FACADE

Chapter SEVEN

[Akoz POV]

 What a bummer, hindi ako nakaupo beside Berlin since nagpahuli naman sila. I lost my chance to apologize. Naglakad na lang ako bahagya sa harapan nila at doon umupo.

 Pagkaupo ko ay may tumabi agad sakin and it was Cassidy. I felt relieved somehow, hindi ako loner dito, and she looks very friendly. I looked at her nang makaupo siya sa tabi ko. 

"Sila na muna ang magsalita sa harap, since I'm a writer." Cassidy whispered and winked. Napangiti na lang ako sa sinabi niya. Nagsimula na ang assembly, and as expected Klein lead the assembly. She is the President of this club, and she is explaining everything thoroughly. 

Wala pa isang oras pero hindi ako mapakali, I can't focus. I can't focus by Klein's ethereal beauty. She is talking about the organizational chart ng theatre club.

 While listening to her, tumingin ako sa likod para icheck ang iba. I am always doing this during assembly, habit ko na nga ata ito.

 As I turned back, I met Berlin's eyes. She is in her usual bored expression. I suddenly have the courage and gave a friendly smile to Berlin. I am trying my best to look friendly, since bothered pa rin ako sa ginawa ko sa kaniya.

 But she raised her left eyebrow to me. Parang nabuhusan ako nang malamig na tubig kaya agad akong tumingin sa harapan ko.

 She is mad at me. 

Sabi ko nga galit sya sakin. Napakamot ako sa leeg ko at huminga nang malalim. 

"You okay?"

 Cassidy asked me, I immediately smiled and showed her an okay sign. "I am fine. Thank you."

"Aside from this, magsisimula kaming magtanong kung sinong willing maging part ng actors sa upcoming play. We have our approved story na, actors na lang ang kulang."

 Ngumiti si Cassidy sakin, at lumapit sakin para bumulong. "Maybe, you can volunteer as main actor?"

Main actor?

Me. Nah.

"I-I'll try, thank you Cassidy." Sabi ko na lang sa kaniya. It's been years since naging main actor ako ng stage play, but I am more like on supporting roles. Hindi ako nahihiya during the play, but pero I dont have the courage to volunteer as main actor.

"Sasabay ka ba sa amin mamaya, pag-uwi? Kakain kami sa Tokyo Resturant?" Aya ni Cassidy.

 Napatingin ako sa kaniya, "You mean the whole squad?" I asked, making sure of something.

"Yes. Kaming lima."

So Berlin is coming.

Maybe I should aplogize then? If sasama ako, 

I could apologize to her.

But I am going home with Yohan, huhuhu.

"Thanks Cassidy, but I am going with my friend. Maybe next time. Pero I can join you hanggang gate lang."

 "No worries! You can join us anytime naman." Cassidy assured and tapped my shoulder. I smiled to her and tumingin sa harap to listen at Elynna.

[Narrator]

 4:00PM…

The assembly has ended. Hindi na rin sila pinapasok sa sumunod na subject dahil ang sabi ay first day naman. And like what he said, he joined the five girls. Magkakasama sila ngayon na naglalakad sa catwalk pauwi. Hinihintay na rin siya ni Yohan sa gate para sumabay pag-uwi.

Nasa bandang hulihan si Berlin at suot nito ang headphones nito. Akoz is slowly walking para makasabay sa paglalakad si Berlin. Habang ang apat, si Klein, Elynna, Cassidy and Sakura ay nasa unahan at nag-uusap.

"Akoz, do you want to eat with us?" Tanong no Klein sa kaniya. Ngumiti naman si Akoz at umiling, "Sorry, I am going home with Yohan. Next time na lang."

 "Okay then." Klein replied and bumalik ulit sa usapan nilang lima. Akoz sighed and tried walking slowly to match Berlin's pace. 

Nang makalapit na sila sa gate, ay agad na humarap si Akoz kay Berlin at sumenyas para makuha ang atensyon nito. He can't just tap her shoulder without her consent, at lalo na galit ito sa kaniya.

 "B-Berlin…" Akoz tried his best to sound normal kahit pa kinakabahan siya. Tumingin naman ito agad sa kaniya, and as expected with her bored look.

 "Ano kasi…" Napakamot sya ng ulo, hindi nya alam kung anong unang dapat sabihin. Akoz breathed deeply and looked at Berlin's eyes. 

"A-about what happened kanina, sa park before class. I didn't intend to offend you, that's why I would like to apologize. I.. I am really sorry."

 Berlin frowned, it took few seconds bago sya nagsalita, "Anong meron sa park? Did we meet at park kanina?"

"Y-yes… I was taking pictures…" Nauutal na sabi ni Akoz. Pero nakakunot pa rin ang noo ni Berlin, trying to remember kung nagkita nga sila ni Akoz. 

Meanwhile, Akoz is waiting for her reply. How come she forgot it? Hindi pinatahimik si Akoz ng nangyari na iyon sa buong araw dahil as he know, Berlin is mad because of that. Nakangiti si Akoz habang hinihintay ang sagot ni Berlin.

"I can't remember--

"Before class, I think we had a miscom--

"Okay, okay." Berlin responded quickly, she looks annoyed kaya napaatras si Akoz.

 "Whatever." She added and walked faster. Naiwan naman si Akoz sa catwalk at pinanuod si Berlin na maglakad para makasabay sa apat.

 "So, she's not mad at me?" Bulong ni Akoz sa sarili. Napakamot naman sya ng batok, he didnt know what to feel. He just started walking to reach the gate. 

Nang makalapit na sila sa gate ay huminto si Klein. Nakita nito ang kotse ni Yohan, at syempre ang kaibigan nya nakaupo sa bumper ng kotse-- trying to make a scene. 

"Nandyan pala si Yohan. See you tomorrow Akoz, text mo ako if nasa bahay ka na ha?"

 Napangiti naman si Akoz sa sinabi ni Klein, hindi na nya maitatago ang kilig niya sa sarili lalo na at nakangiting parang aso si Yohan sa di kalayuan.

"Ikaw din. Enjoy your food with them, thank you pala. See you tomorrow, Klein." Akoz bid his goodbye and smiled at the other four. Lumapit sya kay Yohan at tiningnan sya ng nakakaloko nito. Akoz mouthed what, and Yohan chuckled in response. 

"Textmates…" his friend whispered and laughed again.

Bago pa niya tuluyan buksan ang pintuan ng kotse. Akoz threw a glance to the girls to check Berlin. Bago sya sumakay sa loob ay nakita niya si Berlin na seryosong nakatingin sa direksyon nila.

Berlin looks unbothered, serious, hindi interesado sa tao pero he believes she is kind, and has warm personality. Just like her cousin, Klein.

He wants to befriend Berlin, for some reasons.