Black Section

CHAPTER 15 (Surprise number)

KENDRA

“Hindi fake ang mga documents na pinasa ko.” Agad na depensa ko. Nag-isip naman ako ng ilang minuto bago sumagot. “Sige pumapayag na ako, kasi nakakaawa kayo sainyo. Nagresearch pa talaga kayo tungkol saakin. Baka ako pang sisihin niyo kung lalo kayong hindi makaperform.”

“We changed our mind. We’ll get someone else.” He looked at me with clear annoyance.

“Oh, did I hurt your ego?” pang-aasar ko kay Knox nginisihan ito. “Tinapatan ko lang yung kayabangan mo nainsulto ka na agad.” Ang sarap palang insultuhin nitong lalaking ito. Dalas-dalasan ko nga.haha. Kung titignan mo kasi ang itsura nito mukhang konti na lang at kakaladkarin niya na ako paalis pero nagtitimpi lang din.

“We don’t have much time to change, Knox. Tiisin niyo na lang ugali ng isa’t isa.”-Awat naman ni Jairo at humarap saakin. “Kahit ngayon lang huwag kayong magbangayan. We really need your help.” Pagmamakaawa nito.

“Okay fine. Ang concern ko lang hindi ko alam kung anong kakantahin. May nakaprepare ba kayo diyan na mga samples?” May binigay naman si Riego saakin na makapal na song book nandoon lahat mga lyrics at title ng songs.

“Pili ka na lang diyan. Yung vocalist namin, diyan siya kadalasang pumipili. May na practice naman kami pero dahil hindi inaasahan. Iyan na lang plan B namin. Huwag kang mag-alala natutugtug nanamin lahat ng nakalagay diyan. 3 to 5 songs ang kailangang i-perform natin kaya mo ba?” Kaya ko bang ako lang kakanta. Nagperform naman ako dati nung grade 6 ako at tinuturuan rin naman ako ng voice lesson so siguro dito ko na magagamit ang mga natutunan ko?

“Kung 3 to 5 na songs kailangan bang tuloy-tuloy yun? Ngayon ulit kasi ako magpeperform so baka hindi ko kayanin. Ni hindi man lang ako nakapagpractice.” Well, nagprapractice naman ako sa banyo pero pang saakin lang yun.

“Ideally, yes pero dahil sa sinabi mo kailangan nating mag-adjust.”- Jairo.

“Ganito na lang, dalawang song sayo then sa pangatlo sasaluhin ka ni Knox ng isang kanta. Then sa dalawang natira ay pwede na kayong magduet na dalawa.”

“Wait, sabi mo pwede tatlo lang na kanta so bakit kailangan pa nating magdagdag? napakahassle.”

“Hindi natin masasabi iyan, baka kasi yung iba magrequest pa, gusto mo bang hindi sila pagbigyan? Kung walang nagrequest di maganda pero magprepare lang tayo ng back-up, just in case.”- Paliwanag naman ni Riego. Okay!!!

“Okay, I get it.” Tahimik naman akong naghahanap sa song book na ibinigay saakin nakaka overwhelmed sa dami. Marami naman akong pinagpipiliian na mga kanta pero i-aayon ko na lang sa confidence at kung pasok siya sa theme namin. Hindi naman pwedeng yung kakantahin ko ay hindi aayon sa vibe ng paligid. Baka maging ackward ako.

“May napili na ako.” At Inumpisahan naman namin i-discuss yung mga napili ko at kung saan ako papasok. Medyo hindi rin sila nahirapan dahil nga according to them na natugtug naman na nila yun.

“I like your song choice alam mo bang isa rin sa favorite kantahin ng vocalist namin yan. Hindi ako magtataka kung magkakasundo agad kayo.”- Natatawang saad ni Jairo.

“Really?” medyo nacurious tuloy ako kung sino yung tinutukoy niya.

“Yung sa dalawang back-up song natin kung alam mo yung kantang Terrified by Katharine McPhee and Everything has changed by Taylor Swift. Isa yun sa mga popular song, kaya sana kahit iyon alam mo ring kantahin iyon kasi yung isa sa napractice na namin.”

“Familiar naman ako walang problema, pero i-rerehearse ko saglit baka may makalimutan akong notes.”

