It was during the semester break when our indie band got a gig in this bar in tagaytay. We stayed in one of band mate’s rest house there two days before the gig to rehearse. When I was at the front porch of the house. Tuning my guitar. a girl showed up that I almost jumped off bench.
“Oops” I’m sorry. Did I scare you?” gigled thus lovely young girl about my age. as I stood there. mesmerized by her charm.
“Oh no” Not at all. I’m just really jumpy?” I laughed too. Then she introduced herself. Hear name was Mariette and she actually looking for Mick, my band mate. I called on Mick who was still inside. A few seconds, he came out and the two looked very glad upon seeing each other. Mick introduced me to her. I nodded at her and she smiled again. According to Mick. Mariette was also from tagaytay but study again. According to Mick. Marietre was also from tagaytay but studying in Manila. And that they have known each other since kindergarten.
I left Mariette and Micj at front porch. They have not seen each other for tge whole smester so I bet they had a lot of catching up and chatting up to do. As I entered inside the living room, I turned my back to glance her one more time. And Iwas just surprised when I saw her looking in my direction too. When I caught her eye, however, she instantly shifted bacj her view to Mick. Back in the room, I was thinking about how pretty that girl was. Ididn’t know why but I suddenly got this instinctive reaction: I hope she is not Mick’s sweet heart.
The next afternoon, a day before the gig, we were rehearsing at the bar already when Mick came up- with mariette I was just amazed to see her pretty and bright smile again. When Mick was fixing some thing with his drum set, I finally got the chance to approach her. She was seated on a corner, probably browsing her message inbox in her mobile phone. I said “hi” to strike a conversation. She threw me a warm again and said “hello” For the past fifteen minutes, I found my self chatting with her and she seemed to be a very witty a funny talker. In fact, I had almost forgotten about the rehearsal and I was embarrased when all of my band mates’ eyes (including mick’s) were all on me. probably prompting me to leave Mariette and pick my guitar for the rehearsal. Mick began beating a snare drum energetically, and i was caught off guard. Maritte noticed it too and politely signaled me to leave her and join my band. I said “sorry” and gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder.
During the gig, I was surprised to see the bar jam-packed with young adults. yuppies and dilettantes. The crowd was actually very much like or usually arriving. Some were just there to hang out while those who were inside were ‘in’ for the music. At 11 pm, our band would play next. I was at a corner, actually, waiting for some. For Mariette I didn’t ask Mick if she was coming. But I was hoping she would make it.
One set list actually included 4 of our original songs and a Stone Temple pilots cover. The fourth song was actually an acoustic ballad and...