Opposites Do Attract

óda: mahabàng tulang liriko na nagpapahayag ng matayog at masidhing damdamin hinggil sa isang tao, bagay, o pangyayari.

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Chapter Playlist

 

 

 

"Finally! Natapos na rin ang hell week, a.k.a exams! So what's the plan na girls?"

 

 

I shook my head when I heard my friend, Ningning, cheered on the top of her lungs.

 

 

We just finished our exams kasi and we are currently walking on our way back to our shared apartment para makapagpahinga. Well, ako lang ata ang may balak dahil may pina-plano na naman 'tong dalawa.

 

 

"It's good that you ask because I do have a plan, Ning!" Sabat naman nitong isa kong kaibigan na si Minju.

 

 

We are a trio and although sikat itong dalawa kong kasama sa campus, they would still choose to stick with me.

 

 

But they are the complete opposite of me, though. If they are the epitome of extroverted, ako naman ay hindi. Feel ko nga, in-adopt lang nila ako.

 

 

They also love to go on parties and hang-out with other people while ako naman, well, I love to just spend my whole free time reading books, or watching cheesy romantic movies on Netflix in my room. That's my own definition of unwind.

 

 

"Kaya the best ka talaga, Minmin eh! What's your plan, girl?" I just sighed and fixed my glasses since I felt it slipping from my nose bridge.

 

 

"May gig sila mamaya ni Chae sa Tippy's. Punta tayo." Masiglang sabat ni Minju, encouraging us to go.

 

 

Girlfriend niya ang tinutukoy niya. And her gf is a part of some kind of a band na hindi ko na maalala kung ano ang pangalan. Some kind of a Mako? Mako Shark? Is that even a good band name?

 

 

Anyway, minsan ko lang mameet ang gf ni Minju dahil nga hindi naman ako palalabas. And kadalasan, they hangout in bars para sa mga gigs nila.

 

 

"Hala! May gig pala sila? Crush na crush ko si Gigi kaya I will definitely go!" I rolled my eyes and scoffed. Isa pa 'tong si Ningning. What's so good with their band anyway at simp na simp itong mga kaibigan ko sa members?

 

 

"I think I'll pass." I replied when they looked at me with their expecting eyes.

 

 

"What? No! Palagi ka nalang nagpa-pass, Rina." Pagpout ni Minju. "Why don't you come with us this time, hmm? Please!"

 

 

Iniling ko lang ang ulo ko as I opened our dorm room. After that, patakbo akong tumungo sa higaan ko at agad na sumalampak, sighing in contentment.

 

 

"I'm good with my bed, guys. Kayo nalang. Hindi ko naman kayo pipigilan." Kinuha ko na ang unfinished book ko atsaka humanap ng kumportableng pwesto to continue reading.

 

 

Nakita naman ito ng mga kaibigan ko and they both scoffed in disbelief. Oh well.

 

 

"Really, Rina? Books after exams? My gosh, Babe! Kakatapos lang natin sa wantusawang pagbabasa ng mga questionairres!" Mala-eskandalosong pahayag ni Minju kaya tinawanan lang siya ni Ningning.

 

 

"Yeah, Minju's right. Hindi ka ba nagsasawa magbasa, Rina?"

 

 

I stopped reading at tinignan sila before giving them a smile. "Nope!"

 

 

"Besides, I'm too drain to go out, guys." I gave them my puppy eyes while they just raised their brows at me.

 

 

"Drain eh nagbabasa ka nga diyan."

 

 

"It's my way of recharging." I argued back atsaka nagpatuloy na sa pagbabasa, hiding my face in between the thick pages.

 

 

I was about to be immersed in the story when all of a sudden, naramdaman ko nalang bigla na hinablot nila ang libro ko.

 

 

"Hey!"

 

 

"Nope! Sasama ka samin! We refuse to let you stay here!"

 

 

"But! Ayoko nga, Minju." I whined pero matigas siya. I can also see the sheer determination in her eyes and when she's like this, mahirap siyang kalabanin.

