FACADE

Chapter TEN

[Klein's POV]

Hakin Theatre Club, office.

Kasulukuyan akong nag-aasikaso ng mga documents na kakailanganin namin for the preparation of our musical play, Facade.

May mga letters, requests/permission and rehearsal schedule for the whole semester. Inaasikaso na rin namin ang mga listahan ng props na bibilhin at gagamitin sa rehearsal at mismong araw ng play. Mga names/brands ng sponsors na kukunin namin at mga priorities na officials na kailangan namin contact-in.

We are scheduled to present our play, exactly at the last day ng first semester. It is a big event for the students of Performing Arts, Hakin University. We have to bring the pride and honor of our school. Para naman matuwa ang tatay ni Yohan, hahaha.

Tiningnan ko ang list ng mga gaganap ng main and supporting roles ng play, napangiti ako agad nang makita ko ang pangalan ni Berlin and Akoz. I am looking forward to see their performances. Si Akoz ever since we were both senior high, alam ko may potential na siya, and my cousin Berlin; she has a hidden talent in acting.

I really love how Akoz is making progress, kahit mabagal iyon alam ko in the end mayroon siyang character development. He never let himself to stay just like that. As much as possible, he is aiming for better, a shy and reserved man like him is trying his best to blend in. He is great when you get to know him, I always see him as a kind and warm person. 

Swerte ang magiging girlfriend niya, sa totoo lang. He has everything, sa ugali pa lang-- napakaswerte na kung sino man siya.

Napatigil ako sa pag-iisip nang may marinig ako marahan na kumakatok sa pintuan ng office. Napatingin ako sa orasan, 4:35PM na pala. Halos karamihan sa mga nagkaklase na BA Performing Arts, ganitong oras natatapos ang klase. 

"Sino iyan?" Tanong ko sa kumakatok. Baka si Cassidy and Elynna, nagpaalam sila na may bibilhin sila at dadaan kila Berlin bago bumalik dito. 

Maya-maya pa ay bumukas ang pintuan at iniluwa si Akoz. Naghi naman siya sakin at ngumiti, suot na nya ang bag niya. Pinapasok ko na siya sa office at sinunod naman niya. 

"Tapos na ba ang klase niyo?" Tanong ko.

Umupo si Ako sa couch at tumingin sakin, "Yes." He answered, luminga-linga siya sa paligid. Ngayon lang sya nakapasok sa mismong office ng club namin.

Silence.

[Narrator]

Kitang-kita ni Klein kung paano nahihiya at nagdadalawang-isip na umupo sa couch bago ito sumagot. Malapit lang naman ang couch sa table niya kaya nakikita niya ang natural hazel brown eyes ng lalaki.

"What's the problem?" Natatawang nagtanong ulit si Klein nang hindi na ulit nagsalita si Akoz. Napakamot naman sa batok ang binata at napalunok.

"Kasi, I just want to ask you. If it's fine with you guys kung ako… kung ako yung gaganap as Denver." Mahinang pagkonsulta ni Akoz. Nagtaka si Klein sa tanong ni Akoz, hindi kaya kanina pa niya iniisip ito? Oo nga pala, minsan tila walang self-confidence si Akoz, naalala ni Klein.

"Sa tingin mo ba, hindi okay samin?" Mahinang tanong ni Klein, tumango naman si Akoz at yumuko. "Baka kasi napipilitan lang kayo, I can back out naman if ever." Sagot nito kay Klein.

Napailing si Klein, but she pitied Akoz. Tumayo sya at naglakad sa kinauupuan ng huli. "Akoz, you know what's wrong with you?" Tanong nya habang naglalakad papunta sa direksyon ni Akoz.

Hindi pa rin tumitingin sa kaniya si Akoz, the man remained his head down and tapping his hands to his lap. "I just feel like Berlin--

Hindi natapos ni Akoz ang sasabihin, nagulat siya sa ginawa ni Klein sa kaniya. Klein gently brushed up his hair with her left hand and slowly raising his head with her right hand, under his chin. Naramdaman ni Akoz ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso, marahil sa kaba at gulat. Nanlalaki ang mata niya habang nakatingin sa mata ni Klein.

Inalis ni Klein ang kanang kamay sa baba ng binata, dahan-dahan niyang inalis ang salamin nito sa mata. Ngumiti si Klein at nagsalita, "You did not know that you are kind, talented, and good-looking."

[Klein's POV]

Ngayon ko lang nakita nang malapitan ang mukha ni Akoz, and it's true that he is indeed a good-looking man.

He has a mole under his lips, may fair skin, may natural nice hair na kinaiinggitan ni Elynna, he is like a mixture of Spanish-Asian man. But what I love the most is his pair of hazel brown eyes.

Akoz has expressive eyes, and it is captivating.

Lumitaw ang pamumula ng mukha ni Akoz, he must be surprised. Ito ang unang beses na ginawa ko ito sa kaniya, actually siya lang naman ang unang lalaki na ginawa ko ito. Nakatingin pa rin kami sa isa't-isa. He looks like he is trying to say something.

"I don't know why you are so down and shy but I want you to know that you are deserving to have this role. Akoz, you don't have any idea kung gaano ako kasaya at thankful na nagvolunteer ka for this role."

"Before kami pumasok, I am actually praying na sana makuha mo ito. Because I want to see you in the stage, bago matapos ang first semester. I want to hear you sing, see you act, witness your genuine smile doing something you love."

Akoz didn't say anything, but my heart jumped when he smiled. A smile that reached his lips, and his eyes. It tells something, and I know I said the right thing. He smiled genuinely, he talks kindly, and the way he looks will make you calm. 

Because we made this role, for someone who is like Akoz. He deserves it. Denver is Akoz' role.

"I just feel like Berlin doesn't like it, na nakuha ko yung role. I don't want to imagine things you know. But I can't stop from overthinking." He confessed. 

"Nope, that's not true. Maybe nararamdaman mo yan dahil hindi pa kayo close but soon, you'll get to know each other." I advised, he avoided his gaze and he looked bothered by that thought.

"Come on Akoz, I know you will make great teamwork with my cousin." 

Akmang aalisin ko na sana ang kamay ko sa buhok niya at ibabalik ko na sana ang eyeglasses niya nang may biglang malakas na pagbukas ng pintuan sa club. Sabay kaming napalingon sa gulat ni Akoz.

Pero mas nagulat ang mga tao na bigla-bigla na lang papasok sa office na walang isang salita. Napapikit na lang ako nang marinig ko ang matinis na sigaw ni Elynna.

"Ay wow. Taray ng scene." Cassidy hissed, while slowly clapping her hands.

"A-ate Klein?" Berlin asked in disbelief.

"Yabai." Sakura whispered in Japanese.

Napalingon naman ako Akoz, nanlalaki ang mata niya at nakaawang ang bibig nang makita na sina Elynna, Cassidy, Sakura, at Berlin ang nagbukas ng pintuan at nakita kami sa ganoong sitwasyon.

At bakit mukha silang nagpapanic sa nakita nila?!