Traitor (Unhappy Series #1)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Malakas na kabog ng dibdib, iyon ang aking nararamdaman. O sabihin na natin na lahat kami na narito sa Music Academy. Malamig ang aking mga kamay at gusto ko na lang mayari ang performance na ito. Panay ang pagbuga namin ng hangin habang tinatahak namin ang daan papunta sa Auditorium, kung saan kami magti-tipon at ipa-pamalas ang aming mga kakayahan bilang isang banda. The students are also going there now. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang kaba ng lahat para sa gaganapin na unang performance.

My whole team are in silence. Sonara keeps praying silently, habang kami ay sa isip namin nagdarasal. We don't have much time or any time to talk to each other. Kanya-kanyang grupo ang inabutan namin sa loob. We're wearing the shirts that were given to us. Lahat ng estudyante ay suot iyon ngayon. Bawat grupo sa bawat pwesto sa loob ay may kanya-kanyang usapan. Ang ilan ay nakabilog at nadarasal. Ang iba naman ay nagsasanay pa rin sa pagkanta. Ang ilan naman ay panay ang pagtalon at tila ba ay pilit inaalis ang kaba sa kanilang katawan. Some are doing some exercise as their warm up, at ang ilan ay nakatahimik lang at bakas ang kaba sa kanilang mga mukha.

While watching all of them, hindi ko alam kung sino ang malaki namin na kalaban sa lahat. We never know, hanggang sa mag-perform na ang lahat mamaya, that's when we will know who's our biggest opponent.

"When you're nervous, think of someone who inspires you to be here," nilingon ko si Jeremiah sa aking tabi nang pumwesto kami sa isang diretsong mga upuan.

Sandali akong nahinto at napaisip sa naging suhestiyon niya. Who inspires me to be here? It's my parents. Since the day I saw my Mom sing and wrote lots of songs na hanggang ngayon ay sikat na sikat sa lahat, I told myself that I want to be her. Ngunit ngayon, I want to hide to everyone that she is my mother. It's because I don't want that to be the reason to shine and achieve my dreams to become like her. I don't want to get opportunities just because she is my mother. I want to shine on my own. I want to create my own name on my own, with the efforts, hardworks, and sacrifices I'll make. Dahil kung sisikat ako dahil anak niya ako, I will not be able to tell myself that I succeed.

My second inspiration, one of the reasons why I am here, competing and fighting with these different students is because of my Dad who doesn't believe in me. I want to prove myself to him. Alam ko na wala naman ako dapat patunayan at gawin ko lang ang gusto at ang pangarap ko. But I just want him to see that I made the right decision in entering this academy, and turning my back to the dream he wants me to be.

Architect, it's a great career and a great job. I'm good at drawing houses. But that isn't my passion at all. However, I can call it my talent, but singing and writing songs are what I want. This is what I love to do, and this is what I will want to be in the future and for myself.

Tipid akong ngumiti at bahagyang yumuko, I nodded at Jeremiah beside me, "That's effective, I guess," ani ko, at mahinang tumawa. Huminga ako ng malalim. What he suggested is effective. Kahit paano ay nawala ang matinding kaba sa aking dibdib. Looking at the big stage in front of us inspires me even more. It makes me want to show them what I can do, and we can do as a band. I want to see myself there, winning this competition. I want to see myself there receiving claps from the audience. I want to see myself there, singing the songs I have written.

Lastly, I want to see ourselves there, winning together and achieving our dreams together. Lihim ko silang nilingon. Jeremiah's eyes are closed, and I think he's trying to calm himself. Sa tabi niya ay si Hailee na panay pa rin ang pag buga ng hangin. Beside her is Sonara who's praying silently. Sofia is beside her, drinking water at panay ang pag-shake ng kanyang mga kamay. She looks really nervous but I can see and feel confidence in her. Last one is Jayden beside Sofia, he's looking at the stage just like what I did earlier.

Gumuhit ang tipid na ngiti sa aking mga labi, I remember how he held my hand again. Matapos man ang labanan na ito, I will never forget how we broke the rules as we all stole food in the cafeteria. It will be one of the amazing things that happened to me here and I will never forget that.

