FABIENNE

HALOS MALAGLAG ang panga ko matapos basahin ang isang post sa SchoolBuzz. I knew this was coming! Kung wala akong matinding hinala kay Priscilla, 'di ko mase-sense ang kaniyang hidden agenda sa pagpilit niya sa 'min ni Colin na magmukhang intimate at sweet. Kaso nabuking ko agad siya. I smelled the stench of her scheme miles away.

Yet I fell for it. Mahirap siyang labanan lalo na't may basbas ni Direk ang bawat galaw niya. It's all for the play, it's all for the marketing and sales. Ano'ng laban ko ro'n? Magmumukha pa akong maarte at paimportante kung tututulan ko pa. Nai-imagine ko na ang headlines at captions sa posts. I'd be painted as the villain, and that would be a good scoop for our gossipmongering campus entertainment media.

Pero 'di ko puwedeng hayaan ang ganito. 'Di ko puwedeng pabayaan na maging powerless ako sa mga bagay na involved ako. I had to find a way to clarify stuff and come to Priam's defense lalo na't nag-start na ang impeachment trial. I had to be there for him.

"I'm sorry, Fabby, but we can't control the narrative spinned by our reporter friends," sabi ni Priscilla nang cinonfront ko siya kinabukasan sa labas ng auditorium. "These things take on a life of their own. It's not wise to try to restrain them. We're all for free speech, aren't we?"

Ang mga tsismis at maling akala ay parang apoy. Kapag hinayaang kumalat, tutupukin nito ang image at reputasyon ng sinumang sinilaban nito. That's why we had to do something about it!

"But can't we at least issue a statement?" tanong ni Colin. Mabuti't kasama ko rin siyang nagreklamo. There's strength in numbers kahit dalawa lang kami. Even he was uncomfortable with being publicly dragged into a fake love triangle scenario. "Let's clarify that Fab and I are just fellow theater actors playing our roles and that we have no romantic inclination toward each other?"

Nakapamaywang na humarap sa kaniya ang publicity manager namin. "Colin, have you read the comments on the post? Maraming kinikilig sa inyong dalawa. Maraming nagsasabing may chemistry kayo. I heard that even the director had claimed the same before. We're getting the result that we want for the play. It's working!"

"But not at the expense of—"

"So you wanna burst the bubble of romance that we've inadvertently conjured?" Priscilla cut him off. She even rolled her eyes. "Look here. Ang importante'y walang totoong cheating na nangyayari, okay? Let our audience's imagination run wild. That will get our numbers up. That will create the buzz that we desperately need."

"Okay lang ba na ganito ka-wild ang kanilang iniisip?" Ipinakita ko ang aking phone screen kung saan naka-display ang post ng Gotcha! account. "They're already insinuating that I'm cheating on my boyfriend with my fellow actor!"

"That's just for the clout." She waved her hand dismissively na parang sobrang small deal ng binring up ko. Palibhasa'y 'di sa kaniya nakatutok ang spotlight. "They know na maraming magre-react, magko-comment, magshi-share, at magki-click sa mga post kung saan dawit ka. Even the mere mention of your name is enough to attract attention. Gaya ng sinabi ko kanina, ang importante'y alam mong hindi 'yon totoo. The truth is all that matters."

"Not only my image, but also my character is in question here!" I argued habang nanginginig ang boses ko. "Alam natin kung gaano ka-wild ang imagination ng mga estudyante rito sa campus. They might start calling me names. They might even slutshame me for entertaining two guys at the same time, even if I'm not!"

I tried to remain composed. Masyado akong affected emotionally sa mga ganitong bagay lalo na't naranasan ko nang i-judge ng madla para sa isang bagay na 'di totoo. What Priscilla's allowing to happen was bringing back my trauma. I wouldn't wanna be on the receiving end of harsh words and judging looks again!

"Fab." Colin tapped me on the shoulder, somewhat calming me down.

"Let's just wait and observe," Priscilla said. "Some nonsense rumors will die on their own. Kapag pinatulan natin 'yan, posibleng mag-backfire pa sa 'yo at lalong matuon ang atensiyon ng mga estudyante sa relationship mo kay Colin. If the spark turns into a fire, we're gonna do something about it, okay?"

Mabagal akong tumango. But I didn't wanna trust her. Well, I couldn't trust her. Mas lalaki at kakalat ang apoy, mas pabor sa kaniya at sa kung anumang plano ni Alaric para sa 'kin. I kinda wished that I could tell Colin what's going on para aware siya at matulungan niya akong malusutan ang mga gimik ni Priscilla.

Wait. Maybe I could? As long as I wouldn't tell him about Oplan First Lady, everything would be fine. Wala akong lalabagin sa agreement namin ng USC. Maybe it would make things abit easier if I had another ally here.

