The Secrets We Keep (Completed)

Chapter Seven

"Wednesdays here used to be pretty quiet and laid back, until we started open audition nights over a year ago.  That drew crowds, and now we get mini office party bookings aside from the usual groups with birthday girls and would-be brides."

Stefan winced inwardly as he drew back from peeking through the thick curtain that separated the vast dressing area to the main stage of Sizzle. Nanguyom ang mga kamao niya sa frustration. Mamaya lang ay kakailanganin niyang lumabas doon at rumampa ng ilang minuto. Hindi gaanong nakatulong na mababait at supportive ang mga pro dancers doon.

Mas gusto pa niyang tumao sa bar at magsilbi gaya ng ginagawa sa nakalipas na dalawang gabi, pero pinaalalahanan siya ni Giovanna na kahina-hinala kung hindi rin siya makikita sa stage.

"Sweetie, you're hotter than anyone we have here and according to Troy and Carter, many have been asking when you'll go up there." tukoy ng babse sa dalawang regulars na kahapon ay sinimulan siyang i-train. "Bill has also asked about you. We can't have him suspecting you're here to watch him and his regulars, hmmm?"

Bill is the manager he had to watch out for, and the regulars are the three women and two men that to Giovanna seemed dubious. Pasulpot-sulpot ang isa o dalawa sa lima sa Sizzle, at hindi maikakaila ang espesyal na atensyong ibinibigay ni Bill sa mga ito. Kasabay niyon ay ang paglitaw ng dalawa ding women's club sa siyudad, at ang paglipat sa mga iyon ng ilang kliyente ng Sizzle.

"We draw all kinds."  patuloy ni Carter sa tabi niya. Mukhang mamahalin ang structured suit nito, pero alam niyang pinagdugtong-dugtong lang iyon ng manipis pero matibay na Velcro strips para madaling hubarin mamaya, gaya ng suot niyang straight cut blue jeans at white button down shirt.

  "On any given night, the crowd is a good mix, but Wednesdays do seem the best for variety.  I bet we'll even get a bachelorette party or two tonight, if you're into horny bridesmaids..."

Natatawang napailing siya. Maraming magagandang suki ang Sizzle pero wala sa mga iyon si JC. Si JC na noong Lunes pa mailap sa kanya kahit sabay pa rin silang nagla-lunch.

Hindi ito mukhang galit, at nilinaw nito iyon sa kanya. Pero ayaw ding pag-usapan ng babae ang nangyari noong linggo ng gabi. "Nangyari na, Paul. Hindi ako galit sa iyo at hindi ko iyon pinagsisisihan. Ayokong pag-usapan for the simple reason that it will pull certain things out there, and we don't need that. Mahirap, Paul. At hindi dapat."

She looked so sure, so resolute and determined that all that he knew about arguing and calling out the logic in her reasoning probably didn't stand a chance. Ayaw din niyang bukod sa may issue na ngayon sa pagitan nila ay layuan pa siya ni JC.

Fine, he won't talk about it. But that kiss meant something to both of them and JC can't convince him otherwise.

He wondered if she got his messages. Hindi sila sabay na nag-lunch kanina dahil may iba itong kasama. She told him it's some of her neighbors. He didn't even realize she's close to any of them, that she had other people in her life aside from the ones in their world.

Their fucked up world.

Napabuga siya ng hangin. At least, mas normal at malaya ang buhay ni JC. He should be happy for her. But he couldn't help wishing it was the kind of life he shared with him instead.

"We're about to start." tinapik siya ni Troy sa balikat, sabay abot ng latigo bago siya suotan ng cowboy hat. Shit. Para siyang mahihilo nang igala ang tingin sa ibang naroon.

Ayon kay Giovanna, hindi lahat ng naroon ay seryosong nag-o-audition. A good number simply wanted the experience to do the runway and strut their stuff onstage, long enough for their friends or girlfriends in the crowd to take pictures and videos.

‘Yung iba ay itinuturing itong bucket list item, at mayroon ding ginagawa itong parte ng initiation rights sa fraternity.

Half the lights in the holding area and most of those onstage dimmed, the spotlights began sweeping the stage, and the music began thumping away.  "Ladies and more ladies, Sizzle is proud to present..."

Stefan retreated backstage and assumed his place in line. Troy, Carter and the other professionals would warm up the crowd, then the hopefuls would parade on as a group and strike a pose while being introduced. 

Matapos maipakilala ay babalik sila sa backstage at isa-isang tatawagin muli for their solo spots, three minutes each.

Napalunok siya nang igala ang tingin. May naka-fireman costume, may samurai, may naka-kilt at kung anu-ano pa. He's supposedly a cowboy, sans the boots. Shit. Huminga siya ng malalim.

May mga halimaw na yata sa tiyan niya dahil sa kaba. Nagulat pa siya nang marahang itulak ng isa sa mga professionals.

"Come on, man. You can do it "

He managed to make it onstage, then froze.  His senses were in overdrive, and he couldn't focus on his surroundings. 

Sinubukan nyang i-focus ang tingin sa kung saan, pero agad ding napagtanto na kahit may suot siyang salamin sa mata ay hindi pa rin niya gaanong maaninaw ang maingay na audience dahil sa mga ilaw sa stage. Thank God for small favors.

Tiningnan niya kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga ipinapakilala. May nagpe-flex ng muscles, may sumayaw saglit, may nag-air guitar at may parang nag-tai chi.

He couldn't dance to save his life, he didn't know which judo move would look good on stage, and so with his heart thumping as his name was called, he took a step as he put his whip behind him, removed his hat, smiled in a way that he hope looked seductive enough, then took a bow. Wala siyang gaanong inaasahan sa ginawa, pero malakas na palakpak at sigaw pa rin ang sumalubong sa kanya.

  "Good work,"  hissed the dancer next to him, one of Troy's friends.  "You've got to show confidence.  Project confidence and you'll do well."

Stefan nodded, hoped it was enough to get him through the evening. Nang matapos ang introductions ay isa-isa silang umalis sa stage, kasabay ng unti-unting pagkawala muli ng ilaw. Pero bago tuluyang tumalikod ay may nahagip ang tingin niya. A familiar dark pixie hair and big bright eyes that seem to track his movements.

What the hell is she doing here?