FABIENNE

NAGSISIMULA PA lang ang araw ko, sirang-sira na agad. Sayang, maganda pa naman ang gising ko. Dealing with Priscilla and her promotional stunts was already a chore. Imagine kung may isa pang magbibigay ng stress at sakit ng ulo sa 'kin. Take a guess who.

It's Alaric Esteban.

Today, Colin and I were scheduled to appear as guests on a local television's morning show. Dahil kami ang lead actors ng Romeo and Juliet, kami rin ang mukha nito. Our promotional efforts wouldn't stop at campus press interviews. Kailangan din naming mag-reach out sa iba't ibang channels para mas lumawak ang reach namin at makakuha kami ng mas maraming audience. My past interview with the local press was part of it. But we needed to do more.

Priscilla's presence was a given. Siya ang publicity manager kaya trabaho niyang i-supervise kami sa engagement na 'to. In a sense, she was our talent manager. But Alaric? I had no freaking idea why he was inside the van waiting for us on campus. Parang pagmamay-ari pa nga niya ang sasakyan dahil solo niya ang middle row, 'tapos nakakrus pa ang kaniyang mga binti.

"May problema ba, Fab?" tanong ni Colin nang bigla akong huminto pagtapak ko sa loob ng van. "May nakalimutan ka ba o gustong balikan?"

"No, I'm fine." Umiling ako bago tumuloy sa loob. Sa seat sa may likuran ni Alaric ako umupo. Ayaw ko siyang makatabi. Wala siyang nakahahawang skin disease o kahit anong sakit, pero mas mabuti nang dumistansya ako sa kaniya. Maybe if there was no vacant seat, masisikmura ko pang makatabi siya.

Siyempre, umupo sa tabi ko si Colin. Pareho naming suot ang aming school uniform na may kasamang official lanyard. Strict instruction sa 'min na ganito ang attire para ma-promote din ang university namin. Sunod na pumasok si Priscilla na siyang nagsara ng pinto ng van. Napaka-gentleman ni Alaric. He could've shut the door close, pero mas pinili niyang mag-chill sa kaniyang kinauupuan.

"Fabby, Colin, have you met Alaric Esteban?" Priscilla motioned to the guy in the row before us. "He's the chairperson of the CBA student council."

"I haven't had the pleasure," sagot ni Colin sabay iling ng ulo.

"I've met him before." I looked at him through the rearview mirror. His blond hair, his annoying smirk. Umangat ang mga mata niya at nagtagpo ang tingin namin sa salamin. "During the team building for CSC officers. I'm sure he remembers because we had a fun game of spin the bottle."

Where he asked me to kiss him on the lips! Biglang nanindig ang mga balahibo ko. I rubbed my arms with my palms to fight off the goosebumps. That's so gross! Back then, I was thankful to Castiel for stepping in and saving me from that disgusting situation. Pero ngayo'y nangingilabot na rin ako kapag magkasama sa iisang sentence ang pangalan niya at ang phrase na thank you. If I were to thank him now, baka mabara sa lalamunan ko ang salitang 'yon.

"That's good to hear! At least, familiar na kayo sa isa't isa."

"No offense, but I'm wondering why he's with us today," deretso kong tanong. Tumingin muna ako sa publicity manager namin bago sumulyap sa unexpected naming kasama. "Bago ba siyang member ng production natin? Is he part of the publicity team?"

"Don't worry, I take no offense," Alaric beat Priscilla to the punch. He glanced at me over his right shoulder. "My family is a close friend of Clark Community TV's owner. I'm only here to send my family's regards and to make proper introductions."

Family friend? Nabanggit na sa 'kin ni Priam no'n na influential ang family ni Alaric—ang driver na nakabangga kay Castiel at ang dahilan kung bakit may problema ang isang binti niya at na-coma ang kaniyang nakababatang kapatid. This Clark Community TV must be one of the media networks na piniling magbulag-bulagan at 'wag i-report ang aksidenteng kinasangkutan nina Castiel at Alaric. Ugh. 'Di na ako magtataka kung bakit may mga taong duda sa credibility ng media.

