• Ruben's Point of View •
"...you were great Ruben!" Cheer ni pres.
My eyes rolled as she handed me the water bottle for a drink. I'm just damn exhausted from all the practice for the first scene. Matapos kong uminom ay napatanong ako. "Can i really go home after this?" It's almost 4 p.m. at kanina pa nya binabanggit na last practice na 'to for the day but we end up doing it over and over.
"Yeah, last na talaga 'to promise! Kailangan kasi clean ang execution ng bawat scene. But i think mapeperfect na natin 'to dahil magagaling ang actors ng theatre club, lalo ka na Ruben! I never knew you were so incredible." Alam kong pinupuri nya lang ako para di ako mairita pero mas lalo lang ako naiinis sa pagmumukha nya.
She blackmailed me into this role so i hate her. Napalapit naman sa amin si miss clean freak to talk to pres. Nang magkatinginan kami ay inirapan nya lang ako. "Pres, umu
• Jade's Point of View •Three weeks later"...let's have lunch at the rooftop later, 'kay?" Leroi said.I gave him a faint smile and a nod, then he gave me a kiss on the forehead bago sya umalis para pumunta sa classroom nya. Pagkapasok ko naman sa classroom ko ay tumabi na ako kay Bella at inilabas na ang libro ko for the first subject. "I still can't really believe that you're going out with Leroi. All this time ineexpect kong si Ruben ang makakatuluyan mo." Aniya. I sighed, "Sinabi ko na sayo na friends lang kami dati ni Ruben okay? We were just friends." Napatingin naman ako kay Ruben na naka-upo sa bandang harapan. He was studying and had a lot people around him. Simula nong hindi na kami nagpansinan, nagulat na lang ako ng biglang sumikat sya ng gan'to. "It's such ashame that you two have to st
• Ruben's Point of View •"...for never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo." Then that was the end of the final act. Napapalakpak ang mga members na nanonood at lalo naman si pres dahil natapos din namin."I can't wait for this to be shown on stage! You guys did a great job!" Aniya.Nagligpit na ang mga members at nadismiss na ang iba. Balak ko na sanang umuwi ng nilapitan nanaman ako ni pres. "What is it this time?" Malamang may ipapagawa nanaman 'to sa'kin."Pabalik kay Eliza 'tong script nya." Sabi na nga ba eh."Ba't di ikaw magbalik? Ikaw nanghiram diba?""Sige na Ruben! Marami pa 'ko aasikasuhin, please?" I just sighed and took the script from her. Hinanap ko naman si Eliza but she's not in the clubroom.Napatanong naman ako sa kasamahan ko rito sa club. "Hey, where's Eliza?"&n
• Jade's Point of View •Ngayong Linggo, pinagplanuhan namin ni Leroi magroadtrip. Na-aamaze lang ako ng malaman kong marunong pala mag-drive si Leroi. I don't why he suddenly made plans like this pero mukhang masaya naman kaya game ako sa plano nya."Buckle up! I'm gonna start the car now." Aniya. Then as we gone straight through the roads, it kinda has a nice feel to it. Just me and Leroi in a car and talking to each other all day. "...you know what? I still can't believe we're together now. Being with you feels like a dream." He said.Napangiti naman ako. "Di rin ako makapaniwala na magkakagusto ang tulad mo sa'kin.""Hmm, why not? I mean, you're pretty, nice, and . To me you're like a breath of fresh air. Eh ikaw? What made you think to date someone like me?" Napa-isip ako, pero i suddenly
• Ruben's Point of View •"...okay! So this will be the last practice for the day! Act 5, scene 3 from the top!" Sigaw ni pres.Everyone from the club is really working hard today. Bukas na kasi ang pinakahinihintay ng lahat. Pagkatapos talaga ng play na 'to, quit na kagad ako. I'm doing this on behalf of my grades in arts after all.Also, i can't really find any passion for acting. It's like you're playing pretend, but you gotta memorize a lot of crappy lines. Nang mag-umpisa na sila mag-act, nag-ready na ako para sa mga huling linya ko sa play na 'to."Romeo, pasok na." Sabi nung kasama ko na taga-ayos ng props. Pumunta kagad ako sa stage and did the best i could in delivering my lines.And as i fought with the guy who has Paris's role, i improved my way of defeat and dying. Habang nakahiga ako sa sahig to pretend that i'm dead, i was quite bored waiting
• Ruben's Point of View •"Go Rubeeeen!""Classmate namin yan!!" "Class 1-11 supports you Ruben!" Naririnig ko na ang pangalan ko sa mga kaklase ko from outside this stage curtain. Napahalakhak naman si pres. "Sobrang sikat ni Ruben ah."My eyes just rolled. "Yeah right." Even though they're my classmates they're still nothing but a bunch of strangers to me."Anyways, someone's here to give his full support!" Banggit ni pres, then he suddenly came out. He was on a wheelchair and had cement on both of his legs. "Hi guys!!" It was Neil.Nagsilapitan ang lahat para kamustahin sya. Matapos non ay lumapit sya sa akin para kausapin ako. "Dude, i never thought ikaw ang papalit sa'kin! Nakakagulat lang, kinaya mong i-memorize lahat ng linya sa role ko!" Napangisi lang ako. "It was
• Jade's Point of View •"Leroi, i don't think this is a good idea. Also, i never skipped classes before!"He chuckled and pulled me inside his car. "It's fine! Minsan lang naman 'to hahaha!"Nitong Biyernes, niyaya ako ni Leroi na umabsent just to attend a party. It feels exciting and scary at the same time dahil first time ko 'to. Habang nagda-drive na sya ay medyo kinakabahan ako. What if hanapin ako sa school today? What if biglang tumawag 'yung mga teacher kay dad kung bakit wala ako? What if nalaman 'to ni dad at pagalitan ako non?Na-stress na 'ko kakaisip ng bigla akong hawakan ni Leroi sa balikat. "Don't overthink it Jade, tsaka may event ngayon sa school. Walang klase. And I think 'yung event tungkol sa play ng theatre club."Parang medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa nabanggit nya. Pero medyo nanghihinayang din ako dahi
• Jade's Point of View •Di ko nanaman maintindihan ang mga nangyayari. Nag-uusap ang magpinsan at parang taga-kinig lang ako."Damn it Leroi, ikaw na panalo." Caiden chuckled and took something from his pocket. "You damn right i am, akin na 'yung susi!" Tas binigay ni Caiden kay Leroi ang isang car keys. Tuwang-tuwa naman si Leroi sa nakuha. "Hahaha! Walang bawian 'to tol." "Oo na! Sayo na nga yung kotse. Letse." Napakunot lang noo ko sa kanila. Muling napatingin sa akin si Caiden at nangisi. "Okay, so let's finish this Leroi." "Eh? I think i'd feel bad if i do it." "Nakokonsensya ka na ba? Dude, kasama 'yon sa usapan. H'wag kang talkshit dyan." Leroi sighed. "Fine." Nagulat na lang ako ng biglang tumayo si Leroi. "Jade..." damn, sa pagbanggit nya pa l
• Ruben's Point of View •I ended up sitting beside her and waited for her to talk. She kept sniffing and sobbing, and when she finally calmed for a bit she tried to talk. "Pinaglaruan nya 'ko. He dumped me infront a lot of people..." Nanatili akong tahimik, waiting for her to talk more about it. "I never thought he would do that. I thought he'll be serious with me, pero akala ko lang pala 'yon. Then he admitted that he never really liked me and that everything was just a bet.""Well what the hell do you expect? Kilalang babaero si Leroi. Papalit-palit 'yon ng babae. Tanga ka kasi." I harshly told her."I know." She whispered and wiped her own tears. "Ruben... i'm sorry."Napakagat ako sa'king labi habang nagso-sorry sya. "I'm sorry i chose the wrong person. I'm sorry nagpakatanga ako kay Leroi." Aniya.I chose to stay quiet. I
• Third Person's Point of View •They were all sitting accordingly, and one man was standing right infront of them. He kept grinning, knowing that he won the bet. "I win, I always win." Sabi nya sa mga kasama."How can you even say that, Zach? A member just died. August freaking died!" Sabi ni February, ang natatangi na myembro ng C.C., sya lang ang makikitang babae rito. Pagkatanggal nya ng kaniyang maskara, nakita na ng lahat ang mukha ng president ng theatre club.Napahalakhak naman si April, which is Leroi, sa mga nangyayari. "Damn, this is crazy. Di ko ineexpect na may mamamatay sa mga nangyayari sa club na 'to." Nakigaya na rin ito kay February at ibinababa na ang maskara nya."The gamble required big effort. February did a lot of things on this one, and had to make arrangements with the art teacher to separate Ruben from Jade. Then making Ruben busy as hell by making th
• Ruben's Point of View •"Shit." I muttered as my phone started ringing. Mom's calling. They probably found out that i'm out searching for Jade right now. Pinatay ko muna ito at itinabi sa bag ko.A few moments later, I was already parked outside the apartment where he might be right now. Then I saw a familiar face outside and infront of my car. Mabilis sya dahil nagmamadali syang bumalik sa loob ng apartment.I had no doubt that was him. I quickly got out of my car and quickly went inside the place. I searched for door 107, at pagkarating ko doon ay nakatok ako kaagad. And no one was answering it.It got me furious so I yelled. "Open up mother fucker!!"Still no response.Ginamit ko muli ang martilyo na dala ko, and as i kicked it open. He was a bit far but he was fucking there the whole time and had a gun pointing at me. "You son of
• Ruben's Point of View •"Sir, hindi po pupwede na kumuha basta-basta ng warrant without evidence or any proof that can be held against your suspected person.""Damn it! There's no need for fucking evidence sir, the guy i'm pinpointing just harassed that missing girl a month ago! He's definitely the guy who kidnapped her as well." I told them.The lazy fucking police gave me a disrespectful look. "Alright sir, we might take note of that. But it'll take time to find and interrogate the guy you're suspecting. Ina-assure ko din po na ginagawa namin ang lahat ng makakaya namin para hanapin ang kaibigan mo."And there I was dismissed. I looked at Allan with disbelief. "I guess we should get home now, sir.""No fucking way! Why are the police fucking useless, Allan!? Why!?" This made me feel desperate, knowing the people I thought I can count on be this awful.
• Ruben's Point of View •It's been already two days since she's gone missing. Naririto na rin ang mama ni Jade na galing abroad, and she's not handling it very well. "Why the fuck are you so fucking careless, Felix!? Pinilit mong kunin si Jade sa akin noon, tapos pababayaan mo ng ganito!?" "Jen, please! Don't fucking blame all things on me! Our daughter was kidnapped inside school premises, and the school and cops are doing whatever it takes to find her!!" "So what do we fucking do right now!? Just fucking wait for news about our daughter!?""What else Jen!? Of course we fucking wait! It's not like you're a fucking cop or detective anyway." "You see, this is why I fucking left you Felix! You'reSo fucking useless and stupid." He gave up from their argument and sat down.Nanahimik lang kami nina dad sa isang
• Ruben's Point of View •As I take off the mask, napapunas na lang ako sa mga luha ko. Tinapon ko na din yung maskara as I decided to throw away the feelings that keeps hurting me. I know i'm a jerk for using Eliza as something to numb the pain, but I think it's time to see Eliza as she is. Not as a replacement.Pagkabalik ko sa kanya, kagad syang napatingin sa akin while talking to some other members from the theatre club. "Oh tagal mo sa cr ah?"Napangisi lang ako. "Yeah, andaming gumagamit eh. Sorry I made you wait.""It's fine, let's just dance again!" Then she pulled me back to the floor to dance.Tonight turned out to be great. Like the heavy thing in my chest is finally gone.As tomorrow came, my morning was a bit nicer than usual. Maybe it's because of what happened last
• Jade's Point of View •It's finally prom night. Magkasama kami ni Bella na pumunta sa school. Kapit lang ako sa kaniya dahil wala naman akong iba pang masyadong kaclose dito. She don't mind it anyway since wala din naman daw syang date."Hey, gusto mo kumuha ng drinks?" Aniya."Yeah! Let's get some." Sagot ko.Then pumunta naman kami sa table ng mga pagkain. There's a lot of people kaya medyo nahirapan kami kumuha. "My gosh, we should've just brought our own food here." Natatawang sambit ni Bella.I just agreed dahil hindi ako satisfied sa nakuha ko. Ang gugulo din ng mga tao na nagsisisayawan. Napaupo na lang kami sa isang gilid habang nagkekwentuhan at pinagmamasdan ang mga sumasayaw."Gaaahd! I wish someone would come here and ask us to dance." Aniya."Yeah, i'm kinda bored now." "H
• Ruben's Point Of View •The prom night.As I stepped out of my car, nadatnan kong nasa labas na si Eliza sa kaniyang bahay. Napangiti ako ng makita ko sya. She smiled back and quickly went towards me. "You look beautiful in blue." I told her.I really liked how she's dressed tonight, at di rin matanggal ang tingin ko sa mukha nya. There's really something about make-up that makes girls look like some goddess that descended to earth. Parang nahiya naman sya sa pagkakatingin ko sa kanya kaya natawa sya't sabay palo sa braso ko. "I know, you don't have to remind me that i'm beautiful though." Iba din ang confidence ng babae na 'to minsan."Pfft, yeah right. Just always remind me that I don't have to do that.""Okay, if you say so." She giggled. Binuksan ko naman ang pinto ng kotse ko para sa kanya. "No
• Jade's Point of View •He still won't stop.Pagkabukas ko ng locker ko, things that weren't supposed to be there are there. Kinuha ko lahat ng mga regalo ni August para itapon. For the past months, he didn't bugged me that much anymore. Pero he still kept on gifting me stuff that I clearly won't accept.I already change my locker, but he still manages to find and open it. Nang maitapon ko na ang lahat, I saw Bella from the end of the hallway waiting for me. Kumaway sya sa akin at pumunta naman ako sa kanya. "You all good now?" Tanong nya. "Yeah! Tara na." Sagot ko. We we're gonna hang out at the mall today to buy some stuff we need for a project. I'm kinda glad I have her right now. I think I wouldn't be able to distract myself from the things that scares me without her. "Hey, let's li
• Ruben's Point of View •Two months later"...everything that they had seen and heard was just as they had been told." Then the guys who were playing shepherds got out of the stage.Then that was it. The christmas skit we were all working hard for finally ended. The audience applaused and I was ready to leave. I decided that I won't attend the after party for this play.Habang nagliligpit ako ng gamit ko, nilapitan ako ni pres para kausapin. "Hey, aalis ka na kagad Ruben?" "Yeah, may gagawin ako sa bahay." I lied. Gusto ko na din na magpahinga."Eh?! Ayaw mo kumain muna sa party mamaya? Maya-maya ka na umalis.""Sorry pres, but I really have to.""Ang kj mo talaga." She pouted. Then unexpectedly, lumapit sa amin si Eliza. "Hey guys! Another successful play, congrats sa'tin!" Aniya.