Melpomene

[5] All The World's A Stage (Part 3)

GOD DEL VALLE
[5]

Melpomene Academy for Theatre Arts, Present

Being the biggest club in Melpomene, our club room is in the Auditorium, just above the gymnasium. When I stepped inside the auditorium, the memories of my glorious reign from last year's Showcase flashed before my eyes.

I'll still be the reigning queen of Melpomene. I thought to myself. Soon, mahahanap na namin ang mahiwagang puno at babalik rin ako sa dati kong anyo.

Medyo kumakapal na ang tao sa Auditorium. The whole architecture of the Auditorium resembles that of a modern cinema house pero imbes na screen ang nasa dulo, pinalitan ito ng isang malaking entablado.

"Are you nervous?" Antonio asked, standing beside me. I smiled and blushed. It's been a long time since I saw him again. He's still the same handsome man I've fallen in love with.

Niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit. Ganoon pa rin ang amoy niya. Kung alam mo lang na ako 'to si Goddess. sabi ko sa isipan ko. I realized what I just did and released my hug from him.

Naguluhan ng husto si Antonio sa ginawa ko. Nakalimutan ko na, habang ako si God, hindi kami ganoon ka-close sa isa't-isa. Bago pa siya makapagtanong, inunahan ko siya, "Ah... my sister asked me to hug you on her behalf."

"Mabuti ka pa nakaka-usap mo si Goddess," malungkot na tugon ni Antonio. Parang tinusok ng karayom ang puso ko. 'Di ko naman sinasadyang 'di siya kausapin pero a new identity calls for a new phone. Besides, baka magkaroon ng slip-ups if I'm playing the roles of both God and Goddess.

Antonio, don't worry I'll explain everything when I'm back to being a girl. We'll be together again. I thought to myself. There's no words to explain how much I miss you.

"Intindihin mo na lang siya. She's battling a battle you can't simply understand," I told Antonio. To which he replied, "Can't understand? Alam naman niyang nagkaroon na ako ng chicken pox noong bata. Of course, I'll know the struggles of having one!"

Ngayon ko lang siyang nakita na nagka-ganito. Normally, he's the calm and timid one. But I guess, after worrying about me for too long, he became rash and irritable.

Pinakalma niya muna ang sarili niya bago ibigay sa akin ang isang piraso ng papel. "We'll have a sonnet reading today and I would want to ask you to share your thoughts about Sonnet 138," sabi niya. Naunang umalis si Antonio habang ako naman ay naghahanap ng pwede kong mauupuan.

Naglakad ako papunta sa harapan at mayroon pang isang bakanteng upuan. "Is this seat taken?" tanong ko sa lalake na nakaupo sa tabi at may kinukuha sa loob ng bag niya.