FACADE

Chapter TWO

[Akoz’ POV]

Everleigh Klein Mendez is my first love, and yes until now. 

She was my senior back when we were both senior high school students. And one of the reason kung bakit ako nandito; is because I've heard from Yohan na dito sya nag-aaral. 

Yes, I followed her.

 We haven't seen each other for such a long time; like 1 year and I did not expect to meet her either. Kahit na umaasa ako na one-time makita ko siya. Well, pareho kaming member ng Theatre Club back in SHS days and we're close friends. She is very friendly, caring, and nice. That's why naging comfortable ako sa kaniya noon. Until, one night when we were both walking on our way home. Her smile had captured my heart. 

But I didn't confess.

 And unlike those close friends, wala rin akong contact number niya or even friends on Facebook. I guess, ganoon ako katorpe. Or takot lang ako sa rejection. 

Even if it's been a year; I still like her. A lot. That's why seeing her right now, I feel so happy. It's been a long time. I couldn't hide my happiness because I met her again. 

"Oh my God. Ikaw nga Akoz!" She said when I mentioned her name. Her eyes are smiling. And I feel those butterflies again. My heart is beating so fast that I could hear it. 

"L-long time no see Klein. What are you doing here?" I asked her. Wala na rin akong pake kung mauubusan ako ng slot sa Architecture. I just want to talk to her right now.

Ipinakita niya sa akin ang brochure na hawak niya, may nakasulat na BA in Performing Arts. Tama nga ang hula, she is taking her passion. Well, good for her.

"I'm part of the Performing Arts Theatre Club, and well luckily, the President so I decided to help other seniors na mag-encourage ng mga enrollees na kumuha ng program na ito." She explained.

"Hey Akoz, it's been a long time. Wala na akong balita na narinig sayo ha?"

Napakamot ako sa batok ko at yumuko, "I-I'm sorry. Medyo busy na rin ang Senior High School and since nasa ADT ako, kaliwa't-kanan yung projects."

"And now, you're here? So I guess, mag-eenroll ka?" I nodded She smiled and handled me the brochure.

"Yeah, actually late na nga ako eh."

Tumingin sakin si Klein na nagtataka, "Ha? You're not late. Actually, kaka-open lang ng Performing Arts."

“Ha?” balik tanong ko. 

What?

Wait…

Is Klein thinking na I will take BA Performing Arts?

No way… 

This can't be happening…

"N-no Klein. I mean uhh, you know I should take…" Damn, I can't help but to get nervous, trying to explain that I need to take BS Architecture. 

Lord, my dad will kill me.

"Yeah, I understand. You should take BA Performing Arts pero hindi ka naman late. So, you can join the lane over there and wait for your turn. Understand?"

I was about to explain the reason but when I look into her eyes. I was already strucked by her pretty face. And there it goes again, my stupid heart.

I breathed deeply, no matter how much I want to pursue my passion. And no matter how much I like Klein. I need to obey my dad.

Or else, my life is going to end.

[Narrator] 

"And your will really end Akoz. Congratulations for living at 20 years." Sarkastikong sabi ni Yohan kay Akoz na sinabayan nang mahinang palakpak.

Nasa isang japanese restaurant sila ngayon after ng 2 hours processed ng enrolment sa Hakin University.

Napayuko naman si Akoz at bahagyang kinamot ang batok nito, "Yohan. I don't know what to do. Like, paano ko sasabihin kay dad?"

"Simple lang." Sagot ni Yohan at ipinatong ang dalawang kamay sa mesa. "Tell your dad that you have been under spell of this so called love dahil nakita mo si Klein and then boom, you are officially enrolled as BA Performing Arts student!"

Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Akoz at agad na umiling, "Yohan, I can't! Malalagot ako kay dad!"

"Sana inisip mo yan kanina." Pabulong pero mariin na tugon ni Yohan. He frustrated brushed off his hair. Still, Yohan can't believe his best friend did the worst thing.

“I tried! Binalak ko naman tumanggi eh.” Mahinahong sagot ni Akoz habang nakapalumbaba. Napataas ang kilay ni Yohan sa sagot ng kaibigan.

“Binalak mo lang. Pero di mo ginawa. Pag ikaw pinalayas ng daddy mo kay Klein ka ba titira? Hindi pa nga kayo officially friends diba?”

“We are!” Akoz quickly answered, Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Yohan. Kilala niya si Akoz, he is the type of a guy who can’t say no to easily. Dapat inasahan na niya ito eh. Pero hindi naman niya inaakala na magkikita ang dalawa sa araw ng enrolment.

Well, Akoz still likes Klein. At kung tatanungin siya, si Akoz ang lalaking pinakamarupok na nakilala niya,

Napatingin si Yohan kay Akoz. How can he describe this guy? Well, he is a big catch. Aside from being the successor of a well-known business; Akoz is an intelligent, kind and warm person. Although he is very shy and timid, Akoz is caring and he smiles a lot. 

And lastly, he is indeed a good-looking guy.

That what made him to be one of popular guys back in SHS, too bad Klein did not notice it or she just treat him as a friend. On the other side, napakatorpe kasi ni Akoz. Kung ilan beses sya nagkaroon ng girlfriend; ganoon chance rin ang nasayang kay Akoz to pursue Klein hanggang sa umabot ng graduation ng ng huli.

"So, what made you enrolled in Performing Arts? Was it because you still like her?" Yohan asked.

"Of course, dahil sa passion ko! Yohan naman, alam natin pareho na I used to be a member of Theatre Club back in SHS diba?" Agad na responde ni Akoz. Pero hindi sumagot si Yohan at tiningnan lang siya nang mataman. Nakuha agad ni Akoz kung ano ibig sabihin noon kaya wala syang nagawa kundi ang huming nang malalim.

"And of course, because Klein… is there." He finally confessed. "Look Yohan, I don't really have any plans to take BA Performing Arts pero hindi ako makatanggi kay Klein. I just, I just don't know…"

"Why you can't just say it is because you still like her? At bakit gusto mo pa rin sya even though you haven't seen each other for a year?"

"Grabe ka, isang taon lang kami di nagkita. Syempre hindi naman agad mawawala yung feelings mo sa isang tao."

"So what are we gonna do now?" Yohan asked Akoz. The latter looks helpless and confused. And as his bestfriend, nararamdaman ni Yohan iyon.

After all, they are bestfriends.

"Do you want me to help you?" Yohan asked, staring at Akoz.