Hidden Popularity

Scene #7

Agnes

I was really surprised.

Surprised to see the man behind the mask is CJ. My classmate.

Ano bang gingawa niya dito?

"Thank you for your hard work!" sigaw ni Patricia.

Everyone smiled and cheered. Pero natapos kaming mag shooting hanggang lunch. We finished the whole music video for 4 hours.

"The interview for TOP!C is moved tomorrow early in the morning. So don't worry about it" she said.

I just nodded too speechless to answer her.

The idea that CJ is actually a dancer at ang male lead na naging ka-partner ko kanina is still sinking in my mind. I didn't know he knows how to dance! I thought he's a silent type of guy who hates jerks like Finch and loves to study. Isa pala siyang dancer.

I stared at him as he talked and mingled with the other dancers.

Our eyes met and I averted. I blinked several times at lumapit kay Patricia.

"Pat what next on the schedule?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"I thought you already know the flow?" she asked.

"Um.. I forgot." I replied.

She sighed.

"Right now we are suppose to have lunch. So go and get changed. Kakainin na lang tayo sa canteen dito sa studio. Mauna ka lang along with the other dancers I have something to clear up with the company's video editor."

"Ok." I said saka lumakad papunta sa dressing room.

I glanced at CJ for the last time. He was still looking at me. Ngumiti siya na parang bang nagsasabi na nice-working-with-you. I just nodded and  walked away.

After changing. I went to the canteen at pagdating ko doon naka-reserved na pala ang mga dancers ng table. The canteen is really simple. Simple chairs and table. Everything was uniform. Except na may aircon lang ang canteen. I walked to them and noticed that some of the people eating are taking out their phones and perhaps taking a picture or a video of me.

Napansin nila ako and called my name.

I smiled and sat beside one girl. A staff member is in front of me and CJ is sitting beside that staff member. One chair is empty on my left. Siguro jan u-upo si Pat.

"Hello." I greeted them and they greeted me back.

"Oh bakit hindi pa kayo kumakain" I asked.

"Hinintay ka namin. Sabay-sabay na tayong kakain." A girl with straight hair said.

"Oo nga pala. ANI this Cabe. Cabe kilala mo naman siguro si ANI diba?" tanong ni girl dancer.

He nodded and extended a hand for me to shake. Cabe? Akala ko CJ ang tawag sa kanya.

"Nice to meet you Cabe" I reached out and shook his hand once. Smiling.

"So am I" he replied and smiled.

Everyone else were talking except for me. Minutes later dumating na si Patricia. She apologize for being late and brought lunch for the both of us. We started eating after we all prayed for the fruitful and smooth recording of the MV.

"Anak ng !#$%^ ANI kilala mo ba itong si Finch?" Pat whispered.

I feel myself frozen place.

I glanced at CJ. He was looking straight at Patricia's phone. He was about to say something but Pat immediately stood up.