*10*
Everything has changed
"Serenity Bliss Lopez, you're next."
I was stiff as a log when I was called.
If this was like the old times, I would've been playing with my hair earlier. It's a habit when I'm nervous before my musical performances back in grade school and high school. Pero dahil I decided to have a completely makeover, I can't do it anymore—not when I have a pixie cut now.
Halos pag-awayan pa nga namin 'to nina Heidi at Jasper dahil nasasayangan sila sa buhok ko na humaba sa loob ng tatlong taon.
Nakatungo ako nang pumasok sa auditorium. I didn't bother roaming my eyes around to look at the band, the judges, staff and crew dahil alam kong mas lalo lang akong kakabahan.
Umangat lang ang tingin ko nang makaayat ako sa hagdan at makatungtong sa stage.
Una kong napansin ang band members na kasama ko na ngayon sa stage. Tatlong lalaki sila. Nakangisi sa akin ang lalaki sa drums. Nakakatutok lang ang atensyon ng lalaki sa keyboard. Ang guitarist naman ay matamang nakatingin sa audience.
Huminga ako ng malalim hanggang sa napukaw ang atensyon ko sa harap ng stage.
"Good day, Ms. Lopez," aniya. "I'm Chester Ace Lim."
Siya na siguro 'yung manager nila. He's sporting a clean cut hair. Very masculine ang boses at very authoritative kung tignan mo sya mula ulo hanggang paa. He looks very matured for his age kahit na halos mukhang magkaedad lang sila ni Anthony.
Napailing ako ng bahagya at mariing pumikit. Go away unwanted thoughts! Nandito ako sa Pilipinas for my future, not to wallow from my sucked up past.
But who am I kidding? I was here because of him.
If we didn't end up that way, I wouldn't be here. We'd be living our happily ever after in California.
"Are you okay?" tanong nya.
Sabi ni Jasper, siya raw ang may final say sa mapipili sa amin. Kaya dapat umayos ako sa harap nya.
I should appear at my finest. I can't screw this up. I shouldn't let Anthony get in my head again.
Mabilis akong tumango.
"Yes," matipid kong sagot and sheepishly smiled. "Good day din po. I'm just nervous, I guess?"
Ngumiti sya bago nagsalita.
I haven't seen a lot of guys in the Philippines yet but I'm pretty sure he's one of the incredibly good looking guys any girl would agree with.
"According to your bio, if ever you're chosen, you'd like Serene as your stage name?"
Dahan-dahan akong tumango.
Siya yata 'yung crush ni Heidi. I can't blame her but not because of his looks.
Because for some reason, the way he says my name reminds me of Anthony once again.
Mas lalo tuloy akong na-conscious sa mga galaw ko as he was looking intently at me.
"You may start singing acapella first."
