Save The One Last Song For Me

Loud screeches coming from huge speakers flooded our ears as the staffs of the event make their last minute test on the equipments. The annual “Summer Slam” will start on the next hour.

I was one of those lucky few who were able to enter the concert ground at an earlier time. Thank you to my best friend Grace who happens to date one of the organizers. We didn’t only have free tickets for the show; we also landed the best spot on the venue.

The monsoon wind blew my hair thus it scattered all over my face. Grace chuckles upon seeing it. She is standing in comfy while chewing a gum beside me. We are just few meters away from the stage. Her hair was tied neatly in a bun. She’s now busy texting someone on her smart phone.

The afternoon sky was cocktail-blue. Clouds were latched to the unending sky. Indeed, a perfect weather for this day’s event.

Minutes passed and all the entrance gates are opened. The open space venue is now surrounded by noise and shriek from ecstatic fans. For the reason that, fifteen of the most popular bands in the country will perform today.

“Aren’t you gonna wear a jacket to cover that shirt?” I asked Grace sarcastically as I scrutinize her black t-shirt with large gold prints that shouts “Marry Me Austin!”

I ended up wailing with laughter as my best friend glared at me.

“It’s a good thing that David is not the jealous type?” I added.

Grace shot one brow up. “Believe it or not, I have his one hundred percent support on this one, Kat. He actually brought me this shirt!” My deep brown eyes crinkled at the corners.

I purse my lips before I asked her again. “What if Austin finally notices you? Are you going to dump David?” Grace grins wickedly as she puts the strap of her shoulder bag in place.

She makes small bubble out of her gum then pops it eventually. “I know my limitations Kat. This fangirl thing over Austin, my chances of him noticing me is like expecting pigs to fly,” she said with certainty.

“Besides, I love David. Well, Austin can be a fling!”

“You crazy woman!” My eyes widened as I reply. I even tap her right shoulder.

The venue is now flooded with excited fans. There are girls who wear the same style of Grace’ shirt but with different prints.

“Marry Me Ervic!”

“Undress Me Marowe!”

“Make Me Sweat Iñigo!”

“Mrs. Ervic Fuentabella!”

I was caught off guard upon seeing the last statement on the girl’s shirt. A sobering memory clouded my mind. My eyes start to moisten.

My best friend has been their fans for years yet it is the first time that I agreed to watch their show with her. I’m always prepared with the most creative excuse every time she asked me to accompany her.

I swallowed the bile in my throat as I stare back at the girl who wore that shirt. It breaks my heart realizing that the guy whom I called mine in the past happens to be every girl’s dream guy today.

But who am I to withhold him from his fans? Even if I wanted to be selfish of Ervic, even if I wanted to be the girl that he only sees, I can’t!

Destiny has been the biggest villain to our love story and we can’t defy it. Even if I want to hold him with my both hands, even if I want to hug him tight and shower him with kisses and all my love, I can’t!

Ervic was my life’s biggest regret. Just his sane memory makes my heart hammers inside my chest. He was the one that got away. He is the one that I wanted to marry!

If only the universe didn’t conspire to break us apart I could have been Mrs. Ervic Fuentabella!

The first five bands performances were superb. I’m now sweating bullets. Maybe it’s the effect of the humid summer air and the heavy lighting from the dancing spotlights. The night sky started to envelops the concert ground as the clock ticks on six thirty in the evening.

I couldn’t count on how many times that I was pushed on the barricades as the audience jump and shout while the loud rock music was being played.

Just what they always said save the best for last. The final slot of the performer for tonight’s event was given to the most popular band in the country today-Ace of Spades.

Their name was called by the emcee. “For the final performance of this year Summer Slam, let’s give it up for Ace of Spades!” Their band photos are being flash on the gigantic LCD screen.

It felt like my ears fall to the ground because of the loud scream of these ladies beside me.

Iñigo plopped down behind the drums after the crew set-up their equipment. He rotated the drum stick playfully with his fingers as he made a final check.