"Colin," tawag ko pag-alis ng publicity manager namin. "It might seem crazy what I'm about to say."

"What is it, Fab?" Kumunot ang noo niya bago nagkrus ang kaniyang mga braso. "I'm listening."

"You know that I'm in a relationship with the USC president, right?" panimula ko. Mas mabuting bigyan ko siya ng background para madali niyang maintindihan. "Over the past few months, because of my thing with him and me landing the lead role, nagkaroon ako ng small following and clout—"

"You're being modest." Nginitian niya ako. "But go on."

My pale face must have blushed, the compliment almost distracting me. "'Di sa pag-o-overvalue ng influence ko, pero a part of me thinks that someone's trying to restrict me and my moves para 'di ko ma-defend ang boyfriend ko in public. He's in trouble right now and I wanna defend him, but..."

"You think that's Priscilla?"

I shook my head. Alam ko na kung sino, pero ayaw kong i-spoonfeed sa kaniya ang sagot. "I think Priscilla may just be a tool. Someone else is pulling the strings, you know. Someone more powerful and influential too."

Napahawak siya sa chin at nanliit ang mga mata niya. "Could it be Alaric Esteban, the chairperson of CBA-CSC?"

How did he know? Well, should I be surprised that he managed to piece it together? We're talking about Colin here. Matalas pa siya sa patalim na bagong hasa.

"He's currently the opposition leader and he has the most to benefit from the ongoing impeachment," he explained kahit 'di ko tinanong kung paano niya nalaman. "Isa pa, parehong taga-CBA sina Priscilla at Alaric. They may even know each other."

"Possible." Napakibit-balikat ako, kunwari'y 'di pa ako one hundred sure na siya nga. "I don't know why Priscilla will take part in his plan though, just in case you're right. Can he just order around anyone as long as they're from the same college?"

"How about revenge?"

Umangat ang isang kilay ko. Tama ba ang dinig ko? "Revenge?"

"Do you remember Candice Delavin, the USC presidential candidate who got disqualified even though she received the most number of votes? She's friends with Priscilla."

"T-Talaga?! Paano mo nalaman?"

"I did some research on Priscilla right after she was introduced to us. I got curious why she joined the theater prod as publicity manager a bit late. Then I came across that information."

Wow. Colin is really as sharp as I thought.

"Priam won the election because he got the second highest number of votes," dugtong niya. "Kung gusto ni Alaric na pabagsakin si Priam, hindi malayong tulungan siya ni Priscilla dahil sa kanilang koneksiyon kay Candace."

"So it's all about revenge, huh?" I muttered. Agad na sumagi sa isip ko si Castiel. He was almost synonymous to that word. I was dragged into his mess because he wanted to exact revenge on Alaric.

"But I don't understand why they have to involve you, in case I'm right about my hunch." Napayuko si Colin, mukhang napaisip na naman. "Gano'n ba sila ka-threatened sa influence mo kaya gusto nilang kontrolin ang mga galaw mo? Are they afraid that your voice might change the course of the trial?"

But it wasn't just about the impeachment. It was also about Priam's potential reelection campaign. Kung magsa-succeed ang Oplan First Lady at kung magiging asset ako sa pagtaas ng approval ratings niya, I'd be able to help him remain in power as USC president.

"So what do you plan to do?" tanong ni Colin habang nakatitig sa 'kin. "If Priscilla doesn't want us to issue clarifications or make any statements, it's going to be difficult for us to let everyone know the truth."

I shrugged. "I don't know exactly what to do, but I'll definitely find a way. I always do! I do hope na you will understand and support me."

"Of course, I will." Colin beamed at me. Having him on my side would make my situation much better. "Let me also think of a way. For now, enjoy the rest of the day with your boyfriend."

"Huh?"

Ngumuso siya sa likuran ko kaya napalingon ako ro'n. There I saw Priam approaching the two of us. Gaya ng nakasanayan, suot niya ang kaniyang kulay maroon blazer. Mukhang 'di pa siya gano'n ka-stressed sa mga nangyayari dahil fresh pa ang face niya at 'di pa malalim ang kaniyang eyebags.

"Mauna na ako sa inyo." Colin excused himself before greeting the president a good afternoon.

"Is something wrong?" Priam asked, following my co-actor with his gaze. "Parang ang seryoso ng usapan n'yo. Good afternoon, by the way."

"I told him my hunch that our publicity manager is intentionally restricting my movements to prevent me from coming to your defense. Mas mabuti nang aware siya. Baka matulungan niya rin ako," I explained bago lumingon sa kaniya. "Anyway, what's up? Nabasa ko 'yong articles tungkol sa first hearing at do'n sa rally. I hope everything's good."

