Gateway to the Stars

II

Chapter II

Nagkahiwalay sila ni Charity pagpasok ng concert venue dahil pumunta muna siya ng comfort room para mag freshen up bago magsimula iyong show. Sinabi naman sa kanya ng kaibigan niya kung saan sila banda nakaupo kaya hindi na siya mahihirapan na hanapin ito.

Everyone was in high spirits upon entering the concert venue. She could feel the excitement and high as everyone singing the songs played in the background. She asked Charity later for the title of the song for it had a catchy and refreshing vibe to it. The song is quite good and can't simply get it out of her system. She didn't realize she was humming the song and stopped midway. She instinctively shook her head and continued to head forward near the stage.

Charity is waving at her in the third row seats at the center. She walked towards her and sat beside her. Before the show started she also helped her take photos for remembrance of the event. Her friend loved to take photos as keepsakes. Before the show started, everyone was singing to every song that's played in NFT. Her friend shared that some of the songs played were sung by her favorite Korean boy group of all time. One of its members is having a fan meeting later. She gave her at least tidbits of the group so she can be familiar with it. She also showed some photos too and couldn't help but be drawn to that smiley eyes guy again.

She internally stopped herself from covering her mouth. She took a deep breath and calmed her senses without her friend noticing her reaction and panic. She couldn't forget that face. She never realized that she had a close encounter with him. She feels like if someone knew her secret she'll get into trouble. She paid attention to her friend's stories and erased those unease thoughts in her head. Charity continued to tell stories about the group and how refreshing and cool they were when performing on stage and each comeback they're offering something new to NingNings.

The lights were turned off at the start of the program. Everyone was screaming out loud saying their words of endearment and confessions. She was slowly drowning with the noise around her.

"Saranghae, Juju Oppa!" Charity screamed.

NingNings were chanting Cha Eun Ju's name in unison while waiting for the Korean idol to come out of the stage. Ningning is the official fandom name of the group that her friend loves and supports. Cha Eun Ju is one of the members of Astraios which is a six member group that debuted in March of 2016. Known as the face genius of the group and one of the vocalists of Astraios. He debuted as an actor first before becoming a K-pop artist.

Everyone went frenzy when they saw a glimpse of Cha Eun Ju wearing a traditional Korean hanbok. Opening the show while singing one of the OST's of his drama.

Hindi maalis ang tingin ni Hiraya sa Kay Eun Ju sa buong performance nito. Nakita niya na ito ng malapitan kagabi even in her half asleep state she could still appreciate it's beauty. Ibang iba ang aura nito habang nasa entablado ito tila isa itong bituin na nag niningning sa kalangitan.

Naiintindihan niya kung bakit sinusuportahan ito ng kaibigan niya. Marami naman siyang nakitang mga magagaling na mang-aawit. Eun Ju when he sings it feels like he's singing his way to your heart and soul. It's comforting. Para itong kumot na akap akap mo kapag nilalamig ka sa gabi.

Sa bawat kanta at salita ni Eun Ju hindi mapigilan ang mga tagahanga na humiyaw at nag palakpakan para rito.
Lahat ng ginawa  sa fan meeting nito tila pinag-isipan para mapasaya ang mga Ningning lalong lalo na iyong on the spot na paggawa ng dreamcatcher.

Bumunot na iyong host ng show kung sino ang mapalad na nanalo. Lahat naghiyawan at excited nag-aasam na sila ang manalo. Isang magandang memorabilia sa fanmeet na makatanggap ng bagay na galing sa hinahangaang tao.

Nawala na sa atensyon niya sa pagtawag ng nanalo ang buong tingin niya kay Eun Ju. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit hindi niya maialis ang mata sa binata.
There's something about him that draws her in. Whatever the reason is, she didn't know yet. He felt familiar. Is it possible to feel that someone you just met? That's odd and out of the blue.

Naramdaman ni Hiraya na tinapik siya ni Charity sa balikat.

"Behh, nanalo ka ng dreamcatcher ni Eun Ju!" masayang anunsyo na kaibigan niya.

"Bakit ang swerte swerte mo naman?" sabi ng katabi nila sa upuan. Hindi na siya naka react sa sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari.

Nakita niyang may isa sa staff ng fanmeet na nagsenyas at inakay na lang siya papuntang stage. Naramdaman ang pangangatog ng tuhod niya habang naglalakad sa entablado. She wasn't use to be in a center of attention. Ramdam niya ang mga tingin ng tao sa kanya.

Medyo na ibsan iyong kaba niya ng nakatingin siya kay Eun Ju. He was smiling warmly at her that made her feel at ease. She smiled back. Si Eun Ju ay  humakbang papalapit sa kanya at inabot ang dream catcher.

"May you dream of only good things. Hoping for a comfortable and cozy sleep at night." Ang sumunod na eksena ang hindi niya inaasahan. He did a quick side hug. She feel the loud sound of her heart beating on the spot at bumalik iyong panghihina ng tuhod niya. Masyadong masama sa kalusugan niya iyong pagiging close proximity nila ni Eun Ju. Medyo nag step back siya. 

"Thank you" tugon niya habang hawak hawak na niya ang dreamcatcher. Tinignan niya muli ito nasilayan niya naman ang smiley eyes nito. She feels lost in his eyes that people around them no longer exist. Masyado ata siyang na consume ng love bug sa kakanood ng recommendation na k-drama ni Charity. Moments like this were too good to be true and fleeting at most. She did understand the appeal and the magic of it but she wasn't one those people believed in.

This reminds her of the night she last saw Min Jun. It's magical but sometimes good things come to an end. It wasn't meant to last. Like how people come and go in someone's life.

She found herself back on her seat again. Everyone continued to cheer for him as he sang a surprise song for Ningnings. It's a Filipino ballad song that he personally chose to sing for tonight's meeting. Everyone sang along when he sang the chorus of the song. He smiled and continued singing the next lines. 

Nakatutok lang iyong buong atensyon niya sa pagkanta ni Eun Ju. Nakuha niya iyong tamang emosyon ng mensahe ng kanta. Napansin niya na nangingilid na lang na luha sa mata niya. Hindi naman siya iyong tipong emosyonal o iyakin kapag nakakarinig ng kanta.  Heto siya naluluha habang pinagmamasdan ito.

She quickly wiped her tears away and continued to watch him. Nang matapos ang show naghanda ang mga organizers ng show for the hi-touch event. Lahat kasi ng seats sa fanmeet ay kasama sa perks ang masilayan si Eun Ju kahit saglit. Masyado na siyang quota para sa encounters niya sa binata nagpaalam na siya kay Charity na mauuna ng bumalik ng hotel.
Pinigilan siya nitong umalis minsan lang naman siya nanonood ng ganitong shows. Nang may dumaan ng roving guard sa venue nagtanong siya kung saan ang exit.

She already bid her goodbyes to her friend and was walking through the exit door. Before she could take a step she heard someone calling her name in passing. She thought she misheard it but it called her again. 

Napalingon siya at nakita niya ang dalawang taong hindi niya inaasahan na makikita doon. She blinked twice just to make sure she wasn't seeing things. It has been a long time since the last time she saw them.

She walked back again in that section and was welcomed with a warm embrace.

"Long time no see, dear." she whispered