Fierce

Chapter 9

Lies

"Guys, stop looking at her like that!" Isaiah scolded his bandmates and held my wrist to hide me behind him from the dumbfounded stares.

As soon as Isaiah and I entered the practice room in Ike's house, all of the members' eyes were staring at me like I was some kind of ghost. 

"Is this real?" said the guy wearing a dark-blue sweatshirt.

"Isaiah's with a girl," the one wearing a white printed tee shirt added.

"You should be Blair, then. Ida's best friend.” The last guy must be Ike because he seemed close with Ida.

"Oh... Your sister's best friend," the dark-blue sweatshirt guy reacted again.

I swear that I need Isaiah to introduce me to them. Not because I want to know them but because it's kinda weird naming them inside my head by their top outfit.

"If she's your sister's best friend, then why is she with you?" mapaghinalang tanong ni white printed tee shirt guy.

"Why don't you formally introduce us to her, Isaiah?" Ike suggested, and I wanted to second the motion but I knew that it was better to keep quiet for the meantime.

Isaiah took a deep breath and made me stand beside him, still holding my wrist. "Blair, they are Ike, Sic and Jirro—my bandmates," pakilala niya habang tinuturo sila isa-isa bawat pagbanggit niya ng kanilang pangalan.

I was right that Ike is Ike. The one who was wearing the dark-blue sweatshirt is Jirro, while the one wearing the white printed tee shirt is Sic.

"Guys, she's Blair Nicole Alcoberes. I know that she's beautiful but, guys, please... she's mine." Isaiah introduced me to them and the next thing I heard was an unexpected, scandalous scream from the boys.

Feeling a little embarrassed because of that unnecessary introduction, I awkwardly smiled while they made fun of Isaiah for being cringeworthy which was led by Sic.

"We better begin now. I need to take Blair home after we practice. Hindi siya puwedeng gabihin," sabi ni Isaiah nang mukhang wala pang balak magsimula ang ibang magsimula.

"Uhm... Actually, I don't mind getting home late,” I assured him.

Nilingon naman ako ni Isaiah. "But I don't want you getting home late so..." Umiling siya sa akin.

Rolling my eyes at him, I carefully sat on the furry black couch that was proportionate to the mini stage. While they were still getting ready, my eyes wandered around the practice room. It was fully equipped with everything their band needed. May mga speakers na nakasabit din sa apat na sulok ng kuwarto. The walls were also soundproofed.

"What song will we play first?" Sic asked while he was getting the drumsticks from his back pocket.

"Kinda want to play Always tonight," Ike answered.

Isaiah nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me."

"Then, Always it is," sabi ni Jirro at isinukbit na ang kanyang bass guitar.

I couldn't remember if I had already heard that song. Maybe I did but I just didn't know the title.

"Can you please hold my phone for me?" Isaiah casually handed me his phone.

"Okay," tipid kong sabi at naiinip na ako dahil gusto ko na silang mapakinggang tumugtog.

I put Isaiah's phone beside mine and faced them. They were setting up the mood and getting into the right emotions.

With his eyes Isaiah brushed his hair back using his hand before he put the mic on the mic stand. He firmly held the mic, and I heard Sic tapping the drumsticks three times before Jirro and Ike started playing.

Did you ever feel like you’re hanging on a cliff?

Did you ever feel like this is gonna be it?

Did you ever feel like breaking down?

I felt goosebumps pricking my skin when Isaiah's cold but soothing voice enveloped the room. His eyes were even closed while singing which made his singing voice sound more soulful.

Just take my hand

You won’t fall

I’ll be with you through it all

Just trust in me

And you’ll see

Baby, I’ll make you believe

I could see that Isaiah was really passionate about what he was doing... Well, it wasn’t just him but all of them. They're really destined to be musicians.

Cause when everything else fades

I promise I’ll stay with you, with you

Always

When Isaiah sang the chorus part, I got my phone and took a picture of him while his eyes were closed, singing the lyrics like he was putting his whole soul in every word he was singing. The only time he opened his eyes again was during the instrumental part which seemed to be a new arrangement of the song for the encore concert.

His eyes were immediately fixed on mine. Nang ngumiti siya sa akin ay muli ko siyang kinuhanan ng litrato. Pagkatapos no’n ay itinago ko rin sa loob ng aking bag ang cellphone upang ituon ang buong atensyon ko sa banda.

They played two more songs next to Always and I just sang along whenever I could remember some of the lyrics. After that, they finally called it a night.

"Isaiah played so damn well today compared to our previous concerts and official practices, huh?" mapang-inis na sabi ni Sic habang pinapaikot-ikot sa kanyang mga daliri ang drumstick.

"Syempre, may nanonood, eh." Napataas ng kilay si Jirro at ngumisi sa akin, halatang ako ang pinaparinggan.

Isaiah chuckled and threw his face towel on Jirro. "We'll go now. Ihahatid ko pa si Blair,” he just said to avoid more teasing from his band members.

"Go ahead,” Ike nodded at him, then turned to me with a polite smile. “Thanks for watching us practice tonight, Blair. We really need an audience to listen to us sometimes."

"Thank you rin." I smiled at them. "You guys sounded good." I even gave a thumbs up.

They thanked me for the short and nice comment I did and bid their goodbyes before Isaiah and I finally went home.

"I forgot my car in your house..." sabi ko kay Isaiah nang makitang patungo na sa bahay namin ang daan na tinatahak.

