FACADE

Chapter THREE

[Akoz’ POV]

Agad akong napatingin kay Yohan. As of now, I'm still in the middle of battling my thoughts. I can't even think kung tama ba o mali ginawa ko. However, I'm happy. I'm happy to meet Klein again. I’m happy to be a Performing Arts student but I am worried.

Pero kasi, my dad is expecting na I am taking BS Architecture. Pwede naman siguro ako kumuha ng special classes about Architect and will pursue it in the future. I can take night classes or online classes about Architect? Or kahit diploma muna? Pwede bai yon?

But it is not that easy tho. My father is not an easy person.

"You.. will help me?" I asked back, trying to confirm what I've heard. He smiled and nodded. I smiled widely too. "Yes, I need your help!" I answered.

"Okay, how about… We will make a fake information about you? I know this is so dangerous but, we can fabricate some documents showing you are a student from BS Architect." He suggested, as I listened carefully. 

"Well, dad did not ask for some documents proving na I took Archi. But I am kinda suspicious, maybe he hired some agent to look out for me…" Pag-amin ko. Since it is college, my dad is silent but deadly.

"Then I can say to the secretary na higpitan ang security ng school. Dad won't be aware sa mangyayari. Ako na ang naghahandle ng university na ito with the help of Ms. Lee."

"Okay. So, what I need is fake ID, fake schedule, fake certificate of registration and?"

Yohan smiled and snapped his fingers, "You will be a ghost student from a ghost class."

Napasandal ako sa upuan at huminga nang malalim, "For Pete's sake, this is dangerous Yohan. Madadamay ka sa gulong pinasok ko." He just shrugged his shoulders and grinned, "I love war. And besides, we're friends Akoz Pricel so kasama mo ako."

Ngumiti ako bago uminom ng tsaa, "Thanks Yohan Vaun. I owe you big time." And give him a fist bump. “Let’s just pray na diploma ang hingiin sayo ng daddy mo. Kasi after 5 years pa iyon. Just kidding.” Pagbibiro ni Yohan at tumawa nang maikli.

"You just need to promise na we won't get caught by your dad. Or else, better save money bago ka pa niya mismo palayasin." Yohan continued, but I firmly shook my head.

"No." I disagreed. "We both know the reason."

Walang nagawa si Yohan kundi tumango at ngumiti. Maya-maya pa'y binigyan nya ako nang mahinang tapik sa balikat.

Bigla tuloy ako napaisip. Hindi biro ang ginawa ko, lalo na at involved si daddy sa desisyon na ito,

Tama ba ang ginawa ko?

I mean yeah, I like Klein and I did not have the chance to refuse but what if sya pala ang way para ipursue ko yung dream ko and passion ko? What if, in the end; there's more than being an actor or a writer? Na baka in the end, mas matuwa sakin si dad kahit na hindi ako kumuha ng architecture.

"Hey Akoz it's fine! Are you having second thoughts?"

Naputol ang pag-iisip ko nang magsalita si Yohan, ngumiti lang ako at umiling. "Wag ka magbibigay ng records unless hiningi ng dad mo."

"Yeah, will do."

Nandito na ako, I have no time to back out. However, I'll make sure to find a way para mapunan yung problema. Dad is indeed scary, but I am hoping once he finds out; sana maintindihan niya.

I am hoping. I am praying and I know na dadating ang araw na malalaman niya but for now...

I want to live my life to the fullest.

[Narrator]

First day of classes.

Maagang pumasok si Akoz, 30 minutes earlier than start of classes. Kinakabahan sya sa di malamang dahilan. Hindi na rin sya sumabay kay Yohan dahil 1pm pa ang klase nito. Kaya nagdecide na lang sya magdrive ng sariling kotse.

As usual, maraming tao sa Hakin University. Pero ang makita ang mismong unibersidad na ito sa ganitong sitwasyon ay nakakatuwa.

Well, kilala ang Hakin University sa buong Pilipinas. They are unstoppable for producing top students of Engineering, Architecture and Arts. Deserve naman ng Hakin ang napakamahal ng tuition fee dahil bukod sa facilities, high quality din ang education.

Tiningnan ni Akoz ang orasan, 8AM pa lang at may 30 minutes pa siya. Pumunta muna siya sa garden malapit sa CAL building para magrelax. At anyway, Klein officially gave her number to Akoz. To update, they are talking thru message.

He found out they have the same schedule and their rooms are just in the same floor. Sabi pa sa kanya ni Klein, he should join the theatre club since she is the new President. And they are lacking of actors.

Well wala naman sya problema, and he planned to join the club for two main reasons. At alam nya na iyon.

Napangiti si Akoz nang makita ang ganda ng fountain, natatamaan ito ng sinag ng araw. He immediately looked for his phone. This beautiful scenery needs to be a memory.

And when he is ready to capture the fountain, a woman in her short hair and hoodie just blocked the view.

"Oh no. Sayang naman." Bulong ni Akoz, but did not intend to make his voice lounder. However, the woman heard it.

"Oh sorry… daaanan kasi ito." The woman said before she left the garden.

Nagulat si Akoz sa sagot ng babae. He felt bad thinking the girl might be offended. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang babae, mabilis itong naglalakad papunta sa CAL building, maya-maya pa ay may isang babae ang yumakap dito at nagtawanan sila habang nakikisabay sa ibang mga students papasok sa CAL building.

Gusto niya habulin ang babae at humingi ng sorry pero nang icheck nya ang oras, ay may 15 minutes na lang sya para puntahan ang room.  Akoz breathed deeply, maybe some other time  nasa isip niya. Tiningnan niya ulit ang cellphone kung may natanggap na message mula kay Klein.

No message from Klein.

Akoz grabbed his bag and run.