II.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong umiyak sa dorm kagabi. Mabuti nalang at ang kaibigan kong si Sera ay ka dorm mate ko lang at kami lang dalawa ang nasa kwarto dahil umuwi sa kani-kanilang probinsiya ang dalawa pa naming kasamahan. She was up almost all night trying to calm me down.

"I'm sorry. Hindi ka tuloy nakatulog ng maayos."

Napahikab si Sera habang nakatingin sa salamin at inaayos ang uniporme niya. "It's alright. Kasalanan ko rin naman kung bakit nangyari to' dahil sa letseng blind date na 'yan. I should've known. I'm sorry."

Sa isang fastfood na kami nag agahan ni Sera bago tuluyang nagtungo sa campus. May dala-dala pa kaming extrang bag mukha tuloy kaming magca-camping habang nakauniform. Si Sera may dala pang unan kaya natanong pa siya ni kuya guard bago pinapasok.

It's one of their group's props para sa performance task namin mamaya sa amphitheater. Hindi kami magkagrupo kaya agad kaming naghiwalay pagdating sa classroom at naging busy. Most of the guys were already transferring our props to the amphitheater na nasa 3rd floor pa ng junior high building, while we're currently in the second floor of the senior high building.

We could guess they were sweating walking and carrying props back and forth.

"Uy Veda! Magbihis ka na. Nasaan na ang ibang susuotin mo?"

Napalingon ako kay Eva na siyang director at leader ng group namin. Itinuro ko sa kaniya ang dala kong bag at agad niya itong binuksan at iniisa-isang tignan.

"Wow, these were good. Ba't di kita nakitang nagsusuot ng ganito?"

"Uy ano yan? Patingin!" Parang batang nagtatakbo patungo sa direksiyon namin si Paul na kababalik lamang ng classroom at tumabi kay Eva na dali-daling namang ibinalik sa bag ang mga susuotin kong damit. "Damot."

"Mamaya mo na tignan. Malapitan pa." Eva lightly tapped him with the stick she was holding. "Magpunas ka na at para makapagbihis ka na. Kayo rin Veda at Melee."

I secretly rolled my eyes before grabing the bag out of Eva's hands. Paul's really chaotic as heck buti naman talaga at seryoso siya sa tuwing nagpapractice kami ng mga roles namin. Of course he would, he's passionate about acting.

Sabay kaming nagtungo sa banyo ni Melee na dala-dala ang mga bag namin. Habang naglalakad sa hallway ay bigla kaming inakbayan ni Paul.

"Paul, kahapon ka pa. Could you just stay away? Please. Thank you."

"Hindi pwede. Magkasama tayong tatlo mamaya but anyway, see you later." Paul lightly laughed before waving his hands and walked back to the other direction, with a sling bag on his back probably his costume.

"Don't tell me you're really with Paul yesterday, Veda?" Melee asked as if she was shocked. Anong kagulat-gulat doon?

"I'm with Caleb yesterday." Kunot noong sabi ko. "Paano mo nasabing magkasama kami ni Paul?"

Ipinakita ni Melee sa'kin ang phone niya habang papasok kami ng cr. It was Paul's myday from yesterday.

She finally chooses to see.

Hindi kalayuan ay litrato ko nakatalikod at may kausap sa phone. Medyo blurry ito dahil mukhang kuha niya ito habang naglalakad. Hindi mahahalatang ako iyon. Maliban nalang kung alam nila ang kulay ng phone case ko.

"Wala na kayo ni Caleb?" Melee asked as soon as I returned her phone. "Wait...are you okay?"

"Ayos lang ako. He's a douchebag anyway."

Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa isang cubicle at agad na nagbihis. The hell would I want myself to be reminded by that pain?

Agad akong lumabas at napansing sabay kaming natapos ni Melee. She was wearing and business woman like suit. It was white knitted shirt layered with light blue blazer, and her pants matches her blazes as she wears a nude colored heels.

"Wow. Seriously though Veda mas bagay ka talaga sa role mo."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Agad rin siyang napailing-iling. "Not in a bad way huy! Mukha ka lang sexy at cool. Not that mukha kang kabit."

Melee was the legal wife in the play while I was the mistress, and Paul would be the main guy na kunwari pag-aawayan namin. Though in the play even though I'm a mistress, I didn't know I was until the scene of confrontation.

Nagtungo ako sa sa salamin ng banyo. I stared at my reflection, seeing myself in the mirror wearing the glittery off shoulder ruched blue bodycon dress is making me question myself of it was really me.

Hindi naman kasi ang akin ang damit na ito kung hindi kay Sera na mukhang hiniram pa niya sa mga kasamahan niya sa dance troupe nila. I should be careful with this dress.

Sinuoy ko na ang itim na high heels na pagmamay-ari ko naman. At least the shoes in my outfits were mine.

"Girls tara na." Pumasok si Eva sa banyo at napatingin sa akin. "You might become a headturner when you comedown. Mag jacket ka muna."

Melee lend me her blazer while Inhad my jacket wrapped around my waist. Bababa ako ng building namin at para makapunta sa kabilang building ay kailangan naming dumaan sa kalsadang pumapagitan sa dalawang building. That road is visible to the whole senior high classrooms. I am wearing an immodest outfit so as much as possible I had to keep my pace faster not to get caught by the sisters of our school. Baka masuspende pa ako ng wala sa oras.

The first group was already starting when arrived at the amphitheater. Ang dami na ring tao sa labas dahil after sa HUMMS 1 which is ang section namin at susunod rin agad ang 2 at 3. Every section may dalawang groups at pangalawa ang grupo namin sa magpeperform.

"Ve—Veda?"

Napalingon ako sa likuran at nakitang papalapit si Paul. He was wearing a button-down navy blue shirt, slim fit chinos paired with lowcut leather sneakers. He looked expensive!

