———

The sky was melting, blending the tropical sunset; the pink sweet strawberries and tangerines into a black spatter of charcoal in the sky. In a split second the dark night sky engulfed the horizon. Nevertheless, the young gal with delicate curls and milky soft skin, standing under the pavement, she glistened in the dark.

Abruptly halted from his tracks, Judge watched the girl's flowing garments, lousy in her tiny figure, swayed against the early night breeze. When their eyes found its way to each other, a huge curve formed in her sweet face urging him to call her name.

"Lyca?" Jon looked surprise, when she saw  Lyca standing outside RORO, just near the door. Mabilis namang sumunod at lumapit sina Judge at Jeru. Taliwas kay Jung na hindi lang ito basta lumapit ay nagawa pa nitong akbayan si Lyca.

"Nosy whimp, you're here," Jung said.

"Why is she here?" Nakakunot ang noo ni Judge at itinaas ang tingin kay Lyca, ngunit bago iyon ay pinasadahan muna ng kaniyang mga mata ang braso ni Jung na nakaangkla kay Lyca.

"Why are you here?" ulit niya pa.

"I told her to come!" Si Jung ang sumagot. "Ngayon tayo kakanta. Dapat lang may mag-cheer, right nosy whimp?"

Napaawang ang labi ni Judge ng ngumiti si Lyca. Hindi makapaniwala sa inaakto ng dalawa at pinukol niya sila ng masamang tingin, habang sina Jeru at Jon ay nauna ng pumasok sa loob. Narinig niya ang marahan na pagbukas-sara ng pinto ng pub.

"Nosy whimp?" Judge mindlessly muttered. Lumapit siya rito at hinawi ang kamay ni Jung sa balikat ni Lyca.

"Her name is Lyca. Remember it's Lyca not nosy whimp."

As soon ay they went inside RORO, they set up the stage and prepared for a quick rehearsal. After that, they were in the back stage, getting ready for the big moment they have been waiting for. Judge was holding his guitar in his hand and he was shaking. Si Jon ay klaro sa mukha ang pagkaaligaga nito. Halos mapunit ang labi dahil sa todong pagkagat habang nakaupo at nagtataas-baba ang kaliwang paa. Judge thinks its Jon's mannerism. Ginagawa ito ni Jon kapag natatakot o kinakabahan tulad ngayon. Sa kabilang banda, nanatiling nakayuko si Jeru habang hinihamas ang pula nitong buhok sa gilid.

"Do you mind?"

Lahat sila napatingin kay Jung. Nakaipit na sa pagitan ng kaniyang labi ang sigarilyo at handang sindihan ito. They shook their heads. Soon enough after they did that, Jung lit the cigarette. His eyes slightly squinted as he puffed, producing a light smoke in every blow like dandelions seeds slowly descending in thin air.

"What the fuck?" Jung cussed when someone grabbed the cigarette stick away from his hands.

"Not here please," it was Lyca. Inapakan nito ang sigarilyo. Maya-maya ay may inabot ito kay Jung. "Mints, eat that instead. It will calm you down and not bad for your health."

Jung rolled his eyes and shrugged.

Pagkatapos noon ay lumapit si Lyca kay Jon. That's when they noticed Jon's coughing. Mahina ito ngunit sunod-sunod ang ubo halatang pinipigilan iyon ni Jon. Dahan-dahan ay inabot ni Lyca ang bottled water. Jon immediately accepted and muttered 'thanks'.

Nanatili ang tingin ni Judge kay Jon. Judge was staring at Jon's lanky frame, shorter than the average boys his age and much skinnier compared to them. Jon was pale. Maybe he got that skin out of family genes but just mere looking at him while shoulders heaving heavily, trying not too hard not to cough loud, Judge have ideas in mind.

Napunit lamang ang mata niya mula kay Jon nang may maramdaman siya sa kaniyang braso. Nakapatong ang palad ni Lyca sa braso niyang bahagyang nanginginig dahil sa pinaghalong kaba at takot.

"You'll do good."

Lyca smiled.

Her smile was contagious. Like a disease, he was afflicted forcing him to lift his lips and smile as well. That curve didn't wash off not until the luminous light once again flashed against his eyes. It was blinding. It was hurting eyes, especially when the red fleeting light inside the pub come to accompany the smoke in every person's cigarette between their fingers. Aside from his trembling hands, he was sweating too.

"Judge."

Jeru tapped Judge's shoulders, intentionally getting his attention. Mirroring each others demon inside reflected in their eyes; anxiety, frustation and fear. Judge tried to keep it in, not wanting anyone to see it but not with Jeru, not with the boy who's demon invaded him wholly. Jeru had lived with his demons for years, he was so familiar with it that he's able to decern it in first glance when he sees one. Judge was nothing different. He was just like him. He was a boy battling in his own demons as well.

"I know we worked hard for this but don't pressure yourself and let's just enjoy this."

