Play The King: Act Two

CHAPTER XX: Passing the Torch (Fabienne)

"He must trust you so much. There's no need for you to know our unfortunate situation, yet he shared it with you."

For that, I was grateful. Si Priam ang tipo ng tao na 'di mahilig mag-open up sa iba o mag-share ng kinakaharap niyang problema. Kung nagawa niyang i-share 'yon sa 'kin, ibig sabihi'y natitibag na ang pader sa pagitan naming dalawa. Well, baka nga tuluyang natibag na, eh.

"I don't know what's the real score between you and Priam. 'Di ko alam kung uma-acting pa ba kayo o talagang may namumuo na sa inyo—"

"We're just doing what friends do—"

"—and I know na complicated ang relasyon natin. I may have gone too far with what I said about you and what I did to you. It's clear to me that he values you a lot. You're more than just a tool to improve his image and his chance at reelection."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa huling sinabi niya. Okay na sana, eh. Ang pangit pakinggan ng tool.

"Despite our differences, I believe we can agree on one thing—Priam deserves to remain as USC president. Am I right?"

"Yes. He deserves his position and he doesn't deserve this treatment."

"That's why I took responsibility for the Chevy incident and resigned. In order to protect him. Ayaw kong ibigay ang burden na 'to sa 'yo. Pero sana'y willing ka ring gawin ang lahat para protektahan siya. Normally, he doesn't need protection. But this situation is different. Masyadong overwhelming ang ordeal na 'to para sa kanya."

"Of course." Muli kong tinanguhan ang hangin. Huminto ako sa gitna ng open-air hallway at dumungaw mula ro'n. "Basta nasa tama si Yam, willing akong depensahan siya. Medyo nahirapan lang ako ngayon dahil sa restrictions sa 'kin. But I found a workaround."

"That's good to hear. I won't be in the USC anymore to advise him and protect him from his enemies. But I will still be helping them from the outside sa abot ng aking makakaya. Whatever's going on between the two of you, I hope you will always be there for him."

"Don't worry, I will be."

"Once you find the opportunity to speak up, just play along with my narrative. Pin the blame on me and defend him as fiercely as you can. Ayaw ni Priam na madamay ka sa gulong 'to, but we need you to boost the student body's support for him. If things don't go well in the trial, that's the only way he can retain his position."

"Got it."

"And Fab, before I go, I want to say sorry for how I treated you and what I said to you the past few months. You didn't deserve any of them. Please accept my apology."

"Apology accepted." Kahit nasaktan ako at nainis ako sa kaniya, sino ba naman ako para tanggihan ang paghingi niya ng paumanhin? 'Di ko alam kung ano ang nakain niya o ano ang na-realize niya sa nagdaang weeks para maging ganito ang approach niya sa 'kin. Pero honestly? Mas gusto kong umayos ang pakikitungo namin sa isa't isa.

"I have to go now. Thank you for your time, Fab. Good luck."

"Thank you rin, Val."

Ibinaba na niya ang tawag. Sandali akong natulala sa mga punong tanaw ko mula rito sa hallway. Naalala ko no'ng nakasalubong namin ni Priam si Valeria na paalis ng USC office matapos ang exposé livestream ni Rey. Namumugto ang mga mata niya at mukhang katatapos lang umiyak. Maybe she got the wrong idea about our unscripted kiss? And maybe that wrong idea eventually humbled her?

Bumalik na ako sa backstage at kinuha ang aking bag. Nagpaalam na akong mauuna sa fellow actors at crew, lalo na kina Belle at Colin. We exchanged "see you tomorrow" bago ako tuluyang lumabas.