Mighty has Fallen (on hiatus)

14

"This will be your room. Just tell me if you need something or you can reach out to Manang Yelena. She's the caretaker." Sky stated as he show me the room that I'll use.

"Since binibigyan mo ako ng kwarto, it means that I'll stay here, right?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yes. You'll be staying with us for a while."

"Hindi ako pa ako pwedeng umuwi samin ganon?" He nodded. I let out a deep sigh. I understand the situation pero hindi ko kasi magets kung bakit kelangan kong madamay sa mga problema nila.

"I'm sorry."

He uttered. I met his gaze. Nakikita ko naman na sincere sya sa paghingi ng sorry. Nakikita ko din ang pagod sa kanyang gwapong mukha.

"May magagawa pa ba ako diba waley naman? Penge nalang akong mga damit pamalit." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, I'll give it to you in a while. Inutusan ko na si Bradley na mamili ng mga gamit mo."

"Huh? Bakit si Kuya Bradley? Alam ba nya kung anong mga gamit ang kelangan ko?"

Napakamot sya sa kanyang pisngi. Tinitigan ko sya dahil ang cute nyang tingnan. Para syang nahihiyang teenager sa ginagawa nya. And then he let out a deep sigh.

"Just call me if you need something." Tumalikod na sya pero humarap ulit sya. "Don't open this door to anyone, if someone called you out, do not open the f*****g door unless it was me. You understand?"

Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay at humalukipkip din ako. "At bakit ko gagawin yun? Malay ko ba kung may kelangan sakin ang kakatok sa f*****g door nato?"

Napatitig sya sakin dahil sa sinabi ko. I saw how his thick brows furrowed. He looked irritated and mad.

"Don't open the f*****g door. And that's an order Riley Maven Sta. Maria."

Hindi na ako nakaapila dahil tinalikuran na nya ako agad. I hardly swallowed when I realized how he commanded me with such an authoratative voice. Mayor na Mayor ang dating ni Mayor dun. Napangisi ako dahil dun.

Pagkapasok ko sa kwarto agad akong humiga sa kama. Saka ko lang naramdaman ang pagod ko with all the action I had for this day, daig ko pa talaga ang artista dahil sa nangyari. Para na akong nagshoot ng pelikula dahil sa nangyaring shoot out. Maisip ko lang ang panganib na hinaharap ni Sky, nakakaramdam ako ng takot para sa kanya.

Naalala ko ang ginawa kong pagsalubong ng yakap sa kanya kanina. Syempre nacarried away lang ako, nadala lang ako ng emotions ko because I was damned worried, baka kung ano nang nangyari sa kanya. I felt something inside my chest. This feeling that I tried to bury for four years. At ngayong nakita at nakasama ko na naman sya, feeling ko hindi lang buhay ko ang nasa panganib, pati na yata ang puso ko.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako dahil sa pag-iisip. Nakita ko na lamang na madilim na ang paligid pero napatingin ako sa kumot na nakatakip sakin. Hindi ko matandaan na nagkumot ako kanina. Tumayo na ako at binuksan ang ilaw, then I saw paper bags that are placed on the sofa near the bed. Napanguso ako ng makita ko ang mga laman nun. Some clothes and other essentials. Napangiwi ako ng maalala ko na si Kuya Bradley ang bumili sa mga ito.

Kumuha ako ng mga damit na ipapalit ko, may nakita akong pajama saka plain tshirts, pati mga undergarments meron din. Natatawa nalang ako, sana lang kasya sakin ang mga to. Dumiretso ako sa shower saka naligo at nagpalit.

Nawala na isip ko na tumawag kila Lola dahil sa mga nangyari, baka nag-aalala na sila sakin. But to my surprise, nakita kong nagmessage si Lolo sakin at sinabing tinawagan sila ni Sky kanina at sinabing kasama ko sya. May thumbs up pa na emoji sa dulo saka heart. Naloko na, pati sila nagoyo na ng magaling na Mayor. May nakita din akong message ni Theo sa IG, mamaya ko na sya rereplyan.

Lumabas na ako ng kwarto ko at habang naglalakad ay may naririnig akong ingay mula sa may sala. At habang mas lumalapit ako, I realized that someone is singing. And then I saw them, mukhang nagbobonding at minumurder ang Magic Sing.

Ngisi ni Chandler ang agad sumalubong sakin ng lumapit ako sa kanila. Nakatingin nadin sakin ang 3 pa nyang kasama. Wala si Sky.

"The Celebrity is finally awake!" Pumalakpak pa si Chandler after nyang sabihin yun. "Kanta ka."

"Wala pa ako sa mood. Ikaw nalang, mukhang ready ka na eh." Sagot ko sa kanya kasi hawak nya ang mic.

"It's my time to shine!"

Nakita ko ang familiar na kanta sa TV. Kelan lang kinanta namin yun.

Hello my friend we meet again

It's been a while where should we begin?

Feels like forever

Within my heart are memories

Of perfect love that you gave to me

Oh I remember

Napailing nalang ako. Chandler can really sing. Ang husky pa ng boses nya. His voice quality is superb. He can pass as a singer.

