"Oh..." Napatingin ako sa study table ko habang inaalala kung kaninong boses ba ito.
"Wait... Who is this?" I asked. Still feel confused. Just who the heck owns this manly voice? But it's familiar, tho.
"Tsskk.." I heard him reacted.
"It's me... Do you have hearing disorder?" He sarcastically said.
Napakunot noo naman ako. Then suddenly finally realized who l'm now talking with.
"Ice?" I uttered as I wanted to confirm.
"It's Aizer! Aiz, not Ice." He sounds like annoyed. I chuckled because of how he said it.
"Psh... Where did you get my number? Why'd you call?" Sunod sunod na tanong ko. Thinking, where the heck he got my number? I only gave it to Joellen, and Alexus... Oh yeah right, I'm sure Alexus still have my number.
"It's regarding tomorrow's meetings." He only answered my last question.
"And?" I asked at bumalik ang tingin sa laptop, and continue playing.
"We'll do the task at my place. I'll text you the address. Also —"
"Wait wait wait." Pagpigil ko dahil sa unang sinabi niya. I even stop playing again.
"... What did you say? Do the task at your place?" Sunod sunod na tanong ko.
Why it have to be at his place? Pwede naman sa iba, right? Sa Café or somewhere, just not in his place... Tsk.
"Why? Is their any problem... I already have the equipments ready. I already told Alexus about this, and he agreed of course." Nayayamot niyang sabi. Napairap nalang naman ako.
Just what the heck is our task? Why there are equipments needed?
"What's our task?" Tanong ko nalang.
"I'll tell you tomorrow. Also, contact your friend about this." Sagot at palala niya naman sakin.
"Why not tell me now." Nayayamot na pangungulit ko.
"No." Tanging sagot niya at pinatayan ako ng tawag.
"What the f"ck!?" Inis na bulalas ko habang nakatingin sa screen ng phone ko.
What the f"ck is his problem? Babaan ba naman ako ng telepono. Tsk!
Mahinang tinapon ko nalang ang phone ko sa bed at bumalik sa paglalaro ng Tongits sa laptop.
Ilang minuto pa ay nag beep ang phone ko sinyales na may mareceive akong message.
Tinignan ko agad ito and it was from unregistered number, tho I know kung kanino galing dahil sa nakalagay sa text.
Finorward ko nalang ito kay Joellen. Then bumalik na sa pag lalaro ng Tongits.
But hindi pa man nag sasampong minuto ay nag ring na naman ang cellphone ko.
Hindi ko ito pinansin hanggang sa tumigil ito, pero tumawag ulit ang walanghiya! Halos limang beses itong nagmisscall.
Inis ko itong pinulot at sinagot sa ika anim nitong pagtawag.
"What the f! Bat ang kulit mo. Ano bang kaylangan mo?" Inis na bungad ko pagkasagit ko ng tawag.
"Whoa!, Elshein. Easy, easy!" Natatawa nitong sagot.
Nangunot ang noo ko ng marinig ang boses na yun. Agad kong inalis sa tenga ko ang phone ko then tinignan ang number.
"Sino ba ang tumawag sayo kanina para mainis ka ng ganyan hmm?" Natatàwang sabi niya ulit.
Napapokerface nalang ako and didn't dare to interrupt his laughing ass.
"Hello? Nandiyan ka pa ba?" I heard him said while chuckling.
"You done? Why'd you call?" I said without any signs of emotions.
"Whoa chill ang seryoso mo naman... Just wanna ask if Aizer did call you about tomorrow's meeting?" Alexus said still can't control himself from giggling.
"Yeah. You gave him my number?" I asked still using the 'emotionless' voice.
"Nah, I didn't."
Nangunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sagot niya.
He didn't? Then, where the heck did that Ice found my number.
"Liar." I coldly said.
"What? I didn't, I promise." He said, he seems telling the truth, tho. But I can't trust this freak.
"Fine!" I sighed.
"... He did called me and told me the time and address for tomorrow."
"Good, I thought he didn't. That's why I called to inform you." Sabi niya naman.
"Well then, if that's all the reason you called, I'm currently busy, so I'll hang up." I naturally said, then tumingin sa laptop ko.
"Okay, see you tomorrow." I heard him said.
I didn't reply back and just ended the call. Ibinaba ko na ang phone ko and continue what I'm doing in my laptop.
The next morning since Saturday naman, ay hindi ko na inagahan ang paggising. Ten o'clock pa naman ako aalis.
Ng mag nine o'clock ay nagprepare na ako, since makikipagmeet pa ako kay Joellen para sabay kaming pumunta sa location na binigay ni Ice.
"Aalis ka?" Bungad agad ni Clayd ng makita akong naka-ayos sa nerdy style ko.
"Yup, may group activity kami." I simply answered.
"Pwedeng sumama?" Zel suddenly asked.
"Gaga. Wala ka bang sariling trabaho?" Pangbabara ni Blake sa kaniya.
"Meron." Nakangusong sagot ni Zel dito.
"How about your lunch?" Napatingin naman ako kay Clayd dahil sa tanong niya.
I just shrugged my shoulders and nagsimula nang maglakad palayo.
