Ventures of the Sly Cat

01: Real Problem

ISLANNA

Why did they remove me?

Hindi ko na mabilang sa aking daliri kung ilang beses ko itong pinaulit ulit sa aking utak habang nakatayo sa harapan ng aking tita. I was in my school uniform, and unlike how I imagined I would slay today. Hindi. All the confidence inside me disappears, and I feel so vulnerable.

"And what are you still doing here? You are no longer part of this entertainment. Maswerte ka at kamag-anak mo si Ms. Laurente, kung hindi, matutulad ka ~

"Excuse me. Is this the HR office?"

Napakagat ako sa labi as I avert all my rage sa hawak hawak kong strap. Seryoso ba sila tita?

"Ano pang ginagawa mo diyan, Ms. Tesio?"

Napatingin ako sa babaeng nasa harapan ko ngayon. I wryly smiled, "Baka nagkakamali lang ho kayo. There must be a misunderstanding right?" I hopefully asked.

Na-patampal ng noo si Miss Nerry, "Ilang beses ko nang sinasabi sayo na walang misunderstanding dito. Hindi pwede maglabas ang entertainment ng official line up na kulang. Kung kaya ako sa iyo ay pumasok ka nalang. Hindi pa ba blessing na ligtas ka sa pressure? Aba kung ako sa iyo magpapasalamat pa ako gawa malaya ako makakapag-boyfriend at gumawa ng gulo."

"Miss Nerry!" sigaw ko sa kanyang pangalan, "Hindi talaga ako nagloloko Miss Nerry? Pwede bang paki ayos ang sagot mo po gawa ang ayos ayos ng tanong ko. Nilalayo nyo po. Saka bakit ako magpapasalamat? Magpapasalamat ako kung wala akong sinakripisyo! Sa tingin niyo po madaling lumipat ng school? Hindi! Madaling magutom? Hindi. Kaya malaking deal sa akin ito. Kung kaya kung nagloloko po kayo, pakisabi naman. Hindi yung ini-invalidate niyo feelings ng trainee na dumaan sa prosesong pinagdaanan rin ng mga nasa debut line."

Halos lumuhod na ako, to beg answer. I thought it would faze the notorious Miss Nerry. Well, I'm right. She heaved a sigh, and fixed the bridge of his eyeglasses, "Pakiusap Ms. Tesio. Ayaw kong humantong na kailangan ko pang mag tawag ng Bodyguard just to escort to your school."

"But~"

"No buts Miss Tesio. Miske ang handlers at managers ay walang nagawa when they announced your departion. Miske rin ako. Pasensya na. Kung pwede ay umalis ka na gawa sinasayang mo ang oras mo."

Mas lalong lumubog ang aking balikat sa pagkadismaya. From what Miss Nerry words, mukhang ako na lang ang hindi nakakaalam. Bakit yung mga tao na iniimagine ko makasama sa hinaharap always betray me!

Without concealing what I really feels, tumalikod na ako na hindi nagpapaalam. Tulad naman ng sinabi niya, hindi na ako parte ng entertainment na ito. So I am not obligated anymore to greet everyone. Gawa kapag ginawa ko yun, mas lalong mararamdaman ko yung pagka-tanga ko.

"Alright. Mukhang nasa iba na ang inis mo. Just do not forget to call the guy who opened the door. I have something to deal with." habol ni Miss Nerry. I didn't look back nor nod to acknowledge it. But when I walked outside her office, I scanned the place, and there I found a man, who might be the same age as Kuya Rome, standing near the window. I slowly ambled towards him, and when I was in his back, I poked the side of his shoulder.

"Kuya pinapatawag ka po sa loob." I faintly smiled when he turned at me. Confusion covered his face, but soon he nods "Salamat, I'm Leen~" he didn't finish his word nang lumabas sa may bukana ng kwarto niya Miss Nery. I awkwardly smiled at him, and as soon he entered the room, I suddenly felt the emotion that was taken aback for the moment.

***

Pinakabata at nag-iisang babae ako sa tatlong magkakapatid. Walang taon ang agwat sa akin ng panganay, habang ang ikalawa naman ay halos 3 taon, but in grade level, he is a freshman while I'm on the 11th Grade of my study under the course of STEM.