"Hello, dear students!" Malalik akong huminga nang nakapunta na sa stage ang babae na narinig namin. I was right, it was her, the one we heard talking to a man when we stole last night. How can I forget her voice when she's also the one who hosted the welcoming to all of us here?

"Everyone is quiet, I can feel how your hearts are breathing so fast," mahina siyang tumawa at ganoon din naman ang ilang estudyante, "However, the competition must begin as you all thrive for your dreams," gumuhit ang tipid na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi at katulad ni Mrs. Gonzales kanina ay naglalakad-lakad siya sa aming harap. We can hear the sound of her heels while walking slowly, and holding the mic.

"Today, there are groups that will be eliminated as we start this second task," the whole place covered in silence. Alam kong lahat kami ay kabado. But we already knew that those are the groups who stayed in their bands' rooms. Ang ipinagtataka ko lang ay kung bakit napaka bilis naman yata. On the other hand, I understand that they want to make this as fast as they can, "But, there also groups who will keep going to thrive for their dreams," pinagmasdan niya ang lahat at nanatili sa gitna, "I am excited to meet the bands who will be popular in this industry," huminga siya ng malalim at binalik ang mga mata sa amin, "Now, let the competition begin!"

Bumagsak ang isang malaking screen sa harapan at bumungad sa amin ang numero ng bawat grupo. Bawat numero na ipinapakita ay naroon ang mga pangalan na sa tingin ko ay ang kabuuan ng mga miyembro ng mga grupo.

It started to the first one, at bawat paglitaw ng mga numero at ng mga miyembro ay napapa-singhap ang mga estudyante. While we are waiting to see our names, matindi ang kaba sa aming mga dibdib. Wala sa sarili akong napahawak kay Jeremiah sa aking tabi at sandaling pumikit.

"Relax," aniya, at malambot na ngumiti. I nodded and tried to calm myself.

"F*ck, mas lalo akong kinakabahan sa paglitaw ng mga pangalan," ani Sofia, at sumandal.

"That's us, Tamara!" Nilingon ko ang tatlong babae na hindi malayo sa amin nang lumitaw ang sa tingin ko ay mga pangalan nila. They are only three and all girls. I wonder how good they are. Ngumisi ang tinawag na Tamara at pakiramdam ko ay wala itong nararamdaman na kaba sa kanyang mukha. She looks confident of what she can do.

"That's us!" Nawala ang mga mata ko sa kanila at nadako sa aming mga pangalan.

We're number 10, kami ang kasunod ng tatlong babae. Ngumiti kaming lahat nang malaman na namin kung pang-ilan kami sa magpe-perform.

"We got this," ani Sofia at nag-inat pa ng kanyang kamay.

Yeah, we got this.

Nang matapos ang paglitaw ng mga pangalan at numero kung saan iyon ang magiging pagkakasunod-sunod ng pag pe-perform ay bumalik ang babae sa harap.

"Now, let me call the first band and let's show their first performance together with their leader!" We all clapped as we saw the five students stand up. Nagtatalon pa ang ilan sa kanila at mukhang inaalis ang kaba na nararamdaman.

Umakyat sila sa stage at sandaling hinanda ang lahat. Sa stage ay may drum na, gitara, piano, at mga mic na nakahanda. Nag-usap pa ang mga ito panandalian bago pumunta ang babae sa harap ng mic. They are 3 girls and 2 boys. Ang isang babae ay ang drummer, habang ang isang lalaki ay sa piano at ang isa pang lalaki ay sa gitara naman. Ang mga natira ay hawak ang mic, I suppose, they are the vocalists.

"Hello, everyone," ani ng babae at kinakabahan na ngumiti habang tinatanaw ang lahat, "I am Christine Leviste, and I am the leader of Brighter Band!" sinigaw nito ang pangalan ng kanilang banda, at agad na lumitaw sa screen ang pangalan ng kanilang banda. I smiled as I saw how confident they were. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang fighting spirits nila, lalo na ang leader.

"I love that girl," komento ni Sonara. I nodded, I love her confidence as well.