 

 

"One time lang, Rina. At kapag ayaw mo talaga, then we'll stop na sa pag-aaya sa'yo. Promise!" They both raised their right hand, promising to their word. I sighed and bit my lips.

 

 

"Fine." I grumpily replied. Magsusurender na muna ako sakanila. I figured na wala naman na 'tong kasunod pa so might as well.

 

 

"Pero kapag gusto ko nang umuwi, uuwi na talaga ako ha. Don't try stop me."

 

 

"Yes!" They both pumped their fist in the air.

 

 

👓 👓 👓

 

 

Nung pumayag akong sumama sakanila, I expected na papayagan din nila akong suotin ang kung ano mang gusto kong damit. Pero hindi pala.

 

 

I was supposed to be in my classic get-up, a hoodie and pants yet here I am, clad in a black above the knee dress na minsan ko lang talaga sinusuot. Tuwing may importanteng events lang. Kaya hindi ako masyadong sanay.

 

 

They also did my hair so instead of a simple nakalugay, they braided it. Pero my glasses still stayed dahil hindi naman ako nagco-contacts.

 

 

"You look good, Rina. So stop being so concious na diyan." We are entering the entrance of the local bar now and ine-expect ko na blinding lights ang bubungad sa'min but surprisingly, it was laid-back.

 

 

Although the place is somehow crowded but it's not suffocating. Sakto lang.

 

 

We then proceeded to sit on one of the high rounded tables with adjustable chairs malapit sa stage. Oh right, gusto pala nila magpauna so they can clearly see their lover and crush– or in this case the band.

 

 

I observed my surroundings. It seems like the people here are also nag-aabang din sa banda. And I can also see some of our batchmates/schoolmates here. Wow.

 

 

"What's so good about their band?" Curious na tanong ko sa kaibigan. Nagsimula na din pala silang umorder. Light drinks lang muna but in my case, I opt for a juice lang kasi hindi naman ako umiinom.

 

 

"Well, except for being a group of good-looking, they're exceptional talaga. And I'm not speaking dahil lang biased ako ha." Sagot ni Minju before sipping on her glass.

 

 

I hummed. Okay then.

 

 

I just enjoyed the music that's coming out from the speakers, rocking my head along with it when finally, it stopped and a man stood right on the stage.

 

 

May nakalagay na din pala na mga instruments along with a couple of mic stands with microphones in it kaya inadjust niya nalang ang isa dito.

 

 

Awtomatikong naghiyawan naman agad ang mga tao. He must be the presenter of the band or something.

 

 

"Hello guys! Kamusta kayo!" He greeted energetically, earning a series of 'okay lang' and different answers from the crowd. Tumawa naman siya.

 

 

"Wow, we sure do have an energetic crowd tonight, huh!" He continued. "But I know what can make you even more energized!"

 

 

"Kaya excited na ba kayong makita sila!" The crowd roared louder. Pati sila Minju at Ningning ay nakikihiyaw na din.

 

 

"Well, hindi ko na kayo paghihintayin pa! Let's give it up for The Mako Band!" He raised his hand, pointing to the side kung saan may nagsilitawan na isang grupo ng mga kababaihan.

 

 

My brows furrowed, trying to take a good look at them but to no avail. It's quite dim pa kasi sa stage so it's just mostly their shadow that's visible.

 

 

Then, they started doing something on the stage, probably naghahanda or something. I even saw this one figure na kinabit ang gitara niya sa isang amp pagkatapos ay kinalikot ito pabalik.

 

 

And then, I heard a very alluring tune when she did that.

 

 

"Grabe talaga 'tong si Winter. Nagtutune pa lang ng gitara niya pero ang sarap-sarap na agad pakinggan."

 

 

Oh, so the guitarist's name is Winter, huh?

 

 

In a split second, nag-open na ang mga ilaw right above them kaya malaya ko nang mapagmamasdan ang mga mukha nila and my attention instantly went to the guitarist.

 

 

My lips suddenly went parched.

