Chapter Three:Part Two

Leni spent the following days conceptualizing the story. She would often tour around the town for inspiration. One afternoon, she stopped at a café and antique shop where most of the tourists hang out. She sat on a corner beside the window and ordered iced tea; she opened her bag and grabbed her scrapbook. Leni leafed through the pages and stopped until she saw the pictures from the productions they had in college. Now, she knew that she needs to get started.

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“Tita, can I invite Dana and some of my groupmates tomorrow?” Leni asked her aunt, and she agreed. Then, she went back to her room and opened the drawer. There were photo albums and some of Agatha’s stuff. She browsed through the pictures of her cousin’s eighteenth birthday. Then, memories flashed back when she was still alive.

Agatha stayed with Leni’s family during college. She seldom spent time with her cousins because she’s been juggling her modeling gigs and academics. But, whenever she stays at home, Agatha bonded with her cousins. She would bake cupcakes, watch tv with them, and helped them with their homework. This is the reason why Leni’s insecurity grew towards her. Leni felt that someone took her place. Her mom and brother, and some of their neighbors would often compare her to Agatha. They would often say, “Dapat mag-aral kang mabuti. Parang yung pinsan mo, maganda na, matalino pa.” Because of these words, Leni strived to become a second-rate version of someone else just to please the people around her.

Then, she closed the photo album and went down for dinner.

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After eating her breakfast, Leni went straight to the church. She was surprised with what she saw - a group of people praying and singing praises to God. This was quite unusual for her because the theater guild that she joined in college never prayed before a meeting or a rehearsal. In fact, she never prayed for years. Because of her past experiences, Leni thought that God is also distant like the people that left her. At this point, Leni wasn’t really sure if she would approach them or not. Before she made her move, she called Adam first.

“It seems that I am in the wrong place.”

“Why did you say that?”

“The group that I joined was praying .Here they are, singing praises to God. We don’t do that in ‘Teatro’ remember?”

“You’re not in ‘Teatro’ anymore.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Leni, what I’m trying to say is that you should expect that they’re different. Besides, you’re in a youth ministry.”

“Should I stay or should I go? Because, I can feel that I would get burned alive. Ang sama kong nilalang.”

“Sobra ka naman. Just because you seldom go to church, doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person. Why don’t you try something different, like praying? That was probably the reason that you’re there.”

“Father Adam ,is that you?”

“Sorry, I was getting preachy.”

“No, that’s okay. I should probably join them now, they’re done praying.”

“By the way, don’t forget to visit the antique shop that I mentioned before. I’ve read from a magazine that you could find chic vintage accessories there at a reasonable price. Basta, pasalubong namin ha?”

“Adam, kakarating ko lang, masyado kang excited.”

Aldo briefed them on the timetable that they would be working on.

“Leni, how’s the story, may naisip ka na ba?” He asked.

Leni lied to him. “I’m already working on it. It’s almost done.”

She said as she raised her thumb and winked.

On that day, Mong and Aldo conducted ice breakers and acting exercises. Each one was required to act out a certain scenario given by the facilitator. This time, Mong handled the activity. It was Leni’s turn and she was asked to act out being dumped by a guy. She pulled the guy beside her, and asked him to pretend as her ex. This was easy for her. Leni internalized by recalling the moment that Red broke up with her. She repeated everything that she said that night and broke into tears afterwards. They clapped their hands and were convinced that it was scripted.

“Leni, parang totoo.” One of them commented.

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While on their way Aunt Juana’s house, Leni told Dana about the pressure that she felt when asked about the story. “You don’t have to worry about it. Mabait naman ang pinsan ko.” Dana said as they walked together. While having a conversation about the play, Dana can’t help but notice the charm bracelet that Leni was wearing.

“I like your bracelet, where did you get it?”

“My ex gave it to me.”

“Bakit hindi mo pa tinatanggal?”

Leni just smiled and didn’t answer the question and began to talk about something else.