Strings Attached

KABANATA 2

Crystals were already on the venue before us. Maraming nakapila sa labas kahit hindi pa open ang pagdarausan ng fanmeeting.

This is the reason why we are on the top despite the fact that the competition is too tight to begin with. Out of hundreds of Boy Groups who were able to debut, nanatili pa rin kami sa tuktok dahil sa kanila. Having them by our side, naniwala, nagtiwala, at sumuporta through ups and downs, we are more than willing to give back everything they have done for us. Crystals. They are just like what they are named after.

They are always so diligent and early every time may event ang grupo. Reason why DASH made it to the top is because of them. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, walang patutunguhan ang grupong ito. They were there when we were still starting until now, kaya ginagawa rin namin ang lahat to make them happy and uplifted whenever they see us.

The rented room s***h dressing room is filled with staffs when we arrive. Marami ring bodyguard ang nakapalibot sa venue to secure everything. Kanya-kanya kaming paghahanda habang ang iba naman ay abala na sa kani-kanilang cellphone, kumukuha ng litrato sa nangyayari sa likod ng eksena.

"Hi, Mr. Hottie. Anong masasabi mo sa suot mo ngayong longsleeves kahit sobrang init?" siraulong tanong ni Drake habang bitbit ang recording camera. Hindi ko sya sinagot at nagpogi sign lang.

"Gwapong-gwapo ka ba sa sarili mo ngayon, Mr. Hottie?"

"Always,"

"Isang eksena na naman ng kakapalan ng mukha, everyone." akmang babatukan ko sya nang mabilis syang nakailag at nagtungo sa iba pa naming kasamahan.

Si Yuhan naman ang kinukulit nya ngayon na mukhang game rin makipagkulitan. Napailing nalang ako bago nagtungo sa snack section.

"At dahil no'ng nakaraan may kanta kayong alam na kayo lang. Why don't you two sing for us a piece from your personalized playlists,"

Rinig kong sambit ni Drake sa kakaupong si Lukas. Dumako ang tingin nila sa akin at maging ang camera. Ngumiti ako bago nag-isip ng kanta. Lukas and I shared a playlist years ago. Noong trainee days pa. I don't know if he still have the same set of songs with mine.

"You and I,

We've been at it so long

And still got the strongest fire.." simula ko. Kita ko ang bahagyang pagkabigla nya sa napili kong kanta. I smirked at him.

" You and I,

We still know how to talk

Know how to walk that wire, " dugtong nya sa akin. Tumigil sina Yuhan sa ginagawa at nakita kong nakatingin na sila sa aming tatlo nina Drake.

"Sometimes I feel like the world is against me, " I continued .

" The sound of your voice,

Baby that's what saves me" his baritone voice sounds too masculine for that part.

Nanatiling titig ang mata nya sa salamin kung nasaan nakikita ang repleksyon ko. Just like old times, we sang the song in duet.

"When we're together I feel so invincible

'Cause it's us against the world

You and me against them all

If you're listening to these words

Know that we are standing tall,

I don't ever see the day

That I won't catch you when you fall

'Cause it's us against the world tonight

Us against the world

Against the world"

" Woah"

" Galingggg"

We ended up with a smooth harmonization. Napangiti ako nang magpalakpakan ang staff at make up artists namin. Hinanap ng tingin ko ang lalaking walang kahirap-hirap na kumanta habang nakaupo. Nahagip ng tingin ko ang seryoso nyang mukha. Nakatitig ito sa harap ng salamin kung saan din ako nakaharap. As our eyes met in the reflection, he maintained his gaze. I raised my eyebrows in response, but he simply shook his head and gave me his typical smirk.

We did our little rituals before starting the event. As usual, sobra-sobra ang saya at hype ng mga Crystals na napili at nakapasok sa fanmeeting. We saw their little banners and gifts ready. Kumaway lang kami sa kanila habang nakaupo sila sa kani-kanilang upuan. We are seated according to the staff's arrangement. Bobby, Mikko, Yuhan, ako, Cullen, Drake, at si Lukas ang sa hulihan.

