Play The King: Act Two

CHAPTER IV: Queen's Gambit (Fabienne)

"Don't worry, I will make time for it," tugon ni Priam. "Just let me know when and where."

"Aasahan ko 'yan, Mr. President!"

Bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata ko. 'Di ako makasabay sa topic. "Ano'ng pinag-uusapan n'yong dalawa? Parang 'di ako na-inform diyan sa get together na 'yan?"

"Habang naghihintay kasi si Mr. President kanina, in-invite ko siyang sumama sa 'tin for meryenda or afternoon gala kapag wala tayong rehearsal. Game na game naman siya!"

"Really?" kunot-noo kong tanong sa aking katabi. "'Di ka ba busy? May upcoming event kayo, 'di ba?"

"I can make time for some fun, just as how I always make time to come here," he said. "I'm also interested in meeting your friends. This seems like the perfect opportunity to do so."

Pakurap-kurap ako sa kaniya. Wow, ah? Sineseryoso niya talaga ang pagiging boyfriend ko. He didn't have to do it. He also didn't have to pretend na interested siyang makilala ang friends ko. He could've used the student council as an excuse to decline the invitation. Pero no! Um-agree siyang sumama. Well, I couldn't blame him lalo na kung na-pressure siya ni Belle habang silang dalawa ang magkausap dito kanina.

"That will be nice!" biglang sabi ni Colin. Halos kababalik lang niya mula sa changing room. Muntik ko nang makalimutan na nandito pa pala siya, nag-aayos ng kaniyang gamit. "I'm also interested in getting to know the USC president more."

"See you then."

Aha! May idea na nag-pop sa isip ko. Maybe Priam and I could take advantage of that gala? Para ma-convince namin si Colin at mabawasan o maalis na ang suspicions niya sa 'min. Si Belle pa pala mismo ang gagawa ng paraan para masolusyonan namin 'yon.

"Anyway, mauna na kami!" paalam ko sabay kuha ng aking shoulder bag. "See you tomorrow!"

"Ingat kayo, Fab! Ingat ka rin, Mr. President!"

Sa backstage exit na kami dumaan ni Priam tutal naka-open naman 'yon. Tahimik kaming naglakad sa hallway hanggang sa narating na namin ang hagdanan. May kaunting awkwardness sa pagitan namin. Maybe that's just normal. Walang ibang tao sa paligid kaya 'di na namin kailangang mag-act. Mukhang may malalim ding iniisip si Priam.

Napabuga ako ng hangin at saglit na napapikit. Ako na ang babasag sa katahimikan. "You have no idea how you saved me back there. Medyo suspicious si Colin sa relationship natin, lalo na no'ng nag-kiss tayo—I mean, no'ng kiniss kita sa livestream ng The Herald. He suspects na we're just acting."

"I heard a bit of what he said," sagot ni Priam. "I sensed that you were in trouble, that's why I stepped in."

"Talaga? Gano'n katalas ang pandinig mo?"

"I was listening to Belle, but I was listening more to you and Colin on the stage."

"Then I owe you big time!" Muli akong bumuntong-hininga. "'Di ko na alam kung ano'ng sasabihin sa kaniya kanina. He's not the type to accept things at face value. Kung mali ang sinagot ko, baka lalo siyang naghinala sa relationship natin. Not responding is the better option sometimes."

"So me joining you and your friends will give us the perfect chance to dispel his suspicions, huh? What a coincidence."

"We have to thank Belle for that opportunity."

Narating na namin ang ground floor. Dahil way past na ng usual class dismissal at gumagabi na, kakaunti na lang ang mga estudyanteng naglalakad sa hallway at pakalat-kalat sa campus.

"By the way, I have to discuss something serious with you," Priam said, making me turn to him. Napatingala pa ako dahil sa tangkad niya. "It might affect our arrangement, so it's best to keep you informed."