Traitor (Unhappy Series #1)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"No, I'm not her daughter," I gulped as I felt the nervousness in my chest. Pakiramdam ko ay binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig. Isang maling galaw, o isang maling salita ko lang, pakiramdam ko ay mabibisto at malalaman nila ang sikreto ko. Ni hindi ako makahinga ng maayos dahil sa mga mata nila na nasa akin. They are not even looking away.

Did I convince them? I bit my lower lip. I don't think so, I don't know. Why can't I read their eyes? Gusto ko na lang magmura sa kaba.

"Just kidding," mariin akong pumikit at bumuga ng hangin nang malakas na tumawa si Sofia at ganoon din sila. Halos nag sugat na ang ibaba kong labi sa pagkagat ko. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko, malakas pa rin ang kabog nito at ramdam ko pa rin ang kaba sa aking dibdib. That's not a good joke, it can kill me! Sa nerbyos ata ako papatayin.

"Pinagpapawisan ka ba?" tanong ni Hailee. Doon ko lang naramdaman ang pawis sa aking noo. Agad ko naman iyon pinahid. Maging ang pawis ko ay malamig.

"It's a bit hot," pagsisinungaling ko. The room is actually an aircon. What kind of lie was that? Never mind, you have to save yourself, Eliana.

"Elaina Galves is my idol," pahayag ni Sonara at ngumiti sa akin. Hanggang ngayon ay kabado ako. Why are they even talking about it in front of me? Pakiramdam ko ay nawawalan ako ng dugo sa kaba. What makes me nervous is when I saw Jeremiah eyeing me. When I eyed him, he just gave me a little smile on his lips.

I looked away, bago pa nito mahalata ang kaba ko. Umupo ako ng maayos, I know he's trying to read me. He's observing, quietly. Hindi ko nagugustuhan iyon, mas lalo ako nababagabag.

"Sino ba ang hindi?" komento ni Hailee.

"Come on, we have to choose our leader, magre-ready pa tayo sa performance mamaya," pahayag ni Jaydent tinakpan ang iniinom.

"I have an idea," lumiwanag ang mukha ni Sofia na parang isang ilaw. But that gleam on her face is a gleam of nonsense. Sigurado ako na kalokohan ang naiisip nito. Hindi ko pa nakakasama ng matagal si Sofia, alam ko na agad na puro ito kalokohan. She's really the type of girl who loves breaking the rules.

"Spill it!" Lumapit si Hailee nang may malawak na ngiti at excited pa sa sasabihin ni Sofia.

"Should I spy?" Sabay sabay kaming bumuga ng hangin at umiling. Disappointment is on our faces. Sabi na nga ba at kalokohan lang ang iniisip niya.

"Why did I even think that you would have such a nice idea?" Umikot ang mga mata ni Sonara. She looks like a soft person. Pero ngayon ay mukhang lumalabas na rin ang pagka maldita at mataray niya.

"What? Makikinig-kinig lang naman ako, don't worry, they won't know, para naman may idea tayo sa kung ano ang ipe-perform nila," paliwanag niya.

"You should do that," nakipag apir pa si Jayden kay Sofia na mas malawak ang ngiti ngayon dahil sa may sumang-ayon sa kanya.

"Are you tolerating her?" mataray na tanong ni Sonara.

"No, just agreeing," ngumisi si Jayden at uminom. Gumuhit ang ngisi sa aking mga labi. He managed Sonara well. Sa halip na mag sungit o kung ano pa man, he answered it calmly, o dapat ko bang sabihing medyo pilosopo iyon?

"Bakit pa tayo nagsama-sama kung wala naman pala ang gustong maging leader?" Nagkamot ng ulo si Hailee at nagsimula ng ma-stress.

"It's a huge responsibility," pahayag ko, ngumiti lang ako nang tingnan nila ako. Leadership is a big word. Lalo na sa competition na ito, the leader must be always focused and quite smart in everything, "Nakasalalay lahat ng mga pangarap natin dito," dagdag ko.

"I have an idea, then," nilingon ko si Jeremiah, nakatingin ito sa akin suot ang malawak at malambot niyang ngiti. Matagal din niya akong tiningnan, medyo nailang ako ro'n.

