Just like what’s planned, the practice started at nine in the morning. The contestants were tasked to focus on practicing the events while the alternatives were commanded to do the laundry.
“Do the rinsing then I’ll do the soap thing” DK said. “You’re fooling me” Zaydi answered. “I’m not fooling you. I’m making things faster so we can already play counterstrike” DK replied. They started doing the laundry then went downstairs eventually to hang the clothes under the pricking heat.
“Zaydi, did Senior Vino informed us that there’s someone vacating the first floor?” DK asked. “He said that there’s no one living in there” Zaydi answered. DK felt goosebumps. “If there’s no one inside that room, why are there grasping noises and unusual sounds last night?” DK said; creeping voices. “Maybe you’re just hearing things” Zaydi replied.
“I’m sure what I heard was true! I’m still on my senses that hour” the two went back after doing their task. On their way, they can walk pass the first floor’s main door since it is in the same building. When they went near, they heard pots clasping and a good aroma greeted them.
“I told you it’s true! Remember what aunt said before? She said that if you smell food in somewhere deserted, there are elves cooking” DK said; frights are sensing in his voice. Zaydi peeked to believe. “All my life, I still haven’t seen a ghost who cooks delicious food” he said. “So, what’s inside?” DK asked. Zaydi shrugged and made his way upstairs. “Don’t mind it. Maybe it’s just a welcoming treat for us” Zaydi answered.
When they reached their space, they saw the team preparing for a band practice. “You came in perfectly. Zaydi, start drumming so we can familiarize with the progression” Silas said. “While you DK, please fix the amplifier, seems like it was bitten by ants” JL said. The band practice will serve as an outro if they win the battle.
In this band the roles are: guitarist/lead - Silas, vocalist – Olivia, pianist – Endrei, and a drummer – JL which sometimes played by Zaydi whenever JL is tasked to monitor their performance. “Song for today is Talk by Cheats. Guitar chords: G, D, D7, Em. Pianist, do the second voicing since we don’t need a piano here, drummer refer to the sheets, vocalist check sound; stop using metallics. Silas, you know when to say your part. Start in 3, 2, 1…” said JL.
After 35 seconds of intro, the lyrics began to speak.
“Why’d it take so long? I’m tired of talking. Who was first to go? First to know what's the use in talking? Do you always go rogue. When you get bored? 'Cause I want you to stay. Say you come over”
While the band is playing, their senior entered the room with a take-out food in hand. He glanced at his juniors, basically his younger cousins. They’re doing what they love, they can’t even feel tiredness. The team glanced at their senior with bright smiles. After the song, their senior clapped. “You’ve made a progress. Well done, team. Let’s eat”.
The team hurriedly went to their kitchen to prepare. Their all-time favorite spicy chicken wings are served. The senior thought the kids would be motivated with their comfort food and he was right, the meal was filled with fun as if the team isn’t drained. The laughter and chats were interrupted when someone knocked at their door.
“Are you expecting something?” their senior asked. They all said no. Lt.Col. Peredo opened the door. A pregnant woman is standing at their doorstep while holding a pot. “Hello Cevino, I thought you’re not living in this building anymore. Here’s a welcome treat from me and Paul. Enjoy!” Cevino knows the woman because it is his friend’s wife.
“Team, greet Mrs. Gomez, Major Paul Gomez’s wife. She lives downstairs” Lt.Col. Peredo said. The team stood up and raised their salutes. When Mrs. Gomez left, DK and Zaydi looked at each other. “Senior, I thought there’s no one living downstairs?” DK asked. “There’s no one when we vacated. They just came back after a vacation” their senior answered. DK and Zaydi looked at each other and laughed. Their senior lifted the pot’s lid and a familiar cuisine was served to them.
“Maybe that kangkong vegetable cursed us” DK said. “Wherever I go, I always encounter this vegetable” Silas uttered. “Eat that. It’s not nice to refuse to a blessing” JL reminded. They shared the chicken wings and the kangkong prepared by Mrs. Gomez.
“From now on, no one should make loud noises by 8 p.m. onwards to avoid annoying the neighbors. We’re not already in the open field. Silas refrain from playing your laptop, we can hear very well your trash talks. Ola and Zaydi, your laughs are so loud, do it quietly. DK sleep early to avoid eating a midnight snack, your workout will be at waste. Endrei wear your glasses while using your phone. Lastly, JL if you’re going to talk to someone on the phone, don’t shout.” Lt.Col. Peredo reminded.
After the meal, Endrei brought the container again. JL picked out one piece and read it. “Please step forward, Mr. Teacher Magnet… Dior Klent” JL announced. He got surprised because he’s confident enough not to be picked this time around. “I think you’re all cheating. I’ve been picked for three times straight!” he complained. He read every piece inside the container and found nothing suspicious. Each of them has one piece of paper inside.
“Now tell me who’s cheating” JL said. He returned the container to JL and went to the sink to do the dishes.
Flashback…
“Good job little rascal” JL heard Silas’ words. “So, there’s really a twist living with DK, calling for prank wars” Zaydi said.
JL went inside the room and found the anomaly going on. “Tsk tsk, such a prankster. You’re all bullies. Promise me that you won’t do this again” he said with a smirk on his face. “Just this once. We’re not doing it again” Silas said and brought back the original set of names inside the container.