#NewClassicILIB

Chapter 5
Shortlisted

"Iced caramel macchiato and Java chip for Zendaya."

As soon as I heard my name being called by the barista, I quickly head straight to the counter to take my orders. I gave him the receipt and he put a stamp on it, before giving out the drinks.

"Enjoy, Zendaya." He flashed a bright smile on me.

"Thanks," I briefly said and walked away, holding the tray of drinks.

I returned to my seat earlier. Good thing there weren't a lot of people in this coffee shop. Usually, coffee shops around university belt were always packed with students. But I guessed because it was Sunday, only a few students, who were studying or meeting up to do group works, were in sight.

Before, I also used to go to coffee shops to study for its calm ambiance. However, it became overcrowded and rowdy. Eventually, I resorted going into the library. Though, sometimes, there weren't enough space―silence and peacefulness were still being maintained.

We decided to meet here because Dawn's condo was just around the vicinity―and my brother, coincidentally, had a meeting with a client in the mall nearby. Dawn told me that she was originally from Cavite. She had to rent a condo unit, so it'd be easier for her to go to school without worrying about travel time and transportation.

Ngayon ay katatapos lang ng group work niya at hinihintay ko siyang dumating. She said she was already on her way. I took the initiative to ask her what drink she wanted. Inorder ko na 'yon, lalo na't malapit na siyang makarating. I also ordered a slice of chocolate cake, which we could share on.

I didn't actually tell her the reason why I invited her out. She didn't ask me about it as well. She's a happy-go-lucky person, who tends to just go with the flow. As soon as I asked her to meet up with me, she just agreed without asking any question.

But the reason why I wanted to meet up with her was because of the fanclub for New Classic. Siya ang naisip kong kuhanin bilang katuwang ko sa pagmamanage ng page. May tiwala ako sa kanya. I just hoped that she would agree to it. But if she was also busy with her studies, then it's fine. I could totally relate to it, so I'd understand.

However, I really did hope she would take the position. If she would take it, I only had to look for one more admin. Then, it'd be much easier for me.

"Zendaya!"

Just in time, Dawn finally arrived, while carrying her laptop in her arms. She was also wearing a specs, which I didn't expect from her. Noong nagkita kami sa fansign event at sa mall tour ay hindi naman siya nakasalamin.

"Sorry!" she immediately apologized, once she reached our table. "Did I make you wait for too long?"

Agad akong umiling habang nakangiti sa kanya. "Ayos lang," sabi ko. "Hindi naman ako matagal naghintay."

I arrived twenty minutes earlier, but it was fine with me. I was used to hanging out alone, especially when Jerlyn and I were separated. I had acquaintances, but I was satisfied having no company. I could do whatever I want to do. Minsan lang ako nakikisabay sa mga naging kaibigan ko kapag natipuhan ko o kapag hindi ko matanggihan ang pag-aaya nila.

I'm that really social. Just like my brother, I'm more of an introvert type.

"Ito ba ang inumin ko?" Tinuro niya ang inumin na binili ko para sa kanya nang makaupo na siya. "Inom muna ako, ah? Hiningal ako."

Dawn immediately sipped on her frappe. The expression of relief on her face appeared just right after she took a drink.

Seeing how carefree she was, I couldn't help but to chuckle. At the same time, I was amazed because she didn't experience any brain freeze. But I guessed that was how thirsty she was.

"Okay na..." sabi niya saka nahihiyang ngumiti sa akin. "Oh, wait! I'll pay you..."

Akmang bubunot na siya ng wallet nang pinigilan ko siya. "No need," sabi ko. "Libre ko na 'yan. Ako naman ang nag-aya sa 'yong lumabas."

"Ganoon ba?" Nagliwanag ang kanyang mga mata. "Sige! Sabi mo, e!" Mabilis niyang tinago ulit ang kanyang wallet sa loob ng kanyang bag. "Pero sa susunod na magkikita tayo, ako naman ang manlilibre, ah?"

Smiling, I nodded my head.

"Right! What happened during your meeting with New Classic's manager?" She sounded so excited. "Did you see them at Top Star?"

"I didn't see them, but uhm, I already talked to their manager about the fanclub," I told her. "Actually, iyon ang dahilan kung bakit gusto kitang makita at makausap ngayon ng personal."

Her eyes squinted a bit. "What do you mean?"

"Uhm, they actually appointed me as New Classic's fanclub President..." I admitted, slightly hesitating.