"Okay, you look responsible naman," ani Sonara.

"Does that mean that I am not, Sonara?" Naglaho ang ngiti sa labi ni Sofia at masungit na tiningnan si Sonara.

"I never said that," kumindat si Sonara at ibinalik ang titig kay Jeremiah.

"Tutal ay wala naman may gusto sa atin na maging leader, then let's force this to make thus band work," huminga siya ng malalim. Akma pa na iinom si Jayden nang kunin ni Jeremiah ang bote at tinakpan iyon saka inilagay sa lapag sa gitna namin dahil nga nakabilog kami ngayon. Kumunot ang noo ko sa ginagawa niya, what is he trying to do?

"Fvck, spin the bottle?" komento ni Sofia.

"Don't be like that, you're making me nervous, bro," ani Jayden at wala ng ngiti sa labi. Lahat kami ngayon ay hindi na nakangiti. We can all feel the nervousness.

"Don't choose me," ani Hailee sa bote.

"Kapag ako ang naging leader, katapusan na natin," pahayag ni Sonara.

"Let's let the bottle decide," ani Jeremiah, huminga ako nang malalim nang paikutin ni na ni Jeremiah ang bote sa aming gitna. As the bottle spins, pakiramdam ko ay napigil namin ang mga paghinga namin. I clenched my hand while watching the bottle spin and choose the leader among us.

Nang makita ko na humihina na ang pag-ikot ng bote, I closed my eyes while holding my breath.

Silence. That's what covers us. Nakapikit pa rin ako at hindi ko alam kung kanino na tumapat ang bote.

"It's you," I heard Jayden say. I slowly opened my eyes while hoping that it wasn't me. Ngunit sa pagbukas ng mga mata ko, tumambad sa akin ang bote na sa akin nakatapat. Para akong binagsakan ng buong mundo. Bumagsak ang balikat ako at malalim na huminga. I bit my lower lip as I glanced at the bottle. Kung tao lang ang bote na ito ay kanina ko pa ito inaway.

"YES!!!" Nakahinga sila ng maluwag at masayang-masaya. Habang ako ay hindi makapaniwala sa bote na sa akin nakatapat.

"Congrats, Eliana!" Hailee pats my back. I eyed him unbelievably. That's the worst congratulations I have received in my life.

"I expected that," ani Jayden, "I would be happy to follow you," ani Jayden. Nakita ko ang naging pag lingon ni Jeremiah nang sabihin iyon ni Jayden sa akin nang nakangiti at diretso akong tinitignan.

"Why does it have to be me?" Walang choice kong tanong sa kanila.

"Because the bottle chose you," sagot ni Jeremiah. Laglag ang panga ko habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"That's unfair! What kind of choosing was that? This is just a thing for god's sake!" Halos mag tantrums na ako ro'n. Gusto ko na lang magpagulong-gulong sa kama at magmukmok. I don't even have any plans. Basta ang gusto ko lang ay mapatunayan ko na kaya ko kay Daddy at matupad ang pangarap namin ni Mommy.

"Can you spin it again?" Para akong bata na lumapit kay Jeremiah. I know it's embarrassing, pero ngumiti ako at nagpa-cute pa sa harap niya. Gumuhit ang malambot na ngiti sa mga labi niya ay mahinang tumawa habang pinagmamasdan ako na nilulunok ang kahihiyan ko.

"Why are you doing that?" Bumuga siya ng hangin at para bang pinipigilan ang sarili. So I tried even more.

"No, he can't," nawala ang ngiti ko nang hilahin ako ni Jayden at napalitan iyon ng gulat. Inilayo niya ako kay Jeremiah at mahinang tinulak pabalik sa upuan ko. Napalunok ako sa ginawa nito.

"That's final, Eliana," ani Sofia at tumaas-taas ang kilay sa akin.

"You'll be a great leader," ani Jeremiah, is he trying to cheer me up? Because I don't think it will be effective right now.

"Name the band, leader!" Sumaludo si Sonara sa akin at kumindat.

Sandali akong tumahimik at nilaro ang aking mga daliri. Since I don't have any choice but to agree, I have to think of a name for this band.

