So Close

16

Dahan dahan siyang lumapit samin. He looked dashing in his black coat and tie outfit. His hair in a rugged state but it complimented his bad boy look. His smirk makes him look like he's up to no good. I will admit, he is handsome.

"Hi, Klea. It's been a while." he greeted me when he was near.

Awkward akong ngumiti. Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot dahil isang beses ko palang naman siyang nakasama noon. Noong birthday ni Adam sa probinsya namin. He's kind because he asked me to sit with them on their table because I didn't know anyone there.

Nagtataka ang ilang reporters sa gilid dahil sa sinabi niya. Mukhang iniisip nila kung paano namin kilala ang isa't isa.

I'm Adam's childhood friend and he is Adam's partner in the industry. They always sport the good boy - bad boy tandem, before Monica came into the picture.

"Hi." I greeted back because I don't want to leave him hanging.

"How do you guys know each other?" the reporter finally asked.

Remi looked at them and flashed a knowing smirk. "We go way back. That's all I'll say."

Tinawanan ito ng iba kaya sumunod nalang ako. He excused us from the crowd and escorted me inside the venue.

"You looked uncomfortable around them so I thought I'll help." he explained when we entered the hall.

I looked at him and smiled a little. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Just don't tell Adam." he winked.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Bakit naman?"

Umiling siya habang naka-ngiti. "Basta."

Hindi nawala ang kunot ng noo ko dahil sa sagot niya pero hinayaan ko. Sa loob ng event ay sinalubong kami ng ilang kilalang mukha. Some of them already know me and some had to ask who I was. Remi didn't leave my side and mingled with everyone along with me so I was actually feeling comfortable.

Nakita ko ang ilang executives ng network nila Adam na agad namin nilapitan para mabati at makausap. They all complimented my look and how excited they were for me being here.

I genuinely thanked them for the opportunity and told them that it wouldn't be possible if they didn't give me a chance.

"Klea, we are even more thankful that we get to see you grow from here. I will be happy to watch you flourish in this industry." one of the executives said.

"Thank you, po."

"This concert may be the beginning of your journey, who knows. I know people would want to see more of you." dagdag ng isa.

"That would be great, po. It would be an honor. But I would really want to finish my school po muna." sagot ko.

Tila ba nakuha ko ang atensyon ng iba sa sinabi ko na ang iba ay natigilan. Remi is still talking to another executive but his attention shifted to me after he heard me say that.

Tumango ang isa sa mga executive sa sinabi ko. "That's nice, Klea, but you know, timing is everything in this industry. Baka kapag ni-delay mo ito, mawala ang momentum mo at hindi na maging gaya nito ang fame na maabot mo."

Nakita kong sinang-ayunan ito ng mga ibang nasa paligid namin at saglit na nag-play sa utak ko ang naging pag-uusap namin ni Prof Perez noong minsan. Nawala ng bahagya ang ngiti sa labi ko at kinabahan ako dahil parang nag-iba ang atmosphere sa banda namin.

"Education is important as well, but you can always try to get it after, right? I mean, hindi naman mahalaga iyan sa industriyang ito." dagdag ng isa pa na mas sinang-ayunan ng iba.