Behind the Limelight

2

Sunday.

It was another ASAP episode. Ylona was early for rehearsals. Nag aayos siya ng sapatos sa loob ng studio when Bailey entered the room.

"Hey bro."

"Hey." She greeted as well sa kararating lang na si Bailey saka ay tumayo at humarap sa salamin. Inayos niya ang sarili at saglit na napatingin sa binata na ngayo'y nagbibihis. She caught a glimpse of his half naked body through the mirror. She unconsciously bit her lip.

Damn. Ang hot.

Napalunok siya sa naisip saka ay nag iwas ng tingin. Landi mo Ylona.

Ibinaling niya ang atensyon sa cellphone, kinuha niya iyon mula sa upuan at isinalpak ang earphones niya.

She then played a certain song. May opening prod sila ni Bailey mamaya with Christmas as the main theme so she had to practice her steps. Baka may makalimutan siya.

Bailey who's long done at changing to his work clothes was sitting at the corner staring at her. She was a bit distracted kaya naman tinigil niya ang pagsasayaw, tinanggal niya ang isang bud saka ay hinarap ito.

"What?" She asks, her brows raised. Hindi siya sanay na tinititigan especially if it was Bailey. It's creeping her out.

"Huh?"

"Ano tinitingin tingin mo?"

Bailey was caught off guard, so he stuttered at the sudden question. "I, uh. I wasn't staring at you." He says whilst scratching the back of his nape. Ylona had her arms crossed now, prodding him to go on further with what he was going to say. "I was just..uh.. Lutalo."

"Huh?"

"Lutalo."

Now Ylona was more confused.

Lutalo?! What in the world was he saying?

"I don't get it." Naguguluhan pa ring sabi niya.

"You know it."

"Is it Tagalog? You're speaking like some drunk hobo." She muses as she began to laugh it off.

"Don't laugh." He combs his hair with his hand frustratingly. "Yeah, it's Tagalog. I just don't know if I get it right."

"Lutalo huh?" Napaisip siya sandali at pagkailang saglit pa.
She mentally face palmed herself.

"You mean tulala?"

"Uh. I think so. Yeah. That's it."

"Okay then." She shrugged it off. Bumalik na siya sa pag eensayo.

Tumayo na rin si Bailey saka nagpractice na lang din. Di na muna sila umimik na dalawa. Silence reigned over both teens.

Later they were joined by Edward, Maymay, and the rest of their co artists na kasama nila sa prod na iyon.

***

The rest of the morning went by fast that it was already time for ASAP's airing.

Artists here and there were walking and pacing back and forth backstage. Crews and staffs were busy with the technicals and details of the show.

Ylona was with Bailey, along with other artists waiting for their cue. A few minutes later, they heard the technical director's signal.

"ASAP in 3,2,1!"

The show opened with back up dancers dancing to the beat. Excited squeals and cheers erupted from the audiences. Then the entrance of Enrique and Maja, who impressed the crowd with their dancing skills. They were followed with Lucky Aces, Gimme 5 and hashtag's Ronnie and Mcoy. Then came Billy Crawford with Darren Espanto in tow. And other singers followed out as well. The love teams were next. NashLex, GraeDrea, JoshLia, MayWard and lastly the BaiLona, who earned the loudest cheer from the crowd. They were quickly gaining more fans as time pass. They wrapped it all up with a lively dance prod, with confettis raining all over the studio afterwards.