"Are you in any way related to the chancellor?" Colin asked out of the blue.

C-Chancellor? Agad na nabaling ang tingin ko sa kaniya. As in Elysian University's chancellor?

Alaric gave him the side-eye. Priscilla glanced at Colin, then at the person being questioned.

"Your surname is originally Eliseo, right? Same with Dr. Aldous Eliseo," dagdag ni Colin nang nagpatuloy ang katahimikan sa van. "For some reason, you've decided to use your middle name instead."

Alaric puffed a sigh and shut his eyes for a second. So totoo nga? "There's no point in denying it. I don't go around telling everyone about our relationship, so please keep this information between the four of us. It's better that way."

Napasulyap ako kay Priscilla na walang pagbabago sa facial expression niya. She must have known all along.

Umandar na ang van at lumabas na ng campus. Natulala ako sa dinaanan namin—mula sa mga sasakyang nakasabay namin hanggang sa buildings at establishments sa tabi. Everything was starting to make sense now.

The influential family that Priam once mentioned to me.

Ang kanilang connection sa media at iba pang sektor sa city na kayang i-suppress ang isang balita.

Ang generous benefactor ni Castiel na nag-sponsor sa kaniyang stay sa university apartments.

Parang mga tuldok 'yon na sa una'y magkakalayo pero biglang nag-connect sa isipan ko. Kaya pala malakas ang loob ng Alaric na 'to kasi malakas ang kapit niya. Ayaw kong mag-judge, but he probably grew up as a spoiled brat. He could do whatever he wanted, and he wouldn't be punished for it. Kung paparusahan man siya, it would only be a slap on the wrist. Gano'n siguro katindi ang family niya.

I wonder how Colin figured that out. Malamang 'yon ay 'di isang well guarded secret na madaling malalaman kung magtitiyagang mag-research. But not everyone had the time and curiosity to dig deep. Dahil Esteban ang gamit na surname ni Alaric, 'di siya agad mako-connect sa pamilya Eliseo.

Nakatatakot ang curiosity ng stage partner ko. Muntik na rin niya akong mabuking na nagsisinungaling no'ng nagsisimula pa lang ang Oplan First Lady.

"Don't you want to join Fabby and Colin in the interview?" Priscilla asked our unwelcome companion. "Madali namang i-arrange 'yon lalo na't close na kami ng producer at close kayo ng owner."

"What am I supposed to say or do there?" Alaric's tone was uninterested. Nakapangalumbaba siya sa bintana ng van, pinanonood din ang paglagpas namin sa ibang sasakyan.

"Maybe you can promote the campus fair? Since you're, you know, the grandson of the chancellor."

"I will leave that daunting task in the capable hands of our USC."

"Well, if you had only impeached Priam and Valeria, and fired up your party's supporters, you would have been the USC president by now."

Awtomatikong nagbato ako ng tingin sa publicity manager namin. What a bold thing to say! She was busy reading the program flow when she noticed the awkward silence that followed. Umangat ang tingin niya sa 'min bago nabaling sa 'kin.

"Oh, sorry about that!" She tried to laugh it off, looking a bit apologetic. "I almost forgot na kasama pala natin ang First Lady. I shouldn't speak ill of the president in your presence."

"Nah, it's okay!" I made a dismissive wave. Not a big deal. "Yam supports free speech kaya feel free to say what you want about him. He won't mind. Sanay na siyang makarinig ng negative feedback."

Alam ko ring ayaw na ayaw niya kay Priam kaya 'di na ako nagulat sa attitude niya pagdating sa USC. She made it clear to me by calling them usurpers.

"But I just stated a fact, right?" Priscilla went on. "If they were impeached, Alaric would have assumed the presidency since he's next in the line of succession. Honestly, you could have easily clinched it... if only you desired it so badly."

"Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war." Alaric gave her a side-glance. "Besides, Valeria had already taken responsibility for what happened. If we kept going with the impeachment, we would have been perceived as the bullies."

Wow! 'Di pa ba niya binu-bully ang USC niyan?

"Speaking of the ex-vice president..." Lumingon sa 'kin si Priscilla, sabay na umaangat ang mga kilay. "Do you have any scoop for us about who the next VP might be?"

"Who knows?" I stretched my lips into a smile. "'Di namin masyadong pinag-uusapan ni Yam ang mga ganyang bagay kapag magkasama kami."

Even if Priam told me, I would never tell her, lalo na't nandiyan si Alaric.

"But I read from The Herald's survey that you're the crowd favorite," Colin joined the conversation. Ang akala ko'y ako ang kausap o tinutukoy niya. Si Alaric pala. "You and Priam are going to be an odd combination."

"Students are clamoring for unity," Alaric replied. "The impeachment was too divisive. Now, it's right behind us. Now is also the time to come together. Some students will probably say the same when asked."

"Speaking of that survey, you're the third favorite to take the VP spot," sabi ni Priscilla sa 'kin. "Nineteen percent of nine hundred respondents is quite a big number."

Sandali kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata. Since that survey came out, I'd been dismissing that ridiculous idea. May mga kasama nga ako sa theater na inuudyok akong tanggapin sakaling i-offer sa 'kin ang posisyon. Hello? Natsa-challenge na nga ako sa acting, dadagdagan ko pa ba ang sakit ng ulo ko? Ayaw kong pumasok sa politics. Ayaw kong maging katulad ng mga artista na pasok sa survey, 'tapos eventually magiging senador o congressman. I'd only be ridiculed.

"That nineteen percent probably answered my name just for fun!" natatawa kong tugon. "Baka gusto nila ang idea na magkasama sa USC ang president at ang First Lady. But that's not gonna happen! Not in a million years!"

"But the First Lady as the VP? That sounds like a compelling story."

Since we were still on this topic, may idea na biglang sumagi sa isip ko. We had nothing better to do or talk about anyway until we reached the television station, so I might as well make good use of our time.

"If Yam will offer you the vice presidency, will you take it?" Ibinato ko ang tanong kay Alaric. Natuon sa 'kin ang atensiyon nina Colin at Priscilla. "Gusto ng ilang estudyante na ikaw ang piliin na VP, 'di ba? Pero ikaw, gusto mo ba?"

"That will make things a bit complicated," komento ni Colin. "Parang ang awkward kung i-a-appoint ni Priam ang taong nagtangkang patalsikin siya sa puwesto."

Natawa si Alaric bago umiling. Wala namang nakatatawa sa sinabi ko, ah? "Priam will never offer me the vice presidency. To quote you, not in a million years. Some of his officers won't allow it. I have better luck at winning the lottery than being offered that position."

He must be referring to Castiel. Well, he's right. Never papayagan ng lalaking 'yon na maging VP ang mortal niyang kaaway. Mas may chance pang bumalik ang normal niyang paglalakad kaysa hayaan niya si Priam na ialok ang vice presidency kay Alaric.

But teasing this guy for a bit won't hurt, right?

"I can put in a good word for you, if you badly want it," sabi ko sa kaniya. "Yam listens to me and to the student body, too! Kung may clamor para ikaw ang gawing VP, malamang pakikinggan niya kahit na tutol ang kaniyang advisers sa idea."

"I appreciate the gesture, but no thanks," sagot ni Alaric. "I will consider it a miracle if he ever seriously considers me."

'Di siya nagpapa-hard to get. He didn't want the vice presidency. He wanted the presidency itself.

Makalipas ang mahigit fifteen minutes, nakarating na kami sa compound ng Clark Community Television Network. Pinark muna ng driver ang van sa designated parking space bago kami bumaba. May babaeng staffer na sumalubong at bumati sa 'min sa building entrance. She then escorted us to the dressing room. Pinaupo muna kami at pinaghintay.

