In the Midst of the Crowd (Loser #1)

Chapter 4

Greetings, Karsen!

We've got some great news to share with you! After an extensive screening, you and Jennifer Austria have reached the final stage of the process—the chemistry build-up. We didn't expect having such a difficult time choosing between the two of you. The original plan was to pick just one, but we wanted to be fair, so you’d get a chance to develop a nice chemistry with DK.   

This involves getting to know each other and going on friendly dates, but we need your assurance that everything will be strictly professional.
 
If this is okay with you, please report to the office at 9 a.m. on Friday. 

Thanks,
Soul Production

“Oh, my god! Oh, my god!” malakas na malakas na tili ko nang mabasa nang buo ang e-mail. “Millicent!” sumigaw pa ako lalo. “I-translate mo sa akin ‘to! Baka mali ako ng intindi! Please, hindi ako makahinga!”

Halos masira ko ang pinto nang lumabas ako ng kwarto. Nagpaplantsa si Ate Kat ng uniform niya habang sina Mill at Mari naman ay parehas na nag-ce-cellphone.

“Ba’t ka umiiyak?” kunot-noong tanong ni Ate Kat sa akin.

My lips quivered. ”N-Nakapasa yata ako.”

Mari glanced at me. “Ngayon lang lumabas ang resulta ng midterms n’yo?”

Umiling ako, naluluha pa rin sa saya. Umupo ako sa gitna nina Mari at Mill bago binigyan ng mahigpit na yakap ang huli.

“I love you so much!” I uttered while hugging her. “Ibibili kita ng maraming piercing at hair dye!”

She slightly pushed me. “Pawis ka, kadiri.”

Hindi ako nagpatinag. Hinawakan ko ang mukha niya at pinugpog ng halik ang ilong at pisngi niya.

“Dawn Karsen!” reklamo niya habang itinutulak ako. “Ang dugyot!”

Tumigil ako at yumakap pa rin sa kanya. I just can’t contain my happiness!

“Ano bang nangyari?” si Ate Kat. “Kay Kobe?”

Mari chuckled. “Ano pa nga ba?”

Sumiksik ako kay Mill. She was the one who submitted my portfolio. Siya ang gumawa at nag-edit no’n. Kung hindi niya accidentally na-i-send ang natutulog kong picture, siguradong hindi malalaman ni Kobe na nag-e-exist ako!

Mill sighed, finally accepting the fact that I wouldn’t let her go.

“Karsen,” kuha ni Ate Kat sa atensyon ko. “Tell us what happened.”

Nakalingkis pa rin ang kamay ko sa braso ni Mill nang hinarap ko siya. She narrowed her eyes on me. Maya-maya pa ay tinanggal niya ang pagkakasaksak ng plantsa at naupo rin sa sofa na katapat namin.

“Nakapasa ako, Ate.” I beamed. “Build-up of chemistry daw ‘yong susunod.” Lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko. “May friendly dates at getting to know each other.”

“Wow,” bulaslas ni Mari. “What kind of sorcery is this?”

Mill scoffed. “Kapag na-inlove ka riyan, tatawanan talaga kita.”

“Hoy, bawal!” Tinanggal ko ang kamay sa braso niya. “Strictly professional daw, eh.”

“Professional? Medyo mahihirapan ka sa part na ‘yan, ah?” she chuckled.

“Saka ang lambot nito pagdating kay Kobe!” Itinuro ako ni Mari. “Hindi na ako magugulat kung pagkatapos ng build up build up na ‘yan, magyayaya na ng inom ‘to at brokenhearted.”