 

 

Bob black hair, loose black shirt, cargo pants.

 

 

Ayun agad ang nanotice ko sakanya.

 

 

It's simple and yet, ang sobrang lakas ng dating. Lalong-lalo na when she was holding that damn electric guitar.

 

 

An oh, did I also mention na she is so ing attractive as hell? Like super pogi at the same time sobrang maganda.

 

 

Ang kinis-kinis din ng face nito. I know because everytime na natatapat sakanya ang ilaw, she would shine.

 

 

She must have felt my ample staring nang biglang inangat nito ang kanyang ulo and glance at our table. Lilihis na sana ako ng tingin when her gaze unexpectedly collided with mine. With mine! O.M.G!

 

 

Para naman akong biglang natuod sa upuan ko and it took everything in my power to quickly look away and drank my juice until it was completely gone from the glass.

 

 

Holy . What was that?

 

 

Pinaypayan ko ang mukha ko because out of nowhere, I feel hot. Especially my cheeks. Oh my God! Am I blushing?

 

 

"Rina."

 

 

"Rina..."

 

 

"Huy, Rina!" I jumped in my seat at napatingin sa mga kaibigan ko.

 

 

"A-Ahm, yes?" Kumunot ang noo nila.

 

 

"Gaga, okay ka lang?"

 

 

"Huh? Yes, why?"

 

 

"Huy, girl! Tinungga mo lang naman ang buong baso ni Ningning!" My eyes widened. What!? May lamang alcohol 'yung kay Ningning ah!

 

 

"What?!"

 

 

"Yes, girl! Nagulat nalang kami nang bigla mong hablutin sa harapan ko at ni-one shot." My jaw straightaway dropped in astonisment. Is that why I was suddenly feeling so hot?!

 

 

Oh, God. Am I gonna get drunk? Pero light drink lang naman ang iniinom nila so maybe I won't, right?

 

 

"So ano? Kamusta sa pakiramdam? Okay ka lang ba?" Natatawang tanong ni Minju.

 

 

"Okay lang naman. Sorry, Ning." I gave an apologetic look to my friend.

 

 

"It's okay. Pero now that you have gotten a taste of it, do you want some more pa?"

 

 

I was about to decline the offer but then, I saw in my periperal view kung paano tumawa 'yung gitarista, pero mabilis na itinigil niya din ito by biting her lips atsaka yumuko kaya napa-oo ako ng wala sa oras.

 

 

Did she witnessed it all? ! Nakakahiya!

 

 

But my gosh! She have no business being this so attractive!

 

 

"Hello, guys! We are The Mako Band! Magandang gabi sainyo at maraming salamat sa pagpunta!"

 

 

My attention was brought back to the front of the stage again when the girl with a medium-length brown hair and a very short bangs spoke. It was probably their vocalist and leader. Siya 'yung nasa gitna eh. Singkit na singkit din ito at parang siyang mukhang oso.

 

 

"We won't make our introduction long since paniguradong inip na inip na kayo at excited nang marinig kami. Kimi! Haha."

 

 

"So here we go!" Nagcue muna sila by counting to three using the drummer's stick and then boom! Dumagundong na ang buong bar with their first song and man, now I understand the hype.

 

 

They first played Bruno Mars' Locked Out Of Heaven but it was turned into a rock version at rinig na rinig ang mga guitar rifts ng gitarista, making it even more beautiful to listen to.

 

 

We can't help but to head bang when the bridge and chorus came.

 

 

Cause you make me feel like

I've been locked out of heaven

For too long, for too long

Yeah, you make me feel like

I've been locked out of heaven

For too long, for too long

​​​​

 

Just when I thought my attraction couldn't get any bigger, the guitarist just had to ing sing.

 

 

You bring me to my knees, you make me testify

You can make a sinner change his ways

Open up your gates 'cause I can't wait to see the light

And right there is where I wanna stay

 

 

Is it just me, or is she only looking at me when singing? Nah, delusional lang siguro ako. But I can't also help but to stare at her glory. Ang galing, ang ganda, ang pogi. Siya na talaga.