"Hi! You're first time?" tanong ko sa unang lumapit na Crystal.

"Yes, uhm..." nakita ko kung paano sya namula nang mag-abot ang tingin naming dalawa. Crystals are so cute.

"Don't be shy," natatawang hinawakan ko ang kamay nya. Malamig at namawis-pawis pa ito ng hawakan ko. Her cheeks became more redder because of my bold move.

"What do you want me to do? Or say? Sing?" sambit ko para mawala ang kanyang kaba. Medyo nag relax naman sya at ngumiti na sa akin.

"Uhmm, I've prepared an autograph, can you fill it out?"

"Of course, my pleasure."

Agad kong sinagutan ang mga nakasulat na tanong doon. Mostly it's about my favorites. Favorite food, color, song, movie, album, girl group, anime, and all.

Who do you want to spend your days with when you're secluded on an island?

Agad kong sinagot ang pangalan ni Bobby. He's the best pick.

"Thank you! I...really like you, Rael. Bias kita.." ngumiti ako sa kanya bago pinisil ang kanyang pisngi.

"Thank you for supporting me and the group, Layla. I hope we'll continue to inspire you."

Naging sunod-sunod na ang paglapit ng mga fans sa amin. Kanya-kanya naman kami ng ginagawa at nagsilabasan na ang kalokohan nila Yuhan dahil sa hiling ng mga fans.

" Oh! YuRa!" napalingon ako nang akbayan ako ni Yuhan para ituro gamit ang mic ang banner na may nakalagay na YuRa. Our ship name. Kumaway ako sa kanila na agad na nagtilian. Napangiti nalang ako.

"Ano? Kiss ko sya sa cheeks?" nagtilian ang lahat nang itanong iyon ni Yuhan sa kanila. Naghagalpakan naman ang mga kasamahan namin sa kalokohan ni Yuhan. Narinig ko na may tumikhim pero nilamon lang din iyon ng mga tilian nang lumapat ang labi ni Yuhan sa pisngi ko. I don't really mind. I'm used to that kind of fanservice at isa pa, matagal ko ng kaibigan si Yuhan. Naiiling habang nakangisi na pinagpatuloy ko lang ang pag-entertain sa kaharap kong fan na pulang-pula na rin ang pisngi sa nasaksihan.

"Pwede ba ako magtanong?" tanong ni Yuhan na mukhang may naisip na namang kababalaghan.

"Oo naman!" sigaw ng mga Crystals.

"Kailan nga monthsary namin ni Rael?"

"June 8! Huwag nyong kalimutannn!"

"Noted."

Mas umingay pa ang mga Crystals. Yuhan always keep the fire burning. Kahit anong gimik nalang naiisipan nya lagi na sinasabayan naman namin. Minsan ay si Drake ang hahawak sa mikropono at puno na naman ng landian ang buong kwarto. Kung si Bobby naman ang nakahawak ay pawang mga trivia ang sinasabi. Kapag si Cullen ay bagong recipe na naisip nya. If Mikko, expect it's about song lyrics. Lukas, on the other hand, don't really engage on too much talking pero kapag sa kanya naibigay ang mikropono punong-puno na ng sigawan ang buong kwarto. So I must say, Lukas breathing is already a death of Crystals.

"30 minutes break,"

Kumaway muna kami sa kanila bago pumunta sa backstage.

Nang makarating sa likod ay dumiretso na kami sa pagkain. We talked about some memorable thoughts our fans shared. Si Yuhan naman ay memorable na gift ang pinagmalaki.

"Bigay ng admin ng YuRa, couple necklace. Ang ganda dude!" nilapitan nya ako at mapagmalaking nilahad ang gold pendant na may nakalagay na initials naming dalawa. Kukunin ko na sana ang initials ko nang agawin nya iyon at binigay sa akin ang Y. B initials.

