Sunday All Stars. This will be the first time na he’ll be in the studio. Well. Onstage pala. Maaga siyang nagpunta sa GMA at lahat naman ng andun ay nagulat. Elmo Magalona, the late-comer is now an early bird. Everyone’s staring at him as he walked along the corridor backstage. He in turn, greets them with a smile.
“Good morning.” He greeted some friends.
“Morning, Moe! Aga ah!” Wyn said nang makasalubong niya ito. She looked at what he’s holding at napangiti. “Ah. Kaya pala. Andun sa dressing room.” Sabi nito sabay kindat sa kanya.
“Haha. Thanks, Wyn!” he said and even patted her shoulder. Naglakad na siya diretso sa dressing room and found her sitting on one of the monobloc chairs at nag-aayos ng gamit. Halatang kakadating lang.
“Kuya Elmo!!!” Jac yelled and ran towards him, sabay niyakap siya nito.
“Hi, Jac!” he greeted her and gave her a hug as well.
“Hi, Kuya Elmo.” Mae and Joanna greeted him.
“Hi!” bati niya din. He walked towards Tita Marivic and kissed her cheek. “Good morning po, tita.”
“Good morning, parekoy.” Tapos lumapit siya kay Tito Jonathan and they did their handshake.
“Aga natin parekoy ah?!” asar nito sa kanya. Natawa na lang naman si Elmo at saka pa napakamot sa ulo. Tito Jonathan nodded at Julie’s direction. “Obviously, naka-earphones nanaman. Lapitan mo na lang.” sabi nito. Tumango na lang si Elmo and walked near Julie.
He tapped her shoulder and she looked at him sabay alis ng earphones.
“Hi, Julie! Good morning!” bati niya.
“Hi, Elmo. Uh… Good morning din.” She said.
“Brought you these!” nakangiting sabi niya and showed her the Starbuck’s paperbag.
“Breakfast mo.” He added. Julie looked at her sister and cousin and the two nodded.
“Uhm… Thanks ha? Umeffort ka pa.” she said habang kinukuha ang pagkain kay Elmo. “Uhm… Ano, Moe. Magrerehearse muna kami ha?” she said.
“Ha? Oh. Okay! Sige good luck.” Sabi nito. Dali-daling lumabas si Julie sa dressing room at si Elmo naman ay napaupo sa isang monobloc.
“Awkward…” he heard Mae whisper to Joanna. Nginitian niya lang ito and started playing with his phone.
*****
“Oh Jules, aga ni Moe no?” Wyn asked.
“Oo nga eh.”
“Effort girl. May dala pang breakfast for you.” Asar nito.
“Hahahaha. Adik ka!”
“Aysuuuus! Kinikilig siya!”
“Che! Magrerehearse nga muna ako.” Sabi niya sabay takbo sa stage kung san nagrerehearse ang Instagang.
“Iwas pag may time!” habol ni Wyn.
“Che!” Julie yelled back.
Bumalik siya ng dressing room and saw that Elmo was still there at busy sa phone niya. Lumapit siya rito and snapped her fingers in front of him.
“Uy!” he said.
“Kumain ka na?” she asked him and even flashed a smile. Elmo shook his head in reply. “Tara. Hati tayo. Ang laki kasi ng sandwich na binili mo oh.” She said and gave him the other half. Elmo smiled. Yung ngiti na hanggang batok.
“Thanks!”
“Sus. Wala yun.” She said. “Thank you uli dito ha? Aga mo pala ngayon!”
“Hahaha. Yeah. Excited lang.”