 

 

All throughout, my focus was only on the guitarist. Like damn. Kung kanina, ang super attractive na nito without even starting yet but now, I feel like I was being blown away by how insanely good she looks while strumming that guitar. Plus her ing voice.

 

 

Ang haba din pala ng mga daliri nito kaya parang ang dali lang sakanya to riff and change from chord to chord. And then there's her lips na halos madikit na sa microphone.

 

 

Makes you want to wish you were either that guitar or mic instead– wait... scratch! Erase! Erase! Where the heck did that come from?!

 

 

They played three more songs with different genres after that– mellow, pop and then rock ulit tas ang ganda lang ng transitions sa bawat kanta hangga't sa hindi na namin namalayan na tapos na pala sila.

 

 

"Nag-enjoy ba kayo!" The vocalist asked, raising her mic to the crowd and so we cheered, making her laugh.

 

 

"Buti naman. Dahil kung hindi, wala na kaming income nito. Hindi kami babayaran ni boss." She joked and we all laughed. Naring pa naming nag 'Hoy! Di totoo 'yan!' ang kaninang nagpakilala sakanila.

 

 

"Joke lang! Haha!"

 

 

"Anyway, thank you again for coming guys! See you sa next gig! Punta kayo ha!" Nagpalakpak muna kami bago sila umalis sa entablado. That was truly a crazy but nonetheless an amazing experience.

 

 

The crowd went back again to what they were doing before and because of the band, mas naging hyper ang mga tao, still high from the rush kanina.

 

 

"So, how's your first live gig? Told you na magaling talaga sila eh." Proud na proud na saad ni Minju as she asked me. Nagtransition na rin pala sila into slightly hard drinks.

 

 

"Yeah, they're good." I sipped from my glass, cringing my face when I tasted the liquour. Eww. Ganito pala ang lasa nito? Ngayon ko lang nafocusan dahil clearly, I was too preoccupied to care kanina.

 

 

Just then, I heard the crowd cheered again kaya iniangat ko naman ang mga tingin ko only to see that the band are... coming to our direction?!

 

 

Hindi ko na alam kung ano na ang nangyari after that at para bang bigla nalang akong naging kiti-kiti sa upuan ko. I suddenly wanted to fix myself and so I abruptly stood up from my chair but it was a very bad idea when I felt myself tripping.

 

 

It was already too late for me to balance myself anymore and so I just closed my eyes and waited for my impending doom– planking my face on the floor but it didn't happened.

 

 

Instead, I just found my face crashing in between softness along with a very warm soft skin holding my arms. My senses are also being attacked by a very enticing smell.

 

 

Holy , ang bango.

 

 

I tried to sniffed the fragrance even more when suddenly, I felt a vibration of... laughter? Natauhan naman ako and my eyes immediately widened saka mabilis na iniangat ang tingin.

 

 

There, I was met with a perfectky full brows, long eyelashes, twinkling onyx eyes, soft pointed nose and a smirking heart shaped lips.

 

 

I'm doomed.

 

 

"Woah. Careful there, Miss." I felt my cheeks instantly heat up at agad na humiwalay sakanya. Pagkatapos ay hindi mapakaling uminom sa inumin ko, trying to drink my kahihiyan away.

 

 

Jusko, Lord. Now, I'm regretting coming with my friends here huhu.

 

 

"Rina! My, God!" I heard my friends trying to stop me. Clearly, tinunga ko na naman ang baso kong may laman ng alak. Kapag nalasing talaga ako, it was because of this damn good looking guitarist fault.

 

 

When I finished it, I gulped, taking courage at tumingin na sa gitarista, who obviously looks amused.

 

 

"S-Sorry." Okay, I failed my confidence.

 

 

"It's okay, although you clearly had too much to drink." She stated gently, holding me still. And oh, am I wobbling? Nah.

