Chapter 7

MacKenzie messaged Kenna to bring two forms for reservation. Pagbalik ni Kenna ay nagtanong ito kung kanino ang isa.

"It's for you, we want to watch you perform too." MacKenzie answered.

"Don't kid around MacKenzie. It's not funny, I'm not playing. I'll bring this other form back to the staff nalang." Tugon ni Kenna at umirap kay MacKenzie saka nagsimulang maglakad paalis sa lamesa.

"Ito naman pikon, hoy bumalik ka dito." Natatawang sigaw ni MacKenzie. "Kay Naya yan."

Biglang bumalik si Kenna nang marinig ang pangalan ni Naya. "Seriously? Magpapatugtog ka sa unang araw natin dito sa Duveen? Sa harap ng maraming tao?" Seryosong tanong niya kay Naya.

"Well, it's not that bad. Di naman big deal yun, isang piece lang. Your cousin requested it, I can't say no." Naya said smiling. She knows that Kenna was just worried of her. 

Mahinang binatukan ni Kenna si MacKenzie. "What?" Natatawang tanong ni MacKenzie kay Kenna.

"Feeling close kana, kakameet mo lang kay Naya and you already have the balls to request something? That's Nayasha we are talking about. She's a Lopez baka nakakalimutan mo. Should I say what's her father's name too?" 

Natawa silang lahat dahil nauubusan na ng pasensiya si Kenna sa pinsan.

"Ikaw din naman ah, nagrequest ka din. Di mo kaya kaclose si yanyan. Of course I know Naya is a Lopez. So what? We are Briones." Lakas loob na tugon ni MacKenzie.

Tawang tawa si Naya at Yanique sa magpinsan. Parang normal lang para sa mga ito na magsagutan kahit may iilang nakatingin.

"Kenna stop it. Being a Lopez doesn't relate to anything right now, it's just a surname. And I'll be fine facing and playing in front of people. Sooner or later I'll be facing a lot more of them. I'm a major in performance remember?"

Huminga ng malalim si Kenna. "Okay, pero Lopez is not just a surname. It's your surname and you're my sister. I'm proud to have a sister named Nayasha Lopez."

"Geezz you admire her that much?" Pang-iinis pa ni MacKenzie. Sasagutin na sana yun ni Kenna nang makitang tinaas ni Yanique ang kamay.

Binatukan ni Yanique si MacKenzie. "Learn when to stop. Baka di mo mapansin na nakahiwalay na yung kaluluwa mo sa katawan mo." Seryosong sabi niya.

Natahimik naman si MacKenzie na tinawanan ni Naya. She mouth sorry to MacKenzie because Kenna is being protective of her. And MacKenzie seems to understand, he just smiled and nodded.

"A'right give me the form. I'll sign it. Let's not ruin our first day in here. We'll gonna have fun tonight okay?" Naya said to Kenna.

Kenna smiled. "Okay."

Di naman nagtagal ang katahimikan nila dahil nag-ingay na naman ang magpinsan. Natatawa nalang na pinanuod ng dalawa ang magpinsan. 

From afar, Seth Lawrence saw how the four freshmen talked and laughed at each other. And how the other two bicker at each other and the remaining two just laughed while watching the two people clashed. He was relieved to see that Naya looks fine and happy but somehow he felt a little stuffiness in his heart. He also wants to be the reason of her laughs. He didn't stayed long and leave after another good glance to the girl he had been waiting to see again. When he turned around, he didn't know Naya had looked outside and saw his retreating back. 

-

THAT NIGHT the cafeteria was full packed, most of the students are freshmen who are excited to see a caf show but there are also a few higher years around. 

Seth Lawrence was sitting on the very corner of the cafeteria, he doesn't need any attention right now and being a Duveen is not really helping. 

He felt a tap on his shoulder. When he turned around he saw his friend.

"Lawrence what are you hiding in here?" The man chuckled.

Seth Lawrence frowned. "I'm not hiding."

"Yeah I can see that. Wearing a hoodie and a cap is you not trying to hide your famous face."

"Shut up Gian. Sit. The show is about to start."

