Chapter 34
1439 Words
Adie Live…
The event started at eight o'clock in the evening sa indoor stadium. Sophia Laurel, kasama ang friends niya and David Horan’s barkada, were all gathered together. They were watching the activities on stage, meticulously organized by the student committee. This event was unique kasi it allowed outsiders to join and enjoy the show, making it extra lively.
Kaya naman tonight, Sophia noticed that the crowd was filled with people from different universities.
It had been three days since she last saw David. Their last encounter was during the match between Political Science and Communication Arts, which ended with a score of 1-1. David mentioned na he had band rehearsals for tonight’s show, kaya naman Sophia didn’t bother to disturb him. But tonight, she came to check on him. “Bakit ba parang second mom ako?” she thought, shaking her head.
Dressed in a simple T-shirt, Sophia stood with the crowd in front of the stage, eagerly waiting for her idol to perform. But mukhang matatagalan pa bago mag-start ang main event.
"Oi, Sophia, ‘pag nasa stage na si David, don’t forget to take pictures ha?" sabi ni Roble, best friend ni David.
"Ha?! Bakit ako? Eh di ikaw na lang kaya."
"Eh kasi girlfriend ka niya, duh. Do your job well!"
"Hmp, you want me to hit you?"
Roble smirked. "Pero up to you naman. If you want, go. If not, edi wag."
Sophia rolled her eyes but secretly prepared her phone. “Palaging ganito, ako lagi ang tagakuha ng pictures.” she thought. Mabuti na lang she didn’t bring her DSLR, or else she’d be the group’s official photographer.
After waiting for what felt like forever, the stage lights started to dim. A deep blue spotlight lit up the stage, accompanied by the faint sound of drums.
All eyes turned to the stage, excitement buzzing through the crowd. Sophia scanned the dim stage, trying to spot David, pero hindi niya makita ang mukha nito.
"Hello, everyone! We are the Bandarito Band!" boomed the main vocalist’s voice, immediately igniting cheers from the audience. It was clear: the fun was about to start.
"Last year, we were the champions of the Music Festival event. We're super happy to see all of you tonight!"
"WOOOOHOOO!"
"Alright, guys, gusto ko lang tanungin… Ready na ba kayo mag-enjoy?"
"YEEEESSS!"
As the instruments played, the rhythm quickly captivated everyone. The crowd jumped and screamed in unison as the intro kicked off.
Sophia recognized the song from their rehearsals at the bar. But tonight was different—grander stage, brighter lights, and most of all...
David looked incredible.
"Aaaahhhh! David!!!" shrieked a group nearby.
The spotlight finally landed on the band members’ faces, including David at the back. Sophia couldn’t help but stare at him, focused and passionate as he pressed the guitar chords. “Ang laki ng kamay niya,” she thought, “but when he’s playing the guitar, hindi ko talaga maiwasang tumingin.”
Sophia noticed David wearing the same white shirt as hers. It stood out since the other band members were in jackets.
"Alright, everyone, sabay-sabay tayo!" the vocalist hyped the crowd.
“Have I ever told you
I want you to the bone...
Have I ever called you
When you are all alone...
And if I ever forget
To tell you how I feel...
Listen to me now, babe
I want you to the bone...”
The crowd erupted as they sang To the Bone. Sophia quickly took her phone out and moved closer to take pictures of David. She snapped a few shots discreetly, ensuring he wouldn’t notice her.
It was only after she finished taking pictures na napansin niya ang dami ng magagandang babae sa paligid. Hindi naman ganito sa ibang banda, pero dito, sa harap ni David, tila puro girls ang andito.
"Oh my God, ang gwapo niya! What’s his name? Gusto ko siyang makilala!"
"Tingnan mo, girl! He’s looking this way!"
Sophia followed their gaze back to the stage—and to her shock, totoo nga. David was looking in their direction.
"Ahhh, ang hot niya talaga!"
Sophia clenched her jaw. Alam niyang hindi taga-campus ang mga babaeng ito kasi sino ba naman ang hindi nakakakilala kay David dito? Instead of envy, she felt a surge of irritation. “Ang dami niyang fans, pero ayoko na pinapalibutan siya ng iba.”