 

 

"H-Hindi naman. N-Naka t-two glasses palang kaya ako." I replied, raising my index and middle finger and she bit her lip and looked away, finding what I did funny.  I heard light chuckles eh.

 

 

She smiled, clearing . "Okay. Can you sit properly?" She lightly pushed me para hindi na naman ako muling matumba.

 

 

Akala ko aalis na siya pagkatapos 'non but then, nagulat nalang ako when she settled beside me. It was as if she was trying to protect me from planking my face down to the ground due to falling again.

 

 

"Rina! Uy, ayos ka lang?" Narinig ko naman ulit ang mga kaibigan ko but this time, we were surrounded by additional faces.

 

 

At this point, I wanted the earth to just swallow me whole. I'm sure that they witnessed what just happened too. Nakakahiya talaga.

 

 

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine."

 

 

"Hi, Rina!" Pagbabati ni Chaewon, waving her hand excitedly with her eyes turning crescents. Now I know kung bakit inlove na inlove itong kaigiban ko sakanya.

 

 

"Himala! First time mong sumama sa gala nila Minju ah hehe. Kamusta naman tugtog namin?"

 

 

"You guys were really good." Pasimpleng sinulyapan ko naman ang nasa tabi ko and she noticed it kaya ngumiti ito sa'kin.

 

 

"Nga'pala, introduce ko lang ang mga bandmates ko slash bestfriends haha."

 

 

She first pointed at the vocalist. "This is Ate Seulgi, leader and vocalist namin pero full time oso talaga 'yan."

 

 

"Sira!" Binatukan naman agad siya ni Ate Seulgi bago bumaling sa'kin, reaching her hand for a handshake.
I took her hand. "Nice to meet you, Rina. Ang ganda mo pala no?" She winked.

 

 

May narinig naman akong umubo sa tabi ko, making Ate Seulgi chuckled.

 

 

Chaewon was about to introduce the next one when she beat her to it kaya napairap naman ito.

 

 

"Hello! I'm Ryujin! Minsan bass, madalas pogi." Masiglang pagpapakilala nito, showing her cheek dimples. Wow, parang pusa.

 

 

"Ulol! Madalas siraulo siguro." Sabat naman ng nasa kaliwa niya. "Yuna po pala hehe. Drums." Eto naman ang sobrang taas. I bet she towers over most of us.

 

 

Then there's this japanese looking girl. "Hey, I'm Giselle, piano. Nice to meet you." Hmm, kaya pala type 'to ni Ning. Mahilig 'yun sa kawaii eh. Okay, corny.

 

 

"Last but not the least!" They all looked at the girl beside me kaya napatingin na din ako. And I'd be lying if I'm not anticipating.

 

 

She sipped on her beer bottle first. Ay? May dala-dala pala siyang ganyan? Hindi ko nanotice. Syempre, sa mukha niya ako nakatingin most of the time.

 

 

She her lips, and boy was it hot before looking at me. Then she tugged her lips upwards, grinning as she raised her hand for a handshake.

 

 

"Win. Winter Kim for short. Nice to meet you."

 

 

Like I said, it was an instant attraction. So when our hands made in contact with each other, it felt like the electricity that ran down my spine could power up the entire universe.

 

 

"Rina. Karina Yu for short. N-Nice to meet you."

 

 

Her eyes twinkled. Poganda talaga.

 

 

🎸 🎸 🎸                                      

 

 

"Hey, you had too much already na. Sure ka bang kaya mo pa?" A pair of hands stopped me from drinking on my glass. I glanced at the girl beside me and grinned tipsily. Humirit pa kasi ako nang humirit.

 

 

For now, I'm on my fifth glass already. I'm quite impressed nga because I got this far without knocking out even though it's my first time drinking alcohol.

 

 

Ang sarap din kasi nang kwentohan since the band was also fun to be with. Considering na medyo awkward ako when it comes to meeting new people.

 

 

Fortunately, I didn't felt it with them. Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the heightened rush of having your crush close to you.

 

 

Oo na. Inaamin ko nang crush ko na 'yung gitarista.