"Lawrence tsk tsk tsk, this is new. You rarely watch caf shows." Gian said while sitting down the chair. "What made you come here? Oh I know, Nayasha is performing isn't she?"

Seth sighed. "Yes and stop calling me Lawrence, my ancestor can't face you right now."

Napahagalpak si Gian. Sumulyap lang si Seth sa kasama at hinayaan itong tumawa. Gustong gusto nito na tinatawag siyang Lawrence. Lawrence Alfred Duveen, his great-grandfather is the founder of the school. 

The light system lit up and a band came to the stage. They're not freshmen. Seth Lawrence knew the band and they're quite popular in the school.

"Test, test, mike test." Pagchicheck ng vocalist sa mike. "Okay. Good evening everyone especially to our new schoolmates. Freshmen make some noise!" Sigaw nito at naghiyawan naman ang mga estudyante. Nagpakilala ang vocalist at pinakilala din ang bawat myembro ng banda nila.

"Does anyone know Kisapmata by Rivermaya?" The crowd shouted 'yes' and and a wave of 'yeahhh' 'woohhh' echoed inside the cafeteria. "Okay! sing with me everyone." 

Nagkatinginan ang mga myembro ng banda sa isa't isa bago sinimulan ang pagtugtog. And just like that, the place heated up and everyone went wild.

🎵Oh kay bilis namang maglaho ng

pag-ibig mo sinta,

daig mo pa ang isang kisapmata.

Kanina'y naryan lang o ba't

Bigla namang nawala.

Daig mo pa ang isang kisapmata ahh ahh ahh.🎵

The chorus part intensified the excitement of everyone, they sang along and some even jumped around. The freshmen are really having a good time. 

Instinctively, Seth Lawrence looked at the entrance of the cafeteria. Nakita niya si Naya at ang kasama nito kaninang tanghalian na papasok sa cafeteria. Tinignan niya si Naya na nakangiti habang nakikinig sa mga kasama nito. Sinusundan niya lang ang bawat galaw ng dalaga. Kumunot ang noo niya ng makita na sinabit ng isang lalaki ang isang scarf sa leeg ni Naya. 

"Ah.. you are so fucked up Lawrence." Narinig niyang komento ni Gian na nakatingin din pala sa entrance. "Should I call them first?" 

"Don't even think about it." Seryosong tugon ni Seth.

"Uh-uh not working." Tumayo si Gian at lumapit sa grupo. Nakita ni Seth na nakipagkilala ito sa grupo. Tapos tinuro ang pwesto kung nasaan siya. He somehow felt anxious when Naya looked his way. Naya smiled and nodded seeing him, he felt a little nervous nang maglakad ang mga ito palapit sa pwesto niya.

Tumayo si Seth mula sa pagkakaupo nang makalapit ang grupo kasama si Gian. 

"Welcome to DCM and congratulations for successfully passing the audition." Seth said loudly to the group but his eyes are only focusing on Nayasha, who was also looking at him. Hindi niya alintana ang ingay sa paligid dahil ang atensyon ay nasa mga mata ng kaharap.

Kenna who was kinda used of seeing the weird exchanged of glances of the two, laughed to herself. 'Oh they're so into each other' Kenna confirmed to herself.

"Hey isn't this Seth Lawrence Duveen?" Kenna asked. "Haven't recognized at first because of the cap." She added.

"Yes, this is Lawrence." Gian replied. Then Gian introduced the group and Seth to each others.

"Nice meeting you." A guy named Yanique Sanchez said to Seth. Seth took note of the man's name. This was the one who put a scarf on Naya's. 

"Nice meeting you all." Seth said. "The show had started, you should settle and enjoy yourselves." He added and acted like he didn't know they'll perform.

"Oh no, we're on the list." MacKenzie replied. "Naya, me and Yanique are playing tonight."

"Really?!" Gian also acted surprise and glanced mockingly at Seth. "For a freshmen, you guys got some guts." Gian added, widely smiling to the group.

"Yeah. Well, we wanted to experience it first hand." MacKenzie replied.