"Colin?" mahina kong tawag sa theater partner ko. This was the perfect chance to ask him the question na kanina pang nasa isipan ko. "How did you know about Alaric's connection with the chancellor?"

"When you shared your theory about someone wanting to restrict your moves a few weeks ago, I did research on him," bulong niya pabalik sa 'kin. "That's how I found out about his family. Hindi ko nga in-expect ang rabbit hole na pinasukan ko."

After waiting for five minutes, pumasok sa dressing room ang isang middle-aged na lalaking nakasuot ng coat and tie. May salamin din siya na may makapal ang frame. Alaric stood to greet and shook hands with him.

"'Ric! It's been a while!" bati ng lalaking in-assume kong station manager. "How are you? How's Sir Aldous?"

"I'm doing great, Tito," sagot ni Alaric. 'Ric pala ang nickname niya. "Lolo is also doing great. He sends his regards, by the way. How are you po?"

"We're quite busy with the reorganization at the station. Kailangan naming mag-adapt sa panahon. We can't be stuck in the past forever."

"By the way, Tito, I want to introduce my colleagues from Elysian University." Alaric stepped aside and motioned to us. "Meet Priscilla Mercado, our theater's publicity manager, and the lead actors of our upcoming play, Fabienne Lucero and Colin Duran. Guys, meet Sir Noriel Regala, the station manager."

"Wow, ah!" Isa-isa kaming binati at kinamayan ni Sir Noriel. Sobrang lawak ng ngiting nakapinta sa mga labi niya. "Talagang artistahin ang mga artista n'yo!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir!" bati kong may kasamang malawak na ngiti.

"Great to meet you, sir," mahinahong bati naman ni Colin.

"The pleasure is all ours!" Sir Noriel replied. "We're always honored to partner with Elysian University. When your OUR reached out to us, we immediately said yes and cleared our schedule this morning."

I sometimes watched news programs on CCTV's channel. Minsa'y pinalalabas do'n ang ads ng university namin, maging ang promotion ng aming campus events.

"We still have an hour before your segment, so please sit back and feel at home," Sir Noriel said after checking the time. "The makeup artists will be here shortly to retouch your pretty and handsome faces."

Nagpaalam na siya sa 'min at lumabas ng dressing room. Mayamaya'y dumating na rin ang mga taong mag-aayos sa 'min. Being on stage and being on a television screen were a bit different, kaya hinayaan namin silang gawin ang kanilang magic sa mga itsura namin. I asked my makeup artist not to overdo it.

"Good morning, Elysians!" bati ni Priscilla habang kumakaway sa camera ng phone niya. Sabay kaming nalingon ni Colin sa kaniya. She went live on SchoolBuzz. "I'm Priscilla Mercado, the publicity manager of our Repertory Theater. Here with me are the stars of our upcoming show Romeo and Juliet."

"Hi there!" Kumaway ako nang itutok niya sa 'kin ang camera. Kumaway rin si Colin nang natapat 'yon sa kaniya. Ano ba 'yan! Dapat binigyan niya muna kami ng heads up para at least nakapag-mentally prepare kami.

"Catch our theater royalties on CCTV's channel in probably thirty minutes!"

After half an hour, pinag-standby na kami sa studio. This wasn't my first time being in one, pero nakaka-amaze pa rin ang setup dito. Tatlong camera ang nakaposisyon sa magkakaibang anggulo—isa sa gitna, isa sa kaliwa, at isa sa kanan. May wires and cables sa sahig na kailangang iwasan. May isang babaeng nakasuot ng headset ang nagmumuwestra sa mga kasama niya. Naka-standby ang isang dosenang crew at ang ila'y patakbo-takbo habang may hawak na mga papel.

Pinangkuha kami ng mga upuan sa area malapit sa left camera kung saan wala masyadong dumaraanan. Sobrang lapit namin sa set! Nakaupo ang dalawang host sa couch habang nagde-deliver ng balita. Umupo ang mga kasama ko habang naghihintay sa turn namin. Dahil kanina pa ako nakaupo, naisipan kong tumayo at lumapit nang kaunti sa cameraman. Nakasunod ang camera niya sa bawat galaw ng hosts.

