Mister & Miss Virtuoso

30: The Leading Man

[Liam's Point of View]

I'd been asking her kanina kung saang lupalop ba sya nandon. Nagc-chat ako sa messenger but she's not online. I'm texting her pero walang sagot. Naka ilang missed calls na din ako pero wala. She didn't picked my call even for once. It's frustrating. Parang sinasadya nya ignoring me when in fact I should be the one ignoring her after she hung up the phone last night.

Stalking is not my stuff but I stated scanning Pia and Maureen's timeline to see if they have post in regards to their whereabouts. Kanina pa uwian and I'm still here on the student's lobby waiting for her replies. I'm starting to have roots here.

I checked out Pia's day but non of them was related to Amor. I tried to check Maureen's and finally! She went live in her day with a caption “final casting here we comeeee”. Nakita ko si Amor in her vid na nakatayo at nakatalikod from her. And based sa place, I think nasa auditorium sila. Maureen posted the picture just 30 minutes ago. They're still probably there.

I collected my stuffs and I made my steps big so I could reach the auditorium faster. I open the door slowly and saw there are students in the stage. Parang they are rehearsing their blocking. Ma'am Briones, an old woman who is very fond of theater and was once a member of Philippine Theater Association is dictating her actors of where to go. Naka microphone sya kaya impossible na hindi pa nila marinig yung command nya.

"Two girls, scene number five. Dito kayo pupunta, sa gilid." From the door where I'm watching, I saw Pia and Maureen went to the spot na itinuturo ni ma'am Briones. "Both of you are going to gossip on that spot, and then saka naman lalabas ang leading lady. She'll be walking in the garden of their village, pumipitas ng bulaklak while sinusundan sya ng leading man." While she's speaking, lumabas si Amor mula sa backstage.

I can feel that my forehead wrinkled. What is this? Was she the leading lady? Sabi nya last night hindi daw sya?!

While Amor is performing her part excellently, the next person who appeared from backstage was Isaiah. And based on his action, sya yung tinutukoy ni ma'am na leading man.

I feel betrayed. All this time?! While I'm waiting for her replies magkasama lang sila nung talunan na Isaiah na yan? While I'm going nuts nandito pala sya nakikipag flirt sa lalaking to na mukhang tuwang-tuwa naman.

"Amor and Isaiah, hihinto kayo sa gitna," both of them nod at ma'am's command. "And then you are going to deliver your lines see it on the chapter three, scene five. There's no need to deliver the dialogue now dahil preliminary blocking pa lang naman."

While watching them, my hands were at fists. I wanted to interrupt their rehearsal. I wanted to grab her hand, drag her out and bring her to place where we can talk and nobody will see us. I wanted to tell her how mad I am right now because tinanggap nya yung role despite knowing na si Isaiah ang makakapartner nya. I rejected this play because I'm being sensitive and careful that I might hurt her feelings tapos sya eto? Sila magkasama?

When ma'am Briones said that they all can go for a 20 minutes break, nagsiupuan ang lahat sa waxed floor ng stage. They are all in a cross sitting position while reading a document in their hand probably a script. There is a door that leads to the backstage, I've taken it at hinanap ko si ma'am Briones sa backstage habang umiinom ng tubig.

"Ma'am, excuse me." The old woman turn to see me. She finished drinking from her bottled water.

"Yes, Liam?"

"Can I talk to you, please?"

"Yeah, sure. What's the matter?" She questioned.

"I want the role, the leading man. I wanna have it."