Bumilang ang babae na leader at sumenyas sa banda nila hanggang sa sinimulan ng mga ito ang pagtugtog.

"I know that song," ani Sonara, bago ngumiwi. It's a bit disappointing. Napaka energetic ng dinala nilang vibe sa stage. But I don't think this song will fit now.

Anyway I'm just gonna sing and play

Um, and I'm gonna play a song that you may know

That you may know~

She has an angelic voice, that's amazing.

"Oh, bumaba ang energy dahil sa kanta," pahayag ni Jeremiah. We all agreed to that.

You're the light, you're the night

You're the color of my blood

You're the cure, you're the pain

You're the only thing I wanna touch

Never knew that it could mean so much, so much

You're the fear, I don't care

'Cause I've never been so high

Follow me through the dark

Let me take you past our satellites

You can see the world you brought to life, to life

So love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do

Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do

Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do

What are you waiting for?

At the chorus, they duet. The blend of their voices' outcome is amazing. Masarap at maganda sa pandinig ang mga boses nila. I can also feel how they are feeling about the song and its lyrics. Ramdam ko rin ang pagbibigay nila ng best nila para sa performance na ito.

"They are amazing," ani Sofia.

"Kanta lang ang problema," ani Jayden.

As they ended the performance, pumalakpak kaming lahat. Even though I am not part of their band, I'm still happy that they did it. Alam ko na lahat kami ay pinaghirapan ang mga ipe-perform sa araw na ito.

Nagtatawanan sila nang makababa at mukhang mga nakahinga na sa kaba na kanina ay nararamdaman din nila.

"I'm starting to feel excited and show them what we've got," ani Sofia at sumipol nang sumunod na ang pangalawang grupi. They introduced their band, at puro sila lalaki.

Sa grupo nila ay apat lang sila.

As their band started to play, nag sigawan ang ilan hanggang sa nabalot ng ingay ang buong lugar. Hindi ko mapigilan ang pag ngiti.

"Woooooh!" hiyaw ni Sofia at malakas na tumawa habang ganoon din ang iba.

"The Lazy Song, huh?" natatawa na pahayag ni Jeremiah. They lift up the vibes here, nakita ko agad ang confidence na dumaloy sa banda nila.

Today I don't feel like doing anything

I just wanna lay in my bed

Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone

'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything

I'm gonna kick my feet up, then stare at the fan

Turn the TV on, throw my hand in my pants

Nobody's gon' tell me I can't, no!

"YEAHHHHH!" sigaw ng iba at ang ilan at nakatayo na. Some are also dancing, habang kami ay nanonood at nakikitawa lang din. Mukhang maloko rin ang bandang ito. Well, they are all boys.

I'll be lounging on the couch, just chilling in my Snuggie

Click to MTV, so they can teach me how to dougie

'Cause in my castle I'm the freaking man

Oh Yes! I said it, I said it, I said it 'cause I can

Today I don't feel like doing anything

I just wanna lay in my bed

Don't feel like picking up my phone, so leave a message at the tone

'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything~

They danced on the stage and owned it. I cannot see any nervous at their faces, kitang-kita ko na ini-enjoy lang nila ang pagkanta at ang performance nila. That's it, they did it!

Nang matapos sila ay sumunod ang isang banda. The last band succeeded in making people have fun in their performance. Huminga ako ng malalim, at sana lang ay ganoon din ang mangyari mamaya sa performance namin. Mukhang mahaba-haba pa namin mararamdaman ang mga kaba sa aming dibdib.

"I'm Kristiana De Lavin and we are the Shining Stars!"

That's a great introduction. Sana lang ay maayos din ang napili nilang kanta. This time, they are all girls. Katulad nang sinundan nila ay apat lang sila sa kanilang banda.

As they play the song they will perform, agad na sumayaw ang babae at dinala ang lahat.

"Come on, everybody! Kristiana in the house!" she yelled.

Mahinang tumawa si Sofia dahil doon.

"Should I shout like that later?" natatawa pa rin na saad ni Sofia. Agad naman na sumama ang tingin ni Hailee at Sonara sa kanya.

"Oh, don't even try!" ani Hailee at umirap.