“Di bale duet naman kayo ni Knox so just in case na makalimutan no yung lyrics siya ang pasaluhin ng hindi nagpapahalata.” Natatawang kumento ni Riego kaya natawa rin si Jairo sa sinabi nito. Wala namang imik yung dalawang bato sa gilid, na itago na lang natin sa pangalang Knox at Hezron.

***********

“After all the excitement, let’s take a moment to unwind and enjoy some amazing music prepared by our talented students from the Black Section! Please welcome the Lion King Band, led by their lovely president, Ms. Kendra Del Verra, as they serenade us with timeless tunes that will bring back wonderful memories. Let’s give them a big round of applause!!” Pinauna naman akong umakyat at inalalayan ako ng Host na si Davis na nasa itaas ng stage.

“Good luck.” Nakangiting sabi pa nito saakin. Kaya ngumiti rin ako sakanya kahit papaano ay nabawas ang kaba ko.

The entire venue fell silent as I walked to the center, where the microphone stood as if waiting for us to begin.

Naramdaman kong tumapat saakin ang spot light kaya halos wala akong makita sa paligid ko. Mabuti na ito para hindi ako lalong kabahan dahil kung makikita ko ang mga expression ng mga schoolmates ko baka lalo lang akong kakabahan. Alam kong sa mga oras na ito saakin lang sila nakatingin hindi ko man sila nakikita lahat pero nararamdaman ko.

Then Hezron gave the cue—a clear signal that it was time to start.

“Good evening, fellow schoolmates!” I greeted confidently, my voice echoing through the venue as the chatter slowly faded into silence. A warm smile curved on my lips as the spotlight focused on us. “Tonight, we’re here to share music that we hope you’ll truly enjoy. The dance floor is open—feel free to move and have fun!”

I closed my eyes for a moment, calming myself as I felt the rhythm of the music flow through me..

Hezron immediately took the lead, hawak ang drumsticks niya he counted with bago niya pinalo ang drums that creating steady and powerful beats na agad pumuno sa buong hall. The rhythm instantly set the energy.

Jhairo and Knox joined force with their electric guitar that cutting smoothly through the air, bawat nota malinaw at electrifying pakinggan.

Sa gilid naman, maingat at graceful na gumagalaw ang mga daliri ni Reigo sa keyboard, adding depth and harmony that completed the band’s sound. Unti-unting lumakas ang tugtog, sabay-sabay at perfectly synchronized, na para bang sa amin talaga nakalaan ang entablado.

I took a step forward, feel the energy of the crowd and the vibration of the music beneath my feet. And officially begin to sing.

Sway (by: Bic Runga

Don't stray, don't ever go away

I should be much too smart for this

You know it gets the better of me

Sometimes, when you and I collide

I fall into an ocean of you

Pull me out in time

Don't let me drown, let me down

I say it's all because of you

And here I go, losing my control

I'm practicing your name

So I can say it to your face

It doesn't seem right to look you in the eye

Let all the things you mean to me

Come tumbling out my mouth …

At first, I felt stiff and nervous, but eventually, I just let myself feel the song and remembered everything I’d learned from my voice lessons. What helped ease my nerves even more was seeing the audience start to join in and jam along. Until the song ended, yet the students stayed on the dance floor, clearly expecting another performance.

Lover (by: Taylor Swift)

We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January

And this is our place, we make the rules

And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear

Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?

Nagdim naman ang paligid ng i-play ang next song kaya medyo nakikita ko na ang ibang studyante dahil sa kanila na mismo nakatutok ang mga lights. Napangiti naman ako ng makita ang ibang mga kaklase ko na sumasayaw.

Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home

You're my, my, my, my

Lover ….

Nyx was dancing with Jessica and Krystal, just imagine the three of them moving to the music, each with their own unique style and rhythm.

Nakita ko naman si Serene na kasayaw si Jameson. Si Ara na may kasayaw rin na satingin ko ay kaklase niya dahil mukhang kampante itong nakikipagkwentuhan.

Kahit ako hindi ko na rin maiwasang mapasway sa kinatatayuan ko.

Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?

With every guitar string scar on my hand

I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover

My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue

All's well that ends well to end up with you

Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover

And you'll save all your dirtiest jokes for me

And at every table, I'll save you a seat, lover

At tulad sa plano ay after ko susunod naman si Knox para kumanta. Plinay naman agad nila ang next song. Kaya pumunta muna ako ng sa gilid para magpahinga saglit.