When you are with me, I'm free

I'm careless, I believe

Above all the others we'll fly

This brings tears to my eyes

My sacrifice

We've seen our share of ups and downs

Oh how quickly life can turn around

In an instant

It feels so good to reunite

Within yourself and within your mind

Let's find peace there

Napatingin ako ng nagtaas ng kanilang mga kamay ang tatlo nyang kasama. Wow! Hands up in the air pa ang mga kumag. Napakasupportive naman nila.

'Cause when you are with me, I'm free

I'm careless, I believe

Above all the others we'll fly

This brings tears to my eyes

My sacrifice

I just want to say hello again

I just want to say hello again

'Cause when you are with me, I'm free

I'm careless, I believe

Above all the others we'll fly

This brings tears to my eyes...

"Thank you fans! Thank you!"

Nagbow pa talaga sya na akala mo ay nagconcert. Tumingin ako sa paligid, nasan kaya talaga si Sky? Bakit wala sya sa bonding ng mga kasama niya.

"Who will showcase his singing talent next?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Chandler sa mga kasama nya.

"My turn." Sabi ni Nix.

Agad hinagis ni Chandler ang mic kay Nix. Tumayo ito after nyang pumili ng kanta.

"A beautiful lady and f*****g gentlemen. Let me hear your cheers!" Sigaw ni Nix sa Mic.

"f**k you! Just sing!" Sagot naman sa kanya ni Direk na mukhang bored na bores sa pagkakaupo sa sofa. Kakanta din kaya sya?

Honey, why you calling me so late?

It's kinda hard to talk right now

Napanganga ako literal ng marinig ko ang singing voice ni Nix. Seriously? He sing that good too? I'm anticipating that the other have great voices too. Maybe Sky too.

Honey, why you crying, is everything okay?

I gotta whisper 'cause I can't be too loud

Well, my girl's in the next room

Sometimes I wish she was you

I guess we never really moved on

"f**k Nix! Kanta mo ba yan sa kanya?!" Pang-aasar ni Chandler sa kanya.

"f**k you!" Sagot naman sa kanya nito at nagpatuloy sa pagkanta.

It's really good to hear your voice saying my name

It sounds so sweet

Coming from the lips of an angel

Hearing those words, it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye

But, girl, you make it hard to be faithful

With the lips of an angel

It's funny that you're calling me tonight

And, yes, I've dreamt of you too

And does he know you're talking to me?

Will it start a fight?

No, I don't think she has a clue

Well, my girl's in the next room

Sometimes I wish she was you

I guess we never really moved on

It's really good to hear your voice saying my name

It sounds so sweet

Coming from the lips of an angel

Hearing those words, it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye

But, girl, you make it hard to be faithful

With the lips of an angel...

Agad akong pumalakpak after he finished singing. Ngumisi lang si Nix pagkatapos ay bumalik na sa pagkakaupo.

"Hey! Can you sing for us?"

Napatingin ako ng inabot naman sakin ni Nix ang Mic. Napatingin ako sa kanilang lahat, napako ang tingin ko sa ngisi ni Chandler.

"Nasan ba ang number 1 fan? Hindi nya dapat ito mamiss. Live na live Ms. Riley Sta. Maria!!" Sigaw ni Chandler. Kunti nalang talaga makokonyatan ko na ito. He is so nosy.

"Fine." Kinuha ko ang Mic saka naghanap ng kakantahin. Ayoko naman kantahin ang mga kanta ko noh. So I settled with one of my favorite songs.

All those years outside looking in

All that time never even knowing

Instead of facing the screen, I faced them. I acted as if I'm giving them a show. I faced them as an audience and I'm singing infront of them. And their eyes were fixated on me.

Just how blind I've been

Now I'm here blinking in the starlight

Now I'm here suddenly I see

Standing here it's all so clear

I'm where I'm meant to be

And at last I see the light

And it's like the fog has lifted

And at last I see the light

And it's like the sky is new

And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted

All at once everything looks different

Now that I see you

And then I saw Sky leaning on the wall staring darkly at me. His arms were placed across his chest flexing his arms that caught my attention. I stared back at him, pinaparamdam ko na kinakantahan ko din sya. Nakita ko ang pagtingin ni Chandler sa direksyon ng paningin ko and he saw Sky is watching too. He plastered a wide grin and tilted his neck. Hindi ko magets ang mga gestures ni Chandler minsan.

All those days chasing down a daydream

All those years living in a blur

All that time never truly seeing

Things, the way they were

Now she's here shining in the starlight

Now she's here suddenly I know

If she's here it's crystal clear

I'm where I'm meant to go

And at last I see the light

And it's like the fog has lifted

And at last I see the light

And it's like the sky is new

And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted

All at once everything is different

Now that I see you

Now that I see you...

Sabay sabay tumayo sila Nix, V saka si Direk at pinalakpakan ako. Natawa nalang ako dahil sa mga reactions nila.

"Live na live po mga kabayan ang pinakasikat na singer ngayon na si Riley Sta. Maria! Palakpakan po natin sya at isama nyo ang inyong mga paa!" Sabi ni Chandler.

