11.11 Make a Wish

Chapter 28-Babala ni Roxie

Kabanata 28

KAIYA

Some of our supporters are waiting by the entrance. Secured naman ang area and they’re just cheering our names while waving their placards. Naglinya kami sa may harapan nila upang pagbigyan silang makita kami. Someone just caught my attention. Hindi ko napigilang lumapit sa kanya.

“Helena!” She’s a kid that I met when we’re shooting our last film. She has down syndrome and really loves Sonnet 5 so much. She hugs me tight. I miss this kid! Napalingon ako kay Roxie. She smiled and mouthed ‘surprise’. Helena’s with Ate Dori. “Sino pong kasama niyo?”

“Si Direk Apan.” Answered Ate Dori. “May binibili pa e.”

Nakayakap sa beywang ko si Helena. Pinakiusapan ko si Kuya Santino na bigyan sila ng VIP seats mamaya sa mall show. Buti pumayag. Direk Apan came with some bouquets of flowers. Binigyan niya kami isa-isa.

“Goodluck.” Sabi niya sa akin pagkaabot ng bulaklak. “Nagustuhan mo ba ang surprise ni Osing?” She’s referring to Roxie. “See you later. Sa amin na sasabay sina Roxie.”

Papalapit na rin sa amin sina Roxie at Miss Rica. Hinila-hila ni Helena ang kaliwang kamay ko. “Good luck! Godbless!” Her smiles are melting my heart.

I slightly bended and hugged her. “See you later okay?”

She showed me a thumbs up. “Otey! Sa oryt!”

God! She’s such a cutie bean!

The girls were so appreciative of Apan. Except Skye. I don’t know what’s happening to her. Parang anglungkot naman niya.

“Hoy. Biglang bad mood. What happened?”

“Wala. Na-realized ko lang na sana lahat may Roxie na nanonorpresa. Gagi! Angcute kaya n`on!” She even hit my forearm. “Kaiya! Ma-touch ka naman sa gesture ng online jowa mo.”

“Na-appreciate ko. Hindi mo ako kailangang i-remind. Saka hindi ko siya online jowa. Nakakahiya d`on sa tao.”

“Gusto ko na talagang i-friend si Roxie.” Valen added. “She’s your ‘not so serious friend but she always has your back’. Ifi-friend ko na talaga siya.”

---

As what I requested, they’re seated in front with the other VIPs. Panay ang kaway ni Helena sa akin while we’re performing our dance song. Nakakahawa ang kanyang mga ngiti. Roxie is taking some pictures. Maybe para sa write ups nila ni Miss Rica. She’s even acting like a floor director orchestrating the audience on clapping and cheering. What’s funny is there are some supporters who are waving a placard with Roxie and me.

After some short kumustahan with the audience nag-ready na kami ni Yohan para sa pagkanta namin ng Only Be Pretending habang kumakanta pa si Skye ng kanyang solo song.

Kumakanta din ako sa isip kos. Trying to imagine kung paano ko ito ipe-perform mamaya. When Skye called our names, the crowd went wild cheering KaiHan. We walk to the center stage while waving at them. Perform well, Kaiya. Perform well!

As I look at Roxie, she drew a smile on her face. She’s like mom back in my childhood days.

“Hello, Davao!” Cheered Yohan. “We’re going to sing your most requested song.”

Naghiyawan at palakpakan na naman ang audience. Bumaling sa akin si Yohan. God! It’s my cue to give some message to our supporters about the song.

“Sino dito ang inlove? Itaas ang kamay!” I could see most of them are raising their hand. Except for Roxie. She’s busy taking some photos. “Minahal pero hindi ni-reveal?” They booed laughingly. I guess we all have that moment.

Yohan started playing the guitar. As what Roxie said kapag nate-tense ako hanapin ko lang siya. She’s seriously looking at us. Her arms are crossed on her chest. Then she stupidly swings her body like dancing to the melody. Crazy!

“Will we ever have a happy ending?

Or will we forever only be pretending?”

I was supposed to be at the center with Yohan but somehow, I’m comfortable involving the audience. I pointed the mic to them and as if on cue they started singing the next part of the song. Roxie leads them in clapping their hands with the melody. I really don’t know what could have happened if not because of her.

I became more at ease with the next performances. Blockings were perfect and I even had high fives moments with Yohan as if we’re on our first mall tour. And every time I feel discomfort, I look at Roxie’s direction and things feels better.

We have a little surprise for our supporters. They’ll have a chance to get their CDs and Sonnet5 merch sign. Nag-start nang papilahin ang mga interesadong magpa-autograph at magpapicture. Upon checking at the pile of supporters, this is exhausting but worth it.

After signing a fan’s Sonnet5 merch, she showed me a shirt with Me and Roxie’s chibi print. Roxie’s chibi has a blonde hair and a blue highlight on her bangs. Very distinct look of her few months back.

“Pasensya na po Miss Kaiya. Pwede mo sanang pa-autograph nito? Fan din po kasi ako ng KaiRo. Pasensya na po.”

Natawa si Skye sa request niya. “Fan din ako.” Kunwari ay pabulong nitong sabi. “Nice `yong KaiRo.”

Nangiti na lang ang fan at nagblush. They really had a name for us. I gladly signer her shirt. “Thanks. You can approach her.” Tinuro ko si Roxie na busy kausap si Rica. “Tell her utos ko. She’ll surely sign your shirt.”

She looks happy. After ng picture ay mabilis siyang pumunta kay Roxie. Roxie confusedly looks at me and I just signal sign by gesturing writing in the air.

“Official na ang ship niyo. May pa-merch na. Team KaiRo. Cute naman.” Skye teases. “And seems okay naman kay Roxie.”

