To Find You Once Again

Chapter One

"Enjoy your coffee Ma'am."

Nginitian ni Nikki ang saleslady at kinuha ang inorder na kape bago umalis ng counter. Palabas na sana sa glass door ng coffee shop nang marinig ang pangalang binanggit ng announcer na nanggagaling sa radio sa isang sulok. She stopped on her tracks and held her breath.

"Yes, listeners, you heard that right. Mr. Jared Francisco has just arrived in the country to announce his film collaboration with one of the biggest entertainment companies in the industry. Stay tuned for our live interview later. Rumor has it that the sudden public appearance of this famed Filipino singer and composer is because he will be getting married..."

Oh my god, Jared is back!

Sukat sa sandaling iyon ay nag-ring ang cellphone nya. Tiningnan ni Nikki ang caller sa screen, pagkatapos ay pinindot ang call button.

"Jared is back!" Tili ng kaibigan niyang si Erica sa receiver.

Dahilan para lumingon sa kanya ang ibang customers sa shop. Sa sobrang lakas ng tili ni Erica, kahit mga bystander ay nakiusyoso na rin sa kanya. Napilitan tuloy si Nikki na lumabas kaagad ng shop.

"He's back, Nikki! Oh, my god! Mahihimatay ata ako nito. Breathe, Erica, breathe..."

Nikki rolled her eyes. "Ang OA mo talaga kahit kailan."

"Anong OA?! Have you heard the news? He's about to shoot a movie here! With him as the lead! Makikita mo na ulit sya!"

Kumunot ang noo ni Nikki.

"I heard something about him getting married. Saka I'm not really sure if he's the same Jared --"

"Tsismis lang iyon 'no! Saka siya talaga si Jared!"

Pagkatapos ay tumili na naman 'to. Nikki was amused. Typical Erica.

"Lalabas na siya! In public! After all these years!" Parang staccato na pag-mo-monologue ng kaibigan. "Nikki, aren't you even excited?"

"Well, syempre, oo. But I'm more scared than glad he's back. If we're talking about the same person, I mean," Nikki said anxiously.

She could still remember the look on his face when they parted ages ago. She didn't think she could face him now.

"Ano bang ikinakatakot mo? Jared was but a small part of your life. And you were just kids then, for crying out loud! Saka nakalimutan mo na ba that he has a rendition of your favorite song?"

Nikki sighed. Three years ago, an anonymous singer slash composer was discovered on YouTube where he uploaded some of his songs. The "voice of the phantom," as everyone called it, instantly invaded the international music industry. The lyrics the song had were a far cry from the pop songs of its generation. Hindi rin nagpapakita ang singer sa mga videos nito. Karaniwan na ay boses lang ang maririnig sa videos. Which, of course, made him even more mysterious.

He called himself Jared Francisco. Doon napukaw ang interes ni Nikki. Iisang Jared Francisco lang ang kilala niya na meron'g napakagandang boses: Jared Matthew Francisco, which she fondly called 'Matt' way back in high school.

Someone offered Jared a professional career, which he would have rejected had the company not promised him total anonymity. Binili ng mga ito ang copyrights ng mga kanta. Pumayag din ang recording studio sa kondisyon ni Jared na hindi siya kahit kailan magpapakita sa press or gagawa ng photoshoots. In one of his published interviews, Jared said that his songs were not for commercial purposes. But he didn't elaborate on the subject. The only thing people knew about him was his name and his nationality – a Filipino based in the United States.