13

Avarua Restaurant and Bar, located beside Harbour Square was jampacked. The al fresco bar boasts of scenic views of Manila Bay and the Manila Skyline. The bar also offers a view and a song, as they placed their open air stage towards the bay, with the Manila Yacht Club as background.

Inside the dressing room, Miguel sat anxiously, taking a shot of tequila every so often to calm his nerves. Actually, he was not nervous for the concert; he already knew his repertoire by heart. He was more nervous of the fact that she was coming over to watch him. He was anxiously, waiting for her, hoping that her surprise would be good news.

There was a soft knock on the door. Miguel turned around just in time as Laarni pushed the door open. Miguel smiled as she entered the room.

“Good luck!” she said as she planted a kiss on his left cheek.

“What’s you surprise?” Miguel asked. Laarni need not answer. A moment later he saw something dangling from Laarni’s neck- a sapphire necklace encrusted with diamonds.

“Kami na ni Adrian.” Laarni said, a tinge of happiness in her voice. Miguel felt like he was falling in an endless abyss. He thought about this moment several times the past twenty four hours, trying to prepare how he would take it. As the moment came, he realized nothing could prepare him for this moment.

“Wow. Congrats.” Miguel said, trying to feign enthusiasm.

“Parang hindi ka yata masaya?”

“Masaya naman, na-shock lang.” he replied. “Masaya ka ba?”

“Okay lang.” she shrugged. He forced a smile. “Actually andyan siya sa labas.” Another dagger. “O siya, good luck!” She said as she gave him a hug.

Laarni exited the room, leaving Miguel in silence thick enough to cut with a knife.