4The Madman Diaries, Jr.
Concert mania
Ugh. Here we go again. Another one of those "Campus tours".
But hey, I'm not complaining. In fairness to our audiences, this university's student council was one of the few who had actually invited us over to rock their worlds in a benefit concert or two before we even DREAMED of making it big. And now that we HAVE become such a hit, we thought it was…appropriate to drop by this school again, for old times sake. Utang na loob eh. ((We think that we owe them something, if you know what I mean.))
"Kuya, nakalimutan mong magpa-make up. ((Kuya, you've forgotten your make-up.))"
One of the kids wearing an "ASSISTANT" badge on their shirts was staring at me (with bad intentions, no doubt) while pointing towards my mates, Robin, Alex, and Darren. Homosexuals more beautiful than most women I know were already starting to brush their…uh, make-up brushes on my friends' faces. (No, please. I'm straight. I even have a girlfriend, y'know.) Are we really THAT ugly that we have to put on make-up?
"Ano ba…hindi ganoon. Ayaw mo nun? Natatakpan ang mga flaws ng mukha niyo; mas appealable sa public! ((No, no, it's not like that. Don't you want it anyway? The flaws on your face won't be seen at once; you'll be more 'appealable' to the public!))"
That set of words (dear band manager Lauren's reply) would then constantly echo in my head. Ah, whatever. Whether I do have blush on or not, loads of lovely women would swoon over me. I'm not really much of an egoist, but it's true. Why, one of my own dear cousins almost (ALMOST indeed) shoved me into bed in the last family reunion. Don't worry; I didn't even THINK of making out with dear Paulito.
"Malapit na pong matapos yung naunang banda…mabuti na po'y magsimula na kayong mag-ayos ng mga gitara niyo…((The band before you is almost done…you might as well start tuning your guitars…))"
The same kid who told me to go and get make-up on was nudging me towards our instruments. I nodded and smiled. The moment I turned away from her, a few people came running to my direction in order to revive the poor old student who seemed to have fainted from…hell, I don't know.
Just then, I heard applause from the other side of the stage I've been standing on. The band before us (an indie band, too) must've already finished. Our turn. After us, there will be a few of our own good friends playing, a few of the hottest bands in the country, if I do say so myself. Hale, Sugarfree, Hilera, Urbandub…not as hot as some others, but hot nonetheless. (I'M DAMN STRAIGHT, DUDE.)
Hmm…another batch of screaming fan girls. Great, just great. I got a dark blue electric guitar sitting beside a bright pink base. (Now THAT'S appealable to the public.)
"At ngayon…Chaotic Revolution! ((And now, introducing…Chaotic Revolution!))"
Loads of shrill voices welcomed me as I plugged in my guitar somewhere on stage. (A few boos too, but I didn't count THOSE anymore.) I brushed a hand through my wispy, brown hair and turned to my mates. They were smiling at me as the last of the "ASSISTANT"-badged people left us, one by one. Beaming back at them, I got the mike beside me and started with, "Good afternoon to y'all. We're Chaotic Revolution and we're here to add a little spice to your little program here. What we're about to play is an original you often hear on the radio nowadays; it's titled My Little Bluebird."
Screams. You never do get enough of those.
Oh, and yes. This whole concert thing was done in the afternoon; I think it's rather inappropriate. But then again, there's a first for everything.
Alex, the drummer, counted "1-2-1-2-3!" I began to sing into the mike in front of me.
I've got a little secret
Nothing big, nothing small
Counting down the seconds
Gotta get through the lull
It's not that I think that our audiences suck for liking our music. I think that my BAND sucks for having to play in front of people. No, I don't have stage-fright. It's just that…
Through the corner of my eye, I see a girl in pigtails, wearing a red shirt. She wasn't singing with me, as the others are; she was just standing there, smiling at her friend, who was the one singing. She was staring at me intently…it's…oddly satisfying…to know that she was staring at me…and no one else…she WAS staring at me, wasn't she? I closed my eyes – listening to my own voice booming from the large speakers next to me, feeling my music…trying my best to NOT think of HER.
You're right there waiting
Singing a song I don't know
How I wish I could be the one
You're waiting for…not me, though
I glanced once more toward her direction – she was STILL looking at me…as if trying to get my attention…to entrance me…to make me see her…but she still wasn't singing along with me.
Oh, yes, the chorus. I grinned at my audience and called, "your turn!" partly because it will satisfy them, and partly because I'd like to look at her more. Tons of voices rose up with these words:
I've always been watching…
I've always been waiting…
For you to see me…
I've been on this road for the 10th time…
But your eyes never pass me…
She still wasn't singing…God, she was so cute…as if she possessed some kind of charisma alien to all except her…what would it feel like to talk to her? What would it feel like to have her lips feel like on mine? What would it feel like if she were to nibble on my ear?
