Chapter Three:Part Three

Dana and the rest of the writers for the play stayed in the living room while Leni prepared some snacks. The other three browsed the photo albums while Dana opened Leni’s scrapbook.

When Leni went back with sandwiches and drinks, Dana asked her, “Bakit ang porma mo sa mga pictures?”

“Ano ba’to, usisera.Kainis, feeling close.” She muttered.

Despite her annoyance, she still answered the question. “Eh kasi, noon kami pa. Ngayon, wala na kami kaya wala na akong dahilan para magpa-ganda…O dali, mag-umpisa na tayo.”

To get some inspiration, the group watched some DVDs that Leni brought from Manila. Afterwards, they gathered their ideas and made a draft on the plot.

Dana being the most assertive in the group began the discussion.

“I’m thinking of an adaptation of a Disney movie, like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty.”

“That’s good Dana, but I suggest that we should select something that inspires the children to hope and dream for their future.”

“Why don’t we select a story from the Bible like the story of Joseph the dreamer or Moses?”

“Or, we could make an adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar together with the outrageous outfits of the casts.” Leni added with a laugh.

“Are you kidding? Holy week is over and I don’t think that the children would appreciate it.”

“How about Prince of Egypt? Then, we could get some children at the orphanage to perform with us, so they could also have participation.”

All of them finally agreed to make an adaptation of the said film. That night, Leni downloaded the script on the internet.

---

Leni went to look for the antique shop that Adam recommended. The moment they reached the place, Leni stared at the turoquoise ring that was displayed at the counter. The storekeeper removed the ring and asked Leni if she wanted to try it. She replied, “Ay, salamat po, gusto ko lang po tigan. Maganda kasi.”

The next day, she went back to the café. She kept thinking about that ring that she saw because her mom used to own a similar one. It was originally owned by Leni’s grandmother, and passed to her mom later on.

Leni wanted to have the ring but that wasn’t given to her. She could vividly recall what happened when she was ten.”

“Mom, can I have that?”

“I’ll give this to you when you grow up. Hindi pa kasi kasya sa’yo eh.”

A few days later, Leni was surprised that her cousin was wore the ring.

“Leni, look I borrowed this from Tita Emma. Bagay ba?”

“You always get what you want. Mang-aagaw! Remove that ring, if you don’t, I’ll throw all your stuff.”

Her mom and her grandmother went inside the room when she heard Leni yelling at Agatha.

“What’s going on?”

“Why don’t you ask Ate Agatha?!”

“Tita, I just told showed her the ring then she yelled at me.”

“Anak, I lent it to her because she’s going to attend a party.”

“Basta! I don’t want her to wear that. That’s mine!”

“Don’t worry Leni, I’m going to return it.”

“Fine” Leni said as she rolled her eyes to her.

Leni didn’t say a word. She gave her cousin a stern look, then left the room. Because of her repressed emotions, she would often do certain things at the back of the person. When Agatha came back, she was surprised to see her pillow and blanket on the floor with a note that said.
‘Feel free to sleep in the living room.’ The day after that, she packed her things but Leni’s mom insisted that she should not leave.

“Agatha, pag-pasensyahan mo na si Leni, nagse-selos kasi siya sa’yo”

“Ganon po ba? Is there something I could do?”

“Try to spend time with her. I’m sure that the two of you would get along well. Actually, her attitude changed when my husband left us. I hope you’ll understand.”

“I do, I know what it feels like growing up without a father. I never had the chance to know him but I never resented that. I understand why mom left him. She knows that it would not be healthy for me to grow up with an abusive father.”

Hard as it may seem, Agatha persistently tried to win her cousin. Whenever she offered to help Leni with her assignment, she (Leni) would always decline.

There were times that Leni wanted to approach her cousin, but her pride impedes her from doing so. Instead, she would ask help from her cousin’s boyfriend.