FACADE

"What do you want to say?” Mr. Armand asked, and Akoz father. Huminga muna nang malalim si Akoz bago sumagot. Inilagay nya sa likuran niya ang mga kamay. "A-ah well about that, I just want to inform you that I have passed the entrance examination at Hakin University." Akoz stated, could not hide his happiness. Tumango naman ang kanyang ama at inayos ang suot nitong suit. Maya-maya'y kinuha ang cellphone at tumingin sa kanya. "Congratulations then." Naglakad na ito papunta sa malaking pintuan. Pero bago pa makalabas ay humarap ulit ito sa kanya. "Do what I say, you must take BS Architecture. You will be taking the CEO of our business at the right time. See you in a few months." "Y-yes dad. Thank you…" Armand opened the door and his guards started to follow him. He will be leaving their big mansion to go at Russia; business affairs. Akoz heave a sigh. His father is indeed a scary man. Kahit pa na anak sya nito, anytime he will disobey his father. Kaya sya palayasin nito. And he will be left alone, starving to death. His name, Akoz Pricel Frondozo and 18 years old. He is Armand Frondozo's son, the Chief Executive Order of the popular firm-- Frondozo Architectural Firm. He has no mom. Matagal na lumisan sa mundo ang mommy niya, and that when he was only 8 years old. Simula noon, naging workaholic na ang papa niya. Naging cold na rin ang treatment nito sa kaniya, na kahit pa utusan sya nito.   He thought it was normal since his dad had lost his wife. However, years had passed and still ganoon pa rin ang treatment nito sa kaniya. Until, it came to the point he left alone, with the maids and guards in this big house. Weeks lang nagsstay ang papa niya sa bahay nila. Matagal na ang isang buwan-- kung hindi business sa ibang bansa. Sa sariling suite nito sya nag-sstay.   Pumasok na si Akoz sa kanyang kwarto para kunin ang phone nya at tawagan ang best friend nya; si Yohan. They're friends since middle high school. And Yohan, is the son of Hakin University's owner   "Akoz? Napatawag ka?"   "Yeah, just to remind you na we have dinner tomorrow as well as my enrolment day."   "Of course, I won't forget that bro. I also want to remind you na wag ka magbaback-out sa Hakin ah."   "Nah. Dont have any plans to. Gusto mo ba palayasin ako ni dad?"   Narinig ni Akoz ang tawa ni Yohan sa kabilang linya. Alam nito kung anong klaseng tao ang papa niya. At kung gaano rin ito katakot pag nagkikita sila ng papa niya. Kahit pa na magkaibigan ang mga pamilya nila.   "Sige na. See you na lang sa parking lot ng school mo Yohan. Aasikasuhin ko pa yung mga documents for enrolment tomorrow."   "Hey. Calm down soon to be architect. Wala ka dapat ipangamba. I am the owner's son. Basta sagot mo ang pagkain bukas."   Napailing na lang si Akoz at pinatay ang tawag. He immediately lay down in bed and breathe deeply. Well, for sure he has no issues taking a course na gusto ng papa niya.   But he also hoped to pass the CET because the school is known for having the best education when it comes to Performing Arts. His passion. Because since he was a kid, pangarap na niya na maging actor or writer man lang. He joined the theatre club when he was a senior high school without his dad’s consent. Just to enjoy his passion. It was fun, he surely had fun performing in front of crowd kahit backstage or in real life eh mahiyain talaga siya. "Ano ba Akoz. You should not be thinking that right now. Remember, ikaw ang alay ng daddy mo." Sabi ni Akoz sa sarili, pilit na tinatak na ang mahalaga ay walang iba kundi ang utos ng daddy niya. Dahan-dahang ipinikit ni Akoz ang mata niya at itinabi ang cellphone. Plano niya muna umidlip. Pero mukhang tuluyan nang nakatulog si Akoz.  [Akoz’ POV] I'm doomed. I am already 30 minutes late. And Yohan hates being late. Wala na rin akong choice kaya sinabi ko nang muna siya. I'm so doomed. First come first serve pa naman ang system ng enrolment sa Hakin University. At mukhang di na ako aabot sa slots ng Architecture. Akoz, you are late. Bilisan mo. Mabilis maubos ang slot ng Architecture kaysa sa Engineering. Well, you can take engineering programs naman but then, you will sleep at my condo." Last message sa kaniya ni Yohan bago ako umalis sa bahay nila. Should I pack my things at home right now? Feeling ko wala na ako maabutan sa Hakin. Napasarap ata ang tulog ko kagabi, nakalimutan ko pa mag-alarm. Iniling ko ang ulo ko habang lakad takbo na pumupunta sa building ng Architecture and Engineering. Sa ngayon, nasa are ako ng College of Arts at marami rin ang nakapila. Di ko na rin maalala kung saan ko pinark yung kotse ko, nandoon lahat ng gamit ko. In case na di ako makapag-enroll, mukhang sa condo ni Yohan ako tutuloy. Mukhang dapat ko na rin isipin magpalit ng surname. See. Ganito epekto sakin ng ugali ni daddy. Nakakatakot magalit si daddy. Nang matanaw ko na ang building ng CE ay binilisan ko ang takbo pero to my suprise, someone moved backward. Kaya, I wasn't able to stop and we bumped each other. "Oh my God!" I've heard a woman's voice. Agad kong pinulot ang mga papel na dala niya at binigay ko ito sa kanya. "Sorry Miss. I wasn't paying attention. Sorry talaga--- "Akoz?? Is that you??" Agad naman ako napatigil sa ginagawa ko at dahan-dahan itinaas ang ulo ko para tignan ang  babaeng nabangga ko. Wait, her voice sounds familiar. Don't tell me, she is the girl I am thinking? And when our eyes met, I could feel my eyes widened; and those stupid butterflies in my stomach. Great, small world huh? "K-Klein??" I said to my surprised.