Until The Curtain Falls

Prologue

Prologue

'Omy! Andyan na ang AshKen!!!!'

'Ang gwapo talaga ni Ken. Bagay na bagay sila ni Asha. AaaaaAaaaaa'

'AshKen! AshKen! Layag, AshKen!!!!'

The lights are now turned on.

The show finally ended.

Here I am standing in front of crowd, smiling.

"What a great performance Sining ng Theatro Performers Group!" Masiglang bati ng emcee sa madla.

Kita sa buong audience and mga ngiti at ang saya.

We did it.

"Congratulations! You all made the crowd wild and loud. Kahit ako manghang-mangha sa show nyo. Grabe! Parang gusto ko pa tuloy ng part 2" the emcee continues to compliment us. Hindi ko mapigilan ngumiti. Hindi ko mapigilan maiyak sa tuwa.

"Do I hear the crowd's plea to let them hear Dencio Solomon or should I say Ryken Salazar and Selene or our beautiful Asha Davids?"

As the emcee mentioned our names, the crowd becomes more wild and loud. Tila ba para kaming artista sa isang mall show.

Ryken starts to speak kaya naman mas naghiyawan ang madla.

"Hi" His dark masculine voice is enough to make every girl audience lose their sanity. What's more if they saw him personally, baka mamatay pa sila sa kilig.

"First of all, I want to say thank you for watching our show and showing bounty of your support for us, Sining ng Theatro Performers Group. Wala kami ngayon dito, kung wala kayo. I hope you enjoy our show for tonight. Good evening and I love you all" he plastered a wild smile and bowed as a sign of thank you.

Some says 'bitin' and 'isa pa' because of his ample words but they should be thankful that he managed to greet them not knowing his a silent type of guy and hates talking.

Sa set nga puro tango lang yan. Psh.

"Good evening students of Arcadian High! Did you enjoy our show? If yes, sige ulitin namin." I joke and they laugh "kidding aside. I just want to say how thankful I am for having you all here as audiences of our play. Like what Ryken said, wala kami kung wala kayo dito. Btw, pasensya na kay Dencio ha? Mainitin ang ulo ng aking iniirog. Hahaha but really, Ryken is just tired, hope y'all understand. I won't talk too much so you can all go home early. Thank you again and y'all always have my heart. I love you, Arcadian High" i give them a finger heart before returning the microphone to the emcee. I glance at Ryken, he's half smiling. Bored na yan pft.

We remain standing as our co-leads also expressed their gratitude towards the crowd. Here I am, tired of smiling and waving like an artist. Nakakalula ang punong gymanasium ng estudyante. Overwhelming masyado.

"Ms. Davids?"

"Oh, yes?" I'm too indulge of the overwhelming feeling that I forgot that I'm still with the emcee. Lutang pa nga.

"Maraming nagtatanong and as a request of Arcadian High. May I know what's the real score between you and Ryken? Sorry for the question but we've noticed the spark in your love team. Baka may hindi kami alam ah?" He lend me the mic with his teasing smile. I glance again with Ryken, still bored. Maasar nga.

"Real score? Hahaha ano nga ba hmm?"

"Layag, AshKen! Layag AshKen! Layag AshKen!!"

"Layag? AshKen? Do you want us to?" They nod simultaneously, okay that's the sign. "Mr. Emcee, do you have two different coins with you?" I asked him while smiling mischievously. He handed me one peso coin and one five peso coin. "Okay, I have a game. If you pick this one peso coin, I'll court Ryken but if you choose this five peso coin, Ryken will court me. Deal?"

Their cheers become loud and I'm enjoying Ryken's confused look. Single namin kami pareho so baka it's already the time to put label between us.

Jk.

"Okay, what's your choice Arcadian High? Right or left hand? Right? Left? Oohh mas malakas sigaw ng left hand. Well, let's see.." I slowly open my left hand " So, Ryken will court me?" I show them the five peso coin and they cheer nonstop. "Pano ba yan Ken? Hahaha okay that's for him to decide. Thank you once again for this amazing night! See you on our next show!"

+++

After few pictorials, bumaba na rin kami at dumiretso sa backstage. Our staffs assist us in our things. Dumiretso rin ako sa dressing room to change my clothes. My after-party daw mamaya so I decided to wear casual dress. While I'm sorting my things inside my pouch, I stopped when i hear voices.

"Let's stop this, Ry."

"No, please Seri. I'll talk with Ash. I'll tell her that I already have a girlfriend."

Ha? Ryken has a girlfriend? Seri? Seriphina De Los Reyes? The Student Council President ng school?

"Ry, we're complicated so please stop already. I'm tired of this set up. I'm tired hiding in shadows."

"Do you want me to quit? I'll tell them---"

"You'll quit then what? Mag-aaway na naman kayo ng father mo? I'll go okay? Don't quit or else I'll be mad at you"

"I love you, Seri. Hindi kita kaya mawala. I'll tell everyone that we have relationship. I'll tell them--"

"JUST STOP, RY. SABI KO AYOKO NA DIBA? PAGOD NA AKO. I'M TIRED HOLDING THIS JEALOUSY WHENEVER PEOPLE TELL THAT YOU AND ASHA SHOULD BE TOGETHER. I THINK TAMA SILA. MAS BAGAY KAYO. PAREHAS KAYONG MAGALING. ALSO, ASHA IS NICE WALA KANG MAGIGING PROBLEMA. SO JUST STOP ,RY. MULA NGAYON, BREAK NA TAYO" 

Seri left so I immediately go inside the rest room so she won't see me. Yung Ryken na tahimik may jowa pala. Sana all

My eyes widen when I saw him infront the rest room punching the wall.

"A-ah! Hi! D-Do you have any trouble with the wall? I mean, punch well. Mauna na ako" I give him an awkward smile before stepping out. Punch well? Sana okay ka Lang self.

"Asha.."

"Y-yes? Do you need..help?" I turn around na sana hindi ko na lang ginawa.

His eyes are dark.
His jaw is clenching.

He's mad.

"Are you having fun with your game?" His taking steps towards me and with his aura, I'm also taking steps away from him

"G-Game?"

"I know you heard us. Me and Seri. She broke up with me, thanks to you and to your game. "

"M-me?"

My heartbeat doubles when I already feel the cold wall behind me. Patay.

"Tell me. Are you having fun playing me? Huh?" Now, he's only a ruler away from me. Tumatama na sa mukha ko ang hininga nya.

"P-playing?"

"Yes. Courting you, huh? I'll play with your games. Paglalaruan din kita. Better play your games well, Asha. "

After that, he left me shaking and almost out of breathe.

'Better play your games well' ?

I always do my actions recklessly. I never knew this day would come, that my actions will haunt me.....

Should I start guarding my heart?