Let's Play Pretend

Her

"Glaiza, okay ka lang?" Rochelle woke me up from my reverie with a poke, "May tinatanong sayo si Rocco." I tore my gaze away from the window to face Rochelle then to Rocco seating at the back, "Sorry wala ako sa ulirat," sagot ko, "Ano nga ulit yun?"

Nasa biyahe kami papuntang Dagupan para sa Bangus Festival kasama ang ibang casts ng Encantadia. Kasama ko sa van sina Rochelle na katabi ko habang sina Rocco, Carlo at Ruru ay pawang nakaupo sa likod namin. Nasa ibang van naman ang mga bagets na cast na sina Ara, Phytos at Klea.

Kulitan, asaran, kantahan, kwentuhan lahat na ginawa nila para lang hindi mabagot sa biyahe palibhasa pare-parehas sila, maliban sa akin, na nakakuha na ng tulog at ilang oras na lang at mararating na rin namin ang  GMA Stage sa de Venecia Road Extension, Dagupan kung saan idaraos ang programa.

"Sabi ko, anong kakantahin mo mamaya?" Rocco Nacino asked for the second time, "Ready ka na bang kantahin new single mong Sinta?"

"Oo naman. Ako pa ba?" I answered with more confidence than how I really felt. On my peripheral vision I saw Mama Rhaye's reflection from the mirror in front since nakaupo siya sa passenger seat, eyeing me. Buti na lang at sa likuran ko naka-upo si Rocco dahil may rason ako para iwasan ang makahulugang mga matang iyon ni Mama.

"Pero Carlo and I have one question lang." Rocco said.

"Halla Glaiza, wala akong alam sa sinasabi niya." Carloprotested with a grin ready to burst in laughter any minute from now while holding both of his hands in the air suggesting that he has nothing to do about whatever Rocco's question is. Si Ruru naman halos maluha na sa kakatawa sa tabi ni Rocco.

"Oh bakit ayaw mong malaman?" tanong naman ni Rocco kay Carloand to answer, Carlo just gave him a wide, meaningful smile.

Pretending to compose himself and trying so hard to make a straight face (failing big time) he turned his attention back to me, "Super curious lang kami," he started with mock seriousness.

With Carlofinally bursting in laughter and Ruru wiping his tears as he too was laughing uncontrollably and Rocco with mock seriousness, I know I won't like this question.

"Yung kanta mong 'Sinta'..."

I don't want this question AT ALL.

"Kanino mo dine-dedicate yung song?"

There it is. The question everyone's been bugging me since the song was released. Of course, I have formulated an answer for that question. While some may believe me, or some may simply accept my answer as it is tulad ng mga katrabaho ko sa Encantadia, for some reason, ayaw akong tantanan ni Rocco. Madalas niya akong tinatanong pero dahil nasa set kami maraming paraan para matakasan siya.

Hindi tulad ngayon. Nasa biyahe, nasa loob ng isang van, hyper dahil sa asaran, katabi pa ang mga alipores niyang sina Ruru at Carlo. Strength in numbers ika nga ng Golden State Warriors. And most importantly, I could see Mama Rhaye eyeing me intensely, patiently waiting for my answer.

I frantically racked my brain for an answer that can satisfy Rocco and it didn't help that he's even faking a curious look when it was clear as sunshine that he was suppressing a big, fat laugh just like how Carlo was laughing.

Sensing my discomfort, Rochelle came to my rescue at pabirong hinampas si Rocco ng unan na hawak niya, "Ilang kape nanaman ininom mo Rocco Nacino? Tigilan niyo na nga si Glaiza, mag practice na lang kayo ng kakantahin niyo mamaya. Hindi pa naman kayo total performer tulad namin ni Glaiza." I gave her a thankful look and she gave a little nod, almost imperceptible for the boys to notice, to tell me she understands. When boys started ganging up on you, you only need a girl pal to make it all okay.