10

Miguel Mendoza practically flew through the entrance of ABS-CBN. He practically stayed up all night finishing his song. He knew Laarni will be here today since she has a guesting in Wowowee. Wanting to keep good on his promise, he wanted her to hear the song first before anyone else did.

He was now in the corridors of ABS-CBN, looking for the dressing room where Laarni was billeted. Walking through one of the corridors, he saw her emerge from a dressing room.

“La!” Miguel screamed. Laarni turned around.

“O, Miguel. Bakit andito ka? Wala ka naming sched ngayon diba?” Laarni asked.

“Uy, alam niya sked ko.” Miguel joked. Laarni tapped him lightly on the shoulder, flowed by a “what” look. “Wala, natapos ko na yung kanta, at gusto ko sanang iparinig sa iyo.”

“Ok, sige, doon tayo sa dressing room. Papakuha na lang ako ng food.” Laarni said as she motioned Miguel to come inside her dressing room. Laarni sat down on the make-up chair while Miguel sat down on one of the seats behind him.

“Paano nga ba napasukan ang gusot na ito?
Di naman akalaing
Magbabago ang pagtingin sa'yo ooooh...
Mula nang makilala ka umikot ang mundo ko
Di na kayang ilihim at itago
Ang nararamdamang ito ooooh...

Paano na kaya?
Di sinasadya
Di kayang magtapat ang puso ko
Bakit sa dinami-rami ng kaibigan ko
Ikaw pa?

Paano na kaya?
Di sinasadya
Ba't nahihiya ang puso ko
Hirap nang umibig sa isang kaibigan
Di masabi ang nararamdaman
Paano na kaya”

The words struck Laarni, there was something in the lyrics that made her think, yet she could not pinpoint what.

“Ano kamusta?” Laarni just sat there, dazed. “Huy!”

“Ha?” Laarni said.

“Kamusta?”

“Maganda.” She replied. “Makabagdamdamin ang lyrics.”

“Inspired, eh.” Miguel said.

“Sino naman inspiration mo?”

“Basta.” He replied.

“Uyy… naglilihim na siya sa akin.” Laarni joked. Inside, she was confused about what she felt. Curiosity piqued a part of her, yet the other part was jealous.

“Pumunta ka sa gig ko sa Friday at malalaman mo. Ipakikilala ko siya doon.”