The students' voices droned on:
A hope that'll never seem to fade away…
When will I ever stop…
Gotta break away…
But I can't for I feel…oh, I do
I feel I love you baby, love you dear…
Love you baby, it's true
I looked once again. She must've finally noticed me, for she was smiling…God, I love her smile…she looked so angelic…I do, do hope that she was smiling at ME…
Chorus done, I sang once again.
Now, I see you stare at me
Looking, searching…then no more
Your temporary attention; I'm melting
Why don't you come to me and we'll soar
You're right there waiting
Singing a song I don't know
How I wish I could be the one
You're waiting for…not me, though
Another glance. Is she in love? Does she have someone loving her at this very moment? At least there's no guy beside her…nobody I'd think to be her boyfriend or something like that, anyway…suddenly, she glanced down her watch, and I saw a crease in her brow. What's wrong, dear love? Do you have to go now?
I've always been watching…
I've always been waiting…
For you to see me…
I've been on this road for the 10th time…
But your eyes never pass me…
I can't go on anymore…I have to help her…to be beside her…to make her smile…she then looks up at me, and smiles once again. I'm literally melting now…
A hope that'll never seem to fade away…
When will I ever stop…
Gotta break away…
But I can't for I feel…oh, I do
I feel I love you baby, love you dear…
Love you baby, it's true
I pause, and let our dear guitar man, Robin, have a solo. He's quite a musical genius, that Robin.
Shrill screams still rush up my ears.
She was looking at Robin…God, I hate him…but then she immediately turned to me…had she seen?
I've always been watching…
I've always been waiting…
For you to see me…
I've been on this road for the 10th time…
But your eyes never pass me…
I listen to our music, and think of how appropriate it is for the scenario I'm in. Whenever I write songs…I have no idea where I get my inspiration. I just…write. How interesting. I MUST psycho-analyze myself one of these days.
A hope that'll never seem to fade away…
When will I ever stop…
Gotta break away…
But I can't for I feel…oh, I do
I feel I love you baby, love you dear…
Love you baby, it's true
Song's almost done…do I really have to start on another? She was looking at her watch again, and she seemed to be nudging her friend. She then waved at her…and smiled at me once again. Don't go…I'll miss you…
But I can't for I feel…oh, I do
I feel I love you baby, love you dear…
Love you baby, it's true
She turned, got some backpack from nowhere, and picked her way towards the exit.
I feel I love you baby, love you dear…
Love you baby, it's true
Done. Song's done. I HAVE to go. She's going…I don't even know her name…oh love, oh my dear, sweet, love…must you leave?
Robin stared at me, saying something I can't hear. Pity I don't know how to lip-read. But I think he was telling me that I have to say something into the mike…tell our audience that we're going to do another one of our damn songs…
SHE'S GONE! AND HERE I AM, STILL ON STAGE! I HAVE TO KNOW HER NAME!
Lauren then appeared from the left side of the stage. She waved at me and blew me a little kiss.
"In cooperation with the DSS and the (school here)'s student council…"
That's what I don't like about these events. We make time for them, though we already have a tight schedule, and all we get is a lousy certificate, sometimes a plaque. Money? Sure, money, but that's something you really get when a recording company "discovers" you, and "owns" you from then on. Stupid. Stupid. Everything's stupid.
I'll never see her again, I could feel it.
Everyone claps, and someone in the audience shrieks, "Kiss! Kiss!" Sooner or later, it becomes a chant.
Overcome with embarrassment, I give in to the crowd and place my lips on the left cheek of this seemingly 40-something woman. Everyone hollers, and I immediately run off stage.
"Naks, galing natin ah! ((Great playing, guys!))", Lauren was saying, "Halika, halika na! Meh gig pa tayo sa QC! ((Now let's go, let's go! Got another gig in QC!))"
We rush to our black Tamaraw (not too far from the venue, really), and all sorts of people rush to us: young, old, poor, rich, student, non-student, you name 'em. All our things were set (we used the equipment of the school; no choice really, for we had to go at once). Our driver (Lauren, who else?) backed the car, and I was left to ponder on what had happened while I was singing that song "My little bluebird" on stage.
"PUTA! ((FUCK!))"
I almost skidded right into the window in front of me. "Damn you, Lauren! What the heck are you doing?"
"'TANG INA! 'TAKTE, ALIS SA DAANAN! ALIS SABI! SAGASAAN KITA, SIGE! 'TANG INA! (SON-OF-A-BITCH! MOVE IT, OR I'LL RUN YOU OVER! FUCK YOU!)"
I turned forward, and I saw my little bluebird staring at me, her pigtails daintily kissing her cheeks.
Author's Note:Thanks for EVERYONE who sent me reviews on this! I appreciate them so! Thanks! :)