Chapter Seven:Part Two

A week before the presentation, Aldo asked help from their former moderator in their theater guild wayback in high school to direct their play. She’s rehearsing the children from the orphanage that would be part of the cast.

A ‘spinsterish’ lady came with an eccentric outfit and over sized glasses. Aldo introduced them to her. Leni thought that she saw ‘Ms. Tapia’

“Guys, this is Ma’am Ella. She was our moderator in our drama club in high school. For this week, she’s going to help us with our production.”

The lady smiled at them and began to talk to the casts. She touched Leni’s face and asked,

“So, you’re going to play Moses’ wife?”

“Yes Ma’am.” Leni frantically answered because she got uncomfortable with her.

“Have you been in theater before?”

“Yes. In fact, I was a part of a theater guild in college. Though, I only did backstage works and scriptwriting. Actually, this is my first time to act. That’s why, I’m pretty nervous.”

“Oh dear, don’t be. Just immerse yourself completely in your role.”

“Ma’am, I hope you don’t mind. But, can you give me some tips on how I’m going to present the character well?”

“Since you’re going to play Zipporah, own it. Then, think of Moses, which will be played by your boyfriend.”

“I don’t think I can do that.”

“Don’t say that, kaya mo yan.”

“Ma’am, do you have a student named Agatha? Tall, fair skinned, yung naging model po.”

“Yes, she’s the one who died in a car crash, right? Do you know her?”

“She’s my cousin. She played Maria Clara before. I know I that look different from her. Kulay pa nga lang eh.” Leni said as she looked away.

“Yes, you have different complexions but you have the same set of eyes. Naalala nga kita sa kanya eh. But, it seemed that you’re not outgoing as she is.”

“I’m not. In fact, I’m an introvert. I don’t easily open myself. I was actually surprised why they picked me for the role. Pang backstage lang po talaga ako.”

“Oh, I see. This is probably the reason why the role was given to you. I guess Aldo and Mong wanted to boost your confidence. They want you to step out of your comfort zone. Hindi habang panahon, nasa backstage ka. Don’t take this literally. Okay Leni, which part are you struggling?”

“When Moses and Zipporah first met.”

During their rehearsals, Leni realized that Ma’am Ella is not as strict as she thought. In fact, she’s one of the people that encouraged Leni. A few days later, she became comfortable with her.

It was their general rehearsal and the rest of the team watched the casts’ performance.

“Kiss! Kiss!” the group teased Aldo and Leni on their scene.

“Yuck! Uy! Wala yan sa script ah! Do you want Carol to strangle me?! No way! Kung gusto niyo, ipapa-abot ko na lang sa ex ko, para may thrill.” Leni replied to them.

Everyone laughed including Aldo.

“Ok guys, focus” Ma’am Ella said as the cast resumed acting.

During their break time, Leni, Dana, and Mong chatted while eating sandwich behind the stage.

“Leni, baka napikon ka sa kanila ha,sabihin mo lang.” Mong said.

“Hindi naman, sanay na ako sa ganyang biro. Sa Teatro nga, kung sino-sino ang tinutukso sa akin eh, pero wala lang. Si Aldo lang yan, kaya walang malisya.”

“Ingat ka lang kay Carol, sobrang selosa yun. Para ngang feeling niya, laging inaagaw sa kanya si Kuya Aldo. Sana hindi siya manood nung play.”

“Oo nga, sana wala siya. Minsan ko lang sasabihin to ha, hindi ako boto sa kanya. Naaawa lang ako kay Aldo, sobrang bait kasi. Halos mag-mukha na siyang sunud-sunuran kay Carol. Pero alam ko kung bakit siya hindi magtuturo sa pasukan.

“Bakit?”

“Bukod sa gusto niyang alagaan si Lolo Celso, gusto daw niyang pag-planuhan ang buhay niya. Sa Manila, hindi niya nagagawa yan, dahil masyado siyang pinapakialaman ni Carol.”

“Ewan ko ba kung bakit siya pa ang nagustuhan ni Kuya Aldo.”

“Baka naman may nakitang magandang katangian si Aldo kay Carol na hindi nakikita ng iba. Eh, ako nga nung bata ako, yung barkada niyo,di ba Mong?. Karamihan naiinis sa akin,makulit daw kasi ako. Pero, si Aldo lang ang maganda ang pakitungo. Baka naaawa lang sa akin yun. Hahaha.”

“Leni, sana ikaw na lang ang girlfriend ni Kuya Aldo. Mukha namang bagay kayo eh. Hahaha.”

“Dana, ayoko nga,. hindi kami’ talo’. Ang panget naman nun, naging sila ng pinsan ko dati. Para naman akong nang-agaw niyan. At saka, ang tipo ko yung mga matangkad, mga six footer,meztizo.Parang ex ko.”

“O, nandiyan na pala ang ‘Mister’ mo.” Mong jokingly said as Aldo joined them.

“Hi darling.” Aldo said as she winked to Leni.

“Ang baduy mo talaga. Don’t call me that.” She said.

Afterwards, everyone was teasing them but it’s not a big deal for Leni at all.