MY PRETEND BOYFRIEND

Chapter 12

“BAGO tayo mag-umpisa sa ating training ngayon, may dalawang bagay akong ia-anunsyo. Una, lahat ng miyembro ng guitar club ay kailangang mag-record ng isang clip at ipadala ito sa amin para ma-assess ang inyong progress. Yung mga marunong na mag-gitara ay dapat mag-play ng isang simpleng kanta. At para sa mga baguhan sa pag-aaral, mag-record kayo habang nag-pe-play ng basic eight chord at ipadala ito sa email na nakasulat sa board.”

"Ugh... What's that?" Whining sounds filled the room. Especially Sophia’s voice, the loudest of all people.

This is the second day of music lessons, and it should be something that really permeates the heart. But they are now giving us a lot of work.

"Shhh. Silence. Anyone who doesn't send video clips will be removed from the club," said by Migs, the dictator.

"We will die."

"You won't die. Playing the guitar to show off to the boys can still be done. There are many people like that."

"Kung gumagamit kayo ng f*******:, puwede ninyong i-upload ito doon at i-tag ninyo lang ako sa video. I promise to comment as gently as possible. ‘Wag na kayo mahiya.”

No. Sophia won't dare to post it on f*******: to show to the public. She knows David won't post it as well. You want to know why? He doesn't have a f*******:!

"Second thing is that there will be a music event called My Alma Matter Fair. I will explain everything at the end of training. Now, begin practicing. Quickly!" he complains alone before turning to David in an annoying manner.

Now, the bad moment is back again. Kailangan niyang mag-practice gamit ang parehong gitara tulad kahapon. Nakalimutan niyang bumili ng bagong gitara ngayon. Atsaka yung senior na nag-offer na maghanap ng bago para sa kanya, hindi rin nakahanap. Swertehan lang talaga.

Ten minutes turned into half an hour. Now, it is almost an hour since her finger's dented like a tiny swamp. She keeps on hoping in her head for the class to end.

"Sophia, you can rest if your fingers are hurt," Kim told her after suffering for almost an hour.

"Okay lang?"

"Yes. Take a rest first."

"Thank you."

"You all did well today. End of class." What?! Then why did you tell me to stop!

Ughhh, Sophia hates the absurdity of these music kids. It’s like they're messing with her but not really. They are making the freshmen seem smart, but in truth, we’re pure stupid.

After the seniors ordered a break, the club's president, Khaycee, crossed her arms while standing in front of the room.

"The second announcement." She was really good at holding it to the hour.

"..."

"Next week, we will hold an event that will be a gathering of music people. Therefore, tomorrow, I want new members to help promote the event at the canteen of the central building to get attention and raise funds."

"What song do we sing? And who's the one singing?" Someone raised his hand to ask.

"We will create a band for this event. The vocalist is Hiro from the Faculty of Architecture. Drum will be played by Stephany, guitarists will be Migs and David."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Those who have to play music tomorrow are first-year students with innate background music. David is there, so this year's event will probably be more exciting than usual.

"And the rest of the members are in charge of distributing leaflets."

"Okay."

"Tomorrow before noon, once you're done with class, stop by at the club and help us carry the music instruments."

"....”

"Understood? Then you all can leave. I am hungry now. Bye!" She muttered to herself and then disappeared. The others began to take turns leaving, leaving only David who was still writing something.

"You don't want to go yet?" Sophia asks, even though she already knows the answer. Maybe he will also answer with a provocative expression, 'Already know, still asking.' Let’s see...

"Already know, still asking." Bingo! Won the lottery again.

"May I ask you something?"

"Just say it."

"The brand for guitar strings called Da-da something. Where can I buy them?"

"D'addario?"

"Yes. That one."

"You can't buy that in this area."

"Really? Then where can I buy it? The strings on that guitar hurt my hand." Sophia spoke while showing him her fingers that are covered with plaster.

"Do you want to use my guitar?"

"Then what are you going to use?"

"I have two guitars." Why not say it from the start?

"Is that so? Can I borrow the other one?"

"Umm. But you have to get it yourself..."

"..."

"It's in my room."

"Okay. Where do you live? I'll stop by later to get it."

"No need. I'll bring you there." His heart... He could only be nice for two sentences, and the rest is just him being deadly mean to her.

Sophia waited for David to practice guitar for a long time. When the sky began to turn black, they rushed to clean the instruments and the training room. They then headed to this guy's dorm. The guy who is not interested in everything.

His room is located on the fifth floor, room number 333, building number 10, near the university. When Sophia stepped into his room, she discovered facts... His room is pitch black and is empty. Everything is color black, including the walls.

"Are you sure this is your room and not a haunted house?"

"There is a ghost under the bed."

"Gago ka ba?!"

"You're with me, there's nothing to fear." He then took off his backpack and threw himself to lie on the bed and show his sexy belly comfortably.

Nakita ni Sophia ang isang tambak ng mga political documents sa desk ni David, at ang iba pang bahagi ng kwarto ay puno ng mga music books at mga chord sheets na nagkalat. Tila halata—black ang favorite color ni David.

