FACADE

Chapter NINETEEN

[Akoz' POV] 

I am still doing private practice with Berlin.

Glad to say that we are finally on our scene number 8, kabisado na namin at alam na namin kung paano i-digest ang unang pitong scenes. We have a dry run from number 1 to 10 scenes kaya we are confident na magagawa namin ito. Hindi na rin kami nagkakamali or nagkakagulo sa mga kanta namin or even in our piano and violin performances.

However, Berlin and I are still not friends.

Hindi naman na siya tulad ng dati na galit or tatarayan ako. Nope not all, not anymore. Pero  I feel bothered to think we still have this awkwardness between the two of us. And why is it? What is wrong?

At this point, I can't help but to think if I did something wrong. I sighed, I can't help but to overthink-- and one more thing…

"I think I should move forward right?" Berlin asked while she was holding her script. Kaming dalawa naman as usual sa office and we are discussing our places in this musical play. 

"But it says Denver will move backward." Dahilan ko, Berlin shook her head. She started reading her lines

"What's the matter Denver, are you scared of me?" Berlin delivered her lines, and I did the next move.

"Why would I small bean, you are not even worthy of my time." I moved backwards as what I read in the script.

But to my suprise, Berlin moved forward and put her arms to my neck. Inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin at itinaas ang kilay nito.

"Don't try me, I am not easy like what you think Mr. Denver."

Here it is.

We have lots of close contact, pero we are only still on our 8th scene and yet I always get nervous when she is so close to me.

Like this.

I can't move properly.

Lagi akong nadidistract.

Inilayo ni Berlin ang sarili sa akin at tumalikod para bumalik sa pagkakabisado ng script. Napahinga naman ako nang malalim at wala sa sariling hinawi ang buhok. I really don't know how to focus. There is something wrong with me, nasanay siguro ako sa treatment ni Berlin before.

Umupo na lang ako sa couch at nagkabisado rin ng script. Ganito lagi ang routine namin ngayon, may 2 hours to memorize our lines and discuss the best way to show it. Yes, we still have minimal arguments pero unlike before, saglit lang ngayon.

Then, we will act sometimes in front of Klein or Elynna o di kaya kami lang. We record it and watch para malaman kung ano pa pwedeng itama or pwedeng i-improve.

*Knock Knock*

"Who is that?" Berlin asked. I stood up to open the door. Pero nang malapit na ako sa pintuan ay kusa naman ito bumukas at nagulat ako kung sino ang nasa labas.

"Y-yohan!?" Hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong.

Yohan grinned and did a salute. He is carrying his bag and plates. Right, tapos na nga ang klase niya ngayon and he can go home actually pero he came here… to visit me, if iyon nga ang pakay niya.

"Hi Akoz, long time no see. Hindi kita makita sa hall, Klein told me you're here with your classmate-- are you having a practice?"

Haha. Kanina pa.

Minsan sa sobrang lakas ng trip ni Yohan, ang sarap niya patalsikin sa Hakin University.

Alam ko naman na gusto niya makita kung may development ba ang friendship namin ni Klein or kung may progress ba ang dapat na pag-amin ko.

Speaking of confession.

It seems like I don't have plans to confess as of now. I am taking time, I need time to think.

"Yes. We are having a practice. Sorry to bother you." I answered in a sarcasm tone. Tumawa naman si Yohan at pabiro akong sinuntok. Natawa na lang din ako at pinaupo muna siya sa couch.

Oo nga pala, Berlin's here.

Lumingon ako kay Berlin and she is looking at Yohan, nagulat siguro siya sa inasal ni Yohan. I knew they met before, but Berlin walked away for some unknown reasons.

"Berlin." Tawag ko, "Again, this is Yohan from Engineering. He is my friend and the son of Hakin's CEO." Lumingon naman ako kay Yohan.

"She is Berlin Min, my classmate. Pinsan siya ni Klein." 

Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Yohan at napatingin kay Berlin. Parang alam ko na gagawin na kalokohan nito.

Tumayo si Yohan and offered his hand for a handshake. "We have met before, I am Yohan." He introduced himself. Tinanggap naman ni Berlin ang kamay niya. "I know, I am Berlin."

"I didn't know you are Klein's cousin. She is also my friend." Yohan added at tumingin sa akin nang kakaiba. Sabi na eh. "Alam mo ba na si Klein--

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos magsalita, ayaw ko lalong sumama ang tingin sakin ni Berlin. Hinila ko ang kwelyo ni Yohan at inilayo kay Berlin. "Stop it, tinatakot mo na naman si Berlin eh. Ano ba ginagawa mo rito?"