"You looked great. Hindi kita masyadong nakilala mula sa likod."

"Of course you won't. First time niya ata eh." Melee interfered before went near Paul. "Ikaw Paul ha? May hidden agenda ka ano?"

"Wala! She's just pretty. Masama bang sabihin iyon?"

Pakiramdam ko namumula ako sa sinasabi ni Paul. Kung kaya't hinila ko nalang si Melee at dahan-dahan kaming pumasok sa loob ng amphitheater. Nandirito na rin man kasi ang iba naming kasamahan.

My palms were sweating when the first group's performance was about to end. Ang kaba ko hindi ko maintindihan lalong lalo na't group na namin ang sumunod.

There was a mini backstage and a comfort room where we could comfotably change our clothes to fit into the scene. Mabuti naman.

Nagulat ako nang may mainit na kamay ang humila sa kamay ko. It was Paul. He looked at me worringly asking me if I was okay or do I need water.

"Don't worry. During the kiss scene you could press your thumbs into my lips or just perfect the angle for the judges."

Tumango-tango ako kahit na ang tumatak lang sa isip ko ay may kiss scene. I have a freaking kiss scene. Although a smack it's still a kiss.

The scene already started with Melee and Paul arguing. Nasa likuran lang ako at nagbablocking sa mga scenes at dialogues ko. I should not fail, Paul's and other members' acting on this play shouldn't mess up because of me.

The scene changes into a bar and that's when I came into action.

I can hear a slight gasped, loud whistles and cat calling from the crowds. The judges immediately shut them up threatening them to subtract their noises to their over all performance.

Paul's supposed to be drinking in the bar. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at nakadekwatrong umupo sa stool sa harapan niya. I extended my hand on him, "I'm Veda, having fun?"

Paul grinned at me from head to toe. It's on the script so I didn't worry. "What a brave soul. Have some intentions eh?"

I smirked before leaning and cornering him in the counter. I slightly leaned on his ear as I held his shoulder to support my body.

The crowd cheered. Making me a bit distracted. I can't believe Paul withstand it.

"I just want to know your name mister and I'll dedide."

"Paul."

I kissed his cheeks before I moved away. "See you later again Paul."

I went back to the backstage and my flirtatious act immediately faded as soon as I face Eva. She was smiling ear to ear while I think I was losing my breath.

I can head the loud shouts betweem Melee and Paul. They were shouting and I think this scene was when they argue about their daughter's death.

Pumasok ulit ako sa bar scene. He was sitting on a stool again so I sat beside him.

"It's been a while Paul."

"Veda, you looked stunning as always."

"I know." I raised my glass to him and we eventually drank the fake alcohols. They were actually just juice. "Are you single?"

His eyes quivered like it's in a sense of panic. "Of course I am. Why? You'll take me seriously?"

"Most probably."

I had a very quick trip to the comfort room before changing to my ruffled white blouse and a mini fluffy skirt for a casual looked. We only have scenes where we have to act lovey dovey and lesser lines.

Then here comes the best part.

I had to kiss him.

I reached his neck to just fake it but I saw Caleb staring at us right outside the glass door together with the girl he reserves. My pride, ego and anger prevails me. How dare he to appear with his girl!

Bahagya na pala akong napatigil ng malapit na ang mga labi namin.

"Just kiss me if you want. I know he is watching." Paul whispered before I immediately met his lips into mine.

The crowd went wild. Kahit ilang pagpapatahimik na ang giniwa ng mga judges. Kung kaya't sinabi niyang mababawasan ang lahat kapag walang tumahimik.

"See yah later, alli—Aray!"

Someone pulled my hair, it was Melee. She pulled me back to where Paul wa standing. Binitawan niya ako bago sinampal. "How dare you!"

"Me?! Anong ginawa ko?!"

"A hoe! How dare you flirt with my husband!"

Napatingin ako kay Paul na agad na nag-iwas ng tingin. I stared at him with contempt before slapping him real hard.

"Bakit kasalanan ko ha?" Bumaling ang tingin ko kay Melee. "You should've known what your so-called husband had told me. He is single, unaattached to anyone. What shock it is to me knowing he had a wife. We are victims here so it is him you should be beating."

"Veda." Hinawakan ni Paul ang kamay ko. "Let me ex—"

Sinampal ko ulit siya at agad na pinagbitaw ang kamay namin.

"There's no such thing as explanation if in the first place you've cheated. I'm out. We're so done."

Agad akong umalis ng stage and that is it. My last scene. Sina Paul at Melee na ang bahal doon. Sila naman talaga ang bida.

I was busy helping in organizing and cleaning things in the backstage that I just knew that our group's play ended already when the crowd cheered to them 'well done' dali-dali akong bumalik sa front kasama ang iba pang member ng group para sa huling pag bow.

We cleaned everything and leave the amphitheater for the next group from another section. Melee and I took a photo before Paul immediately went near us.

Nagmamadali akong lumapit nang mapansin ang pamumula ng pisngi niya.

"Ayos ka lang? I'm sorry, Paul."

"I'm fine mukhang matagal mo ng hugot ang linyang iyon eh."

"It hits close." I chuckled before it was interrupted by the man I hated to see.

"Veda, let's talk." Caleb held my hand. What a shame he is alone now.

"There's nothing that we should talk about. Bakit? Natamaan ka? Cheater." Agad kong pinagbitiw ang mga kamay namin pero agad niya naman akong hinila. Mabuti nalang ay humarang na si Paul.

"Insan, ayaw nga sabi ni Veda. Let her be."

I smiled before getting my things on the ground and leaving them two upstairs. I think that's what Paul wanted me to do so that Caleb can't follow me. And I thank him for that. So he was actually nice huh?