"Any suggestions, then?" inis ko pa na saad.

"What about Bright Band?" ani Hailee.

"Oh, I can't feel any power," komento ni Sofia at ngumiwi.

"I can't think of any," saad ni Jayden at kinuha na ang bote sa gitna.

"Prismatic," I said, out of nowhere. I smiled as I thought of that and eyed them. Natahimik sila at sandali na nag-isip. Nang hindi pa rin sila nagsasalita ay nagsalita akong muli, "T-the prism represents their life, and the colored bars represent all the different facets of their being that they've gained throughout life," paliwanag ko at nilaro ang aking mga daliri. I don't know if that's a good suggestion. Kinakabahan ako na baka hindi nila iyon gusto at ako lang ang may gusto.

"That's a unique one," gumuhit ang ngiti sa aking labi nang sabihin iyon ni Jeremiah. I secretly winked at him.

"Prismatic Band," ani Hailee.

"There's power," saad ni Sonara habang nag-iisip.

"No, that's powerful," manghang saad ni Sofia. Nakahinga ako ng malalim sa pagpayag nila.

"So, what's the plan?" tanong ni Hailee.

They all eyed me, and waited for what I would say. Tumayo ako sandali, "Can I go out for a while? Let me breathe from this," ani ko, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ako ang napili ng bote na iyon para maging leader.

"Sure," ani Sonara.

Lumabas ako sa room namin at pinagmasdan lang ang ibaba mula sa floor na ito. I can see the gym here. Ngumiwi ako habang pilit na tinatanggap na ako ang leader. Prismatic band, what should we do to win?

"Not because you're the leader, doesn't mean that it's just your fight," nilingon ko si Jeremiah na kalalabas lang at tumabi sa akin. I nodded, alam ko iyon. But I can feel how big this role is, and I'm afraid that it's too big for me to fit in.

"I know, but this is too big for me," masama ko siyang tinignan, "Bakit ba kasi naisip mo pa na mag spin the bottle para magka-leader?" Sa halip na matakot sa masama kong tingin ay tumawa siya sa akin.

"If it's too big, then be bigger than it," nahinto ako, why is he always like this? Wala pang ilang araw ko siyang nakakasama, but Jeremiah always lifts up the spirit. He's really soft, he's like a walking green flag. He understands everything and I don't think he's biased. Kung may malaki kaming advantages sa iba, masasabi ko na si Jeremiah ang isa ro'n.

"Saan mo nakukuha 'yan?" I asked, while staring at him.

"I chose to understand life instead of stressing myself," aniya at malambot na ngumiti. Tumango-tango ako. I wish I could be like him. Pero mahirap intindihin ang buhay. It sucks.

"I told you that I should be the leader!" Naagaw ng atensyon namin ang isang grupo na lumabas sa room nila. Tatlong lalaki, at isang babae. Sa tingin ko ay nagtatalo-talo ang mga ito.

"Jonathan, kaya nga tayo nag botohan para fair, why are you being unfair?!" singhal ng babae sa lalaki na galit na galit.

"You're acting like an immature kid, man!" Mas lalong nag-init ang ulo ng lalaki nang sabihin pa iyon ng isang lalaki na kasama nila.

"Woah, trouble!" Sofia went out at tinawag ang iba naming kasama. Naglabasan na rin ang ibang grupo sa mga rooms nila at nakinood na rin.

"This is my favorite scene," ani Sofia at ngumiti habang nanonood ng away.

"Tsk, arguments will eliminate them," komento ni Sonara.

"That's normal, they just built a bad group," dagdag ni Jayden at ngumisi habang nag-aaway pa rin ang grupo.

Nilibot ko ang mga mata ko sa bawat grupo na nakalabas sa mga kwarto at nanonood ng away. One by one, I eyed them. Who's our biggest opponent here? Who should we watch well?

Huminga ako ng malalim, "Come back inside," ani ko at agad na bumalik. Sumunod naman sila at bumalik sa mga upuan nila.

"Okay," panimula ko, "Bago tayo magsimula sa paghahanda para sa first performance natin, I want all of you to do something as they gathered all of us tomorrow."

