Harmony Of Bullets

Bullet 4

ERNALINE'S POV:

"Stop laughing and do your work." Utos pa nito.

"Ayoko! Dito lang ako. Dapat nga dinala mo yong gitara ko eh nang may mapaglibangan ako dito sa opisina mo."

"Musical instrument is not allowed. We are inside the company Ashleigh and do as I've said."

"No!" Humalukipkip ako sa upuan at doon nagmaktol. Narinig ko na lang ang pagbuntong-hininga ni Kuya at hindi na ako pinansin pa nito.

Humiga ako sa couch at nakipagtitigan sa kisame. Unti-unting napupunta sa ibang dimensyon ang utak ko habang iginagalaw ang paa ko na tila nagkukuyakoy na tambay sa kanto.

Pumasok sa isipan ko ang isang senaryo kung saan nakatayo ako sa gitna ng entablado, sukbit ang gitara sa katawan ko at isang mikropono sa harapan ko.

As I stand on the centre stage, I can hear the loud sound of instruments being played with precision, the crowd screaming my name in excitement, and the rhythmic beats echoing through the air. My bandmate, standing beside me, is also performing with an intense passion, making the entire experience more exhilarating. The energy of the moment is palpable, and I feel a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins as we continue to play our music.

Hindi ko namalayan na kumakanta na pala ako at nanatili ako sa mundo na tanging musika, instrumento, sigawan ng tao ang tanging kasama ko. My voice filled out all over Kuya Reiden's office and he didn't mind if I sing since we both know that I have talents.

Bata pa lang ay sumabak na ako sa iba't-ibang home lessons na pwedeng i-offer ni Daddy except sa martial arts or something na related sa physical.

Hindi naman ako sakitin but since I am also the heir of Montenegro Empire, hindi lingid sa kaalaman ko na baka isang araw ay padamputin na lang ako bigla dahil isa mga iyon ang nakaaway o napabagsak ni Kuya Reiden sa ngalan ng business.

My family always worried about me especially Kuya Reiden. There were times na sabay kaming nakidnap noong mga bata pa lamang kami kaya naman he did his best to protect me at all cost.

I do understand his possessiveness towards me dahil dalawa lang kaming magkapatid and randam ko naman kung gaano niya ako kamahal.

"I wasn't aware that you had a functioning stereo system in your office."

Natigil ang pagkanta ko at napabalikwas ako nang marinig ko ang isang boses ng lalaki na hindi pamilyar sa akin.

Sumulip ako sa head rest ng couch at nakita ko ang isang lalaki na nakasuot ng business suit tulad ng kay Kuya.

Tumingin sa akin si Kuya at sinamaan ako nang tingin ng makita nito ang ayos ko - nakalilis paitaas ang suot kong pencil cut na palda at tumambad ang cycling na suot ko kaya naman napangiwing nag-peace sign ako kay Kuya bago umayos ng upo.

"What brought you here De Chavez?" Baling ni Kuya sa bisita nito bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa binabasa.

"Nothing special, though I have a little bit problem."

Umupo 'yong De Chavez na tinawag ni Kuya sa bakanteng silya at nagde-kwatro pa ito ng paa as he taps his finger on Kuya Reiden's table.

"If it's about your rants in life, spare my ears, De Chavez. I have lots of work to do." Kuya Reiden responded uninterestedly to whatever his friend might tell him.

"Bakit ba lagi ninyo na lang akong tinataboy? Aqueros did shoo me away too."

"And then?"

"Wala. Share ko lang."

"Pft." Natakpan ko ang sarili kong bibig para pigilan ang pagtawa ko.

I love how the way he answered my Kuya. As if they had known each other for a long time since my brother didn't address someone using their surname if he didn't know him or her.

"Fine. I will tell you what brings me here." Panimula nito without minding my presence. "The vocalist of the band left the group without telling me. Sila yong gumawa nito pero ako 'yong namomroblema." dugtong pa nito.

"You deserve it since you owned that fvcking entertainment."

"Nandoon na tayo sa part na ako nga ang may-ari noon pero alam mo namang bago pa lang ang banda pero ang damuho iniwan sa ere kung kailan nasa kasikatan na sila."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi nang kausap ni Kuya Reiden. Masama ang makinig sa usapan ng matatanda kaya naman kinuha ko na lang ang phone ko sa coffee table at isinalpak ang earphone sa earphone jack nito bago ipinasak sa tenga ko.

Tumugtog ang pamilyar na tugtugin na isa sa mga paborito kong banda - ang Lawless. They are new in the industry but I love how they deliver the songs.

I enjoy myself with the song and didn't bother what my brother and his friend wanted to talk. Dapat talaga dinala ko na lang ang gitara ko at doon ako tumambay sa rooftop nitong kompanya.

Yong pagtutulala ko ng tatlong oras kanina, nakalimang kanta na siguro ako kung hindi lang ako isinama ni Kuya Reiden dito.

"You could make an audition for the vacant position if you want." Rinig kong sabi ni Kuya nang matigil ang tugtog.

"I'll talk with them about it pero mas gusto nilang kasama si D since he's the one who built the band and pushed it to its highest peak."

"It's impossible for him to take on any additional responsibilities with his life already consumed by the looming presence of Aqueros. We all find ourselves ensnared by its oppressive grasp, leaving us unable to break free and move forward."

The guy heaves a sigh. "Bakit di mo na lang ako bigyan nang singer para naman malutas ang problema ko?"

"Do I look like a fcking talent agency? Do it on your own." Napipikang sagot ni Kuya.

The guy brushes his palm on his face out of frustration. "Help me with this one Grei,"

Bakas sa boses nito ang pagiging desperado kaya nagulat ako ng tumingin si Kuya sa gawi ko dahilan para mapalingon sa akin ang lalaking kausap nito.

"I can recommend her if you want but I won't promise that if something happened to her while she's under your care, I won't be nice towards you Calvin."

Umangat ang kanang kilay ko.

"Her? What do you mean?" nagtatakang tanong naman ng binata.

"This talented individual possesses a gift for composing music. In addition to her compositional skills, she is also an accomplished singer, a skilled guitarist, and proficient in playing various other musical instruments. However, when it comes to performing in front of an audience, she lacks the necessary confidence or perhaps the desire to do so."

Parang gusto kong kunyatan si Kuya sa kanyang ngala-ngala. Papuri na naging bato pa!?

"I see."

Napahawak naman ako ng mahigpit sa phone ko nang titigan ako ng lalaki. I think I saw him somewhere kaso hindi ko maalala kung saan at kung kailan.

"Quit staring at my sister Calvin De Chavez or I will burn down the CDC Entertainment with your body."

Nanglaki ang mga mata ko.

Siya nga yon!

He's Calvin De Chavez, the owner of CDC Entertainment. That entertainment is one of the prestigious talent agency na gusto kong pasukin.

Why my brother didn't tell me that Calvin De Chavez is his friend?

"Naisip ko lang since your sister has a talent and I think she has a potential, I might try her and see if she can fit--" natigil sa pagsasalita ang lalaki bago ito marahang lumingon kay Kuya.

"Wait! What do you mean sister? You have a sister?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito kay Kuya Reiden.

"I have noticed that you appear to be taken aback or bewildered whenever you come across her more than once or twice at the various parties and events I attend for business purposes. May I ask if there is a particular reason why her presence surprises you?"

"I thought she's your girlfriend? Ang layo ng mukha mo sa kanya. Ampon ka yata eh?"

Gusto kong bumunghalit ng tawa. I think I like Kuya Calvin na because of his humor and being kwela. How come na natitiis niya ang ugali ni Kuya na mas bato pa sa bato?