"Were you serious when you said you would put in a good word for me to Priam?"

My shoulders jerked when I heard Alaric's voice behind me. Napahawak ako sa dibdib. Gusto ba niyang atakihin ako sa puso? 'Di siya dapat basta-basta sumusulpot kung saan-saan!

"Or were you just messing with me earlier?" he added.

"I can try, but I can't guarantee na susundin niya ang suggestion ko," sagot ko sabay sulyap sa kaniya. Halos magkasingtangkad sila ni Priam kaya tumingala ako nang kaunti. "Pero ayaw mo yata, eh."

"You do know that I could have been the USC president now if I wanted to," he reminded me. Naging seryoso ang kaniyang boses at naging malamig ang tingin niya. "There would then be no need for Priam to offer me the VP slot or for you to make a recommendation... if you were serious about it."

"Pero 'di mo itinuloy kaya CSC chairperson ka pa rin ngayon." Nagkrus ang mga braso ko. He could use his height and posture to intimidate me, pero 'di ako basta-basta magpapatinag sa kaniya. "Takot ka bang i-retain instead na i-oust ng student body si Yam kaya mas pinili mong umurong? Takot ka ba sa possibility na mabaligtad nina Yam at Castiel ang sitwasyon?"

"If I'm going to be honest? I'm more concerned about you than the two of them combined." Alaric stared down at me. "You can easily sway people's opinion with your words and gestures. That makes you a valuable asset to them. Their secret weapon."

"Kaya ba sinubukan mong busalan ang bibig ko at limitahan ang mga galaw ko gamit si Priscilla?" 'Di ko siya nilubayan ng titig. "Oh, don't pretend it's not part of your scheme. You considered me a threat kaya mo ginawa 'yon."

"You are indeed a threat," he confirmed. "Like in chess, the queen is the most powerful and most dangerous piece."

"You tried to silence me. You even tried to ruin my image." 'Di na ako nakapagtimpi. Kapag naaalala ko ang ginawa ni Mitch-hell sa 'kin, halos bumaon ang mga kuko ko sa aking palad. "None of it worked. Maybe it's time to give up or rethink your life choices."

"You're right. Maybe I'm approaching this problem in the wrong way."

Nagkatitigan kaming dalawa, wala ni isa sa 'min ang gustong kumalas. Talagang ayaw pa niya akong lubayan, ah?

"Fabby, Colin! Stand by in five," anunsiyo ni Priscilla paglapit sa 'kin. "After ng segment na 'yan, puwede na kayong pumasok sa set. Your segment will be right after the commercial break."

"You will be hearing from me soon," bulong ni Alaric sa tainga ko. Akala ko'y hahalikan niya ako kaya muntik ko na siyang masampal. "Maybe you should also rethink your choices."

He returned to his seat and crossed his leg. Did he just threaten me?

"Is something wrong?" agad na tanong ni Colin sabay lingon kay Alaric. "May sinabi ba siya sa 'yo na 'di maganda?"

Marahan akong umiling bago siya nginitian. "He just wished us good luck." My partner didn't need to know about it. This wasn't his problem to begin with.

Pinapasok na kami sa set at pinaupo sa couch na katapat ng inuupuan ng hosts. Nagkaroon muna kami ng small talk habang hinihintay na matapos ang commercial break. Pasulyap-sulyap sa 'kin si Colin at nagtatanong kung okay lang ba ako. Did I look a bit shaken? Tumango at ngumiti ako sa kaniya. Nang patapos na ang break, sinenyasan na kaming mag-standby.

Wala akong ideya sa pinaplano ni Alaric. Paniguradong sakit ng ulo na naman. For now, I would focus my attention on the interview.

♕

NEXT UPDATE: Priam is set to name his new vice president. Who is it gonna be?