My forehead creased as I watched Vice Ganda speak in a language I cannot understand.

"Ladies and tsumenemen! Here's our next Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant, Alice Lapid!" She introduced the person who was about to sing and faded into the distance.

Tsumenemen?

Is that gentlemen?

"Oh ang vaklang twoooh! Lakas maka-awra! Gondo kah?" He, I mean, she. Well, she? Yeah, she commented after the contestant sang her piece.

I frowned and my concentration was distracted when I heard Romeo's voice as he entered the entertainment room where I was in.

"Wow, bro! Talagang kinacareer mo ang pagiging federacion ha!" Romeo grinned toothily and I knew right then and there, he's in the mood again to tease me again.

"What's up? Do you have something for me?" I asked and turned the volume down.

Romeo handed me a piece of paper and I opened the folder where it was placed.

Subject's Name: Amanda Catalin
Age: 24
Born: September 16, 1992
Parents: Delia and Rogelio Catalin
Cellphone Number: 0932*******
Hobbies: Watching KDrama, Listening to pop and mellow music, Reading, writing

And there was even a picture of her.

I was stunned at how she beautiful she looks now that she got older.

I can vividly remember how cute she was already since we were kids when we used to hang out at the orphanage.

"Wala na.. Nain-love na lalo. Awit. " I heard Romeo sighed and chuckled beside me.

I blinked and turned to face him. "Great. Thanks for this info. Thank your friend, Rayland, for me, will you?"

Romeo nodded and asked me the question I always expected from him.

"When will you start with the plan? Have you reviewed about the gay lingos and stuff?" His eyebrows furrowed and I sighed in response.

"Struggling. That's why I am watching Vice Ganda to see if I can get tips from the way he speaks to the way he acts." I said and gestured the television where Vice was exchanging a funny conversation with her co-artists on the set.

"Ay, bro. Eto rin pala. Beks Battalion din. Panoorin mo yung vlogs nila. Baka marami kang makuhang tips doon." He said and snatched the remote control from me and switched the channel to Youtube.

Curious, I let him choose a certain vlog and I saw three gays named Lassy, MC and Chad unboxing a Balikbayan box sent to them.

True enough, there were many gay lingos mentioned and even their actions were perfectly and flawlessly executed.

It was so natural for them but it isn't for me.

"Do you think this will work?" I asked suddenly while Romeo laughed at the three gays' antics.

"Of course, bro! I have faith in you!" Romeo said in assurance. "Why? Are you losing hope already?"

I shook my head and ran my fingers on it hoping to lessen the gnawing pain just stressing out about the mission.

"Dude, you want me to tell Wheel about it? I can ask him to give us another mission instead." Romeo said with concern evident in his voice.

"No! Don't! I can do it! I can." I protested. "Just give me some time. It's still a lot to take in. Feeling ko, may split personality na ata ako dahil iba ako sa labas at sa loob ng bahay."

"Sad truth, dude." Romeo said in approval. "Don't worry, I'll try to think of a way for you not to be too burdened because of that mission."

"Thanks for the concern, dude. I'll try, too, not to be too pressured about it. Hangga't maaari, I'll try to act as natural as possible. I don't want to appear a confused soul when I get to face the people I have been wanting to see. I just wish I don't have to sacrifice my personal affairs when I came to the day when I will meet them in person." I said as I stare into the television.

The sound of the machine in front of me seemed to fade as I imagine how will I approach Amanda without feeling all awkward and timid.

God, I missed her a lot.

⚜⚜⚜

Thanks again to snowphia16 for letting me use Zayden Rayland's name here in the story.

Do check out her stories too! They are highly recommended!