"Where's your guitar?"

"Next to the bookshelf."

"Ah, nandito pala."

"Don't let anyone touch my guitar. Hold it tightly, it's very expensive."

"Eh kung sobrang possessive mo, bakit hindi mo na lang i-bubble wrap?"

"Do you still want to borrow it?"

"I'm just kidding. Thanks ha. I'll leave now."

"Teka lang!"

"..."

"Hindi ko pa na-tune."

"Then hurry up. Gutom na ako."

Hinawakan ni David ang gitara at nagsimulang i-adjust ang mga strings. Si Sophia, nakatayo lang, tinitingnan siya ng may curiosity.

"There's bread in the fridge," biglang sinabi ni David.

"Huh?"

"You said you’re hungry, right? This might take a while."

"Ganun ba?"

"Yeah."

Ayaw na ni Sophia magtanong pa. Gutom na gutom na siya. Nang imbitahan siya ni David na kumain, agad niyang binuksan ang fridge, pero frozen sausage bread—sobrang tigas, imposible ngang nguyain.

"Have you thought about the clip for the seniors?" tanong ni Sophia habang umuupo sa kama at ngumunguya ng bread.

"I haven’t thought about it yet."

"Why not play ‘English Love Affair by 5SOS’? I like that song."

"No. Mahirap yung chords."

"But I want you to play it."

Huminto si David sandali, kinuha ang papel at lapis, nagsulat ng mabilis, at ibinigay kay Sophia.

Oh! Chords ba yun o rifle model? Grabe, nakaka-dizzy lang tignan.

"What the hell?"

"Intro chords ng song na gusto mo. Medyo magulo, no?"

"Damn! Sino ba mag-aakalang ganun kahirap yung chords? Tapos, natapos mo na ba yung tuning?"

"Hindi pa."

Kahit hindi marunong mag-adjust ng strings, naniwala na lang si Sophia kay David at hindi na nag-argue. Una, tinanaw lang niya si David habang ginagawa yun, tapos nabored siya kaya kumuha ng comic book ni David. Binasa niya lang yun, kumain ng bread, at wala nang iba. Tumingin ulit siya kay David, pero hindi pa rin natapos. Kaya naisip niyang maghanap ng ibang activity habang naghihintay.

"Hello, seniors! I’m Sophia Laurel, and I’m cool, sexy, and adorable. Today is the perfect day for me to play basic chords for you, so let’s hear it."

Yung gitara na gamit niya ay may pangalan ni David na nakalagay, pero hindi na niya yun inintindi. Kailangan lang niyang magmukhang cool at cordial sa video.

"Let’s start with the C chord."

Trung~

"Wrong."

"Damn! Don’t interrupt me, I’m recording."

"Yan kasi, maling string."

"Isn’t that correct?"

"Come closer, I’ll teach you."

Pinindot ni Sophia ang stop button at sumunod kay David.

Tinuruan siya ni David kung anong string ang pipindutin, inisa-isa niya ang mga basic chords kaya mas mabilis ang progress ni Sophia. Hindi maikakaila, magaling si David.

Nag-record ulit si Sophia sa sulok ng kwarto. Pagkatapos, si David, mukhang hindi pa tapos mag-tune ng gitara. Na-frustrate si Sophia kaya nagsimulang magtampisaw sa kama.

"Are you teasing me? Bakit hindi ka pa tapos?" tanong niya, humiga sa malaking kama.

"Tapos na."

"Finally! Aalis na ako, pero babalik ko rin agad 'yan kapag may bagong string na ako."

"I’ll use it to record my video first."

"Do whatever you want. I’m getting sleepy."

Nasa kwarto na siya ni David ng mga dalawang oras, at parang hindi pa siya makakauwi. Kaya humiga na lang siya sa kama, kumuha ng unan na parang amoy laway ni David, at naglaro na lang sa phone.

Ang malambot na tunog ng gitara ay pumasok sa pandinig ni Sophia, at bigla niyang na-focus ang atensyon sa magandang mukha ni David malapit sa kanya. Tumaas ang curiosity niya at nagsimula nang magtanong sa isip niya. Naalala niyang ang intro na tinutugtog ni David ay ang song na sinasabi niyang mahirap, pero bakit ito pa ang pinili niyang tugtugin?

When the lights go out, she's all I ever think about

The picture burning in my brain, kissing in the rain

I can't forget, my English love affair

Today, I'm seven thousand miles away

The movie playing in my head of a king-size bed means I can't forget

I like 5SOS so much, hindi niya naiwasang makisabay sa deep voice ni David. May something kasi sa song na ito na parang sobrang cute ng buhay.

I can't forget, my English love affair

Today, I'm seven thousand miles away

The movie playing in my head of a king-size bed means I can't forget

My English love affair

My English love affair

My English love affair

Hindi makapaniwala si Sophia. Yung masungit at nonchalant na si David, na parang walang pake sa ibang tao, biglang naging teddy bear habang kumakanta ng song na 'to.

My heart...