"Woah! Enjoy lang! Isipin na lang natin na wala tayong Fifty thousand pesos. Kaya gawin natin 'to para matapos na."

"Jon? Kaya?"

Jon sighed and with a smile, he nodded. Itinaas nito ang drum's stick at hinampas sa drum.

"Gawin natin 'to."

Judge closed his eyes, inhaling some courage, bravery and strength while slowly building his confidence inside as he exhaled the fear, anxiety and frustrations that weakened the foundation he built. He opened his eyes. It first wandered around the pub's messy visuals, the overwhelming lights, the dazzling crowd, the smokes all mixed up together in one flat, but his eyes dragged its way to the specific girl, to Lyca. Lyca was standing near the bar counter, wearing a huge curve plastered in her face. Her face may fail to show all the emotions she's feeling but the frantical beating of her chest as if cheering Judge in the inside never failed her.

Judge can do it.

"Magandang gabi! My name's Jung. The little whimpy boy there in the back playing the drums is Jon. Bro say hello!" Turo nito kay Jon na nahihiyang itinaas ang drum's sticks at nag-freestyle pa. "Ang angas! The red haired boy in my left playing the guitar. He looks masungit pero girls single siya! Ang fire boy ng RORO, Jeru!"

Halos patayin ng tingin ni Jeru si Jung ngunit nanatiling nakangisi si Jung. "Last but difinitely not the least, Tarzan is that you? Ops, Kingkong ba? Playing the guitar as well, Judge!"

Judge wanted to roll his eyes. Good thing, he was trembling inside, he couldn't do it.

"This is our first time singing here. Actually, we don't even have a band name yet! Basta kakanta kami, sana magustuhan ninyo."

Once again, Judge closed his eyes.

Malakas ang kalabog ng dibdib. Umabot sa puntong nanghihina siya. Nang magsimula silang tumugtog, maging ang tuhod niya ay nagsimula ring manginig ng hindi niya namamalayan. Tuluyang sinimulan ni Jung ang kanta. Ilang sandali ay sumasabay na rin ang mga daliri niya sa ibabaw ng gitara, humalo ang drum ni Jon at hindi nagtagal ay sumunod si Jeru.

Slowly as he opened his lids, Judge felt like the time froze. Everything were slowed down like a movie purposely made that way to thoroughly see the moments in each scene without the restriction of time. Everything felt surreal. It was like a dream, but the only difference was its real. 
When the blinding light came across his face, he didn't flinch. Surprisingly, it wasn't hurting his eyes anymore. Instead, the light was warm, hopeful and stunning. It was all the opposites his demon whispers him all these years.

It was so good. Jung's eyes were shut while firmly holding the microphone. Jon was banging his head, feeling the intensity of every beat. Jeru's eyes sparkled, reflecting the surging passion within as he was doing what he thinks he does best; playing the guitar.

Judge bit his bottom lip, he never thought that music could be this good when you have someone beside you to sing it together. This is one of the rare moment in his life that he wished it would not end. But no matter how good it was, every song must reach its coda. Doing the last strum, gliding his fingers against the strings, a huge smile formed in their faces as they ended their masterpiece in pure bliss.

"That was sick!"

Stars in his eyes, Judge was floating in the air. Nang marinig nila ang palakpakan ng mga tao, parang gustong lumabas ng kaniyang puso mula sa kaniyang katawan dahil sa lakas ng kabog. Napakasaya niya, gusto niyang umiyak sa saya! Kusang naglakad ang mga paa, huminto ito sa harapan ng babae at niyapos niya ito ng mahigpit na yakap.

"Judge." Hinimas nito ang likod ng binata. Maya-maya ay sumunod na rin sila Jeru, Jung at Jon at yumakap sa matanda.

"Lala, thank you."

Mahinang napatawa si Lola Millie habang masuyong tinitigan ang apat na pares ng mga matang nasa harap niya. Hinimas niya ang pisnge ni Judge at ngumiti, na siyang pinakamalapit sa apat.

"I know the four of you, Jeru, Jung, Jon and you Judge togther will be make a great team." Maya-maya ay may inabot ang matanda sa kanila. Si Jon ang kumuha noon. Nakakunot ang noo at nabibiglang napabulalas ito.

"Music festival?"

"Sumali kayo diyan," bahagya itong napatigil. "Ang ibig kong sabihin ay pumunta kayo dahil sinali ko na kayo riyan."

Nanlalaki ang mga mata at gusto nilang magmura dahil sa bigla ngunit hindi sila binigyan ng pakakataon nito nang inanunsiyo ni Jeru na may tumatawag sa kaniya. It was an unknown number. They even needed to go outside, away from the raging noise of the pub to talk with the phone in peace.

"Anong sabi?" Si Jung ang unang nagtanong ng matapos si Jeru sa pakikipag-usap sa telepono. Halata sa tono nito ang pagkasabik.

"Music festival, they're inviting as to play in San Jose."