Though, I was very committed to support the band, I still couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for taking the position. There was this feeling like someone out there must be even more deserving to be the head of the official fanclub, instead of me.

It was obvious that the management approached me because among all the fanbase account dedicated to New Classic, the account I created had the highest number of followers and interactions from fans. But it was possible that a smaller account was more dedicated to the boys than I was.

Nonetheless, I was still thankful for the rare opportunity. It only set fire to my kindling passion for New Classic. I wanted to do better as their fan. I'd make sure that they wouldn't feel like they were lacking support from their fans. I'd be louder and prouder.

"OMG!" Dawn was filled with enthusiasm and excitement that she even reached for my hand and held it tight. "You did it, Zendaya! I'm so happy for you! You deserve it!"

Hearing her saying that I deserved it, my lips parted. Warmth spread all over my chest. The dark clouds of doubt, which were clouding my mind, vanished and turned into clear blue skies.

"Y-you really think I deserve it?" I asked her, a bit stuttering.

"Of course!" she answered without any hesitation, before releasing my hand from her hold. "You started the account just to support the boys without any hidden agenda. Kita naman sa mga posts at updates mo kung gaano ka naglaan ng oras para sa kanila. Of course, you deserve it."

Feeling comforted with those words, which lifted up my self-esteem, I smiled.

"Pero ano naman ang kinalaman ko roon?" nagtataka niyang tanong at nakakunot na ngayon ang kanyang noo.

"Actually, even before I was offered this opportunity, I already planned to get two admins to help me handle the account, once I reached fifty thousand followers," I told her. "Ang sabi sa aking ng management ay mas maganda ngang may katulong ako, lalo na't madami akong magiging responsibilidad sa fanclub. I thought of you... I hope we can do this together, Dawn, if it's okay with you..."

Nang muli akong mag-angat ng tingin kay Dawn ay hindi na maipinta ang kanyang mukha sa sobrang kasiyahan. The corners of her lips almost reached her eyes because of her wide smile.

"Seryoso ka ba, Zendaya?" paninigurado niya sa akin.

Pursing my lips, I nodded my head. "Yes..."

"OMG!" Hindi na niya mapigilan ang pagtili. Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin upang yakapin ako. "Thank you so much, Zendaya! Promise, hindi kita bibiguin! Thank you! Thank you! I'd be honored!"

I breathed a sigh of relief when Dawn finally accepted the offer to be one of the admins. I walked her over the conversation I had with Mr. Joel. Dawn was very much invested to her new responsibility. She even opened her laptop to take down notes.

When she started sharing what she had in mind for our possible future fan projects, I realized that I didn't make a mistake of asking her to handle the account with me. She had fresh and interesting suggestions, which we put on our idea bank, so that we could go over it again when needed.

I also told her about the upcoming fan gathering that we would be in charge with. Mr. Joel said that he would message me again for a meeting with the organizer they would hire to help us make it a success.

Actually, I had no problem with organizing an event. It was my mother's expertise. She organized birthdays and weddings of famous individuals here in the country. She was known to this field. I could ask some help or advice from her.

Pagkatapos naming mag-usap ay sinundo na ako ni Kuya Zedrick. We ate early dinner before going home, because my mother's in the event she organized, while my father's on a business trip in Iloilo for a week.

My mother actually didn't bought his reason why he had to go to Iloilo for a week. Her assumption was he was going on a vacation with his mistress. They fought before letting my father go.

Ilang taon na ang nagdaan, pero hindi pa rin sila nagkakalinawan na dalawa. But as time passed by, my mother was starting to become passive. Minsan na lang niya kinukumpronta si daddy. Madalas ay ipinagwawalang-bahala niya na lang.

Before I even get drowned in loneliness by thinking about the tragic situation of my parents, I shrugged my shoulders and put my earphones on. Like always, whenever I was falling deeper into my excruciating thoughts, I would block the outside noise and listen to Smile on repeat.

Inayos ko na lang ang form na napag-usapan naming dalawa ni Dawn para i-post sa aming Twitter account. We would accept at least one hundred responses from those who wanted to apply as one of the admins.

I asked questions related to their passion and love for New Classic and their songs. I wanted to know what they could offer for the band. I wanted to see their sincerity and dedication.

Mabilis naming nakuha ang target number of responses namin. Kung sakaling wala kaming mapili sa mga shortlisted ay i-oopen namin ulit ang form.