"Ako na mismo ang mag-aalis sa'yo sa lugar na ito," ani Sonara at binantaan ng mga mata si Sofia na hindi naman nawala ang nang-iinis na ngiti at mukhang enjoy pa sa mga nagaganap.

It's not bad to yell like that. Nakakahiya lang nga kapag matamlay pa rin ang audience.

"Roar, rAwr!" malakas na tumawa si Sofia nang mainis si Sonata matapos niyang umarte na akala ko tigre talaga. Nagpipigil na lang ako ng tawa sa kalokohan nito. Kahit kailan talaga ay walang magawa kung 'di ang manloko at mang inis.

"T*ngina mo talaga, Sofia!" malutong na mura ni Sonara.

"Katy Perry's song," saad naman ni Jayden at isinandal ang ulo sa upuan. He eyed me for a while and gave me a smile on his lips. Itinaas niya ang isang kamay niya at bahagya iyon ikinaway sa akin. My eyes remained at his bare hand.

Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin. Until I found myself holding my other hand. Why do I always remember how he held my hand? Na naulit pa rin kanina.

I just secretly bit my lower lip. I must be insane already.

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath

Scared to rock the boat and make a mess

So I sat quietly, agreed politely

I guess that I forgot I had a choice

I let you push me past the breaking point

I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

You held me down, but I got up (hey)

Already brushing off the dust

You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder, gonna shake the ground

You held me down, but I got up (hey)

Get ready 'cause I've had enough

I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter

Dancing through the fire

'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar

"Well, not bad, " ani ko.

"It's powerful," saad ni Hailee.

"I don't like the vibe, it's not fit here," komento naman ni Sonara. She has a point. Sa tingin ko rin ay hindi bagay ang kanta na iyon para sa performance ngayon. Para sa akin, hindi sila nagtagumpay na mapasaya o madala ang tao sa kanilang performance. Hindi katulad ng grupo ng mga lalaki kanina. Mas lalo tuloy akong nakaramdam ng kaba.

"They are nervous," ani ko, nang mapansin ko iyon sa kanilang mga mukha.

"Extremely, " natatawa na saad ni Sofia.

"Don't laugh," ani Sonara na tingin ko ay nakaramdam ng awa sa grupo. Well, they have great talent.

Ilang oras ang lumipas at pitong grupo na ang nagdaan o nakapag perform. Panay na ang hinga ko ng malalim. Pinagkukuskos ko na rin ang mga palad ko dahil sa malamig ito dahil na rin siguro sa kaba. Malapit na kami, at ilan na lang ay kami naman ang sasalang.

"Chill," ani Hailee sa akin, ngunit siya mismo ay kabado rin.

"They are going to sing Flashlight by Jessie J," ani Hailee nang magsimula na silang tumugtog. Nahinto ako nang mabanggit ang kanta na iyon. Why do I even remember the flashlight that Jayden gave to me? Lihim akong pumikit. This is driving me crazy. It's just a d*mn flashlight, a mere one!

When tomorrow comes

I'll be on my own

Feeling frightened of

The things that I don't know

When tomorrow comes

Tomorrow comes

Tomorrow comes

And though the road is long

I look up to the sky

And in the dark I found,

I lost hope that I won't fly

And I sing along, I sing along

And I sing along

"Nakakaantok ang kanta na iyan para sa unang performance nila," pahayag ni Sonara. I nodded as I also agreed. Tama siya, this is not really a good song.

I got all I need when I got you and I

I look around me, and see a sweet life

I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight

You're getting me, getting me through the night

Kick start my heart when you shine it in my eyes

Can't lie, it's a sweet life

I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight

You're getting me, getting me through the night

'Cause you're my flashlight (flashlight)

You're my flashlight (flashlight)

You're my flashlight

Their voices are blending well. Pero nang pagmasdan ko ang lahat ay napansin ko ang pag higab at pag tamlay ng karamihan. They should have chosen an energetic song instead.

Nang matapos sila ay sumunod ang kasunod na banda. Time went fast, hanggang sa ang tatlong babae na ang nasa stage at nasa harapan namin ngayon. The girl who's in front of the mic has blonde wavy hair. Maputi rin ito, at sakto lang ang height. I think I'm taller than her. Until now, I can feel how confident she is.