"San Jose? That's five hours drive away from here. You think we can do it?" Jon contemplated.

"Ano? Pupunta tayo? Kung ako kasi ang layo. Wala namang certainty kung ma-appreciate ba ng mga tao roon ang tutog natin." Jung smiled. "Basta ako, I'm up!"

Jeru smirked. "We can do it."

Judge nodded. He couldn't agree more. Of course, they could do it.

--

Lyca couldn't take her eyes off the four young men. They were laughing and giggling. With the absence of sun, it's amazing how they looked sunny and bright amidst the pitch black darkness. Lyca couldn't help but sculpt a big curve in her lips, showing a genuine smile. The boys were very passionate, not to be biased but Lyca's eyes fixated on Judge. Seeing Judge on that tiny stage, singing and living his life for the moment, that made her heart warm. With her tender eyes, she layed her soft stares on Judge's closed ones. It was like the boy was cherishing every second  as he glided his fingers swiftly in his guitar and when he sang, Lyca couldn't contain the warmth inside. It bursted in split second and a tear dropped from her eye.

"I know he could do it."

The grin on her face didn't last long, it faded instantly when a familiar voice caught her attention and forced her to crane her neck side ways.

"How are you?"

The fitted black suit, black chapeau, under it was just his curly dark brown hair. It was covering half of his face, mostly an ample part of his eyes. All those things were just too familiar to Lyca. She couldn't forget it, especially his name.

"Shiloh."

"You look fine. I guess you're doing good."

Isang marahang tango ang binigay niya bago magsalita ulit si Shiloh.

"Siya ba?"

"Sino?

"The lucky dick."

Napaubo siya dahil sa sinabi ni Shiloh. Kasabay lang nito ay tinuro ng lalaki si Judge na sa kinatatayuan pa rin at nakikipagkwentuhan. Pagkatapos noon ag itinuon ni Lyca ang atensiyon kay Shiloh. Ganoon pa rin ang ayos nito, noong huli niyang nakita ito. Nakangisi pa rin ang lalaki parang palaging mapanudya at may balak.

"It has been 23 days, sa nakikita ko ngayon medyo okay ka naman. Akala ko nga hindi ka aabot ng isang linggo. I thought you would kill yourself and haunt me down in the town but you didn't. Instead you're standing proud like a great super hero."

"Yes, I want to make this work Shiloh. I really want to save Judge kahit alam kong pinaglalaruan mo lang ako."

Shiloh chuckled, his dry and humorless chuckle. "Pinaglalaruan? Do you think breaking the rules are just me having fun? I risked my job for you because I want to have fun?" Napailing-iling si Shiloh.

"Honestly, yes. For me, you're just a bored official picking on a weakling like me. Alam ko namang kayang-kaya mong iwala ang pangalan ni Judge sa death list but instead you let me endure all this things. Dahil gusto mo ng entertainment sa katawan," sabi ni Lyca. Nanatiling nakapako ang tingin niya sa mukha ni Shiloh.

"You think so low of me."

Shiloh smirked in return. "Let me ask you a question, Lyca. Am I really the one having fun here? Or it's you?" Shiloh shifted his weight and faced her. "Do you know the reason why I helped you that time? It's because of your eyes. It's so expressive yet bland. It's beautiful yet rough. The desperation in your eyes were enough persuade me to help you. I want to see how far could these eyes go? But looking at it right now, you're still so desperate but this time, for life. You want to live again, aren't you?"

That shut her mouth. Lyca was speechless for a moment, unable to digest what Shiloh fed her. Shiloh just shot the right spot. It was like she finally put a name to the foreign feeling inside. Swallowing the lump on her throat, she sighed harshly as Shiloh continued speaking.

"Mayroon ka pang isang linggo bago matapos ang isang buwan mo. Looking at you now, I think you can do it."

Can she really save Judge?

Kaya niya ba?

Iyon ba ang tamang tanong?

"Maaari ba talagang mabago ang nakatakdang kamatayan?" She asked.

A thump on her chest and sudden gushed of anxiety and doubts when Shiloh didn't give the answer she demanded. Instead, a boyish smirk flashed on Shiloh's face which left her confused.

"Please answer me—"

Shiloh vanished, deteriorated himself into a black shadow to accompany the thin night air. Lyca was stuck in her spot, stuck in the mystery of Shiloh's silence. What did Shiloh meant by that? She closed her eyes, still completely cluttered but when she opened her lids, she was again stunned and dazed.

It went so fast that she only remembered the dinning noise of serenes from the police mobiles scattered around the pub. The fleeting lights from each car, followed by the chaotic crowd ended up creating a ruckus between the authorities and drunkard customers of the pub.

Hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin ngunit kusang hinanap ng kaniyang mga mata si Judge. Lyca was shouting her heart out until she stiffen. She froze as she heard a loud set of gunshots.

"Judge!"

###

a/n: hey! omoooo. 8 chaps to go!