"Don't worry about it. Your car's already in your house," he said. "I asked Ida to make our driver send your car to your house."

Tumango-tango naman ako. "That's great, then. Thank you."

"Sorry if I took a lot of time from you today," he suddenly apologized.

"Why are you apologizing?" I asked him. "I had a great time listening and watching you guys play."

He quickly glanced at me and there was a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Really?"

"Really," I made myself clear. "I really like hearing you sing."

He looked flustered and shy because of what I said, but he couldn’t hide his bright smile which was competing with the moonlight streaming from the car’s window. "I should sing often then," he said, still smiling like an idiot.

Napangiti na lang din ako at umiling saka nilingon ang labas ng bintana.

"Anyway, nasa overseas pa rin ba sina tito at tita?" tanong niya upang magkaroon kami ng pag-uusapan.

"Nope," I answered and his eyes slightly widened. "Nakauwi na sila."

"I should've brought you home earlier." He sounded a bit worried. "I didn't know that your parents were already home. You should've told me."

I laughed at his flushed reaction. "Isaiah, relax. It's still 10PM. Maaga pa nga 'to."

He shook his head. "Should I stop over and come inside to apologize to your parents?"

"There’s no need, Isaiah," I told him. "They’re not strict, so it’s okay. Huwag kang mag-alala.”

Nahirapan ako sa pagkukumbinsi kay Isaiah na hindi na niya kailangan pang kausapin ang aking mga magulang. It was a good thing that I still managed to convince him before we arrived home. I appreciated him for being considerate, but he didn’t really have to do anything to please my parents who rarely cared about me. 

"Thanks for the ride, Isaiah. I enjoyed this night, really."

The corners of his lips lifted into a smile. "I hope I bring you to our practices more often.”

"If we both have time," I assured him.

"I'll keep your word then."

Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya at ngumiti pabalik. Hindi ko na rin alam ang sasabihin. Parting ways with him like that could be really awkward.

"So, uhm, should I say goodnight?"

"Goodnight, Isaiah,” I bid and took off his ballcap to give it back to him. "Drive safely, okay?" I did a little before getting out of his car.

I had not even even entered our gate when he swiftly pulled me back for a kiss on my cheek after following me out of the car. While I was still dumbfounded, he placed the ball cap back on my head.

"Keep it. I like seeing you wearing my things," he said before pulling away with a smile. "Goodnight again. Sweet dreams."

I still couldn't move a single inch when he already left. It felt like I got hit by lightning when I felt his lips touch my cheek.

A smile broke across my face. I stooped my head down a little and placed my cold hand on my warm cheek. Nagulat nga lang ako nang biglang mayroong naghubad ng sumbrerong ibinigay sa akin ni Isaiah na siyang humila sa akin pabalik sa realidad.

Nag-angat akong ng tingin at nanlaki ang mga mata nang makitang nasa harapan ko si Gael, hawak-hawak ang sumbrero.

His forehead was creased and his brows were furrowed. "Why are you smiling here alone?"

"None of your business," I told him and snatched the ball cap away from his hand.

Nagsimula na akong maglakad papasok sa aming gate upang hindi siya pansinin. Kaya nga lang ay agad siyang nakasunod sa akin.

"Where have you been?” he asked, curious of my whereabouts. “Your car's already here but you just came home."

"None of your business,” I repeated.

"Is that the only phrase you're going to answer me with?" he asked and blocked our door.

"No," sagot ko upang maiba. "At bakit ka ba nandito sa bahay namin? Gabing-gabi na.”

"Yeah…” He almost rolled his eyes at me. “Gabing-gabi na pero kakauwi mo pa lang.”

"That's none of your business," sabi ko na lang ulit dahil wala na akong masabi habang sinusubukan kong abutin ang door handle.

"And now, you're going to answer me with the same phrase again," he frustratedly said. "Saan ka ba talaga galing? Did you take a cab home?"

"I just came from a friend's house,” sinagot ko na ang tanong niya upang hindi na niya ako kulitin pa. “Plus, it's not exactly the same phrase because I added a new word at the beginning,” I defended myself, forgetting all the logic I had. "Now, can you answer my question? Bakit ka nandito sa amin?”

"I'm here because I'm consulting your dad about law,” he answered, but he was still eyeing me with a suspicious look. "Whose house again?"

"A friend."

"Sinong kaibigan?" Mas nilinawan niya ang kanyang tanong.

"Zendaya," I answered without hesitation. "She's my classmate in Pol Sci. We're partners for a case digest. Doon kami nag discuss sa bahay nila. Natagalan kaming dalawa dahil nahirapan kaming pumili ng cases. As a fellow pre-law student, I’m sure you know how it works.”

Hindi ko puwedeng sabihin sa kanya na sa bahay ni Ike dahil dadami pa nang dadami ang tanong niya kaya alam kong kailangan kong mag-isip ng kapani-paniwalang sagot. Mabuti na lang at mukhang naniwala siya agad sa akin. He already loosened his guards down when I told him those lies.

"Puwede na ba akong pumasok?” Humalukipkip ako habang titig na titig sa kanya. “Pagod na ako at gusto ko nang magpahinga.”

Since he had nothing to hold me back, he just sighed and stepped aside.

"Thank you and goodnight." I just gave him a brief smile before I finally opened the door and walked inside, leaving him outside.