"Go on, I can feel fun," komento ni Sofia at sumipol.

"We can't fight without knowing our opponents," tipid akong ngumiti, "We can't consider every group as our real opponent, all we have to do is to find out which groups will fit to be our biggest opponents in this competition," sa oras na 'to, I really felt the leadership, "We will not win, kung hindi natin alam kung sino ang totoong kalaban natin, we have to find them, open our eyes, then the battle begin," pahayag ko.

"Count on me, I'll do some spy work," ani Sofia at kumindat.

Huminga ako ng malalim at tiningnan sila. Just like what Jeremiah said, if it's too big, then be bigger than it. That's what I am doing right now. If I have to be a leader for our dreams, then I will do my best to be bigger than everything, or everyone.

"Then let's shine more than stars, Prismatic band, "

Lumipas ang oras at sinimulan na namin mag-isip.

"I want an energetic song, something that will lift up the spirit and will make everyone dance," ani ko habang kinakagat ang aking kuko. I can't believe I'm really taking this role seriously. But that is what I have to do. Kanina pa ako pabalik-balik na naglalakad at kanina pa rin ako nag-iisip. Should I say that these are my mannerisms when I'm thinking and deciding deep?

"Don't you want a love song?" suhestiyon ni Hailee, agad naman akong umiling sa kanya.

"I think it will give us a soft ambiance as a band? I want to show them power as we perform and also, I want them to see us just chilling in this competition but secretly fighting to win," pahayag ko at pabalik-balik muli sa paglalakad.

Jayden is starting to warm up himself by playing the guitar a bit, at handa ng tumugtog. Jeremiah, as well, is already sitting in front of the drums, at nilalaro-laro na ang sticks ng drum. They're just waiting for me to decide. Habang si Hailee ay inaayos ang mga mic at si Sonara naman ay pinipindot-pindot ang organ.

"Since Hailee and Sofia will join you to sing the song, why don't we try the song, 'Bang Bang'?" suhestiyon naman ni Sonara at itinigil sandali ang pag pindot sa organ.

"I think that's too energetic," ani Jeremiah.

"If you want an energetic song but will make everyone feel like we're just chilling, I think Jeremiah is right, let's not show everything we can do, umpisa pa lang ito," pahayag ni Jayden.

"I agree, baka maubos tayo at mas malalaman na nila ang kaya natin, let's surprise them in every task," Hailee smiled at me and gave me the mic.

Tumango-tango naman ako sa mga opinyon nila. All of their opinions are right. Kahit ako na leader ay ayoko na ipakita namin lahat ng kakayahan namin sa isang task lang. It's better to show them what we can do in every task, iyon ba na masosorpresa sila.

"That's why I want them to receive a chill vibe from us," ani ko muli.

"Tumigil ka na sa paglalakad ng pabalik-balik," nilingon ko si Sofia na kararating lang at isinara ang pinto. Nagpaalam siya kanina na may babalikan lang sa dorm nila. But I wonder what took her so long. Tumaas agad ang kilay ko at nilingon si Sonara.

"Where the hell did you go? Gaano ba karami ang naiwan mo sa dorm at ang tagal mo?" Sonara nagged.

"Oh, stop nagging me," umirap si Sofia at nilingon ako ng may malawak na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. Ngiti pa lang na iyon ay alam kong may ginawa itong kalokohan, "I got some information," aniya, at kumindat sa akin.

"Sa dorm ka ba talaga galing?" tanong ko at mas tinaasan siya ng kilay. When she pouted, I knew that she didn't go to their dorm. It's just a lie so she can go out for a while.

"What did you do, Sofia?" May pangamba na sa boses ni Sonara. Of course, sa lahat sa amin, siya ang mas nakakakilala kay Sofia dahil mukhang matagal na silang magkakilala at magkaibigan.

"Walked around, I heard some plans," nilingon niya akong muli, "They're planning to sing a very energetic song, some of them are love songs, some of them chose the songs that are really high notes," mahaba niyang pahayag. Gumuhit ang ngiti sa akin at wala sa sarili akong pumalakpak sa kanya, "Thank me later," aniya, at kinuha ang isang mic kat Hailee.