Bumuga ako ng hangin habang pinagmamasdan sila.

They are only three, but they look like they are not easy to defeat.

"Hello, everyone!" gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi niya, nag-ingay ang ilan at magandang simula na iyon, "I am Tamara Ashley Santillan, and these two girls beside me are the two stars of our band named, Three Stars!" nabalot ng ingay ang buong lugar at mukhang nakuha niya ang atensyon ng karamihan.

Three stars.

"So, we're six stars?" biro ni Sofia.

They have a big confidence, ramdam na ramdam ko iyon. Lalo na sa leader nila na si Tamara. She looks brave enough for a leader. Not easy to defeat at all.

"I like her hair," ani Sonara.

As they started playing the song, alam ko nang maganda ang napili nilang iyon para sa performance ngayon.

"Woah, Blank Space," ani Jeremiah.

"It's powerful but a chill one for me," saad naman ni Jayden sa dulo. Mas lalo akong kinabahan sa kanilang grupo. They all look competitive, halatang hindi magpapatalo.

Nice to meet you, where you been?

I could show you incredible things

Magic, madness, heaven, sin

Saw you there and I thought

"Oh, my God, look at that face

You look like my next mistake

Love's a game, wanna play?" Ay

She has a great voice, at alam kong may ibubuga pa siya. Napaka chill ng pagkanta at paggalaw niya sa stage. She's just enjoying Taylor Swift song, at nagsisimula nang sumabay ang ilan.

New money, suit and tie

I can read you like a magazine

Ain't it funny rumors fly

And I know you heard about me

So hey, let's be friends

I'm dying to see how this one ends

Grab your passport and my hand

I can make the bad guys good for a weekend

"Come on, sing with me!" sigaw niya, at kita ko ang pagbibigay sigla niya sa ilan. Tila ba ay nasa concert lang siya.

OverviewLyricsListenOther recordings

Nice to meet you, where you been?

I could show you incredible things

Magic, madness, heaven, sin

Saw you there and I thought

"Oh, my God, look at that face

You look like my next mistake

Love's a game, wanna play?" Ay

New money, suit and tie

I can read you like a magazine

Ain't it funny rumors fly

And I know you heard about me

So hey, let's be friends

I'm dying to see how this one ends

Grab your passport and my hand

I can make the bad guys good for a weekend

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over, mmh

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

'Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I've got a blank space, baby

And I'll write your name

"Everybody sing!" bahagya siyang tumalon at halos lahat ay sumasabay na sa kanyang pagkanta.

She's killing it. She's owning the whole stage.

Huminga ako ng malalim. It makes me more determined to do well after them.

OverviewLyricsListenOther recordings

Nice to meet you, where you been?

I could show you incredible things

Magic, madness, heaven, sin

Saw you there and I thought

"Oh, my God, look at that face

You look like my next mistake

Love's a game, wanna play?" Ay

New money, suit and tie

I can read you like a magazine

Ain't it funny rumors fly

And I know you heard about me

So hey, let's be friends

I'm dying to see how this one ends

Grab your passport and my hand

I can make the bad guys good for a weekend

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over, mmh

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

'Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I've got a blank space, baby

And I'll write your name

Cherry lips, crystal skies

I could show you incredible things

Stolen kisses, pretty lies

You're the King, baby, I'm your Queen

Find out what you want

Be that girl for a month

Wait, the worst is yet to come, oh, no

Screaming, crying, perfect storms

I can make all the tables turn

Rose garden filled with thorns

Keep you second guessing like

"Oh, my God, who is she?"

I get drunk on jealousy

But you'll come back each time you leave

'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over, mmh

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

Even her emotions while singing fits to the lyrics of the song and it made the song prettier na mas sinabayan ng lahat.

When the song ended, hinabol niya ang kanyang hininga ng may malawak na ngiti sa lahat. Bumuga ako ng hangin, knowing that they did really great, at kami na ang susunod.

"I think I found our biggest opponent," ani ko, bago tumayo.

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