Melpomene

[9] All That Glitters Is Not Gold (Part 2)

ROSE DE GUZMAN
[9]

Pagkagising ko, agad kong binisita ang rosas na binigay sa akin ni Oscar kahapon. Nakalagay ito sa isang plastic bottle na ginawa ko para maging isang recycled na flower vase. Hinding-hindi ko talaga makakalimutan ang kaganapan kahapon sa Talent Show.

Melpomene Academy for Theatre Arts, Yesterday

After Antonio escorted God out of the stage to help him wash the paint off, tinawagan na kaming lahat ni Ma'am Diana na tumayo sa gitna ng stage para sa announcement ng winners.

"To be honest, I think kayo 'yung first place sa Talent Show," Damian whispered. To which I replied, "Shhh! Don't jinx it!"

Ngumiti na lang si Damian at hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay. Alam kong tapos na kami magperform pero 'di ko mapigilan kabahan ulit gawa ng announcement na ito. If only God is here, I'm sure he'll help me face my anxiety. I thought to myself.

Sa 'di ko malamang dahilan, sa tuwing kinakausap ko si God parang nawawala lahat ng kaba ko at nakatuon ang atensyon ko sa mga sinasabi niya. I guess, one way to scare my fears away is with his sarcasm.

"With the score of 90.00, the third place for the Talent Show is given to..." sabi ni Ma'am Diana. Naka-tayo siya sa podium sa may gilid ng stage at nakatutok sa kanya lahat ng spotlight. Humigpit naman ang pagkakahawak ni Damian sa kamay ko.

Everyone of us is really nervous about the results. Hindi lang para sa grade pero para rin sa pag-audition namin sa Showcase. I thought to myself. Papatunayan ko kay Miss Lacson na kaya ko maging leading lady para sa play.

"Damian Villalobos and Samantha Santos!" our teacher announced. I quickly let go of Damian's hand and began clapping as he and his partner approached Ma'am Diana.

Dahil tinawag na si Damian at ang ka-partner niya, wala na akong kasama sa stage. Hindi ko rin kasi gaano ka-close ang iba pa naming kaklase.

Rose, kaunting tiis na lang, okay? Bakit ka pa kasi kinakabahan? I thought to myself while my legs are starting to turn to jelly. Hindi na rin ako maka-concentrate ng mabuti at tanging tinnitus lang ang naririnig ko imbes na 'yung anunsyo ni Ma'am Diana. Rose, snap out of it!

I looked at the audience in front of the stage and saw Oscar. Nakatitig siya sa akin at alam niya ang nangyayari sa akin. I'm having another stage fright moment but, this time, I think I'm afraid to get off the stage.

I close my eyes and the tinnitus I've been hearing are starting to form into coherent thoughts that I'm thinking. What if Oscar hates me now? What if he really do have a girlfriend? Bakit kasi 'di mo tinanong?