"Para sa'yo 'yan. Sa' kin to'ng initials mo. Couple nga di'ba? Hindi individual, dude. Napaghahalataan lang walang ka couple eh,"

"Aba, gago!"

Masuring tiningnan ko ang necklace at mukhang personalized pa ito. This will cost thousands. Pinaggastusan pa talaga nila.

Sinuot ko iyon nang makahanap ng pwesto sa harap ng salamin. It's tiny and unnoticeable but when touched by lights, it shines and reflects back. I stare at it with awe. Ang ganda.

"Let's go back."

Ganoon pa rin ang posisyon namin nang makabalik sa upuan. The staffs provide chips and snacks for us and for the fans para tuloy-tuloy na ang daloy ng event. The hype and energy is still there na para bang hindi talaga sila nauubusan.

"Rael," isang maawtoridad na boses ang umalingawngaw sa speaker. Napalingon ako kay Bobby.

"Hmm?"

"come here,"

"Bakit?"

"Let's take a picture. For the page." iminuwestra nya ang banner na may nakalagay na GabBy. Tumango naman ako bago umayos sa pagkakayuko.

We posed for a bit. Pagkatapos namin ay sumunod naman ang iba pang ships sa pagpicture. Naghagalpakan ang lahat nang si Mikko at Yuhan na ang pinaglapit ng mga fans. Mikko looks like a cat being forced to smile while Yuhan is shamelessly clinging to him. Sumunod naman sina Bobby at Cullen na kapwa pormal ang mga kuha. Drake and I were also partnered before Yuhan took his place.

"Now, for the main characters!" he even raised our intertwined hands to prove a point. Nagtilian ang lahat bago nilabas ang kani-kanilang mga cellphone. Inirapan ko sina Drake nang makitang maging sila ay kumukuha ng litrato. Bunch of crackheads.

Nahagip ng tingin ko ang tanging hindi nakikisali sa kantyawan at nakikipagkawayan lang sa mga fans sa gilid. He's having his own world again.

"May oras pa para magtanong. Just don't.."

"Kailan tayo magpapakasal?!" agresibong sigaw ng isang fan sa likuran. We burst out laughing as we saw how shocked Mikko was. He rapidly blink before turning his head to the side, hiding his smile.

"Mikko nyo kinikilig," kantyaw ni Drake.

"I'm just taken a back, that's all."

"Ayeeee," sabay na sigaw namin. He's clearly flustered.

"To answer your question, hindi pa ako handa magpakasal. But if ever, you can bring your documents next time."

Hindi magkamayaw ang lahat sa pagtawa at pagkamangha sa sinagot ni Mikko. I can't believe he just flirted in front of us!

"Dude..." pulang-pula na hinampas ni Drake si Yuhan na hindi rin makapaniwala sa narinig. He's shockingly staring at Mikko. Another meme is being born.

Nagpatuloy ang pagtatanong at pagsagot namin. We also sing a song and dropped some hint for the next comeback. Habang tumatagal ay mas nagiging wala sa kanya-kanyang pwesto ang lahat at namalayan ko lang nasa tabi na ako ni Lukas. Sumasabay din sya sa mga gimik ni Yuhan at pangangantyaw ni Drake. They even posed for their fanpage.

"Subunit?" patanong na sambit ni Cullen nang mabunot iyon sa bowl, the questions were taken from the fans before the fanmeeting starts and now is the time for us to randomly draw those questions, "Sino ba ang gusto niyong pair?" agad namang nagsigawan ng kanya-kanyang shipname ang mga fans. Nagkatitigan kaming pito.

The subunit was already decided. Napagkasunduan naming huwag na magbigay ng hint para may aabangan ang lahat sa upcoming album. The subunits were not typically the paired ships. May trio sa napagkasunduan and it's a good combination.

"Gusto nyong hint?"

"YES!"

