Gerald vividly remembers that summer 8 years ago. He was apprehensive about pushing through with camp. First off, he loves basketball more than theatre. Second, he's had more troubles than he could handle ever since he started joining drama class.
Life seemed more complicated somewhat. He didn't enjoy the attention. He didn't like the fuss about him.
He liked his life simple.
Sure, he liked girls but not those that try too hard. Kulang na lang, ialay nila sarili nila sa akin.
So far, the girl of my dreams hasn't made herself known yet.
He joined drama class because he needed an outlet. He couldn't unburden himself at home because marami nang inaalala si mommy. Daddy seemed to not be around much as his work demanded that he travel around almost half of the year. Besides, his parents seemed to be having some sort of trouble and it was up to him to man up and step in. And he gladly does it.
Girls, complicate things because they demand a lot from him. Time, money, attention...things he didn't have too much of. Or siguro, if I found the right person, the sacrifices will all be worth it.
His previous relationship didn't last long because he couldn't be the person his ex expected. It's sad but that's life.
And so, drama class. At least here, I was able to express myself more. I didn't realize how much I have been keeping inside. Our acting coach told me, I had it in me. There was something organic in the way I attack a character. Our first play was received well and people in school congratulated me. Girls were more wild, I was more upset...enough so, that they named me Mr. Burns. Para daw ako yung boss ni Bart Simpson kase parati na lang ako masungit. Ewan ko ba...I couldn't lighten up. I'm too serious for my age. But that's me.
When Mr. Shawn, my drama teacher, offered the summer camp thing, I impulsively accepted it because it was my chance to escape and be in a place where people didn't expect anything from me. Baka doon, I can finally relax.
As soon as I arrived though, I bumped into this cute little Asian girl, who turned out to be Filipino like me. She had chinky eyes, long hair and slender built. And when she smiled, her face lit up. She was very simple, wearing jeans, shirt and sneakers. And she had no make up! She seemed fun and the summer suddenly seemed promising.
Three days passed and she was nowhere in sight. Until I saw her talking with a blonde girl in the cafeteria. I excused myself from Ali and Jay, 2 guys I met in acting class, and told him I had to talk to someone. They teased me mercilessly once they saw I was heading towards a girl.
I tapped Sarah in the shoulder, made some small talk and she introduced me to Amber. And then, I invited her to lunch. It was so cute when she teased me and I thought she wouldn't agree. Akala ko talaga serious siya until she turned and said, "Game!". Kakaiba siya and I couldn't help but smile.
We sat in silence for a while eating our lunch under a tree while looking out at the lake. He felt at peace. Comfortable. She didn't know this girl beside her but he didn't need words to know that she is a good person. It felt just right. He glanced at her and seeing how the light just embraced, she looked like an angel. She was pretty. No, beautiful really. The longer you looked at her, the more beautiful she became. She smiled for no reason and Gerald saw that she had two small dimples to boot! How can she become any cuter!!
Ang sarap niya tingnan. Pero mukhang naco-conscious yata siya....
"Are you okay with this?" He asked. And she said something about meeting new friends. And he replied, "Good, because I intend to be a close one"
And then he told her about his story. A watered down version of how he came to camp. He told her about basketball being his first love but drama and theatre were opportunities he wanted to try his hand at.
And when he asked about her, she initially hesitated, but later on told him about her dreams...and how she is finally sacrificing everything to make her father happy. And looking at her as she opened up, he cannot believe the depth of her sorrow. He felt how it was to have her dreams slashed. And he thought what if they took basketball away from him? And he saw how courageous and brave Sarah was, and how lucky her family was to have her. She really was beautiful. Then, she was sobbing and he gathered her and all he could do was to wrap her around his arms. And when she looked up after some time, Gerald gave her a kiss on the top of her head.
He gave her a brief hug and thanked God and fate. And Mr. Shawn na din. For bringing him here.
Gerald started to believe in happily ever after.
