Behind the Lights

|20|

|This is just a product of my imagination. @cathcakee on twitter|

Mahalagang Paalala: Ang inyong mababasa ay pawang kathang-isip lamang. Ang ano mang pagkakahilntuhad sa actual na pangyayari ay sinadya, ngunit ang ilan ay iniba.

Sharlene stayed awake up to twelve midnight para salubungin ang kanyang kaarawan. Lots of birthday greetings flooded her social media accounts, especially on her twitter. All was sweet birthday messages from her loved ones, friends, and her loving fans. They even conducted a twitter party to show how much they love the nineteen year old Sharlene.

Reading those messages she can't help herself but to smile. She's so blessed to have everything in her life. Pero hindi man niya aminin, mayroon siyang isang taong hinihintay na bumati sa kanya. It's pass one in the morning, pero wala pa rin itong paramdam. Kailangan na niyang matulog dahil may trabaho pa siya mamaya. Kahit pa birthday niya, hindi niya tinanggihan ang kanyang trabaho.

After four hours of sleep, she woke up and prepared herself. Makakasama niya si Turs ngayong araw para sa isang event na sila ang maghohost. Before leaving, she, once again, checked her phone, pero wala pa ring kahit isang message mula sa isang tao na hinihintay niya. Despite all the messages she have received, iba pa rin kung makakabasa siya ng kahit simpleng "happy birthday, Shar".

Sharlene, together with her mom, headed first to MYX studio para sa maikling orientation para sa gagawin nila mamaya. She went to her dressing room only to be surprised with flowers and confetti. “Happy birthday, VJ Sharlene!” Masayang bati ng mga staff sa kanya.

She was in tears while receiving the bouquet of flowers. “Thank you, MYX fam! I love you.” Marami siyang gustong sabihin pero sa sobrang overwhelmed ay hindi na siya makapagsalita. Ang akala niya ay tapos na ang pa-surprise ng MYX sa kanya. Hindi pa pala. “Grabe. Salamat. Salamat!”

After a moment, bumukas muli ang pintuan at isang makising na binata in his usual attire came. “Yeah, happy birthday, Shar!” He greeted with all smiles.

“Wow. Thank you, Turs!” She hugged Turs. Not knowing na merong nagvi-video sa kanila. “Daming surprise ah.”

“Bumabawi lang si Turs. Hindi kasi siya nakasama dun sa pasurprise last time. Kaya ayan, siya may pakana nitong lahat.” Esplika ng isang staff na parehong malapit kay Turs at kay Sharlene.

From his pocket, may kinuha si Turs na isang maliit na box na kulay itim. Mas lalong lumakas ang hiyawan at kantyawan sa loob ng maliit na dressing room. Siksikan na sila halos pero walang gustong lumabas dahil sabik na makita ang regalong pinaghandaan daw talaga ni Turs.

“Uy, ano yan?” Nahihiya at naguguluhang tanong ni Sharlene. She's not into material things. Masaya na siya sa mga simpleng bagay.

“Is that a ring, Turs? Proposal na ba ito?” Pang-aasar pa ng isang writer kaya mas lalong nabuo ang bulong-bulungan. “Nako, biro lang po yun, Tita Myleen.”

Turs cleared his throat. “I wish you nothing but the best. On this day forward, I wish you lots of happiness, love and all the tgings your heart desires. Nasayo na ang lahat, kaya I really don't know what gift suits you. But then, I came up with this. Here,” Inabot niya ang maliit na box sa dalaga.

Sharlene was about to open that gift but Turs stopped her to do so. “Wait, there's a rule.”

“What?” Kunot-noong tanong naman ni Sharlene.

“You're only allowed to open that when you are sad.”

Hindi makapaniwlang tinignan ni Sharlene nang maigi ang mukha ng binata. Tinitignan kung seryoso ba ito sa sinasabi niya. Pero wala siyang makitang bahid ng pagbibiro mula sa ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Or maybe he's hiding it. No one knows.