CHAPTER 5

“So who will sing next?” Poy Palma asked as she finished her song. The crowd around her cheered amidst wine and some of Bea’s famous Callos alla Madrileña. Poy became a force in the music industry, having been invited to sing at the 2012 London Olympics. What followed was a blooming career in London where music critics dubbed her the new Aretha Franklin.

“Laarni!” Apple chided.

“What?!” Laarni Losala shrieked. “Pass muna ako.” Laarni Losala’s career took off after the show. She released three albums-all of which reached platinum status. In 2013, she was invited to read for Victor Hugo’s Les Miserbales. She was eventually cast as Fantine. She has since been based in Manhattan, shuttling back and forth to Manila every once in a while to be with her fiancée Mark.

“We have not heard you sing in a long time, Labarns.” Miguel teased. The group began chanting Laarni’s name. Laarni took a sip of wine and stood up. The groups exploded in wild cheering as Laarni took the microphone from Poy.

“So what do you want me to sing?” She asked. The group immediately looked at the catalogue of songs.

“Let’s give her Bohemian Rhapsody!” Bea suggested. “or something from Les Miserables.”

“How about If you could read my mind” suggested Poy.

“I know!” Cris said, grabbing the song catalogue from Bea. She skimmed over one page, grabbed the remote and put in the numbers.

Immediately, the TV screen beside Laarni glared to life. On the screen, a woman was walking down the beach, thinking.

The title then appeared over the image.

At that instant, Sen was about to drink wine from his glass. The moment he saw the title his hand froze mid-drink. His heart began beating wildly. He put down his glass and did a double take on the screen.

The screen read: GOT TO GO MY OWN WAY.