Bini: In Parallel Universe

I. Meet and Greet

Colet's POV

"Bakit mo ba kasi ako sinama rito? I don't know shit about that BINI girl group naman." I protested. My cousin literally dragged me into this Fest, wala naman akong kaalam-alam.

"Chill, cousin! Hindi ka ba nagagandahan sa kanila? Look at Aiah and Mikha oh!" she pointed at the two barbie doll-like member of the ppop gitl group called "BINI". Parang kinikilig pa ang gaga.

We travelled all the way from our province. 6 hours 'yon! Nagbayad ako para tumayo at manuod sa FEST na 'to? Gutom at puyat pa ako because I was my cousin's fucking driver. Kung hindi ko lang mahal ang tito at tita ko, hindi ko naman sasamahan itong pinsan ko na baliw na baliw sa BINI.

"Uhm, sino 'yong babaeng 'yon?" I pointed at the slightly morena girl who's hair was in clean bun. She looked like my girl crush, Chie Filomeno.

"Oh, sabi na eh ganyan mga tipo mo. Well, that's Jhoanna Robles. The leader of BINI and also one of the youngest." My cousin replied.

"Halata nga, masyadong maligalig." I shook my head. She has a lot of energy, ako 'yong napapagod because of her little antics. She was busy talking to her members at maya't-maya ay maghahabulan sila na parang mga bata.

"Grabe ka naman! She's just being herself." she defended her idol. Whatever!

After a few hours, umusad din ang pila. We're in front of the stage na habang nagmimicrophone check pa sila. Earlier, I saw a goofy side of that Jhoanna but right now, she's seriously guiding her members patiently. Iniisa-isa niya silang kamustahin at kung gumagana ba ang microphone na hawak nila. She's waving at the fans din. Well, hindi naman bago sa mga idols ang magfan service.

"Teka lang pala, I forgot to buy merch na ipapasign. Antayin mo ako dyan." My cousin told me, she didn't wait for my answer dahil dali-dali siyang pumunta sa store kung nasaan ang merch.

I was just staring at the girl group habang busy sila sa kanilang preparation. Not gonna lie, they have their talents nga naman and looks. May kanya-kanya silang charisma at ganda. When this Jhoanna girlie met my eyes, she waved her hands at me and smiled sweetly. Everything went slow. Hindi ko namalayan na natulala ako. Tangina, ang ganda niya pala lalo sa malapitan!

But I was interrupted when a girl approached me. "Miss, we're giving free photo cards and banners for Jhoanna, gusto mo ba?" she asked. Nahihiya naman akong tumanggi kaya I nodded my head and get the things she offered.

After another hour of waiting, nasa stage nap ala kami. Preparing for the meet and greet. The members are waiting for us in the long table, Aiah and Mikha ang nasa unahan while the other members are in the middle. Si Jhoanna ang nasa hulihan. Hindi ako nagsasalita at kung minsan, sila mismo ang nagtatanong at nag iinitiate ng conversation. I was just politely answering their questions and saying thank you. I didn't even bother to take a selfie with them because I'm not really into PPOP.

Nagulat na lang ako when I am in front of Jhoanna na pala. She's smiling at me habang ako, parang gago na hindi alam kung paano magsisimula.

"Hi! Matagal ka ng fan?" she asked.

"uh, no." I answered.

"Wow! New bloom ka pala. Are you an amity? Bias mo ba ako?" she asked while pointing to her banner and photo card na hawak ko pa rin. Malawak pa rin ang mga ngiti niya.

"No. I accompanied my cousin lang. I don't even know you guys." I told her. What? I was just being honest.

Jhoanna's lips formed an "o" na parang nagulat at medyo nahiya. I took the opportunity to get my phone and have a selfie with her. Natawa ako dahil gulat pa rin ang itsura niya sa picture.