She loves attention kaya hindi na nakakapagtaka `yan. Ilang KaiRo T-shirts pa ang napirmahan ko. I didn’t know they will go that far. But come to think of it, KaiRo is quite catchy.

Tumikhim si Skye. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Nginuso niya ang linya. “Nakapila si Yael. Iba din. Parang may nase-sense akong something. Haba ng hair mo kapatid. Pagupit ka na.”

Nagtiyaga si Yael na pumila. Nang turn na niya sa akin siya dumeretso. He handed me a bouquet of tulips. “Congrats sa successful na mall show.”

“Thank you. Pumila ka pa talaga ha?”

“Oo naman. Hindi nila ako kilala ditto. Baka bigla akong kuyugin kapag sumingit ako.” He answered with laughter. “Sige. Baka magalit na `yong kasunod ko.”

---

We’re supposed to have a team dinner but I opted to go with Direk Apan. Kasama kasi sina Helena at babalik na sila sa Cebu bukas kaya ayokong ma-miss `yong chance to have dinner with her.

“Hindi kaya magtaka ang fans kapag nagdinner na hindi ka kasama sa mga ipopost ng official page niyo?” Roxie said while checking on the previous of photos she took during the mall show. “Rica, kung isa ka lang tsismosa twitter ano ang maiisip mo kapag wala si Kaiya sa pictures?”

“Hmm. Anong level ng tsismosa ba? Yung may respeto o wala?” natatawang sagot ni Rica.

“Tangina. E de `yong Tsismosa God! Ganun level kaagad.”

“Ha ha! Siyempre iisipin kong bitter si Kaiya kasi nandun ang girlfriend ni Yohan. Ampait n`on!”

“You think so?” Baling ko naman sa kanya. “Hay! Can I just have dinner with some other people na gusto kong makasama?”

“You’re in the idol world. Maraming mata ang nakatingin sa inyo. At kahit sanay ka na sa katoxican ng fans, gugustuhin mo bang pati last mall tour niyo mabahiran pa ng isyu mo sa buhay?”

“What if ayain ko na lang sina Direk?” I suggested. “It will be a thank you treat. What do you think?”

“Good Idea. Pero `yan na mismo ang ginawa ko para sa`yo! Ha ha! Advance kaya ako mag-isip.” Tinuktok pa niya ng tatlong beses ang sentido niya. “Ganda ng performance mo kanina. At hindi ako nagbibiro.”

“Magkaroon ba naman ng coach sa audience.” Sabad ni Rica. “May video pa ako. Gusto mo makita? Kapag inupload ko `to mabo-boost sigurado dahil sa mga fans niyo. Ano na `yong tawag sa ship niyo?”

“KaiRo.” Sagot ni Roxie. “Konting konti na lang KaRo na e. ha ha! Siguro feeling nila deds na deds ako kay Kaiya. Haha! KaRo ng patay. Haha!”

“Pero hindi nila alam dahil sa kanya kaya ka nabubuhay? Ha ha ha! Char lang, Senpai! Patawad!” tatawa-tawang biro ni Miss Rica. “Parang magandang linyahan sa nobela `yon ah. ‘Akala mo patay na patay ako sa`yo? Ang hindi mo alam, ikaw ang dahilan bakit ako nabubuhay.” She’s typing on her phone. “Subukan ko nag isulat. Love-hate relationship. Indenial. Pretends not inlove. Ano pa ba? Ah! Bestfriends conflict.”

“Para kang si Ate. Bigla biglang nakakaisip ng kwento.”

“Ganun talaga.” Binulsa na ni Miss Rica ang kanyan phone. “So? Saan tayo magdidinner? Gutom na ako.”

Some knocks at the door. Sinilip ko sa pinhole kung sino ito. It’s Yael. Pinagbuksan ko siya.

“Hi. Uhm.”

“Yes? Why?” Para kasing naputol ang dila niya. “Bakit?”

“Ano kasi. Invite sana kitang magdinner out? Nagsabi na rin ako kay Kuya Santino. Yohan is with Yue and Yusef so I thought baka pwedeng ayain kita?”

“uhm. I have plans kasi. Kasama sina Helene. Sorry.”

Napakamot siya sa batok niya. “Ganoon ba? Sige. Maybe next time na lang. I’ll go ahead na.”

Hinintay ko muna siyang makalayo bago ko tuluyang isara ang pinto. “May plans naman pala sina Yohan na hindi sumabay sa team.”

“Masama ba ang loob mo d`on?” Roxie asked. “Hindi naman totoo `yong sinabi ni Yael. She’s joining the dinner. Kaka-confirm lang niya.” She showed me Yohan’s reply. “Naku! Hindi marunong dumiskarte si Yael. Turuan mo nga.” Baling niya kay Rica.

“Tangina. Bakit ko tuturuan? Close kami?” Tanggi ni Miss Rica. “Kung gusto mo ikaw na lang magturo. Pota. Teka. Magandang plot twist `yon. Tuturuan ni Bidang lalaki si bespren na manligaw. Tapos maiinlab si bidang babae kaya magseselos si bidang lalaki. Angcliche pota! Haha!”

“Hindi ko na kayo naiintihan.” I frustratedly sighed.

Tumawa si Miss Rica. “It’s a writer thing. Pero ito talaga. Bagay kayo ni Roxie. Walang plastikan ha? Tutal nasa tamang edad na tayo dito. Mature naman siguro tumanggap ng opinion ng iba. Ha ha!”

“Sabihan kita kapag niligawan niya ako.” Nagtaas-baba pa ang kilay ni Roxie bago bumaling sa akin. “Oh? Bawal ma-fall! Char. Nagtext na si Apan. Dinner na daw tayo.”