"Still the same." He heaved a long sigh. Mukhang pareho kaming namomroblema. "We're preparing our defense for the next hearing since Castiel will be at the witness stand. How about you? Is someone bothering you because of that post?"

"What if there is someone?" I teased him. Naglakad na kami palayo ng auditorium. "Will you use your presidential powers to stop that person?"

"As long as my action is in accordance with our university rules and regulations," he replied with a smile. "I cannot do anything that is against the Constitution. I'm already being impeached for one. Ayaw ko nang dagdagan pa ang atraso ko."

"Ano ka ba? Joke lang." Marahan ko siyang siniko sa braso. "Thanks to what happened before, wala nang nagtatangkang i-judge ako. Some may be calling me names behind my back, but that's the least of my concerns right now. Mas worried ako sa 'yo."

"Don't worry about us. We did great in the first hearing. But judging by the current numbers—six to three—Valeria and I will likely be impeached."

I clapped my hands over my mouth. "So it's a done deal already? Matatanggal na kayo sa posisyon?"

Mariin siyang umiling. "Once the LEXECOM impeaches us, the student body will vote if they want to retain or oust us given the charges. We can keep our positions if the majority votes to retain us. Our fate is ultimately in the voters' hands."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Akala ko'y tanggal na sila agad sa puwesto. "I know we've been over this, pero 'di ba puwedeng ipaako n'yo kay Cas ang nangyari tutal sa kaniya rin galing ang idea? He's the reason why your council is in such a dilemma."

He shook his head. "Even if that is the truth, someone higher than him must take responsibility. Otherwise, he will only be seen as a scapegoat. The most logical person to take the blame is none other than me. Besides, I do not think the impeachment trial will cease even if Castiel takes the fall. They can continue it until they get the result that they want."

Yeah. Alaric was out for blood this time. Ang goal niya'y patumbahin si Priam at siguruhing 'di na makalalakad at makauusad pa si Castiel sa mga plano nito.

"Anyway, enough about the impeachment," Priam said. "How's your play coming along?"

"We're almost done with the rehearsals," tugon ko. "Mag-o-open kami at the same time as the campus fair. Perfect opportunity raw 'yon lalo na't maraming outsiders ang bibisita sa uni natin."

"We have been working behind the scenes about the fair." Sumulyap siya sa 'kin bago dumeretso ang tingin niya. "But we have been distracted for two weeks because of the impeach—Sorry, I brought it up again. Sinabi ko nang iwasan muna nating pag-usapan iyon."

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad kahit 'di namin alam kung saan kami pupunta. In some way, nae-enjoy ko ang conversations namin habang nag-i-stroll sa campus. I was so lucky with the fact that the USC president—the supposedly busiest student in the university—always made time for me. Some might say the same thing about me lalo na't sobrang busy rin namin sa theater.

"Where do you want to go?" Priam asked when he finally realized na wala pa kaming destinasyon. "Do you want to eat at the food hub or do something else?"

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at mabilis na nag-isip. Saan kaya kami puwedeng pumunta? "Both of us must be stressed with everything going on. What if mag-destress tayo this afternoon? Gusto kong ilabas 'yong inis at frustrations ko sa theater at sa buhay. Meron ba tayong puwedeng puntahan dito sa campus?"

One end of his lips curved. "I know a place."

Instead na dumeretso kami sa food hub o sa sports center, ni-lead ako ni Priam sa parking building. Saglit akong kinabahan dahil 'di niya sinabi kung ano'ng gagawin namin o saan kami pupunta ro'n. But I trusted him so well that I didn't repeatedly ask him about it. Sumakay kami sa kotse niya. Siyempre, sa driver's seat siya pumuwesto habang ako'y sa shotgun seat. We fastened our seat belts first and checked if we had left anything important behind bago siya nag-drive paalis ng campus at papunta sa mall.

We went to that place once—no'ng araw na na-meet niya sina Mama at Kuya—para magkaroon kami ng photos na magkasama sa labas ng university. This was gonna be the first time we'd go there not for the purpose of our pretend relationship, but for something more entertaining.

Guess kung sa'n niya ako dinala?

"I was considering archery, but that would require peace and concentration," Priam explained when I asked again. "Given how stressful and somewhat chaotic our situations are, this seems to be the better choice."

Matapos naming mag-park, nagtungo kami sa FunZone, ang arcade area ng mall. Bumili muna siya ng tokens bago kami tumuloy. 'Di sa dyina-judge ko siya, pero 'di ko in-expect na alam niya ang ganitong lugar. I'd always seen him as someone serious na puro aral at student council duties ang inaatupag kaya walang time para sa ganitong entertainment.