"Why did they even choose high notes songs? That's bad for the introduction," ngumiwi si Hailee at umiling.

Exactly, that's bad. Kung kakanta sila ng matataas na kanta, yes, they will impress everyone. Pero sa tingin ko ay masyadong malaking hakbang iyon at masyadong malaki ang pagbuhos na iyon para sa pagpapakilala ng kanilang band.

"Maybe, because they want to let us see that they are strong or more powerful," pahayag ni Jeremiah.

I nodded as I agreed.

"Can you sing high notes?" Sonara asked, while eyeing me. I guess I'm the one she's asking.

"Yes," ani ko.

"Can you handle Beyonce's songs?" tanong niya muli.

"That's easy," ani ko at kumindat.

"That's good, I can't reach those notes," ani Sofia.

"I can hit those notes, but I think you're better than me, I sometimes fail to hit those very high notes," pahayag naman si Hailee.

"I'll enjoy playing F sharp," mahinang tumawa si Sonara at pinagpipindot ang organ.

"Okay, I've decided," ani ko, huminga muna ako ng malalim, "Since I want them to feel power from us but also feel that we're just chilling in this competition, I think the song, 'Can't Stop the Feeling' will fit to that,"

Tumango-tango si Hailee at umindak-indak na.

"I love that song!" aniya at mas dinama ang kanta sa kanyang isip.

"By Justin Timberlake?" tanong ni Sonara, and I nodded.

Nang iniisip pa rin nila ay tumikhim ako at hinawakan ko ang mic na binigay ni Hailee sa akin.

"I got this feeling inside my bones

It goes electric, wavey when I turn it on

All through my city, all through my home

We're flying up, no ceiling, when we in our zone,"

Bumalandra ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Jayden. As I continued, I gave it a little dance, enjoying the song as I also felt chill and just having fun. Jayden started to played the guitar, at sinabayan ang pagkanta ko. Ganoon din si Sonara na sinimulan ng isabay ang organ, at ang drums na unti-unti na rin pinapasok ni Jeremiah.

"I got that sunshine in my pocket

Got that good song in my feet," Itinuro ko si Hailee, telling her to continue the song.

"Fvck, hold on, I'm remembering the lyrics," ani Sofia, at iniisip pa ang buong lyrics habang sumasayaw-sayaw na rin.

"I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops

I can't take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally

You gone like the way we rock it, so don't stop, your turn, Sofia!"

"Under the lights when everything goes

Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close

When we move, well, you already know

So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine~" Sofia got it quickly and continued the song and we just danced while letting her sing. All of us are dancing while doing our role in this band. Jeremiah, Jayden, and Sonara are all vibin' and energized as we sing.

"Back to you!" Sofia held my hands and we both danced while vibing.

"Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance~" and we danced happily with fun.

"Feeling good, good, creeping up on you

So just dance, dance, dance, come on

All those things I should do to you

But you dance, dance, dance

And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing~" Ngayon ay sabay sabay namin kinanta ang chorus while wearing our smiles on our lips.

While singing with the whole band, I feel home. Pakiramdam ko ay naka hanap ako ng mga tao na may kapareho kong pangarap at hindi ako pipigilan sa mga pangarap ko. It's my first time singing with happiness. Noon ay palagi akong walang saya sa pagkanta, knowing that my father isn't supporting me on this one.

"I can't stop the feeling~" I mean it, I can't stop the feeling while we are all enjoying it.

"Can't stop the feeling~" mas lalo pang sumayaw si Hailee habang mas pinapaganda namin ang kanta.

"So just dance, dance, dance

I can't stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance, come on~"

"Okay, my turn!" I laughed while watching Sofia. Mukha na kaming mga naka high sa sobrang pag-enjoy namin sa kanta. This is just a practice, paano pa kapag nasa harap na kami ng lahat? "Ooh, it's something magical

It's in the air, it's in my blood, it's rushing on

I don't need no reason, don't need control

I fly so high, no ceiling, when I'm in my zone~"

Mabilis akong sumingit at sinalo ang susunod na lyrics, "Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket

Got that good song in my feet

I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops,"

"Wooh~" humalakhak si Sofia as they both did that.