Marowe follows while putting the strap of his guitar properly on his left shoulder. High-pitch shouts on the whole venue intensify as Iñigo-the pianist joins his band mates on the stage.

“Good evening Manila!” His baritone voice makes my heart beats erratically. I thought the whole stage collapsed as the crowd becomes crazy.

“Are you enjoying so far?”his voice is now husky.

I tilted my head slowly to get the best view of the lead vocals of the most popular band in the country. His thick eyebrows, sun-kissed skin, pointed nose and enticing set of pitch-black eyes start to controls my senses. My lips started to shiver. His halo-white teeth were exposed as he beams to the crowd.

I can thoroughly see his eyebrow pierced with barbell jewelry. There are slightly grown stubbles on his jaw. He is wearing a black Tribal t-shirt pair with a dark blue jeans. He matched his outfit with his black Converse shoes. His biceps flex as he holds the microphone tightly with his right hand. The dragon tattoo on his left shoulder also shows as he waved to their wild fans.

“We will be performing some cover songs. Please do enjoy and I hope that you sing with us!”

Ervic slowly closes his eyes as if he is internalizing every beat of the drums, ticks of the piano and strum of the guitars.

The stars were glittering like scattered space dust on the evening sky. The introduction music was so magical and romantic thus lovers in the audience lock lips with each other.

I’ve been hearing their songs playing repeatedly on local FM stations. It’s the first time that I heard him sing live and this close. It gave me nostalgic feelings.

I think he had already moved on from me on time immemorial. He has been link romantically to several local TV actresses, models and beauty queens.

Everyone seemed to move on from that drastic catastrophe... I guess everyone except from me! It has been six years since that tragedy and just hearing his voice it felt like that tragedy haunted me again. A shiver went down my spine as Ervic starts to sings those lyrics. He made a good rendition of the song “Stigmatized” of The Calling.

I couldn’t count on how many times that I covered my face with my palm everytime he looked on our side. I guess I’m still not ready to face him after six dreadful years of being apart.

“T-This next song was special to me.” Ervic announced to the crowd while stammering a bit. He is now seating contentedly on a stool chair while strumming on his guitar.

“I want to dedicate it to the girl who occupies a huge space in my heart. She is my inspiration for writing this song!” The crowd becomes wild again. Their anticipation is building up. They kept on shouting Ervic’s name.

White smoke surrounds the stage. “I hope one day she would hear it,” he continued in a hoarse voice. My heart seems to jump from my ribcage as Ervic carry on with his statement.

“Katarina, wherever you are right now always remember that my heart only beats for you!” My skin turned white as paper. Electric currents started to flow on my blood stream. My lips started to tremble as I felt my knees weaken. I just got distracted when Grace whispers on my ear.

“I can’t believe that you are namesake with Ervic’s mystery girl!” She giggled. My jaw dropped.

“That issue has been circulating for years but no one can give the real identity of that girl. It’s a good thing that Ervic finally named her,”she said excitedly. I was so nervous as I returned my gaze on the stage.

“You’re the only girl that I will love on this lifetime. I love you Baby!” The last part of his speech kept on tearing my heart apart. My tears started to flow like waterfalls.

Grace poked me on my shoulder. “She’s a lucky girl Kat!” But she paused and got astonished upon seeing my reaction.

“Oh my God Kat, are you crying?” Her eyes quickly widened.

I have dated so many beautiful women

But my eyes only see you

I’ve kept on comparing you Baby

But no one measures you

Grace became worried thus she handed me her handkerchief. My tears won’t stop from falling. Every lyric of Ervic’s song definitely hits my soul.

You are my universe,

my earth and sky.

My biggest regret is

when I made you cry

My heart kept drumming inside my chest. I gasped for some air afterwards I dried my eyes using Grace’ handky. Ervic’s song kept torturing my whole body.

If only I can change our destiny

I’ll never let you go in my arms

I don’t need the wealth and success of this world

When my greatest happiness is having you close

If only I could change our destiny Ervic, if only I could Baby...