"Let's go, we have to check-in first." Paalam ni Yanique sa dalawa.

"A'right, good luck guys. You can do it." Gian said loudly to the group.

"You'll gonna be okay?" Seth leaned a little closer and asked Naya.

Naya smiled gently. "Yeah, I'll be fine. It's just one piece." She replied.

Seth Lawrence smiled back and nodded. "You can do it." He cheered.

Naya chuckled and raised a fist. "I can do it." She looked at his eyes and said thanks.

Wala na yung grupo pero nakatayo parin si Seth at nakatingin sa silid na pinasukan nila Naya.

"Calm down Lawrence. I think there's still a few people before your girl's turn."

"She's not my girl." 

"Yeah I know, not yet. C'mon sit, what are you dumbly standing there?" Gian said laughing.

Tinignan ni Seth ng masama ang kasama at umupo. Isang banda pa ang nagperform at sunod sunod na instrumentalists ang sumunod.

Pagkatapos ng dalawang instrumentalists na nag perform gamit ang violin at piano ay ang grupo na nila Naya ang susunod.

Mauunang magpiperform sina MacKenzie at Yanique. Pumunta ang dalawa sa stage, si MacKenzie na may dala dalang gitara ang nagpakilala sa kanilang dalawa ni Yanique. Medyo nahiya pa siya ng magpakilalang freshmen palang sila. Naghiyawan naman ang mga freshmen sa crowds para icheer ang dalawa.

Pumwesto sila at nagsimulang tumipa ng gitara si MacKenzie at ilang segundo ay sinabayan ng kanta ni Yanique.

🎵You always ask me

Those words I say

And telling me what it means to me

Every single day

You always act this way

For how many times I told you

I love you for this is all I know🎵

MacKenzie smirked when he saw the crowd fell silent and stunned hearing Yanique's voice. He himself was first shocked hearing his unique voice, it was so raspy but soothing and full of emotion. Sa unang pagkakarinig palang niya ng boses ni yanyan ay naisip niya na mas maraming emosyon siyang naririnig sa boses nito kesa sa nakikita niya sa itura at galaw nito tuwing magkasama sila. Sa paraan ng pagkanta nito ay parang kinakausap ka ng mahinahon na nagpapakalma sa pakiramdam ng mga nakikinig pero sa kabilang banda ay maiiyak ka nalang sa emosyong pinahahayag nito.

Seth who had heard the voice during the audition, looked at Gian who was silently listening. "Didn't I tell you that I met a person with golden voice? That's him. I hadn't remember his name but his voice is remarkable. Kabahan kana Gian." Seth smirked at him.

Tumingin si Gian kay Seth. "Hmm, I'm not threatened. Yes he's good but I'm good too. You can't discredit my talent Lawrence."

🎵I'll never go far away from you

Even the sky will tell you

That I need you so

For this is all I know

I'll never go far away from you🎵

The crowd raised their hands and swayed it from left to right. They sang along in the chorus and a handful of people looked emotional and almost cried. The person singing just know how to perfectly affect the crowds' emotions, he was just simply standing there with closed eyes but the every words came out in his mouth are strong and convincing enough to swayed the crowd.

When Yanique had delivered the lyrics with 'I love you for this is all I know' the third time, a girl in the crowd shouted 'I love you too baby'. It was loud that most people laughed and some also said their I love yous. 

When the song came to an end. People, particularly girls shouted 'one more'. Yanique smiled sweetly at them which made the girls shout loudly but his next words turned their emotions to a hundred and eighty degrees.

"Thank you for listening. We just prepared and practiced one song so we'll end here. I hope you enjoyed our performance. Thank you again for listening and cheering." Yanique bowed and exited with MacKenzie. 

A minute or two after the two exited from the stage. Naya came up with her usual classy dress and a scarf which Yanique made her wore.

"Lawrence-" Gian said.

"I know, shut it. I'm also watching you know." Seth interrupted Gian earning a chuckle from the latter.

"Okay whipped ass."Gian surrendered.