As the band continued playing one song after another, Sophia found herself pushed further away from the stage by the crowd. But kahit malayo na siya, her eyes never left David. He had some kind of spell over her—effortlessly captivating.
When the band finally finished their set, the crowd screamed for more, but David was the first to leave the stage.
Just as Sophia was trying to refocus on Adies's impending performance, she felt someone grab her hand. Paglingon niya, nandun si David, wearing the same white shirt and raising an eyebrow.
"How did you find me here?" Sophia asked, startled.
"I'm always looking at you," David answered casually.
"Talaga? Akala ko busy ka. Feeling ko ang daming girls na lumapit sa'yo backstage."
"How did you know?" he smirked.
"Wow. Totoo pala? Grabe, ang sikat mo na."
David shrugged. "Hindi ko sure. Pero ikaw agad hinanap ko."
"Why? Special ba ako?"
David grinned. "Worried lang. Baka may kumuha sa'yo."
"Ang kapal!" Sophia muttered, resisting the urge to hit him. Instead, she squeezed his hand tightly, trying to hide her annoyance.
But David squeezed back—harder.
"Aray naman! Bakit seryoso ka?! Masakit!" Sophia exclaimed, glaring at him.
David just laughed, his grip loosening as Adie finally took the stage. But even as the music filled the air, Sophia couldn't ignore the lingering warmth of David's hand in hers.
Sophia Laurel remained silent for a while, ignoring the swirling thoughts in her mind. She suddenly realized that the crowd had pushed her farther back, away from the stage. Can you believe it? Kahit na nasa likod na siya, she still couldn't take her eyes off David Horan.
He must have cast some kind of spell. From the first song to the second, and so on, they played without introducing themselves, just going straight into their set. Meanwhile, Sophia—na ang alam lang kanta ay Adie’s songs—just stood there, clueless, watching what was happening on stage.
The last song ended with an electrifying finish, followed by the members of the Bandarito Band taking a bow. Fans screamed David’s name while others begged for an introduction, pero walang nangyari. David was the first to let go of his guitar and jump off the stage.
Sophia tried to refocus her attention. Adie. This was her moment! The stage lights suddenly blazed to life, and there he was—Adie, standing in all her glory. Sophia forgot everything and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Helloooooooooooo!"
"Wheeeeeew!"
Sophia felt like she was going to die of happiness. She pushed through the crowd, hoping to get closer, pero wala pa ring nangyari. She was still stuck in the back, her view partly blocked.
Blame David. That was her mantra now. If she couldn’t blame herself, it was always David's fault.
Still, she reminded herself that being here at all was already a gift. As she tried to enjoy the music, a familiar figure suddenly appeared beside her.
A guy in a white shirt with "Adie" printed on it casually walked over. He raised an eyebrow and, without hesitation, held her hand.
“How did you find me here?” Sophia asked, glaring at him.
“I was always looking at you,” David replied smoothly.
“Ganun? Akala ko busy ka? I bet ang daming lumapit sayo backstage.”
“How’d you know?” David smirked. His calm answer made Sophia want to slap him.
“Seriously? Totoo? Wow, sikat ka na talaga.”
“Hindi ko sure.”
“Baka naman you gave them your number?”
“No. Ikaw ang priority ko. That’s why I came to find you.”
“Wow, ganun ka ka-dedicated? Bakit? Special ba ako?”
“I was worried.”
“Ha? Ano naman ang ikaka-worry mo?”
“I was afraid someone else might kidnap you.”
“Bwisit ka talaga!” Sophia snapped, her irritation bubbling over. She wanted to yell more, but instead, she squeezed his hand tightly in frustration.
David winced and retaliated by squeezing her hand harder.
“Aray naman! Seryoso ka?!”
“What? Fair game.”
“Gago ka talaga! Parang mapuputol na ‘tong daliri ko!”
But David just smirked, obviously amused by her frustration.
- Writer