"I can't take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally

You gon' like the way we rock it, so don't stop~"

We look like drunk people who are dancing. Magkakahawak kaming tatlo ng kamay at iniikot ang isa't isa. Habang sila Sonara, Jeremiah, at Jayden ay todo bigay sa pagtugtog.

"Under the lights when everything goes

Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close

When we move, well, you already know

So just imagine,"

"Just imagine~" Sofia sang.

"Just imagine~" As I sang that line, I made it a little bit high to make it more enjoyable.

Pakiramdam ko ay mapupunit na ang mga labi ko sa patuloy na pag ngiti habang kumakanta. This is what I am telling them. This is what I want. Something that will lift up the spirit. Something that will make everyone feel like we're just chilling and having fun. I want a performance where we will enjoy and have fun. Not a performance where we will be filled with nervousness.

"Come on, girls!" Sonara yelled as she also played the organ hard.

"Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance

Feeling good, good, creeping up on you

So just dance, dance, dance, come on

All those things I should do to you

But you dance, dance, dance

And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing~" Our voices are blending. I love how lovely it is. Ang sarap pakinggan.

"I can't stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance~"

"Come on, dance!" Mas lalo kaming tumawa nang sumayaw si Sofia sa tabi ni Jeremiah at Jayden. Jayden glared at her, habang si Jeremiah ay paulit-ulit na umiiling.

"You're bad at seduction," komento ni Jayden at ngumiwi.

"I can't stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance

I can't stop the feeling

So just dance, dance, dance

I can't stop the feeling~"

"F*ck you, Jayden!" sigaw ni Sofia kay Jayden habang naka mic pa. But the song goes on, the fun and vibe goes on even more.

"I can't stop the, I can't stop the

I can't stop the, I can't stop the

I can't stop the feeling~"

"Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance~"

"(I can't stop the feeling)" Sofia felt the song even more.

"Feeling good, good, creeping up on you

So just dance, dance, dance, come on

(I can't stop the feeling) Hailee

All those things I should do to you

But you dance, dance, dance

(I can't stop the feeling) Sofia

And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing~"

"Everybody sing!"

Sigaw ko at itinutok pa ang mic sa kanila. Mas lalo pang lumawak ang mga ngiti nila at mga ganadong-ganado.

"(I can't stop the feeling)

Got this feeling in my body

(I can't stop the feeling)

Got this feeling in my body

(I can't stop the feeling)

Wanna see you move your body

(I can't stop the feeling)

Got this feeling in my body

Break it down~"

"Got this feeling in my body

Can't stop the feeling

Got this feeling in my body, come on~"

Hinabol naming lahat ang aming hininga nang tapusin ko ang kanta. Kahit sa paghahabol ng aming paghinga ay hindi mawala-wala ang mga ngiti namin sa labi. I feel so happy while doing that. It made me more feel how I love singing and how I love being in this field.

"We're gonna win," Sonara said, surely, and clapped her hands with joy.

I nodded. Of course, we're all going to win. I'm gonna make sure of that. I will not let any one of us fall back.

Tumayo si Jeremiah at nakipag fist bump kay Jayden na pareho silang malawak ang ngiti.

"I'm in the right band," nakangiting saad ni Sofia.

"I'm satisfied," ani Hailee. Naupo ako at pinahid ang pawis sa aking noo. Nakakapagod iyon, but I enjoyed a lot.

"Here," nginitian ko si Jayden na inabutan ako ng tubig at tumabi sa akin, "You did well," aniya, at binigyan ako ng isang matamis na ngiti mula sa mapupula nitong mga labi.

"We all did well," ani ko sa kanya, "That's what I want, to perform like we're just enjoying, chilling, but making them feel the power we created in this band," pahayag ko habang malawak ang aking ngiti habang pinapanood sila Sofia, Sonara, Jeremiah, at Hailee na may kanya-kanya na muling mundo.

"This room will be filled with a lot of memories," ani Jayden, and I nodded.

That's right. We will spend a lot of days here in this room, practicing songs, talking, having fun, everything until we win this competition.

clarixass