singing.

"Naninigas ang aking katawan..."

The first line of the 2nd verse is literally me right now!

I continued and everybody became so quiet and they stopped cheering. I was thinking that maybe may hindi ako nagawang maganda or my singing sucks!

I paused for a while since the audience were so quiet and Seph whispered again, "Tuloy mo lang. You're doing great! I love your voice, Ace."

Hindi ko alam but bigla ako naging confident sa sarili ko dahil sinabi ni Seph that I was good and coming from him, the president of the Music Club, said it to me, right in front of my face!

I looked at Seph's other bandmates and I started singing when Joker nodded at me and smiled. He was lipsyncing the next lyrics so I decided to sing and that's when everybody clapped and narinig ko na rin ang hiyawan. Siempre, pinakamalakas 'yung boses ni Harry and Chester dahil pag tropa, buong kaluluwa nila nakasuporta sa'yo. Haha!

After kumanta, the spotlight dimmed and nakita ko na ulit ang crowd and they were smiling and para silang kinikilig and I don't know why. I looked at Tara, Chester And Harry and they were mocking me! Nag sisignal na si Chester ng 2 sa kamay niya. I don't know what that means but then Harry showed his phone. I get it now... and that's another point for Seph. So may two points na siya making him the frontrunner sa puso ko... wait what?

"Magaling ka pala kumanta, master. Mas lalo akong nagiging interesado sa'yo. Why don't you join our club?" Seph whispered.

Then, natauhan ako dahil he was still holding my waist! Is that why the audience were smiling at us? What the heck!

I Immediately removed my body from his grip at lumayo ako ng kaunti dahil sobra akong nailang at baka mamaya, bugbugin ako ng mga fans niya becuase of the way Seph is holding my body!

"Kahit 'wag ka na mag audition. Pwede na 'tong jam mo sa amin as your audition!" Joker added.

I don't know what to say and nahihiya ako since hindi naman ako totally into music.

"But hindi ka namin piilitin, Ace, if hindi ka pa ready." Seph said.

"Palakpakan natin ulit si Martin Ace ang ating jammer! Nakikipagsabayan sa galing ni Seph!" Joker said.

Everybody cheered and hindi ko inexpect ito. I thought na mapapahiya ako and dudumugin ako ng cult ni Seph, but then it turned out great!

"Pwede na ako bumalik sa friends ko?" I asked Joker and Seph.

"Yes!" Joker said and Seph nodded.

Then from there on, naging cold na naman ang itsura ni Seph and ayun na nga. I think he's showing his other side, 'yung side na hindi nakikita ng iba. 'Yung side na bright and happy which is ang nakakakita lang ay from his closest friends... and baka sa akin? I don't know and I don't want to assume.

After the concert, umuwi na rin kami and I was so damn tired na tipong paghiga ko sa kama, plakda na ako.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The next day, my alarm clock is ringing pero mas nagising ako kina Harry and Chester dahil niyuyugyog nila ang katawan ko.

"Ace! Gumising ka! Tingnan mo 'to!" Chester shouted like it's the end of the world.

"Ano ba 'yan? umagang umaga!" I grumpily said.

"Ace, kalma ka lang, okay?" Harry said.

"Kayo nga itong hindi kalmado!" I said.

Then, Chester showed me a post, or a picture rather from a our school fanpage sa isang social media apo sa phone niya. I was so shocked that I can't even say a word!

I saw a picture of me and Seph sa stage last night sa concert where Seph was almost hugging me!

I'm doomed... right?

End of Chapter 13