For The Stars Have Sinned

It was dusk when I step in front of the resort. It’s past five o’clock. The name of the place was engraved above the entrance. I entered and went to the reception to receive the key card for my booked room.

“West wing, Ma’am. Room 375. We have different deals for room service. You can browse for the services and other deals in full menu at your room. For assistance and other needs, you can contact our reception officer. Have a nice stay !”

I smiled at him and accepted the key card he handed. The crew assisted me to the West Wing. I looked up at the three-story tall white building. I think there is even a rooftop above. At first glance, the building looks like a dormitory, except for the rectangular blue pool and row of brown pool chairs on its side.

The crew brought me a clean regular hotel room. He bid goodbye as I went inside. I put the backpack down on the bed and looked at the single cabinet, white bed, and nightstand on the side of it. There is a bathroom door.

Nice. Not grand but suitable for a single lady like me. I picked up the book of menu that was on the bed and laid down. I was just leafing through that book until my phone rang. It’s six o’clock.

I got dressed and put on perfume before leaving the room. I put the shoulder bag on my shoulder and went down to the lobby of the west wing, leaving the resort. I just hired a taxi to go to the Vine concert’s venue, because I haven’t memorized the whole Tawala yet.

The manager thought that Vine was not yet known in Bohol so the concert was held at the Tawala Public Auditorium. That’s where Maingey thought it wrong. Inside the venue was a wild crowd. It’s so jampacked that I, small girl, had to squeeze myself through the crowd just to get past the bouncer.

“Sir!” I breathlessly yelled at the bouncer who was always present at the Vine concert. He turned to me so I smiled. “Let me enter the VIP area, I have a VIP ticket!” I even raised the ticket.

He just frowned as he gestured to me. I immediately approached and slipped through the barrier that he opened so that I could enter inside.

“Just look for the seat number. There are so many people, it’s hard to leave the seat,” the bouncer said.

“Alright, Sir! Thank you!”

I ran towards the VIP seats. I looked for the number and immediately sat down so somebody can’t steal it from me. My lips curved into a smile when the stage lit up, but Vine is not present yet.

I quickly grabbed the digital camera from my shoulder bag and took a picture. Then, I set it to video mode. I turned the camera shot three-sixty degrees. Such a wild crowd! It wasn’t this exciting during the last concert. Maybe there are more Vinepress here in Bohol than in Cebu.

I took a picture of myself and smiled at the camera. “Hello there, fellow Vinepressers! I am here at Vine’s concert and there are so many Vinepresses here! Just now, I almost buried my face in a man’s sweaty back.” I laughed. “So that’s it, some of those who didn’t buy tickets asked me to vlog them. So… here I am! Enjoy watching and don’t forget to hit like and subscribe for more vids!”

I lowered the camera and looked at the stage. The fans got even louder when a man came on stage but it was just a crew who’s tasked to prepare the musical instruments.

I bored myself taking pictures while waiting for the Vine to play. As time went by, more and more fans sat in other VIP seats. I kept grinning. It’s good that the seats are reserved for each VIP ticket, not like last time where I lost my seat in front because everyone who got VIP ticket entered without reservations and just grabbed a seat even if it was not reserved for them. That’s why when I arrived, only seats at the back part of VIP area were available.

I’m thankful for Tiden who reserved a seat for me, and it’s right in front! So I’m gonna see them perform with ease.

A few minutes later a woman came up on stage. She smiled and brought the mic near her lips. “Good evening, Vinepress! Are you excited to see your idols?”

“Yes!” the audience yelled.

“We love you, Vine!”

“I admire you, idol!”

The woman on stage laughed. She brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Vine is a band consisting of five members. This group was established two years ago, when Maingey Thea Cavalder happened to hear the performance of Seariel Render also known as Ariel and Levitus Yushen also known as Levi. These two boys are dedicated, achievers , and will do anything to reach their goals. That’s why Maingey Thea didn’t hesitate to establish the band with only two members.

After months of playing around as a duo, Cairo Junil also known as June and Tiden Rude also known as Tiden entered the band. Then Nicolen Angel also known as Nicole, joined the band as the only girl member.”

The fans cheered. I clapped and grimaced when heard the name Nicole.

“It was an overwhelming bumpy ride with you, Vinepress.” The woman smiled. “Now, we will see our idols soaring high in the sky like an eagle spreading its wings. Are you excited to watch them perform live here in Tawala Public Auditorium?”

“A big yes!”

“Yes yes yes!”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Vine I really love you!”

“Just shout the name of your idols as they’re performing here live at Tawala, ladies and gentlemen, here are the members of Vine! Ariel, Levi, Tiden, June, and last but not the least, Nicole!”

Cheers and applause echoed all around the place. I winced hearing the screaming of the girl next to me. I shook my head. She won’t hurt her throat with all that level of yelling, right?

I’m screaming too but it’s just the right squeal. I was carried away by the screams of my fellow fangirls who didn’t even apologize to me. It’s like my eardrums bursted!

The five settled themselves down. Ariel on the drumset, Levi on the mic-stand in the middle with Nicole, Tiden on the side with his clinging electric guitar on his front, and June on the keys.

“Good evening, dear fans.”

The fans gasped and squeaked even more with excitement when Ariel spoke. I laughed. I knew that Ariel’s charisma’s beyong this world.

“Go, Ariel!” I yelled.

I noticed Tiden looked on my way. Our eyes met. He smiled briefly before looking down at the electric guitar hanging on his body. I snorted.

Ariel’s smile grew wide. “It’s nice to see you here with us tonight. I am Ariel Labastida, your handsome leader of the band. Here are my members.” Ariel pointed at Levi.

“Pleasant evening,” Levi greeted. I slowly smiled. Levi’s voice is really beautiful. “I’m Levitus Yushen, your lead vocalist.”

Tiden spoke. “Tiden Rude, electric guitarist. Sweet lover, not a heartbreaker.”

The fans were screaming. I also grinned at what he said and started laughing.

June closed his eyes. “Cairo Junil, your silent pianist. If you want to feel love, come and I’ll whisper it to you.”

The fans lost their composure even more. June smiled then looked down at the keys. I laughed again but fell silent when Nicole spoke.

“Hello everyone! Nicolen Angel here, your sub-vocalist and sweet princess. Give me some shout of praise!”

The fans all screamed.

“You look beautiful, Nicole!”

“You are so great!”

“Idol! You’re the best!”

“No one can beat you, Nicole!”

I saw how Nicole laughed at what the fans said. I rolled my eyes and scoffed. It was all good if not for that one who ruined my mood.

Ariel stole the spotlight. “Anyone who recently broken up with their other half? It’s okay to feel hurt and disappointed. Just cry your heart out and raise your hand as we sing this song dedicated for you!”

The drop on a drum was the cue to start the gig. The electric guitar strummed accompanied by the melodious playing of the piano.

I smiled and did a head bang. The video recording is on. I even screamed to cheer them on.

“Every night I dream

Vivid dreams of the past

Past we took for granted and forsook!”

I stood up on the chair and danced to the song. I went along with a scream, together with the other fans in VIP area. They stood up and did a head bang, jumping here and there as the music got wilder and wilder.

I knew that it’ll be chaotic soon so I cut the video recording and put the digital camera back in my shoulder bag. It was only the first song but people were almost losing their minds to the upbeat.

I was happily singing along to Vine’s song when I felt someone stand by my side. I should ignore that person but I got curious. Everyone was singing along, but this person only stood there silently.

Frowning, I looked up to see that face but I only got bewildered when I realized who it was.

It’s Lyndon!