#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 39

"Are you ready? You'll go out in ten minutes,"

Napatingin ako kay Maisie nang sabihin niya 'yon habang inaayusan ako sa may dressing room. I was a bit nervous even though I've already done a lot of meet and greet before. Wala namang pinagkaiba ang mga 'yon sa ngayon kaya hindi ko alam bakit ako kinakabahan. I checked my phone a lot of times like as if someone would text me good luck.

"I'm nervous..." I answered which made her laugh.

"Kalma ka lang, Khaisia... Your fans will be very happy to see you. No need to be nervous," Juliet said while checking my overall outfit.

"And oh, since we're already talking about events... There will be a big event in Pampanga, and they want to invite you. I think it'll be three weeks from now," sabat naman ni Maisie kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Pampanga?" I repeated.

"Yeah, I'm still confirming the details. Once everything is final... I'll tell you and make a decision," she answered.

I smiled and nodded my head carefully. I calmed myself and waited until it's finally time to meet the people who attended today's event. Sumalubong sa 'kin ang malakas na hiyawan kaya naman kaagad akong kumaway sa kanila. When they handed me the microphone, I greeted them which made them scream again.

After giving a short speech, the meet and greet started. I was just smiling the whole time talking to different people. Halos mangalay na ang kamay ko dahil ang dami kong pinirmahan. I didn't expect this amount of crowd. Akala ko nasa one hundred lang ang a-attend, but according to Maisie, it's almost half a thousand— which, of course, I didn't believe at the beginning.

"Hello po!! Oh, my gosh! Ang ganda-ganda niyo po talaga," naka-ngiting sabi sa akin ng isang fan na babae which I think is a teenager because she looks so young.

"Hello! Thank you so much," I answered, smiling back.

"Uh, can I ask you a question po?" she asked politely.

"Yes, of course. What it is?" I asked while signing and glancing at her.

"Uh, I'm really a fan of Kirk and you... I really think you two are so cute together. May I ask what's the real score between you? Everyone is going crazy making theories about the two of you." tuloy-tuloy na sabi niya, she sounds like rapping. Buti na lang at naintindihan ko pa ang sinasabi niya kahit papaano.

"Excuse me... You can't ask questions like that here. I'm sorry, we're asking for your understanding." sabat ni Maisie bago pa ako magkaroon ng chance na sumagot.

I was about to talk to her when I heard a loud scream. Hindi ko alam kung bakit... Napatingin ako sa tinitignan nila, kaagad na nanlaki ang mata ko sa nakita. I saw Kirk wearing a cap, and holding a bouquet. Napatayo ako dahilan para mas lalong magsigawan ang mga fan na nasa venue. Ano ba'ng ginagawa niya rito?

Naglakad ako palapit sa kanya. Now, all the attention were on us. Ang daming nakatutok na camera sa amin pero hindi ko 'yun pinansin. My attention were all on him, I can't take my eyes off him. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng sasabihin ko... I knew that everything I say here will spread like a wildfire. Ano ba kasi ang ginagawa niya rito? Bakit bigla na lang siyang pumupunta rito tapos may dala pang bouquet?