Chapter 46

Late

"Aren't you done yet, dear?" Mom asked, checking me on my room. Tinatapos ko na lamang ayusin ang buhok ko, she find me struggling how to quipped my short hair and she enters my room initiate to do my hair. I'm happy when she does this to me, its like going back to my old self where she do all the things for me and now that I'm hitting the legal age. I will miss that but that won't be gone, hinding-hindi ko aalisin iyon. "Bakit mo naman kasi naisipang gupitan ang buhok mo, Alex?" She confusedly asked.

Napakibit-balikat na lang din naman ako, "I don't know, I think just for a change?"

"You know what, dear, I have been hearing news about cutting to shorts hair—broken heart daw?" I can hint a smile on her face, she's trying to caught me.

"Mom, I know what you're doing, stop it."

She giggles, "I just miss your blonde hair, Alex. What in the world you dyed it back to black?"

I sighed, "you know what happened Mom, and I couldn't just have it back to blonde again. My hair were exhausted from so much chemicals and hair color. Mas mabuti sigurong manatili muna sa kulay na ito... well my normal hair color." I chuckles and look Mom at the reflection on the mirror.

She's enjoying brushing my bobby-hair, that's what I'm calling it anyway. She ask me to reach the hairspray and sprinkle it in some parts of my hair to make it steady. When it's all done, she asked for a selfie. Natawa pa ako dahil bigla-biglang humihirit si Mommy nang gano'n but she's serious though and I immediately unlocked my phone and click the camera icon.

Moments after, Father came into the room and saw the both of us laughing over our epic photos. He pouted like a child and wanted to join the ride. Nang ipakita naman namin sa kanya ang pictures namin ni Mom ay agad siyang nagtampo. Nagtaka kami bigla dahil bigla-bigla kami nitong tinalikuran but Mom giggles along to the thought that he wanted to join the selfies too. So we immediately grab him and took a numerous photos as he wasn't prepared to smile though. And the photos ended so hilarious but for formality we still got to have our descent ones.

"Are we ready to leave?" Dad asked.

Mom and I agreed and together left my room. Before leaving the house, my parents check once everything inside our house and when everythings okay, we're good to go. I hopped on our car and my parents are upfront. Dad started the engine and drive ourway to Savvy.

Tonight's the first show of the Savvy's Drama Club and I'm overly excited how they possessed so much efforts and hardworks to give the audience a wonderful play. Though they have a lot of adjustments when Mia were suspended and couldn't be in the club and practice for her role and I think, Kianna—the girl who rushed to Philippe everytime, was the replacement.

"Will Korg attend?" Mom asked.

I nodded, "yes, that's what he said but he wasn't replying into any of my messages. He has his ticket, so whatever he wants."

"I'm so happy you're happy with him, dear." Mom said.

"Mom," I stopped her from teasing me. "That's so cringy to hear."

Dad laughed, Mom second a motion. "I think you're Mom just saying, you grow—evolve just like what you answered on the competition," he added. "You were like this Alex before who doesn't go out, hesitations to build up friendships, afraid of commitments... and now, when we look at you. It is just, we're seeing a different Alex but the same-old same-old Alex. It is hard to explain, but we're proud that you've become the person who didn't you expected to be..."

"I've come a long way, Dad..."

He look at me on the rearview mirror and smiles, "we didn't fail to raise you."

"Well... you are the best parents!" I cheered, "thank you... I love you."

"I love you Alex—dear." They said in chorus.

The heart warming ride goes into more of relevant heartful relationship. Dad played a song on the radio and it keeps us banging our head. Hindi ko maialas ang ngiti sa labi ko. I couldn't ask for more and I think I'm having the best moments of my life.

It doesn't took long when we reach Savvy International School. Kasabay nang pagpasok namin sa parking lot ang ibang manonood din for the play. For every students, faculties and parents always look up to the Drama Club every year as it is showcase not only the acting skills of the student but how they possessed their creativity, leadership and pride to give everyone a good show.

Papunta na kami sa auditorium ng Savvy which will be the show happen. Huminto pa ako sa entrance, panay din ang baling ko sa phone dahil inaabngan ko ang pag-reply ni Korg sa akin. I even send Gell a message at ang sbai na lamang nito sa akin ay hindi niya alam. Kanina pa daw tanghali umalis si Korg at wala siyang ideya kung saan naman ito pumunta.

"Alex, aren't we gonna go inside?" Dad asked.

"You should go first, Mom, Dad." Aniko, "I have to wait Korg, save me seat okay."

They give me a nodded and watched them enter the door and present their tickets to the club staff. Muli naman akong nag-abang sa mga taong papunta sa auditorium. I see familiar faces but they are not whom I'm waiting. When the breezy air touches my skin, I rubbed my arms to keep me warm. Hindi naman siguro nakalimutan ni Korg na ngayong gabi ang first show? If he doesn't looking at his phone all day, for sure, nakalimutan niya nga siguro dahil naka-ilang reminder ako sa kanya but no replies from him.

On a sudden moment, I received a message from him. Halos manginig pa ang mga kamay ko habang binubuksan ko ang message niya.

Korg:

Sorry, babe, I'm gonna be late. See you later.

I rolled my eyes reading his message, isang malalim na hininga naman ang pinakawalan ko at binalik na sa bulsa ang phone ko. Tumungo na rin naman papasok sa loob ng auditorium, when I'm presenting my ticket ay nakilala ko naman kaagad ang club staff na kumukuha noon.

