Chapter 3
"Ready na ba kayong lahat? We're gonna be the opening for the program." sabi ni Ate Mizee.
We were practicing the whole week after class. Naiilang akong kausapin ang president ng club namin kaya tinawag ko nalang siyang ate for respect. She's not strict at all, mas masungit pa ang kapatid niya.
Hindi gano'n ka rami ang lines ko sa gawing play namin. I have the exposure but not the lines, it's like more on actions.
Ate Mizee walked towards me.
"Kinakabahan ka ba? It's your first time and your role is not suited for a first timer." she said.
"I'm fine po." tanging sabi ko.
Her beauty never failed me. Sobrang ganda niya. Everytime I got the chance to see her beautiful face, palagi akong natatameme. Hindi nakakaumay ang ganda niya.
"You just relax, 'kay?"
Tumango lamang ako.
I'm wearing this dirty white filipiniana since our timeline will be the days back then. My costume has glitters and I'm wearing a huge white rose hair clip. My outfit is good. Kudos to the costume team.
Naka-upo ako sa isang stool at nakita kong papalapit si Mazro sa kinaroroonan ko. He's in his barong. He's not bad looking at all, he's just so mean to his sister and he doesn't talk to anybody aside his sister if it isn't needed.
"You're Leona, right?" he asked.
Himala.
"Oo." that will be my name during the play.
"If scene fifteen will come, you exchange places with Rhealyn, she knew about this already." he said.
"Bakit naman?"
That scene will be the one where he will go to our house then ask our parent's blessing. I sat beside our mother while Rhealyn is at our father's side. It's gonna be the other way around later.
"Mas expose and seat ni Rhealyn sa mga tao pero hindi niya naman kailangan 'yon, she doesn't have that much line. It's gonna be an advantage to you para ma-expose ka."
"T-Thank you." I really don't know what to say.
Umalis na siya at tumabi muli kay Rhealyn at nag-ensayo sila ng mga diyalogo nila. I'm here alone, practicing my own line.
I don't belong to a specific group of people here and even outside of the club. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong mag-approach sa kanila o hindi lang talaga nila nilalapitan dahil hindi nila ako gusto.
I'm thankful for Dave. Even though he has friends aside from me, he never let me feel alone.
"Let's all welcome the theatre club for the opening number."
The red wide curtain opened up showing Rhealyn.
The play went well like how we practiced it to be. My first exposure, where I'm going to say my line is coming up. I breathe in and out then Mizee signalled me to get in.
"Ate, anong ginagawa mo rito?" Rhealyn said as I got into her room.
Her emotions are fascinating.
"Rinig ko ang mga hikbi mo sa labas ng iyong silid. Gusto ko lang malaman kung ano ang rason ng mga luha nitong kapatid ko."
This straight Filipino is making me feel uneven.
"Ginawa ko naman ang mabuting gawin, Ate, pero bakit ako nagkakaganito? Bakit parang mali ang nagawa ko?"
"Hindi lahat ng mabuting gawin ay tama. Malalaman mo kung tama ang ginawa mo kung walang tao ang masasaktan. Sa ginawa mo, nasaktan ng husto si Gardo."
"Hindi ko kayang sirain ang tiwala ng mga magulang natin sa ikalawang pagkakataon. Kahit saang anggulo ko tingnan, may masasaktan talaga." her tears flow even more.
I'm amazed.
"Hindi mo kailangang magsakripisyo. Hindi ang magulang natin at hindi rin si Gardo. Subukan mong baguhin ang sitwasyon, subukan mong itama ang mga mali mo."
The play goes on. Nag-exit na ako pagkatapos. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag pagdating ko sa side stage.
"You did well." I startled when Mazro spoke.
"Salamat." tanging sabi ko.
Sumilip ako sa mga tao at nakita ko si Dave na hawak-hawak ang camera niya. Kumukuha siya ng litrato sa play.
Suot pa rin ni Dave and pinakita niyang t-shirt sa akin kanina na may print na "GO 61" and he said that stands for, "GO Jenim Essa"
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumasok sa ulo ni Dave. Weird ng mga matatalino.
The play went well.
We received applause right after we bowed together with the cast and our second bow together with Mizee and the heads of teams.
This wasn't our formation. Magkatabi kami dapat ni Rhealyn but Mazro took her place. We held hands and he still didn't released mine.
"Good job, everyone!" sabi ni Mizee pagkapasok niya sa room kung saan kami nagpapalit ng damit.
"Hey. You did well." sabi ni Mizee sa akin.
"Salamat po."
"The photojournalism club wanted you to give them a pose for our school paper because they said you look good on cam and Daddy even said 'That girl in a white filipiniana looks pretty.'"
Wait...
"Si Mayor po?" tanong ko.
"Yeah. You better decide for the photoshoot." she said then she left.
Ang laki ng bahay nila.
Everyone in the club is invited to their house after the program for a small celebration for the successful play.
"You're late just like our first meeting."
Ano ba naman 'to. Bigla nalang sumusulpot.
He guided me from their gate to their garden. Nando'n na ang mga napagdesisyunan na dumalo sa munting celebration. Everyone's in their outfits and foods are served.
Magkatabi na naman kami ng upuan. Mizee sat at the head of the table and Mazro sat on the other head of the table. I'm at his left side.
Nagsimula ng kumain ang lahat pagkadating ko. Napag-usapan nila ang naging play. Tahimik lang akong nakikinig sa kanila at nagpapasalamat tuwing pinupuri. Sobrang tahimik din naman ng katabi ko.
"Daddy finds you pretty." biglang sabi niya. He's saying it in a way that only the both of us heard.
"Totoo pala 'yong sinabi ni Ate Mizee." sabi ko pa.
"Gusto ka pa nga niyang kausapin to model for this upcoming campaign."
Grabe...
"Bakit ikaw ang nagsasabi nito sa akin?"
"Because I want you to turn the offer down."
"Bakit naman?"
Napakagandang opportunity ang binigay sa akin tapos kakausapin lang niya ako ng ganito para hindi pumayag sa gawing offer ng ama niya? Gago rin, 'no?
"Kamukha mo ang nanay mo that's why Dad thinks you're pretty."
"Ano namang kinalaman ng Mama ko dito?" tanong ko.
Akala ko matatalino lang ang weird, mga mayayaman din pala.
"Your mother is my Daddy's old friend and I don't want my Mommy to get hurt."
^_^