Pinagwalang bahala lang ni Seth ang scarf na suot ng dalaga at pinagmasdan ang bawat galaw nito. Nang nagpakilala si Naya ay may iilang nagbulungan pagkarinig ng apelyidong Lopez. Lopez is really one of the most influential surname in the country. No one would dare clash with them because they are a powerful and respected family, they also have a very wide connections and backings. 

The crowd clapped seeing Naya settled in front of the piano. Seth saw how the girl inhaled and held her breath for a few seconds before exhaling. Then she positioned her fingers to the keys. She closed her eyes and opened it after a few seconds. She was like finding a good moment before starting to play.

When she started, Seth was a little startled hearing the familiar notes. He was caught off guard, he didn't think Naya would play the piece in a caf show. Then Seth chuckled. 'This is crazy.' He thought.

Seth heard Gian laughed lowly. "Your girl is really something. Playing Beethoven's in a caf show." Gian said and Seth also laughed. 

"I think it's not her choice. She's not the type to show off talent in this kind of place."

"You know her that much?" 

"My instinct told me."

Moonlight sonata third movement have a very fast tempo marking. You'll just gonna hear a bunch of notes ascending the piano in a very fast speed. 

The crowd was stunned hearing Naya's explosive playing. Her long fingers moves very fast like dancing on the keys in a fast pace. Her technical skill is undeniable and the emotional connection is visible. Then some of them remember that the girl once won an international piano competition, they can't believe they would see her play a masterpiece in a cafeteria. They thought that Nayasha Lopez is indeed a prodigy. To be able to play the piece perfectly, one needs to dedicate and practiced it for years or else you'll just gonna butcher and ruin the piece. And Nayasha is playing the piece effortlessly, she made it looked like the piece is not difficult to play.

The people are just silently watching, eyes full of amazement and shocked. Before they know it, the girl had stopped moving her fingers. She had finished playing and they still want to hear more. 

A boy from the crowd starts to shout 'one more' followed by everyone. The crowd was loudly requesting another one. 

Naya smiled widely in front of the people and spoke in the microphone. "Tell me are you trying to kill my fingers?" She teased raising her hand. The crowd laughed at her witty remarks. "I'm sorry, pinagbigyan ko lang yung friend ko kaya nandito ako ngayon. Have a very good night everyone." Pagpaalam ni Naya. May iilan pang nagsabi na wag muna siyang bumaba at magpatugtog pa pero nginitian lang ni Naya at bumaba.

Sila Gian na nanunuod sa pinakalikod ay nakitawa sa nangyayari. "Not gonna lie, she's really good. Beethoven must be proud seeing her play his piece." Natatawang sabi ni Gian. "Ang bilis ng daliri saka yung clarity ng notes, hands down dude."

"Thank you for the compliment Gian but don't fall in love, it's dangerous."

"Ulol." Natatawang tugon ni Gian. "I'm just appreciating her talent okay? She's beautiful yes, but her kind is not my type. Suplada niya kaya tignan pag di ngumingiti." 

Natawa si Seth. Naya really have a natural fierce look when she's not smiling. Suplada ito tignan dahil sa mga mata na natural na malamig pag tumitingin sa mga taong di nito kakilala. 

Di na binigyan ng pansin ni Seth ang mga sumunod na nagperform. Tumitingin lang siya sa silid kung nasaan sila Naya, hinihintay ang mga ito na lumabas. Di naman nagtagal ay lumabas na ang grupo nila. May iilang estudyante pa ang nakipagkilala sa grupo, karamihan sa kanila ni Yanique at Naya. Bumati ang mga ito at ngiting ngiti na nagpakilala.

"May instant fans agad." Komento ni Gian na tinawanan lang ni Seth.

Lumapit ang grupo nila Naya sa pwesto nila Seth.

"That was a badass performances." Gian commented to the group. "The piece you played is unexpected." He added to Naya.

The group laughed. "It was MacKenzie's and Yanique's idea." Naya said.

Gian glanced at Seth and the latter had an 'I told you' face. 

"And Yanique have a pretty good voice. Hone it well in next years and a lot of entertainment company will pile for you." Gian complimented Yanique.