Nakita ko namang inabutan ako ni Darvis ng tubig kaya tinanggap at nagpasalamat, uminom na kaunti.

Can I be him (by: James Arthur)

You walked into the room

And now my heart has been stolen

You took me back in time to when I was unbroken

Now you're all I want

And I knew it from the very first moment

'Cause a light came on when I heard that song

And I want you to sing it again

“My bad, I didn’t introduce myself to you properly. I’m Davis Magnus, from the Cream Section.”

“Kendra Del Verra, Black Section,” I replied.

“May I invite you for a dance?” he asked.

I actually wanted to refuse, but I didn’t want to embarrass him. So instead, I accepted his invitation.

I swear that every word you sing

You wrote them for me

Like it was a private show

I know you never saw me

When the lights come on and I'm on my own

Will you be there to sing it again?

Could I be the one you talk about in all your stories

Can I be him?

Of all places to dance, he chose the spot right near the stage.

“Para mabilis tayong makakabalik.” Natawa naman ako sa sinabi nito. Oo nga, nakalimutan kong isa siya sa Host ng event.

I heard there was someone but I know he don't deserve you

If you were mine I'd never let anyone hurt you

I wanna dry those tears, kiss those lips

It's all that I've been thinking about

'Cause a light came on when I heard that song

And I want you to sing it again

Hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin kay Knox habang kumakanta ito. Ngayon ko lang napansin ang ayos nito dahil naiinis ako sakanya kaya hindi ko ito napansin. His wearing a black velvet tuxedo featuring intricate Zardosi-style embroidery. Mabuti na lang at hindi naman ito nakatingin.

Hindi ko maitatanggi na maganda ang boses niya kahit napakaarogante niya, hindi ako magtataka na marami rin may gusto sakanya kahit nasa lower section siya. Lalo na sa mga babae. Napasimangot na lang dahil sa mga naisip ko. Hindi ko namalayang na nakatingin na pala ito saakin habang kumakanta, para bang nagtatanong.

I swear that every word you sing

You wrote them for me

Like it was a private show

I know you never saw me

When the lights come on and I'm on my own

Will you be there to sing it again?

Could I be the one you talk about in all your stories?

Hindi ko pa rin maalis ang tingin sa kanya kahit ng matapos ang kanta. Hinatid naman ako ni Davis kung saan kami kanina.

“This is our last song for tonight. Thank you” maikling sabi nito at nagmadaling umalis. Hindi naman nito pinansin ang mga estudyanteng nagrereklamo dahil mukhang nabitin. Dahil inaasahan na namin ang magiging reaksyon ng mga estudyante kaya mabuti talaga at meron silang back-up.

One more song!!

One more song!! rinig namang sigaw nila dito sa backstage.

“Are you not going to grant the request of our dear students?” Balik na sabi ng Emcee. Napatingin naman ako sa mga kasama ko pero nakatingin lang rin sila kay Knox para bang siya dapat ang makakapagdesisyon nito. A chill ran down my spine when he turned to face me, his gaze serious and unwavering. I felt a flicker of nervousness, but I made sure not to show it.

“Alright, while the Black Section is still deciding, let’s listen to a short message from our Head Master. Let’s welcome Ms. Zandra Ortega!” Hindi naman na nakafocus ang atensyon namin sa head master at hinihintay ang desisyon nitong feeling hari.

“What’s your decision?” I was surprised when he asked me. Huh?

“Why me?” I asked.

“ ’Cause you’re here, and you’re the lead vocal. If you can’t handle it, we won’t force you.” Wow, Kailan pa nagkaconcern ito. But then..

“Let’s proceed with the plan. Pagbigyan na lang natin ang audience total mukhang nag-eenjoy naman sila.” Tumango naman ang iba sa sinabi ko bilang pagsang-ayon.

“Alright, it looks like the Black Section has made their decision. Let’s welcome back… The Lion Kings!.” Naghiyawan naman ulit ang mga tao sa hall kaya napangiti na lang ako at tinignan ko ulit isa-isa ang mga kasama hudyat na mag-start na. Pero ang pinagkaiba, katabi ko na si Knox. I nodded at him as a signal, and I was surprised when he smiled back at me. Not a forced grin, but a genuine, effortless smile.

I didn’t know if it was because of his smile that I suddenly felt my face heating up, or if it was just the warmth of the venue.