Since Nine

The Theater Actress

CHAPTER 14

Antok na antok si Ramcel pero nagawa pa rin nyang makapasok sa school nang maaga. Late na syang natulog kagabi dahil gumawa pa sya ng project na ipapasa nya ngayon. Hindi nya kasi nagawa nung mga nakaraang araw dahil panay ang practice nila para sa play. Excused sila sa klase pero hindi sa mga projects. Nasaan ang hustisya?

6:15AM pa lang pero ang totoo, late na talaga sya. Hindi sa klase dahil mamayang 7AM pa yun, kundi sa meeting ng pinagsamang Theater club at dance troupe. Dumiretso sya sa in-house theater nila. Pagbukas nya ng double door, napatingin ang karamihan sa kanya.

Halos lahat ng member ng theater club at dance troupe ay naroon na. Nakaupo na ang mga ito. Nakaharap naman sa mga ito sina Ms. Rivera at Ms. Biason, ang adviser ng dance club. Mukhang nag-umpisa na ang mga ito.

Kinawayan sya ni Helena, na noo’y nasa harapan katabi ni Samantha. They saved a seat for her. Umupo sya sa gitna nang dalawa. “Anong meron?” Bulong nyang tanong nang makaupo.

“May outing tayo sa weekend!” Excited na sabi ni Helena. “Magbi-beach tayo. Treat ng school satin.”

“Victory party,” Samantha explained when Ramcel gave them a questioning look. “Kasama natin ang Dance club since nanalo sila.” Natahimik sya. Samantha gave her a teasing smile. “Chance nyo nang magreconcile ni Victoria.”

Parang wala naman syang balak kausapin ni Victoria. Hindi naman dahil sa pride, pero ayaw ni Ramcel na sya ang unang mag-a-approach dito. Si Victoria ang unang nang-iwan sa ere kaya dapat sya ang suyuin nito. Isa pa, baka ipagtabuyan lang sya nito.

“Bakit nandito pa tayo? Hindi pa ba tapos?” Pag-iiba nya ng usapan.

“Kailangan daw natin hintayin si Madam Principal.” Mukhang inip na rin si Samantha.

Muling bumukas ang pintuan ng theater. Ramcel heard surprised gasps from Samantha and Helena. There were also excited whispers. Hindi nya pinansin yun dahil abala syang binabasa ang text message ni Reese. Kumakain daw ito ng breakfast with Lola Eleanor. Magre-reply na sana sya nang narinig nya ang boses ni Mrs. Aquino.

“Ms. Villarances,” tawag sa kanya ng Principal. “Come here, anak. I want to introduce you to someone.”

Agad na binalik ni Ramcel ang cellphone sa bag nya at nag-angat ng tingin. Imbes na ang Principal ang makita nya, her eyes landed on a very beautiful woman who appeared to be in her early to mid thirties. She looked so regal. So queenlike. She was wearing a simple yet elegant white dress. Ramcel knew her of course. She just couldn’t believe that this woman was standing before her.

Sinikap ni Ramcel na huwag umawang ang labi nya na parang tanga. Bagamat nabigla sa nakita, tumayo sya sa kinauupuan na tila kaswal lang sa kanya ang lahat, Kahit ang totoo, kumakabog ang puso nya sa kaba at excitement. She stopped infront of the elegant woman, who smiled at her.

“Ramcel, I want you to meet an important guest who attented our play last time,” sabi ni Mrs. Aquino, who was trying not to giggle with excitement herself. “I want you to meet, Elizabeth Vera- San Victores.”

“Hi, Ramcel.” Elizabeth San Victores got a soft voice. Inilahad nito ang kamay.

“N-Nice meeting you, Ma’am,” medyo nautal na sabi ni Ramcel habang nakikipagkamay rito. Everything seemed so surreal. Hindi sya makapaniwalang makakarahap ang sikat na pianist at theater actress. Matagal na nyang pinapangarap na mapanood ang mga performances nito. Hindi nya inaasahan na makikilala nya ito ng personal.

“I was impressed with your performance. I really wanted to meet you that night but I was in a hurry so I asked Mrs. Aquino to see you some other time instead. It’s very rare to see someone at a young age who could perform Christine’s role as wonderful as you did. You are a natural.” Napatitig si Ramcel sa mukha nito para masigurong galing nga sa bibig mismo ng magandang babaing ito ang mga salitang naririnig nya. “St. James is known for its excellent theater performances. I was invited to watch your Phantom of the Opera and I didn’t regret coming. Everyone was very impressive.” Elizabeth smiled at everyone then turned her attention back to Ramcel. “I heard you are also a writer. My daughter is a fan of your work.”