Naked Series 1
A healthy relationship doesn't just revolve around butterflies and kiligs, a healthy relationship is something that helps you both grow together. But not every relationship comes to a happy ending, some just end there, and some find t...
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|TW: This chapter contains sensitive content that might be too disturbing or triggering for you.|
"Ok na kayo, Pressy? Ready na 'yong mga props ni'yo?" mahinang tanong ko kay Hara, ang president nila.
Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa magulong classroom namin, nagkalat na naman ang mga damit at props nila. Hindi lang basta competitive 'tong mga estudyante ko, napakacre-creative rin. They drew all the backdrops that they will use, even the costume of their Ibong Adarna ay sila rin ang gumawa. They really never fail to amaze me.
Nakangiting tumango siya. "Opo, polished na po lahat."
Nagkaka-ingay na sila sa pagpa-practice at pag-aayos dahil mamaya na ang performance nila.
"Unahin ni'yo muna ayusan 'yong Ibong Adarna!" nakukunsumeng sigaw ng director nila.
Natatawang pinanood ko silang mataranta. Masyado silang marami at nag-iisa lang 'yong nagme-makeup sa kanila kaya I took my makeup kit and assisted them since sila naman ang klase ko for this hour.
"Come here, Lei. I'll finish your make-up," nakangiting aya ko sa Prinsesa Leonora nila.
I looked around the room again to find Serrah, pero kanina pa siya hindi mahagilap.
"Lei, hindi ba kasali sa play si Serrah?"
"Hindi po, pinipilit nga po namin siya dahil isa siya sa mga magaling umarte pero ayaw po niya," napapalabing sagot niya.
Marahan akong tumango at tinapos na ang make-up niya. Tahimik na bata talaga 'yon pero hindi naman siya nagpapahuli sa mga ganitong events, lagi siyang part ng front line lalo na pagdating sa acting.
After finishing her make-up ay nagpaalam na ako dahil hindi talaga ako mapakali sa mga nangyayari. "Here's my kit, help your other classmates sa make-up nila. Hahanapin ko lang si Serrah," I said with a half-smile and lightly patted her head.
I looked around the corridors hoping that I could find her, pero mga batang naghahanda rin para sa play nila ang naroon.
I went to our building's rooftop dahil 'yon lang ang tahimik na lugar ng University, kaya baka nandoon siya. And I'm not wrong, she's there, alone. She's silently sitting at the edge, completely zoned out.
I sighed and quietly watched her from afar. With the looks on her face, anyone could really tell that she was going through something. I gave off another sigh before I decided to come closer and join her.
At times like this, when someone's struggling, someone who's willing to listen is all that they need. They need the comfort of the thought that they have someone on their side, that they have a hand to hold, and a shoulder to lean on to.
"Have you eaten yet?" I asked slowly and reached for her pale cheeks.
Ilang ulit siyang pumikit, animo nagulat sa presensya ko. Nang mahimasmasan ay dahan-dahan siyang tumango.