Sinking Deep (GL)

CHAPTER 23

I'm watching Ma'am Rhea making her exit from the music festival. My heart is still pounding from my recent performance, but my concern is drawn to her. I'm almost certain that tears glistened in her eyes.

Biglang nanikip ang dibdib sa nasaksihan ko sa kanya. I can't bear watching her crying, hindi ko kaya.

Mas gusto ko pang ako nalang ang umiyak para sa kanya. I didn't mean to hurt her in that way. Kung nasaktan siya dahil hindi ko siya pinapansin,

Napaka-assumera ko naman.

An initial urge to follow her and offer comfort lingered on me. However, Charlotte, Sav, Raya, and Cat are quick to surround me, congratulating me on my performance.

"Your colors caught my eye - so you mean red?" sambit na naman ni Charlotte.

"Congrats, Frey. Dapat loving you is red by Taylor Swift ang kinanta mo." Dagdag ni Raya na sabay nilang ikinatawa ni Charlotte. Nagsisampalan pa ng balikat ang dalawa.

Hindi ko sila kinakaya talaga.

"Salamat sa inyo at ayuko na kayong makasama ulit baka itulak niyo na naman ako, papangit niyo kabonding!" pasigaw na sagot ko.

"You have a hidden talent pala, ang ganda." Cat said. Tumingin naman sa kanya agad si Sav.

"Might as well hide it," nakangising sabat nito.

"Ohhhhh, may nagseselos.." Natatawang pasigaw ni Charlotte kay Sav.

"I'm not jealous. Cat's my wife and we're married, while someone out there is still hopeless." Sav stated raising her chin at me.

"Oh shit! Oh shit...! Call an ambulance! Call an ambulance!" lokong nagsisigaw na naman si bruha.

"Apply burning to the water area... shessshh!" Raya added. I rolled my eyes at them tsaka tinulak sila, making my way out of the stage. Nagtawanan naman sila ng nakitang medyo napikon ako.

Oo na wala na akong pag-asa, huwag niyo na ipamukha sakin!

Sumunod silang apat sakin habang naghahagikhikan. Naglakad kaming lima palabas ng music fest para kumain sa mga stalls nang nakasalubong namin si Ma'am Vivien.

Ma'am Vivien approaches with a warm smile. "Congratulations, Freyja. You were incredible up there," Ma'am Vivien says, her voice sincere. "I love your performance.

"Thank you, ma'am," I replied, genuinely appreciative. "That was my first time."

"I'm happy I saw you sing for the first time, and your performance earlier meant a lot to me," Ma'am Vivien said softly.

Ngumiti ako kay Ma'am Vivien pero umubo naman bigla si Charlotte sa likod ko, nakikinig lang pala silang apat.

"Ahemm! Miss Mercedez, ano ba talaga tayo?" Charlotte spoke, stopping herself to burst in laughter habang sila Raya ay tawang-tawa na pero palihim lang.

"Kilabutan ka d'yan!" sagot sabay tapik ko sa balikat niya.

I saw how a smile crept into Ma'am Vivienʼs lips, alam niyang nagbibiro lang si Charlotte kaya bahagya na itong natawa.

"Were you all heading to the food stalls?" Ma'am Vivien inquired.

"Yes, ma'am." Sabay na sagot naming apat.

"Let's go together? I also want to eat and discover the food there." Sagot nito.

"Aʼright, let us all go!" sigaw ni Charlotte.

Nakarating kami sa food stalls at nagsimula nang pumili ng mga pagkain.

We were having a blast at, enjoying the variety of dishes with my friends. Sayang-saya naman sa pagkain si Raya at Charlotte, samantalang todo pasubo naman si Cat kay Sav.