"f**k you Chandler! Lumayas ka na dyan sa harapan dahil mukha kang paa!" Sagot sa kanya ni Nix.

"Kung ako mukhang paa, ikaw mukha kang ingrown!"

Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Chandler pati yung dalawa nyang kaibigan ay hindi napigilan ang pagtawa. Napatingin naman ako sa papalapit na si Sky.

"Where have you been?" V asked him.

"I went outside, checked something." He answered.

"Any problems?" Tanong naman ni Direk at umiling naman sya and the darted his gaze at me. I saw a glimpse of an unnamed emotions that flashed in his eyes. Magkatinginan padin kami ni Sky nang marinig ko ang background music, mukhang may kakanta na naman sa kanila. Then I heard Chandler's voice that filled the air.

If I should die before I wake

It's 'cause you took my breath away

Losing you is like living in a world with no air, oh

I'm here alone, didn't wanna leave

My heart won't move, it's incomplete

Wish there was a way that I can make you understand

"Riley!"

Nagulat pa ako ng tinawag nya ako at mas nagulat ako sa Mic na hawak nya. Dalawa pala ang mic dito. Wow! Prepared ang mga kumag.

"Sing!"

Napakunot ang noo ko bago ko marealized ang ibing nyang sabihin. And then I started singing my part.

But how (How) do you expect me (Me)

To live alone with just me? (Me)

'Cause my world revolves around you

It's so hard for me to breathe

Lumapit sakin si Chandler at humarap pa sakin whilw he is singing. He sing really good. Sasabihan ko si Vaughn na kunin si Chandler na singer. Hihingin ko din sya ng comission o kaya referral share.

Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air (No air)

Can't live, can't breathe with no air

That's how I feel whenever you ain't there

It's no air, no air

Got me out here in the water so deep

Tell me how you're gon' be without me (Me)

If you ain't here, I just can't breathe

It's no air, no air...

Magkaharap kaming nagduet because of the song. But the joy that I'm feeling while singing turned into fear when I saw how his mic vanished from his hand because a knife was thrown directly thru his hand. It landed on the floor with some blood dripping from it.

Natulala ako dahil sa reflex ni Chandler at nabitawan nya agad ang mic tho may dugo padin akong nakita kasi nadaplisan padin sya. Marahas akong napatingin sa pinanggalingan ng kutsilyo na yun. And to my horror, I met Sky menacing eyes. It's like he's shooting daggers to Chandler.

"Muntik na akong mawalan ng kamay dun ah." Natatawa pang kumento ni Chandler. Napatingin ako sa kamay nya na dumudugo padin.

"C-chandler, you are bleeding. Your hand is bleeding." Kahit na gago tong si Chandler, nag-aalala padin ako sa kamay nya. "Gamutin natin." Dagdag ko pa.

"I'd love that but I choose not too, baka matuluyan akong mawalan ng kamay. I can handle this, malayo ito sa intestines ko." Nginisian pa nya ako bago sya naglakad paalis sa living room.

"Ako naman ang kakanta, nakakasawa na boses ni Chandler eh." Narinig kong sabi ni V.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa kanila, nakikita nilang dinudugo ang kaibigan nila pero dedma sila.

"He's fine. He deserves it."

Napanganga nalang ako sa sinabi ni Direk, wala din syang pakialam kay Chandler. Nakita ko lang din ang pagkibit balikat ni Nix.

Napatingin ako sa tumalikod na si Sky. Seriously? Why did he do that? Hindi biro ang ginawa nya at aalis na lang sya na parang walang nangyari. Hindi porket Mayor sya ay gagawa nalang sya ng ganon. Kumukulo tuloy ang dugo ko sa Hot na Mayor na ito. Nagmamadali ko syang sinundan hanggang makarating kami sa labas ng bahay.

"Sky!"

I yelled but he keep on walking. Hindi man lang nya ako nilingon o huminto man lang sa paglalakad.

"Ano ba, Sky! Huminto ka nga sa paglalakad! Hindi nakakatuwa yung ginawa mo kay Chandler!"

Hindi padin huminto ang kumag sa paglalakad. What the F Sky? Tumakbo na ako at huminto sa harap nya. Huminto nadin sya paglalakad dahil nasa harapan na nya ako. I was panting and catching my breath too.

"What the hell is that? You hurt Chandler!" I exclaimed.

"He f*****g deserves it."

"He deserved to be hurt by you? Is that what you're saying? And what is the reason Sky?"

Hindi sya nagsalita, matiim lang nya akong tinitigan and then he let out a deep sigh. His thick brows were in deep burrow as if he is restraining himself from something.

"Pumasok ka na sa loob. Malamig na."

"Tinatanong pa kita, sagutin mo muna ang tanong ko."

"Riley."

"Sky."

Again, he released a heavy sigh and then darted his stare at mine.

"You seem having fun while doing that with Dice and it pissed me off."

"W-what did you say?"

"I'm jealous Baby."

***

Songs used:

My Sacrifice- Creed

Lips of an Angel: Hinder

I see the light- Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi

No Air- Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown