THE LOVER : Lucius Marco

[Dose] HALLWAY

"How are you feeling these past days, Emmanuela?" I subconsciously smile. Looking down at the plain white tiled floor of Dr. Bergara's medical office. A psychiatrist.

"Emmanuela?" I blinked for a several times before looking up to her.

"I-- uh.. I'm fine naman po, Doc." A small smile is plastered on her lips as she finished her sentence.

Napatingin naman ang doktor sa dalagita na tila bang may mali sa sinabi niya. Emmanuela stared back at her as if she didn't said anything wrong.

Slowly, Dr. Bergara put her clipboard down to her lap and takes off her glasses, gently puts it on her desk then smiles at Emmanuela.

"Something new?" Ani nito. Napakurap si Emmanuela.

"Po?" Bahagyang napaisip ng kaunti si Emmanuela bago ito umiling na naging senyales na walang pagbabago.

A small smile is plastered on Dr. Bergara's lips. "Hmm, that's what I thought. Its just that everytime you enter this office you will always look blank-- which is that's why you're here, talking to me, having a session is with me its because you can't feel anything. In other words, emptiness."

Emmanuela blinks.

"You would always say Still empty when ever I ask you how are you feeling. But now? The sentence I'm fine seems new." She smiled after speaking.

Emmanuela, not minding if the doctor's statement was good or bad, she smiled.

"Doc.. is it possible po ba na mahahanap mo ang pakiramdam na matagal mo nang hinahanap sa isang tao?" Tanong niya na tila bang batang inosente sa isang bagay.

Napakurap ang doktor at nagsalita. "Well, it's possible. You did lost that certain feeling because of a person.. specifically people; your parents. So it is indeed possible na mahanap mo 'yon sa iba." She smiled.

"Why? Have you found it?" She asked. Napakagat ng labi si Emmanuela at bahagyang umiwas sa tingin ng doktor.

"I think it's wrong." She pursed her lips into thin line.

—

"Omg, Ems. Try mo kaya?" Kyline suggested as her sight shifted at Emmanuela from looking at the poster. Written on it is something that intrigued most of the student in their university.

WHAT: Channel 36 actors and actress search.

WHERE: @University's Main Coliseum.

WHEN: Today! October 16–26
               Open @ 1PM to 6PM

Confident that you'll be a talented actress/actor someday? Audition now! Channel 36 is waiting for you.

Emmanuela scrunched her nose upon reading what was written on the overly purple-coloured poster pasted on the University's main bulletin board.

"Oo nga 'no?" Frudo commented then he looked at Emmanuela. "Eh hindi ba marunong ka namang mag-acting noon nung highschool?"

"Nung highschool 'yon." Emmanuela reasoned out as she starts to walk away. The two then followed her.

"So? Hindi naman siguro bula 'yang talent mo para mawala agad 'no. Plus, you were amazing back then!" sulsol ni Kyline habang naglalakad kasabay ng dalawa. Napatango naman si Frudo, sumasang-ayon sa lahat ng sinasabi ni Kyline.

Emmanuela sighed. "Nakakahiya nga 'yun eh."

"Hindi ah. Ang galing mong mag-act as Laura noon." Frudo said. Emmanuela chuckled softly upon remembering their play back in highschool, the known Florante at Laura in which of course, she acted as Laura.