"Alex, kanina ka hinahanap nila Philippe at Bella." Aniya.

"Really? Can I see them before the show start?"

He immediately nodded, "sure, you can take the backstage, papapasukin ka naman nila doon kasi kilala ka naman nila."

I patted his shoulder, "thank you, God bless on the show!"

"Thank you!" he waved as I make my way to the backstage.

Nang marating ko naman ang backstage, I was immediately greeted by the busy atmosphere they had. When I roam around to see my friends, nakita ko naman kaagad si Bella na siyang abala sa pagco-coordinate sa mga members ng club. Hindi ko pa siya makausap nang maayos dahil panay din ang lapit ng ibang members sa kanya.

"Gosh, kapag natapos talaga ang three night shows na ito, magdidiwang talaga ako." Aniya.

"I know you deserve that but you also deserved to get an applause," pinalakpakan ko naman siya pero agad niyang pinigilan ang mga kamay ko. Natawa na lamang ako sa kanya. "Where's Philippe anyway?"

"Hoy! Alex!" mabilis akong napalingon nang marinig ko ang boses niya. Tumigil ang mundo ko nang makita ko siya, he really manned this up. Hindi ko mapigilan ang maglaway sa kanya. He was really fit into the role, and his costume really make him a man more than ever. "Girl, isara mo 'yan." Isinara ni Philippe ang nakanganga kong bibig. "Glad you're here." Agad rin naman niyang binawi ang pambabara sa akin nang bigla niya akong hatakin at yakapin.

"Kianna surely love this, Philippe." Nang sabihin ko iyon ay agad niyang hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap sa akin at saka ako pinakawalan. "Ang harassed mo talaga." Natatawa kong tugon sa kanya.

He roll his eyes, "whatever, babalikan kita dahil kailangan ako ng Juliet ko ngayon."

"Fighting, Pee shooter! Break a leg!"

"Thank you, Alessandra." He smirkd leaving us alone.

"You know what, Alex, hindi kita masyadong mahaharap ngayon. The show's about to start, mamaya na lang tayo mag-usap, if that's okay?"

I hastily nodded on her, "ofcourse, break a leg, direk!"

"Baliw, now go, find your seat now." She commanded.

Umalis na rin naman ako ng backstage, Bella couldn't entertain me dahil halata namang busy siya for the show. This is their first night at kapag nagustuhan nang mga manonood 'yan, pwede pang umulit ang mga iyan on the second and last show. I was happy that they still do good even they come from many struggles. Given na ang situation ni Mia but I'm proud how they change and make things up for this night.

Hinanap ko naman ang parents ko, nang makita ko naman kung saan sila nakaupo ay dumiretso na kaagad ako sa pwesto nila. They also save a seat for Korg na inakala nilang kasama ko na. Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na male-late si Korg at naiintindihan naman iyon pero ako hindi. Korg didn't even tell kung anong pinagkakaabalahan niya ngayon—hindi ko maialis sa isipan kona baka... baka lang naman, nagkikita sila ni Mia?

Or it was just all in my head, naghahanap lang ako ng dahilan.

"Do you still hope you were on that stage, Alex?" Mom asked.

Napaisip din naman ako sa kanya at tinanguan ko siya bilang sagot, "I was hoping that I could act with them, sila ang unang naging club na napuntahan... I was expecting more when I joined them... yes, I wanted but Decathlon was enough. This is their spotlight now, they should own it."

Mom give me a soft smile, "I love what you're thinking, dear..."

"Wala pa ba ang manugang ko?" biglang tanong ni Daddy.

"Dad!" saway ko sa kanya, "lower down your voice."

Napahagikgik naman si Daddy at bumalik na lamang sa pagsandal sa kanyang kinauupuan.

"Sorry, I'm late, Alex." Someone just sat on the vacant chair beside me.

"Oh, look nandiyan na manugang natin." Panggagatong naman ni Mommy.

Mabilis ko namang hinarap si Korg para matigilan ang pang-aasar sa akin ng magulang ko. Tiningnan ko naman si Korg and he's just begging me by his looks not to rant with him. Huminga na lang din naman ako ng malalim para walang masamang salita ang lumabas sa akin.

"Bakit ngayon ka lang?"

"I have to be somewhere." Sagot nito sa akin.

Napakunot noo naman ako sa kanya, "talaga ba? Tell me if I'm what I'm thinking is wrong..."

Mabilis niya akong inilingan, "no, no, no. You're thinking wrong, hindi ko pinuntahan si Mia. We haven't met since that day at the office. Bakit naman siya ang nasa isip mo?"

"Wala lang... I just had doubts."

"On me?" aniya, "you don't trust me?"

"I do, hindi lang pagdating kay Mia... but anway, I'm glad you were here dahil hindi pa naman nagsisimula ang show and you came early as being you late on our call." Aniko.

"Atleast I came right?"

I nodded, "iyon ang mahalaga."

Natigil naman kami sa pagsasalita nang biglang mamatay na ang ilaw sa auditorium. Natahimik din naman ako habang inaabangan ang sunod nang mangyayari. I can still hear some soft noise around and I'm sure everyone were excited to see their play. While waiting for the show to start, naramdamam ko naman ang mga kamay ni Korg na kumubli sa aking kamay, he hold my hands under the darkness—not the one they're thinking though.

I took a deep breath and smile...

"It's about to start..." I said.

"What, babe? Our forever?" he chuckles, "don't worry, it already did."

I couldn't really ask for more... maybe all I have is enough.