"Joke lang Berlin!" Yohan giggled and carried his bag. "Nakita mo ba si Cassidy, may sasabihin sana ako sa kanya."

"Bakit hindi mo i-text?"

"My phone is missing." Yohan did a peace sign. I smirked and whispered, "Deserved." and laughed.

"Nasa hall siya, baka hindi mo lang nakita. Pero bago kami lumabas hall nandoon siya malapit sa speakers." Sabi ko.

Nagpaalam naman si Yohan at lumabas na ng office.

[Berlin's POV]

There he is.

I've been looking for you since the first day, and now we've met again.

Yohan Zafiro.

Who would have thought we would meet again?

[Flashback]

April 2019

Hakin University Entrance Examination

"It's so hot, parang mamatay ata ako sa init." I groaned while fanning myself with my hanky. I didn't expect na ganito kainit at ibabad kami sa quadrangle while waiting for our turn to take the entrance examination.

Ang dami namin ngayon sa quadrangle and it is 10 in the afternoon. Sobrang taas ng sikat ng araw and we still have 20 minutes para maghintay. I decided to drink water every 2 minutes para at least I can freshen up naman.

Tapos pagpasok sa room na airconditioned sasakit ulo ko diba. Grabe, wala pang exams pero nag-iinit na ulo ko. Kung hindi lang naman maganda itong school for my preferred program hindi ako papasok dito eh.

I still keep on fanning myself when someone put his mini electric fan in front of my face.

Tumingin ako sa kanan ko to see who is that guy and I saw a guy smiling with sharp eyes, monolid and his hair tied in a semi ponytail style. He is kinda cool and cute.

"You can borrow it." He said while smiling. Wow, at this rate I didn't expect someone to show kindness. I don't have any plans to refuse it dahil sobrang naiinitan na talaga ako.

"Thank you ha." I replied and tried to smile. He nodded and faced the front. Oh, mayroon siyang piercings.

The man winked and did an 'okay' sign. Natawa naman ako, he has a chill and easygoing aura.

After 20 minutes, the proctor signaled us to enter the examination room. Sabay kaming naglakad ng lalaki na nagpahiram sakin ng fan. Dahil nasa iisang area kami, I believe we are in the same testing room.

Sana makatabi ko siya.

And it happened. Magkasunod ang control numbers namin kaya magkatabi kami. Binalik ko na sa kaniya ang electric fan niya dahil malamig na sa room. Sa wakas, hindi na ako pinagpapawisan. Feeling ko amoy araw ako.

Naramdaman kong may nagtapik ng balikat ko, paglingon ko-- siya na naman. The guy who let me borrowed his fan. This guy smiled and handled me some chocolates.

"Hope you will pass the exam." He whispered and smiled again. I didn't respond but I smiled shyly. Tinago ko ang mga chocolates sa bulsa ko. Pagtingin ko sa kaniya, nakatingin pa rin siya sakin at nakangiti.

[End of Flashback]

That was the time I had a lowkey crush on Yohan. I never had the chance to know his name. So I waited for two months to check if nakapasa ako and another month to attend school and look for him.

Now, I finally got the chance to know his name and see him again. Yohan Vaun Zafiro.

Yohan left the office. Umupo naman si Akoz at kinuha ang script niya. So, they are best friends huh?

"Where is he going?" I asked due to my curiosity. Akoz looked confused but then replied, "Ahh. He is friends with Cassidy. Pupuntahan lang niya."

"Do we have the same schedule as him? Bibisita ba siya sayo starting today?" I asked again.

[Akoz' POV]

What's with Yohan?

Why is she curious?

"Y-yeah, we do. But I don't think bibisita siya every time. Minsan lang siguro." I answered, confused. I glanced at Berlin, she might be curious about Yohan. But why?

Why Yohan?

Is there something I need to know? 

"W-why?" I asked. Berlin shrugged her shoulders, pumunta siya sa upuan at hinawakan ang violin.

"Nah. Just asking bakit ba?"

Sabi ko nga, here she is again.

Hindi na ako nagtanong about Yohan, but I am still wondering why she asked those questions. It seems like it was Yohan's first time to meet her.

Or maybe, I should let it slip away.