See You Tomorrow, Yuki (EDITING)

TWELVE

Yuki returned to the theater hall. Anna was anxiously waiting for her outside, afraid of the director. She quickly grab Yuki next to her.

"Yuki!"

"Hey... ano nang nangyayari sa loob?"

"Nasa loob na si Direk. May hinihintay pa sila. I don't think we'll have the rehearsal today."

The door's ajar. Yuki peeked inside and pulled herself back to hiding again.

"Kita mo? Halos lahat ng performers, kasama na ang team natin, nasa loob," mahinang sabi ni Anna. "I thought you're going to the restroom? Bakit naman ang tagal mo?"

"Ah... I saw a friend... nag-usap lang kami."

Sabay silang pumasok sa loob. Habang nakatalikod ang direktor, tumungo sila sa pwesto nilang dalawa, maingat ang bawat yapak.

"What an attitude from the both of you. Even the higher-ups came straight here. Hindi ba kayo nahihiya sa kanila at sa lahat?" Gail wished to argue again.

"Gail. By chance... is the president's wife really coming?" Yuki.

"Hmm. Narinig kong ipakikilala ulit siya, lalo na sa mga baguhang tulad ni'yo." Gail chuckled. "I've been here for 10 years. I can't believe the two of you became lead actresses before I could. Is this what I get from everything I did, or what?"

Nakataas ang kilay, tinitigan siya ni Yuki. Ito ang unang beses na napansin ni Yuki na may pinanggagalingan ang inggit ni Gail sa kanila.

"Everything you did?" Yuki.

"Eyes on the front." Gail.

- - -

"Dad... please open the door."

Aciel's been knocking on his dad's room, who at the time, was upset about what he did first thing in the morning.

"Dad..." Sinusian niya na ang pinto. "Papasok na ako. Okay?"

"Bakit? Anong kailangan mo?" bungad na mga tanong ni Hanz, nakaupo sa kama niya.

"I want to say... sorry. I was rude."

Naupo siya sa tabi ng ama. Binabasa ni Hanz ang libro na kaninang dapat ipakikita ni Aciel sa kaniya.

Awkwardly, Aciel asked, "Is that the book you based the musical on? I got it from the library."

"I feel sorry, too. And to your question, yes. You must've really forgotten about that musical... since that day."

Binigay ni Hanz kay Aciel ang libro. Wala na sa porma dahil sa pagkaluma nito. May punit na rin ang ilang bahagi ng bawat pahina.

"You look like you went to see her in that particular place. I wish to not mention the name," panunukso pa ni Hanz sa anak.

"Alin? Si Yuki, o Silver Dust?"

"Pareho?"

Tinawanan nila ang isa't isa. Tumayo si Aciel para isara ang mga bintana nang lumakas ang hampas ng hangin mula sa labas.

Nahiga si Hanz bago ulit nagsalita, "Kung nag-aalala ka para kay Yuki, hindi na kailangan. Hindi naman nila kilala ang isa't isa. And she doesn't have any relationship with us." He paused. "Yet."