For a week, Dawn and I reviewed the responses. Pumili kami nang tig-tatlo na ilalagay sa shortlist. Ang mga nakapasok sa shortlist ay aking iinterviewhin isa-isa. I was frustrated because most of them obviously just wanted to get closer to the band―the reason why they wanted to be a part of New Classic PH. Alam kong hindi naman 'yon maiiwasan. Who wouldn't want to meet them, right? But those reasons were half-hearted for me. Naisip ko tuloy na nagkamali kami sa pagpili ng mga shortlisted applicants.

We only had one candidate left for the interview. Since the first five failed, I had no expectations left for the last shortlisted applicant.

@NewClassicPH:
Hi! Aya, right?

Her icon was the album cover of Kaleidoscope. It was a fangirl account dedicated to New Classic.

@ayalovesmusic:
Yes.

Ngumuso ako dahil sa matipid niyang pagreply. She was different from the past applicants that I interviewed a while ago, who all were so ecstatic.

@NewClassicPH:
Are you ready for the interview?

@ayalovesmusic:
Yup.

I cocked my head on one side. She was showing no enthusiasm about being shortlisted and having a chance to be one of the admins.

@NewClassicPH:
First, you're the only one who didn't give your full name. Is it all right if we ask for it?

@ayalovesmusic:
Is it necessary for me to give out my full name?

@NewClassicPH:
Uh, no. Not really.

@ayalovesmusic:
Then, Aya it is.

Biting my lower lip, I already didn't like the vibe I was getting from her. I had no problem, if she wanted to protect her privacy, but the way she answered was off me.

I didn't want to judge her, but it seemed like she was a bit rude or she had attitude problem. We didn't want that on our team. Medyo nakakapanghinayang lang dahil ako ang pumili sa kanya. Magaganda ang mga naging sagot niya sa form. She was very eloquent, and I could see her passion for music and the band.

@NewClassicPH:
Okay, Aya, may I know the reason why you want to join the New Classic PH?

@ayalovesmusic:
I simply love their music.

@NewClassicPH:
Okay. But don't you want to see your bias? Who's your bias, by the way?

Sa tanong na 'yan ko nadali ang mga ininterview ko kanina. They put too much flattery on their words, making it so obvious that they just really wanted to use the position to see their idols.

@ayalovesmusic:
I have no bias.

Napakunot ang aking noo sa kanyang naging sagot. I didn't believe it at first.

@NewClassicPH:
You have no bias?

@ayalovesmusic:
Yes. I just love the band in general, and their music.

My lips parted. That was what I meant when I read her answers on the form. Her passion for the music that New Classic created was overpowering.

@ayalovesmusic:
Do I need to have a bias?

Mabilis akong nagtipa ng aking isasagot sa kanya.

@NewClassicPH:
Of course, not. It's not required. I was just surprised. It's very unusual, I would say.

Bakit pakiramdam ko ay ako ang naisalang sa tanungan kaysa sa kanya? She was making me feel slightly fidgety. It felt like she put me on a hot seat.

@ayalovesmusic:
Okay. Is that all?

Muli kong kinagat ang aking pang-ibabang labi.

@NewClassicPH:
No, uhm, may I ask if what's your favorite song of New Classic?

@ayalovesmusic:
Smile.

My heart boomed, when she answered Smile. Knots were starting to form inside my stomach.

@NewClassicPH:
Why do you like Smile?

@ayalovesmusic:
Because I love how it can make someone smile.

An overwhelming affection flooded within me. It welled up in my heart that my mind went blank. I could see myself in her. It felt like we were somehow connected.

I read her answer for a hundred times, until she sent me another message.

@ayalovesmusic:
Are you still there?

@ayalovesmusic:
Are we done now?

I forcefully pushed down the heavy feelings off my chest and typed down my reply.

@NewClassicPH:
No, that's all. And welcome to New Classic PH. I'm really looking forward into supporting New Classic with you!

Yes, I would accept her as the admin. She was different from the other girls. I could tell that she didn't apply for her own selfish reasons. She did it because of her love for music and the band―very similar to mine.

@ayalovesmusic:
So, you mean to say―I passed?

While typing the confirmation she needed, I smiled. Sa tingin ko ay nakakapa ko na ang kanyang ugali. Kung kanina ay naiinis ako, ngayon ay medyo naiintindihan ko na siya.

@NewClassicPH:
Yup! Welcome to the team, Aya!