After meeting Elmo's mom, Julie quickly came back to her practices for the upcoming Knockouts pero siyempre hinid rin niya pinabayaan yung trabaho niya sa Union Steele. She managed to visit the office as soon as matapos siya ng maaga sa rehearsals, o kaya naman ay walang practice kinabukasan. She became used to her new lifestyle of rehearsals then papasok siya, tapos uuwi. Buti na lamang at napaka-maintindihin ng kanilang boss, ang HR ng Union Steele, at ng mga kasama niya sa trabaho. She won't make it this far kung hindi dahil sa kanilang great sense of understanding.
Now she's on her way to the studio of The Voice para sa simula ng taping for Knockouts and she's one of the first contestants from House of Muppets na masasalang.
"Hey are you nervous? You'll be fine." Elmo said while on the other line.
"Yeah...Wala si kuya at si Ate, plus Jo needs to finish her thesis papers, and Mom has an important client meeting. Maqui couldn't come kasi magkikita sila ni kuya Frank. And people from the office are all busy kasi malapit na mag-December at kaialangan na mag-prepare for year-end reports."
"You got me babe."
"I know. It's just that you're different kapag nasa stage na ako. You aren't my boyfriend but my coach. I know it seems weird pero iba yung personality levels natin kapag actual na. Alam mo naman yun 'di ba?"
"Yes I know and I understand. But please stop worrying okay? You've been great sa rehearsals natin. Mas priority mo na nga yung rehearsals kesa yung ano ee. Nagtatampo na si little moe." Julie felt Elmo's pout on the other line.
"Hoy! Kinakabahan na ako't lahat lahat nagawa mo pang humarot! Anyway malapit na ako. Hindi ako sure sa dinala kong damit. I asked you pero you always say 'huwag yung maikli, huwag yung revealing chuchu' akala mo naman pagkakaguluhan ako."
"Well there's some guy named Rayver who doesn't want to leave your side. Gusto ko akin lang yung legs mo, yung curves mo, yung buong ikaw."
"Wow naman pakaselfish natin sa part na 'yan ha? Sige na. Bye babe I love you! See you!"
"I'll see you babe! I'll be talking to you pa naman mamaya so don't worry okay? You'll do great! I love you too."
Napangiti si Julie sa narinig niya. Medyo humupa na yung kaba na nararamdaman niya. She also got a text message from her mom saying na galingan daw niya and that she's praying for her kahit na nasa meeting ito. She also got a video message from RJ and Dei with their goodlucks and prayers for her. Joana hugged her bago siya umalis ng bahay. Maqui together with Frank sent also a video message congratulating her dahil panigurado raw ay siya ang mananalo sa Knockouts. At siyempre hindi magpapahuli yung mga kaibigan niya sa opisina who sent messages of goodlucks and prayers para sa magiging performance niya ngayong araw.
She's remembering all of their messages, at yun ang ginamit niya para mas lumakas yung loob niya. She may be alone today sa Knockouts pero bitbit niya ang pagmamahal at suporta ng pamilya niya, mga kaibigan, at pati na rin ang kanyang mga taga-hanga.
During rehearsals ay nasabi na rin kung sino ang makakaharap ni Julie sa Knockouts. It's Mori whom she'll be battling with. Hindi siya familiar kay Julie before since she has no time watching The Voice because of her busy schedule pero nitong mga nakaraang araw ay pinilit niyang manood ng mga performance ni Mori para mas malaman niya kung sino yung makakalaban nito.
Mori is a belter. Sobrang taas ng boses at malawak ang range. She somehow felt at ease nang malamang matataas lagi ang kinakanta nito. Luckily she picked a song that's going to blow everyone's expectations.
She went out of her car, quickly grabbed her wardrobe at nagpunta na sa loob ng room where the artists are preparing. She changed her clothes and began applying some makeup. She doesn't really know how to apply it before. Buti na lang at nandiyan si Maqui to help her learn dahil hindi naman ito pala makeup. She uses only lipstick and powder before. Ngayon she's learned how to use foundation and some tints for her face.
After her application ay nagpunta na ito sa isa sa mga noise-cancelling booths to warm-up. Wala doon si Rayver since nasa second batch ito, and she barely knows everyone so wala talaga siyang maka-usap ng maayos.
She put the headphones and started singing her piece. While doing her runs ay nakamasid naman sa malayo si Elmo, admiring her natural acts. How she uses her hands for gestures, how she closes her eyes kapag into the zone, and how she smiles while performing. I think I have fallen harder Juls, he thought.
Elmo's in the middle of admiration nang bigla siyang sipatin ni Bamboo. Napatalon ito dahil sa gulat at agad na tinignan ng masama si Bamboo. They became friends ever since Elmo started his journey sa The Voice. Actually silang apat ay naging matalik na magkakaibigan because of The Voice.
"Oh bakit ngiting ngiti ka diyan Moks?" Bamboo asked him.
"Ha? Wala coach. Natutuwa lang ako sa mga artist natin. Very passionate sa craft nila." Palusot nito.
"Naku natutuwa ee iisa lang naman yung nasa booth. Type mo siya no?" Agad na nalunok ni Elmo yung dila niya. He can't answer. He doesn't know what to say. For a moment, he spaced-out.
"Oh 'di ka na nakapagsalita haha Coach remind lang na bata mo 'yan. Mahirap 'yan." Bamboo warned him which pulled him back to reality.
"Ha? Naku Coach Bamboo kung ano ano ang iniisip mo. Natutuwa lang ako kasi rap din yung chosen genre niya ngayon. I can also see her passion sa pagrarap. She'll gonna make it for sure."
"That's Julie right? Yung dating kay Sarah. I also admire her. Grabe hindi ko siya naririnig ngayon pero kita mo yung galing niya tapos yung versatility niya as an artist oh? How she moves, how she enjoys her piece, grabe. You've got one tough artist Coach Elmo."
"I sure am. Tara na nga, magprepare na rin tayo." Inaya na ni Elmo si Bamboo sa loob ng kanilang dressing room to also prepare for the upcoming Knockouts.
...
"Stand by...in 3...2...and Action!" The director exclaimed and everyone started to be on their proper places.
"Magandang gabi mga Kapamilya! The Battles have been finished, only 8 members were left for each team. Sobrang tindi ng bakbakan sa kantahan during The Battles at alam ko na hindi pa rin kayo maka move-on! Ngayong gabi, mas patitindihin pa natin ang laban! Mga Kapamilya, Welcome to the Knockouts!" Luis shouted, making everyone applause.
"Narito na po an gating mga magigiting na Coach! From FamiLea, Coach Lea Salongga! Mula sa Kamp Kawayan, Coach Bamboo! From Team Sarah, the one and only Popstar Royalty, Coach Sarah Geronimo! At siyempre nagmula sa House of Muppets, Coach Elmo Magalona!" Everyone stood and shouted as the coaches enter the studio from the backstage. Lahat sila ay kumakaway, smiling, and even sending kisses to the audience.
"Mula sa 20 members pagkatapos ng Blind Auditions, ngayon ay nasa walong miyembro na lamang ang bawat team as they face each other sa Knockouts. Pero bago ang lahat ng iyan, let us first have some recap sa mga naganap noong Battles. Let's all watch this."
"And cut! Okay start na magprepare yung mga mauuna. We will be rolling in 5 minutes!" The director shouted. Lahat ay kumilos na from where they are standing. Tinawag na ng mga production staff yung mga artist na magpeperform, at nagbigay rin ng short instructions yung mga floor director. All these happened within the 5 minute break na binigay sa kanila.
