Salt & Pepper [A JaDine FanFic]

Chapter Nineteen - Affected

1055AM, Rehearsal Room University Main Theater

"Sorry talaga." I said for the nth time. "Sobrang sorry, Nadine."

Nadine didn't say anything but she just nodded at me while she continued to hang what seemed to be hundreds of wet sheets on the costume clothesline.

"Nadz, okay na. Tinawag ko na si Ate Alma para sa mop." Marco said as he entered the room. "Kami na dito ni James. May class ka ng 11 diba?"

"Thanks, Marco." She replied. "Sige pasok na muna ako." She clipped two more sheets and walked past me with her bag.

"Nadz, kami na bahala." I assured but she just left the room without even looking back.

Marco closed the door right after. "Pare, ano ka ba?"

I slumped on a chair and looked at the mess. "Dude, hindi ko talaga nakita! Pero sige ako na talaga ang may kasalanan."

"Eh, sino pa ba?"

I shot a look at Marco. "Hindi ko naman siya masisisi kung magalit siya sakin."

"Don't take it personally, James. Baka stressed lang yung tao. Auditions na kaya later. Tapos may ganito pang mangyayari." Marco replied. "Alam mo, gawan nalang natin ng paraan. May isang oras tayo until makabalik siya dito. Ano?"

"Game!"

We tried our best to fix whatever needed to be fixed. I managed to "damage" about 2 reams worth of script sheets so even if that was bad, I was thankful that it was salvage-able. The ink was droopy though but still readable. I found two hairdryers in one of the storage containers and Marco and I used them to help dry the sheets faster. Thankfully some other members came in and we were able to ask for assistance. Marrah also came back and despite her initial shock at the scene in front of her, she just shook her head and said, "James, sobrang accident prone ka talaga!"

While it may be true that I get involved with accidental run-ins, it only happens when Nadine is involved. First was her blackout/knockdown with my attempt to close the door and now this. Hopefully, she sees my efforts with this and acknowledges me again. I think it may be too much to ask but I did the best that I could.

1220PM Botany laboratory

"Last ten minutes, class! Please review your answers before submitting your test papers."

I heard Sir Matt announce something but I couldn't really concentrate that much. I knew I was taking a lab exam but all I could think about was the audition for later - and of course those wet audition sheets. Of course, I knew that James didn't see the five-gallon container on the floor and it was just an accident on his part but to be honest, I couldn't really process my feelings.

Was it shock, worry or disappointment? I wasn't sure.

All I know is that those things could happen anytime but it just had to happen today, of all days.

So why didn't I reply nor respond to his sorry? Grabe ang sama ko ba?

"Nadine?" Sir Matt called to snap me out of my thoughts. "Your paper please?"

I looked at him. "Ah yes sir." Stood up from my stool and gave him my paper. "Thank you, sir."

"Okay class. Results out next week!"

I went back to my place to gather my things and opened my planner briefly to see my list of things to do today: