Here, Under the Stars

CHAPTER 27

-- MAGUI --

"Si Ashi?" Cleo asked Stella na kabababa lang ng hagdan.

"Hindi raw kakain." Stella answered before sitting beside Cleo.

"Bakit?" Jenna asked. "Masama nagpapalipas ng gutom."

"Aabutan ko na lang ng pakain mamaya." Gia volunteered.

"May problema ba 'yon?" Cleo asked, confused.

"Not that i'm aware of." Stella answered.

My brows furrowed as I listened to their conversation. Hindi nanaman kakain si Ashi? Napapadalas na yung pag-skip niya ng meals ah?

"Totoo ba, Mags? Magduduet kayo ni Ashi sa concert?" Malia changed the topic so all of them were looking at me.

"Yeah, Riley suggested it." I simply answered before I went back to my food.

It's been difficult for me and Ashi lately. Ever since she told me that she wanted us to act as friends anymore, I couldn't understand myself. I started being mad and annoyed at her like I went back to the Magui I was before.

Acting friends is the right thing to do but I couldn't really understand myself. It's like I didn't want to be just friends. If only it was that simple.

"Anong kakantahin niyo?" Savannah asked.

"Hold on." I told them when I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket.

"Hold on? Kanta ko 'yon ah?" Malia rejoiced, thinking about the phrase I said. "Nakakatuwa naman kayo, inalala niyo pa ako! Tungkol 'yon sa story na iniyakan ko pero sige, pwede na ring tungkol sa inyo. Kailangan niyo naman yung isa't isa, in denial lang kayo."

"No, hold on." I told them as I showed my ringing phone.

"Ayan, ang dami ko kasing sinasabi!" I heard Cleo tease Malia.

I went out of the house to answer the call.

"Good evening, ate Shelley." I greeted my manager.

"Bad news, Mags."

I suddenly felt a pain in my chest. Why did I feel like something is happening to Solace again.

"Spill." I told her.

"Mrs. Atienza canceled your solo concert. May malaking band silang pinalit sa slot mo. She said na mas deserve nila 'yon kasi hindi ka pa naman daw gaanong kilala." She told me the bad news.

Napaupo ako sa steps in front of our door. It felt like all my plans are falling aprt. Gusto ko lang naman mabangon yung Solace, why is the universe so against it?

"Can she do that?" I asked in a panic.

"Apparently, she can." Ate Shelley said with a sad tone. "I'm sorry, Magui. I know you really wanted this for Solace."

"Okay lang, ate Shels." I tired not to cry. "Hanap mo na lang po ako ng bagong project. Thank you for letting me know." I said as I ended the call.

I went back to the girls with a heavy heart. I sat on my seat but I couldn't touch my food anymore. Nawalan na ko ng gana.

"So, ano nga kakantahin niyo ni Ashi?" Savannah asked.

"Wala na." I told them as they all turned to me. "Wala na kasi canceled na yung concert."

I walked out of the dining table and locked myself in the room. I heard Cleo knocking but I refused to open the door.