Spotlight

CHAPTER 8

Rebecca

"Now I do understand why millions of people love you."
Freen said with all the sincerity written on her eyes.

I was touched of her words hearing those words from a woman like her.

Yes, I've been hearing and reading compliments from other people pero iba ang sayang naramdaman ko ng marinig ko ang mga iyon sa kanya. She has this foreign and unusual effect on me. We only knew each other for several weeks pa lang pero heto ako at kinukuwento na ang halos lahat sa buhay ko at nakikipagbiruan at tawanan sa kanya.

Throughout the ride coming to this restaurant ay kinakabahan ako pero iba rin ang excitement na nararamdaman ko. Madami na akong sinamang mga relatives, friends and celebrities sa restaurant ng college friend kong si Mitch pero inviting and bringing Amanda to dine here feels like my first time. I was very conscious and at the same time proud of myself for eating with a crowned beauty queen.

"Do you have any particular place where we can have our coffee, Rebecca?" Narinig kong tanong nya kaya naputol ang mga iniisip ko about her.

"Huh?" Nalilito ko pang tanong.

"You know, saan ang "hiding" coffee shop ng isang superstar na tulad mo?" Natatawa nyang sabi.

"Hahaha, funny. Please stop mentioning that I am a superstar. I'm just a simple and ordinary artist."

"Ok, ok... simple and humble Rebecca. Bring me to your favorite coffee shop." She said humorously.

We stood and said our goodbyes to the restaurant staffs. Nagmamadali kaming sumakay ng sasakyan nya dahil baka may makakakilala pa samin.

"Have you been to Brown Grains?" I asked.

"I've been there once. Masarap nga coffee and cakes nila dun." She answered and started the engine.

"Now you know where to go."

After 15 minutes of comfortable ride, nakarating din kami sa favorite coffee shop ko. She parked the car somewhere far from the other cars. Bumaba na kami pero hindi pa man kami nakakapasok ng shop ay may mga lumapit na agad kami ng mga fans. We entertain them by giving them autograph and letting them to take pictures.

Friday nga pala today, medyo matao dito pag ganitong day and time. Mabuti na lang at hinawi ng guard at staff ng shop ang mga tao para makapasok kami ng shop. May ilan ding mga fans sa loob ng café ang nagpapicture sa amin. Masaya naman naming pinaunlakan ang mga request nila. The manager of the shop who happened to be my cousin approach us immediately para i-assist kami for our orders.

"What do you like to drink Rebecca?" Bulong ni Freen. I can feel her warm breath in my ear. Hindi naman yata nya napapansin how close she is to me dahil busy pa rin sya sapag-sign ng mga autograph ng ilang mga fans na nasa loob.

"Same as yours na lang." After I answered ay kaagad nyang sinabi ang orders namin sa cousin ko dahil ilan na lamang ang mga nagpapapicture sa kanya. Samantalang ako ay pinalilibutan pa rin ng mga teenagers na walang sawang nakikipag-selfie at groupie.

"Let's go?!" I heard Freen said, then she hold my hand and lead me to the door while we both saying our excuses and thank yous to the fans and crews.

Once we are out of the shop ay mabilis akong hinila ni Freen papunta sa sasakyan nya. Sya na rin ang nagbukas ng pinto at kaagad akong sumakay.What a gentlewoman.

"Finally!" We both exclaimed and napabuntong hininga. Napatawa na lang kaming dalawa sa pareho naming ginawa.

"I'm sorry, I literally need to drag you out of the shop dahil mukhang hindi natin maeenjoy ang coffee sa cafe if every second ay may lalapit sating fans.". Sabi ni Freen while starting the engine.

"It's okay, I didn't expect na full pack ang shop at this time. And I'm thankful you drag me out. Muntik na nga akong masubsob." Biro ko sa kanya.

"So where do you plan to drink this coffee? Dito na lang sa sasakyan mo?" I asked.

"I know a place na wala ng fans na hahabol sayo." Sagot nya.

"At hahabol din sayo. Where is it?" Curious akong malaman dahil wala na yatang lugar sa city na ito ang walang taong makakakilala samin aside sa kanya-kanya naming mga bahay.

"Just wait and see..." She said with a smirk and smile on her pretty face. Did I just say pretty face? Well, totoo naman.

After 15 minutes of ride ay nakarating kami sa main ng isang university.

"Are you sure about the place? Sa isang school talaga? May mga tao pa rin jan at this time." Nalilito kong tanong.

"Just get off the car and trust me." She said with conviction.

I followed her order. I grab the two cups of coffee and box of cookies then get off the car. Then Freen suddenly hold my hand. I didn't expect sa ginawang paghawak nya sa left hand ko and I feel an electricity running to my veins. Maybe she is just a natural clingy and sweet person. For sure, she also holds her other friends' hands.

Nagsimula na kaming naglakad but my eyes are focus on our intertwined hands. Nakikipagholding hands naman ako sa mga friends ko at sa mga nakakatrabao ko but this feeling I am feeling right now is so strange. Gusto kong bawiin ang mga kamay ko dahil sa boltahe ng kuryenteng dinidulot nito but at the same time, ayoko namang mawala pagkakahawak ko ang mga kamay nya.I feel safe and comfortable when she's holding me.

Natigil na lang ang pag-iisip ko ng tumigil kami sa paglalakad at nakita kong nasa isang football field kami. There are few light posts na may ilaw kaya kita pa rin ang ganda at lawak ng field.I saw some players on the field practicing. Meron ding iilan na mga estudyante na nakaupo at nanonood o kaya naman ay nagkukuwentuhan at kumakain.

"Will it be okay to stay here?" Tanong ko na medyo ninenerbyos na baka may makahuli samin at paalisin kaming bigla.O kaya kasuhan kami ng trespassing dahil hindi naman kami mag- aaral dito.

"Don't worry, alumna ako dito and my father is one of the boards of this university. At yung mga guards and staffs dito sanay na silang nakikita ako dahil pumupunta ako dito sa gabi lalo na pag may mga competition ako. Dito kasi nakakapag- isip ng maayos habang nakaupo lang at nagmamasid sa mga nasa field." Paliwanag niya.

Mabuti naman dahil ayokong mapagbintangan na gate crasher.

"Come, let's sit there." Pointing to the center part of the bleachers and she led the way going up.

Umupo kami sa medyo dim na parte ng bleachers at nilabas ang mga kape at cookies. Hindi na ako nahiyang itinaas ang mga legs ko sa upuan sa harap ko.Sa totoo lang ay pagod na ako sa kakatayo at kakalakad. Good thing, jeans lang suot ko today. Nakita kong ginaya na rin ako ni Freen kahit nakasuot sya ng dress.

Nagkatinginan kami at napatawa ng mahina. Umupo kami na medyo nakahiga sa paraang komportable kami.

We silently drink our warm coffee while munching the cookies.

I feel free and comfortable just sitting here with a new found friend. We are not saying any words pero nararamdaman kong masaya at kuntento kami na ganito lang ginagawa.

"Thank you, Freen." I said almost whispering.

"For what?" She asks without looking at me.

"For dragging me out of my busy world." I sincerely said. "We only knew each other for several weeks but I felt like I've known you for years na." I added while looking at the empty field.

"You are welcome and I am also grateful for meeting a humble and kind-hearted person like you." She said, then I feel her lips touches and lingers for some seconds on my cheek.

I was a little shocked and stunned. However, with that action, I can feel the butterflies in my stomach go crazy and my heart beats faster more than usual.

It's just a friendly kiss on the cheeks Rebecca. I reminded myself.

We went silent again after she kissed me while staring at the field and finishing our coffee and cookies.