 

 

"O-Of course naman." I replied, hiccuping. Apparently, that made her chuckle before taking the drink in my hand.

 

 

"Okay. Enough na ha." She replied gently and I hummed. I don't know why but I just followed her. I then looked at my friends to check on them and found that they're each leaning on their lover/crush.

 

 

Hmm. Malalandi.

 

 

But I also felt my body leaning for support onto the girl beside me. Hmm. Ang bango-bango talaga. Amoy expensive baby powder with a hint of sandalwood, vanilla and citrus. Saan kaya makakabili ng ganitong klaseng pulbo?

 

 

"You smell nice." I murmured against her shoulders.

 

 

"Yeah?" I can feel her lips forming into a smile sa tono niya.

 

 

"Yeah." I replied, clumsily taking my glasses off since it's getting foggy. I then opened my small bag and took my case to get the microfiber cloth. Medyo nagst-struggle pa ako since I'm a little bit woozy na plus the dim lights.

 

 

"Let me." She lightly took the glasses from my hands along with the microfiber cloth and wiped it herself.

 

 

When she was done, nagulat nalang ako nang siya na rin ang naglagay pabalik sa mata ko. Clear na clear tuloy sa'kin ang magandang ngiti niya. Pearly white teeth teh. Nakakailang crest whitening strips kaya 'to?

 

 

Pero hindi pa siya natapos don when she unexpectedly tucked my stubborn loose hair behind my ears.

 

 

"T-Thank you." Nahihiyang pagsasalamat ko sakanya at napayuko. Thank God for alcohol because it somehow hides my blush.

 

 

"Hmm, welcome." She tilted her head a little and smiled at me again with that twinkling, gentle eyes of hers.

 

 

Oh, Lord.

 

 

Sadly, our hang-out was short lived when the girls eventually called it quits. Hindi na rin kasi namin talaga kaya. So here we are now, inaalalayan nila papuntang apartment building namin.

 

 

Luckily, by the time that we finally got to our room, I somehow managed to become a bit sober. Sober enough to take care of myself in some way but nonetheless, still heavily drunk. Thank goodness for that coffee detour on our way here, I guess.

 

 

But I can't say the same to my friends. Bebang na bebang kasi talaga sila. Salamat nalang kila Chae and Giselle for bringing them straight to their own rooms.

 

 

Hindi ko naman din kasi sila matutulungan or they might spend the entire night sleeping on the floor sa living room.

 

 

Since I was the only lightly sober one, I was left alone with the others sa may living room dahil hinihintay pa nila si Chaewon. Inalagaan kasi muna nito ang kaibigan ko, making sure that she's comfortable in her sleep.

 

 

Sana all.

 

 

Sanay na rin naman ako because she mostly do this kaya hindi na ako nagugulat pa and just let her be. May tiwala naman ako sakanya.

 

 

"Win, Chae and Gigi. Thank you talaga for safely bringing us here." I gratefully thanked the trio who exerted their effort into carrying a very much dead weight like us all the way here. I am seeing them off right now outside our door.

 

 

"It's okay. Pero sure kang kaya mo na on your own?" Win asked me and I just nodded my head as I smiled a little.

 

 

"Yes. I'll be fine." I answered her with a soft tone as I looked at Chae. "Thank you din for taking care of my friend, Chaewon. Now I got one less to worry about." I continued, referring to Ningning.

 

 

Tumawa naman siya. "Eto kasing si Giselle. Nahihiya pa." She teased, earning a slap on her shoulders by the Japanese girl.

 

 

"Uhm, I already took care of her skin care routine, Karina." I smiled towards Giselle. Mabuti naman. Bibihisan ko nalang ng damit 'yung isa.

 

 

"Thank you din, Gigi."

 

 

"So pa'no, we'll go ahead na muna ha." Chaewon patted my shoulders at nauna na silang lumakad ni Giselle except for the person in front of me.

 

 

"Win, they're going na oh."

 

 

"Yeah haha." She laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of her nape.

 

 

"Why? You n