Yanique gave a small smile and said thanks. 

"Why don't you all join us here and let's watch the rest performances together." Seth suggested. 

"Hmm, I don't mind. The sits around are pretty packed." Naya said and the other three also agreed.

They settled themselves and watch another band playing. The crowd are still energetic and can still shout.

"Are caf show usually this loud?" Kenna can't help asking.

"Hmm no, there are days a group of student would plan to play mellow and slow songs. Just relaxing and having a good rest. Today there's a lot of freshmen so it's kinda loud and given that there are different performers today, so yeah." Gian responded.

"But it's really fun seeing people having a good time. When the actual classes starts and the students would get stressed after the end of the day, they can actually come here to rest and have a good time." Kenna said smiling.

"Yeah it's quite cool. But you? you'll just gonna sit and never bother to play. You'll just gonna order other people to play for you tsk tsk." MacKenzie said to Kenna.

"Don't start with me MacKenzie." Kenna frowned at her cousin.

"But it's true. Is it not?" MacKenzie still teased.

"Mackie stop it. Why are you always targeting your cousin? Is it because you're scared of me or Naya?" Yanique said in a calm voice.

A series of 'oh' can be heard around the table. Then they laughed. "Seriously I think you're really the responsible one here." Naya said to Yanique. 

"Mareng Naya, I said I don't do trouble. It's just because Kenna gets easily annoyed." MacKenzie's defend himself.

Naya chuckled. "What? I didn't even said anything pertaining to you."

"Okay. Okay, I'll stop. We have seniors in this table. It's disrespectful to ignore them. Nakikiupo lang tayo dito." MacKenzie.

"Oh no. We're chill, I like watching you annoy each other." Gian chuckled.

"I'm hungry." Kenna blurted out.

"Nagutom ang nanuod lang." MacKenzie found himself teasing his cousin.

Natatawang napailing si Naya. "I'll get us food." 

"I'll come with you." Yanique said to Naya.

"Yanyan get me some food too, thank you." MacKenzie said to Yanique. Mackenzie and Kenna handed their student cards to the two.

Naya and Yanique left the table and the other four only looked at the two leaving.

"You like Naya don't you?" Prangka na tanong ni Kenna kay Seth. "Don't even lie to me, you're quite obvious you know?"

"What? He likes Nayasha? How did you know?" MacKenzie asked dumbly.

"Shut up idiot. Di ikaw ang kinakausap ko." Kenna hissed at MacKenzie.

Seth and Gian chuckled. "It's not obvious, your cousin didn't notice." Seth replied.

"Because he's a little dumb. So I'm right?"

Seth didn't answered, he just smiled at Kenna.

"Omg, showbiz ka." Kenna exclaimed. "Don't worry yanyan doesn't like her." She added.

"Who told you to call him yanyan?" MacKenzie was frowning.

"Why can't I? Your friends are my friends too." Kenna answered.

"But yanyan is my best bud."

"Wow territorial." Kenna said. "What if he will find himself a girlfriend in future? You'll also deprive her of her right to call Yanique whatever she wants?"

Natahimik si MacKenzie at parang batang inaway na napatahimik nalang kasi di makalaban. 

The three laughed. "Oh no something is going on here." Gian whispered to Seth. Seth hushed Gian and they quietly watched the two exchanged annoyed glances at each other.

When Naya and Yanique came back they noticed the strange silence.

"What is going on?" Yanique asked.

"Nothing, we just discovered something." Kenna said.

"What is it?" Yanique asked curiously.

"Oh I just found out someone like someone." Kenna chuckled.

"Who and who?" Yanique asked again.

MacKenzie interrupted before Kenna could respond. "Hey why don't you sit and let's eat first yes?"

"MacKenzie omg!" Kenna exclaimed. "For real?!" 

"I don't know what you're talking about Kenna Jane." MacKenzie innocently replied.

Seth and Gian laughed. Naya looked at the two in confusion.

"What exactly is going on?" Naya asked.

"Oh it's just Seth Lawrence." Kenna said.

"What about him?"

"He said he likes you." Kenna straightforwardly spilled the tea.