"Thank you so much!" our director said then raised his glass. "Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa success ng ikatlong musical ko. To the cast, Mr. Mayuga, you've been a great help to and.." hinanap niya ako at tinignan, "Miss Aragon, I know this is your second musical yet you're so amazing the audience loves your performance! Sana ay makatrabaho pa uli kita. To the staff..." and he went on with his speech.
Nandito kami ngayon sa isang pribadong function room ng Manila Hotel para i-celebrate ang matagumpay na pagtatapos ng musical namin. After the first musical I got, I accepted another one that is produced by an award winning director.
Sa apat na araw na showing ay sold out lagi ang tickets at naging usap-usapan kami sa social media. I actually had fun reading different views and conclusions of those who watched our show. We're also featured in a morning show and different magazines, yun nga lang ay medyo naging mailap ako sa media. Hindi ako tumatanggap ng solo interviews, lagi ay yung kasama ang co-actors ko.
I don't want them to question my choice of leaving the company, starting a new path for myself and my private life. Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung anong isasagot kapag tinatanong ako sa kalagyan ng mga kaibigan ko.
Tahimik lamang ako sa mesa habang umiinom ng red wine pagkatapos kainin ang main course. The people in front of me are busy chatting with each other tungkol sa musical at iba pa.
"Ziana," Mrs. Guzman, a woman in her mid fifties, called. "Are you going to accept Natalie's offer?"
"Yes po. I already reviewed the role at mukhang maganda naman."
She laughed heartily, mukhang natuwa sa desisyon ko. "You should consider getting a personal assistant naman. Kita mo naman at napaka-busy tuwing showing. I don't think the stylists can help you if you need something. Napaka-hectic lagi.." umiling siya. She helped me once gathering my costumes nang matapos siyang ayusan.
"Opo." mabait kong sagot.
Of course, I considered getting one pero si Ate Barbie ang pumapasok sa isip ko. Both Mommy and Fire insisted that they will search one for me lalo na nang malaman nila ang sitwasyon ko tuwing showing. I mostly do everything myself maliban sa make-up. Kaya naman kapag natatapos ang show ay pinupuntahan ako ni Fire para tulungan akong bitbitin ang mga natatanggap kong mga bulaklak at regalo mula sa fans.
Nilapitan pa ako ng mga nakatrabaho ko to chat and get pictures. Pinaunlakan ko naman kahit naaabala ako sa pagkain ng dessert. I am really looking forward eating my strawberry parfait pa naman. Should I order a second serving? I didn't really enjoyed eating this.
An arm suddenly went behind my chair. Napatingin tuloy ako kung sino ang gumawa non. It's the leading man of the show and my love interest there.
"Grant.." I acknowledged him and he smiles.
"I heard you accepted the role of Aphrodite in Natalie's play." tumango naman ako sa sinabi niya habang pinaglalaruan ang kutsara ko at nag-iisip kung oorder pa ba uli.
I've been eating sweets since last week baka mamaya ay masira ang figure ko? I need to be cautious now lalo na't matagal na akong hindi nakakapag-workout. Geez! Ano kayang magandang gawin, medyo sawa na ako sa pag gamit ng treadmill at yoga. Then out of nowhere, images of Fire's body and scenes our hot making love entered my mind!
Padabog kong nabitawan ang kutsara at nahiya sa sarili!
"Ziana?"
"P-Pardon?"
"I said.. maybe I should try to audition for the lead role as well. I had a great time working with you actually, nakaka-inspire." he smiled at me and looked at the spoon.