"We'll drop after 3 months,"

I was looking for a bottled water when someone silently give it to me. Tinanggap ko naman iyon bago sya tiningnan. He raised his eyebrows questioning my stare. Hindi ako nagsalita at inubos lang ang laman ng bote. After finishing the one bottled water, I cling my left hand to his shoulder. Hinila ko sya palapit sa gitna.

"Lukas!" sigaw ng mga nasa gilid. They are holding a fan with his face. Binigay naman ni Cullen ang microphone sa katabi ko.

"Po?" he innocently asked. It's just a one word but the whole room was already filled with pure awe and admiration. This man really knows how to pull people with his charm.

"Dude, iba talaga ang kamandag ng isang, Lukas." namamanghang komento ni Drake. Napailing lang si Bobby. We all know Lukas is so opposite behind the scene.

"Kita nyo 'yan? Hindi' yan ganyan sa personal!" bulgar na sambit ni Yuhan.

"Hoy walang laglagan dito!"

"Yuhan.." tinuro ko sya, "Nice one,"

Kilig na nagsihagikgikan ang lahat. Naramdaman ko naman ang pagdapo ng mainit na hininga sa tainga ko bago nasundan ng isang nakangising tinig.

"You're playing too much, babe." unti-unting nawala ang ngisi ko at agad na hinanap ang mata nya.

"Huh?"

"Huh?" he's clearly playing dumb.

The crowd's attention was already shifted to Cullen and Bobby for the next question kaya malaya kong nasasamaan ng tingin ang katabi.

"Gabriel, your turn. Huwag mo kong pagtaksilan, come here baby." natatawang napailing lang ako bago lumapit kay Yuhan.

We continue the drawing of random questions until we ended peacefully. Nang makarating sa backstage ay nagbihis lang kami bago dumiretso sa sasakyan. We were divided randomly. Kasama ko sa sasakyan sina Bobby, Cullen, at Lukas.

It's long and exhausting day for us. Pero nababawi naman sa saya na nakita namin bago magpaalam ng tuluyan sa Crystals.

Dumapo ang tingin ko sa katabi. He's scrolling through his phone while an earphone is plugged on his ears. Kagaya ng lagi, he caught me staring at him. Walang imik na tinanggal nya ang earphone sa kaliwa at nilagay sa akin. Bahagya naman akong lumapit para hindi iyon matanggal. A familiar song welcomed me. Napapikit ako.

Years ago, we shared this set of song. Hindi masyadong palaimik si Lukas noon at laging may sariling mundo. On the other hand, Yuhan and I are already friends before then. Magkapit-bahay lang kami at magkaklase. We've known each other for so long reason why I'm not really an introvert type. Nadadala ako sa kapal ng mukha ni Yuhan at nagagawa kong makighalo-bilo sa iba. However, it's not the case for Lukas. He's not really talkative at during sa trainee days namin ay laging focus lang sya sa training. From school, dorm, practice room, hindi ko sya nakitang makipagkilala sa iba. We just happened to be in a one unit when an evaluation happened, I took that opportunity to talk to him and somehow befriend him. Naalala ko pa kung paano dumapo ang inosente nyang mga mata sa akin, nagtatanong kung bakit ko sya kinakausap. That was also the first time I saw him upclose. Akala ko exaggeration lang ang sinasabi nila na sobrang amo ng mukha nya, he was tagged as an innocent angel of the management. But during that time, I was really mesmerized by his face. Don't get me wrong, but he's really good looking.

Kaya lang, nang makilala ko sya at maging official na iisa kaming grupo, that innocent angel came out to be the opposite. Even Crystals think of him that way, he grow up, mold into a different person. He became that heartbreaker image na laging tinitilian ng lahat. Behind the scene, he's also so vulgar.

"Bakit nga?"

Nabalik ako sa kasalukuyan nang marinig ang boses ni Cullen. Nanatili akong nakapikit habang nakikinig ang isang tainga sa kanila.

"It's private. I don't want to share, Cullen." I could always imagine him saying something while smirking. Something he often does when he's thinking about something amusing.

"Private, huh?"

"Hmm, private,"