The Puerile Queen

Chapter 18: Epic rehearsal

Namamawis ang kamay ko sa sobrang kaba. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapahigpit ang kapit sa gitarang dala ko. Kahit pa rehearsal palang naman ngayon.

My heart was beating faster than usual. I don't know if I'll be able to sing in front of other people. I know I've posted my videos on Youtube for the world to see my talent pero recorder yun! Samantalang ito, live na mapapanood ng ibang tao.

Nakakadagdag pa sa kaba ko ang mapanuring tingin ng ibang contestant at ng epalogs direk na ito. At mas masaklap pa dahil wala si Ryker para manood.

Siya pa naman ang inspirasyon ko ngayon. Awtsu.

"Mukha kang dehydrated." Hayley commented saka inabot sa akin ang isang bottled water. I shook my head, "Hindi ako nauuhaw."

"Weh?" Hinimas niya ang noo ko, "Mukha kang najejebs na ewan, ayos ka lang ba?"

Ngumiti ako ng pilit, "Kinakabahan lang."

"Kinakabahan?" She laughed kaya sumimangot ako, she pinched my cheeks and said, "You can do it."

"Kudos to the one who's been procastinating her work." I stated, iniikot niya ang mata niya, "Haler, sa tingin mo ba madaling mag-paint sa loob ng tatlong minuto?"

"Then why do you choose to paint kasi?"

"Because that's my only talent. Duh." Sagot naman ni Hayley. Tumawa lang ako at hinintay na matawag ang pangalan ko.

Huli ako sa magpeperform at paniguradong kauna-unahan sa papalpak. Huhu

"Suarez, you're up!" One of the crew said. I looked at Hayley with much nervousness, she just nodded and wished me luck.

I exhaled breathelessly as I stood up to walk towards the backstage.

"Kaya mo yan, Bri. Maganda kang tunay." Pagbibigay ko ng kumpyansa sa sarili but it didn't work. Kinakabahan talaga ko. Rehearsal palang ito, paano na kung sa totoong show pa?

Pumunta sina Hayley sa kabilang side para panoorin ako at hindi talaga nakatulong ang mapanuring mata ng ibang kalahok. Hay, inggit ba talaga sila sa kagandahan ko?

Mabilisang inayos ng crew ang mic at gitara ko. And after a few impatient sighs of some staffs and the director itself, I tried my best to strum my guitar.

Taking a deep breathe to calm my nerves. After a few notes, I opened my mouth to sing.

But nothing came out.

Parang bigla na lamang nawala ang boses ko sa kaba. Mabilis na nilapitan ako ng direktor, "One more take, you flobby irritating lady. One of Ryker's management member is here to watch. Stop embarassing yourself." He whispered angrily saka umalis na muli ng stage.

"Sapakan nalang oh?" Pabulong kong hamon. Akala ba nila madaling kumanta sa harap ng madaming tao? Tapos nandito pa daw yung isa sa humahawak kay Ryker? Gods, mas kinabahan ata ako.

"3. 2. 1. And take!" Sigaw noong direktor. At gaya ng kanina, huminga ako muli ng malalim bago simulang patugtugin ang gitara.

And sadly, again, no words came out my mouth.

"That's it!" The direktor flinched, "You get out that stage and go buy yourself a candy!"

I bit my lower lip to prevent my tears from falling, yumuko ako and let him humiliate every inch of me, "Don't pretend that you can do something because obviously you can't! And oh, Ryker would never deserve a girl as weak as you!" With those words, I rushed out of the studio with my guitar.

Mabilis akong tumakbo patungo sa kwarto ko, ignoring all the people around me. I dumped myself on the bed and silently cried there althroughout the day.