I'd been here before, no'ng kami pa ng ex-boyfriend ko—shocks, nagka-goosebumps ako sa cringe by just thinking about it!—dahil mahilig siyang maglaro ng basketball shooting game. I'd also sometimes go here kapag gusto naming mag-KTV ni Belle at ng iba naming classmates.

Priam went to a machine at the rear area. May clown dolls in three varying sizes—tatlong large, limang medium, at pitong small—na nakahilera sa tatlong row. He inserted two tokens into the slot. May mga bolang singlaki ng kamao na lumabas mula sa dispenser at tumapat sa harapan namin.

"W-What are we supposed to do here?" nagtataka kong tanong. Nakapunta na ako rito, pero never ko pang nilaro o nakitang nilaro ang game na 'to.

"Just aim and throw the balls at the clowns," he answered before hurling a ball at one of the three large dolls. Natamaan niya sa ulo 'yong isa kaya natumba. "You want to destress, right? Ito ang isa sa mga game para mailabas mo ang inis mo."

"So I'm just going to throw these?" Sinubukan kong bumato pero nagmintis ang unang tira ko. Ugh!

"Yes. But we need to hit as many dolls as possible before the timer hits zero. If we reach 500 points, we win the jackpot prize."

Pinanood ko muna siyang magbato. Sumeryoso ang mukha at bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata niya. Talagang inaasinta niya ang bawat tira. His next shot missed, but the third one hit a medium-sized target.

Kumuha na rin ako ng bola at sinimulang pagbabatuhin ang dolls. Nakailang mintis din ako. Sa panlima kong bola, in-imagine kong mukha ng ex ko ang nando'n. I'd already gotten over him, but not what he did to me more than a month ago. Saktong tumama sa mukha ang sunod kong tira. Sunod kong in-imagine ang mukha ni Priscilla na nagbigay ng stress sa 'kin magmula kagabi. Tumama rin ang tira ko!

Grabe! Effective pala kapag ang mga may atraso sa 'yo ang ini-imagine mong mukha ng target. Mas nakakapag-concentrate at nakapagpo-focus ang aim ko.

Oh, speaking of Priscilla.

"Wait," sabi ko kay Priam nang maubos na ang forty-five seconds namin. We only got 290 points, by the way. Inilabas ko ang aking phone at ipinosisyon kung saan kuha kaming dalawa sa frame. Nagtinginan muna kami. "Is it okay kung i-record ko ang game natin?"

"I don't mind." Mabagal siyang umiling. "Are you planning to post the video online? I hope the students won't mind if their president is having fun amidst the impeachment."

"Yehey!" I tapped the record button. Doon na in-insert ni Priam ang dalawang coins sa slot. Binigyan ulit kami ng mga bola, nagsitayo na ang clown dolls, at nagsimula na naman ang timer namin.

Compared sa una kong laro na puro hagis, mas tantiyado ko na ang bawat tira ko ngayon. Priam told me to focus on the smaller dolls while he'd focus on the bigger ones which could give us more points.

In-imagine kong mukha ni Castiel ang nasa maliliit na dolls kaya sunod-sunod kong napatumba ang mga 'yon. May ilang mintis, pero mas marami ang tumama. After almost a minute, Priam and I got 360 points! Sunod-sunod ang labas ng tickets, sobrang haba na nga.

I tapped the stop recording key and quickly went to my SchoolBuzz account. In-upload ko ro'n ang video namin habang nagbabato ng mga bola. The caption?

"What a perfect way to cap a stressful day!" with matching heart emoji.

"Are you sure it's okay to upload that video?" may pag-aalalang tanong ni Priam. Nakaposisyon na siyang maghulog pa ng tokens.

"Well, if you don't want me to, I won't," I replied with my thumb freezing mid-air, just an inch away from the publish key. "You're also in the video kaya iko-consider ko ang consent mo."

"Again, I do not mind really," muli niyang sagot sa 'kin. "I'm only concerned if you will get into any trouble by making that post. Also, it's your personal account. Wala akong right na diktahan ka sa dapat mong gawin."

Tap.

Video successfully uploaded.

"Done!" I exclaimed with a wide grin before pocketing my phone.

"Another round then?"

I rolled up my sleeves. "Sure! Bring it on, clowns!"

Na-appreciate ko ang concern ni Priam lalo na't nagiging controversial figure na siya dahil sa impeachment. Aware din siya sa warning sa 'kin ni Priscilla. Pero wala siyang dapat ikabahala. Why? Because I didn't say anything political or divisive. I also didn't give an official statement about the rumor. I just posted a video of us having fun and playing together with a harmless caption.

There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

♕

NEXT UPDATE: USC versus CSC chairpersons?