"Alis na ko." Pahabol na sabi ko at lumabas na ng bahay.
I drove my car to where Joellen wants to meet up. As I get there, I saw her immediately.
"Hi Shein." She greeted with a smile nang lumapit siya sakin.
"Get in." I said. Then agad siyang lumapit sa front seat.
"Whoa, hindi ko alam na marunong ka palang magdrive." Agad na sabi niya pagkapasok niya sa loob.
I just smirked and sinimulang magdrive.
Puro dal-dal siya sa byahe. Wala segurong segundo na hindi siya nagsalita.
I bet, she will be a good match with Zel. Pareho silang madaldal.
"By the way, this is a bachelor's village, makakapasok ba tayo na tayong dalawa lang?" Tanong ni Joellen habang nakatingin sa address na finorward ko sa kaniya ka-gabe.
"I don't know." I simply answered.
Ng makarating kami sa address na binigay ni Ice, pinatigil kami ng guard na nagbabantay.
"Ma'am good morning, san po yung punta niyo?" Tanong ni kuya guard.
"Kay Del Castillo po kuya." Si Joellen na ang sumagot.
"Ah kay sir Aizer po. Sige po ma'am." Nakangiti pa nitong sabi.
Pinalampas na nila kami at pinapasok. Deretso agad namin hinanap ang bahay na nasa address na nasa text message niya.
"Ito na seguro yun." Sabi ni Joellen nang habang nakatingin sa bahay na kulay gray at may isang pamilyar na kotse na nakapark sa labas.
"Kotse ni Alexus yun diba?" Tanong niya ulit.
Nakatingin lang ako sa bahay at nagpark sa tabi ng sasakyan ni Alexus.
Hindi pa man kami nakakalabas ng kotse ay lumabas na mula sa gate si Alexus.
"Whoa, on time." Natutuwa nitong bungad pagkatapos niya tingnan ang relos na nasa kamay niya.
"Good morning." Bati ni Joellen dito.
"Morning." Nakangising bati pabalik ni Alexus.
"Tara, pasok." He added as he walked inside.
He's wearing a plain v neck blue shirt and ripped below the knee short.
Nakasunod lang kami ni Joellen sa kaniya. The house is not that huge, it's just a normal two story house, although the interior design and landscape designs are amazing, the whole house is truly great. Just like what other houses in this village. Tho, masasabi mo talagang, hindi average person lang ang nakatira dito. As expected from a rich kid. Malaki ang space ng garage niya, and I saw two cars parked in there.
"Upo muna kayo, I'll just call Aizer." Turo ni Alexus sa couch nang makapasok kami sa living area. Tumango lang kami, then umakyat na siya sa second floor.
May dalawang maid na biglang sumulpot at binigyan kami ng snacks and drinks.
"Whoa, thank you po." Nakangiting sabi ni Joellen dito. Tumango at ngumiti lang yung babae, seguro nasa nearly 30's na pati ang kasama nito bago sila bumalik sa kusina.
"Kanino kayang bahay to." Bulong niya naman sakin.
Napa irap nalang ako. Obvious naman kung kanino bahay to.
Minutes later bumaba na si Alexus and the other cold and expressionless guy who's behind him. He's wearing a simple white v-neck and a maong pants. At medjo basa pa ang buhok niya.
"Bakit di niyo pa kinain yan?" Tanong naman si Alexus nang maupo siya sa katapat na couch habang makaturo sa chocolate cake na nasa harapan namin.
"Errr... Later nalang." Sagot ni Joellen. Habang ako ay tahimik lang.
Napatingin ulit ako kay Ice na ngayon'y nasa tapat na namin.
"You're on time." He suddenly said at naupo sa tabi ni Alexus. Nag crossed legs pa, wow.
"Tsk." Napairap nalang ako at nag crossarms naman.
"What now, uupo lang ba tayo? Aren't you gonna tell us about our task?" Sunod sunod na sabi ko.
Nagkunwari naman si Alexus na naubo para pigilan ang tawa niya habang si Joellen ay tahimik lang sa tabi ko. Then seryosong nakatingin lang naman si Ice sakin.
"Well, you see, Shein. Our task is a bit difficult. Since apat lang tayo." Alexus suddenly said. Kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.
"That's why I called you here." Seryosong sabi naman ni Ice kaya napatingin ulit ako sa kaniya.
"Just tell us what task it is. Diba sinabi mo that you already prepared the equipments for that?" Naiinip na sabi ko.
"Yeah right, but your approval for your cooperation is what matters." Si Alexus na ang sumagot.
It looks like they've already talked about this.
"Is it that difficult?" Joellen suddenly asked.
"Hmm, a bit?" Alexus answered.
"Well, you see, we only have a week to finish this." He added.
"If it's that difficult, why not start doing it now, so that we can finish it before deadline." I stated while looking at Alexus.
"Well..." Napakamot naman siya ng ulo at tumingin kay Ice. Kaya napalingon naman din ako.
"It's a roleplaying." Ice said looking straight at me.
"What?" I exclaimed. While I heard Joellen gasped.
"It's role playing that involves music." He added.
"So, we're gonna act and sing at the same time?" Joellen suddenly asked still feel surprised.
"Yeah." Alexus answered.
"Oh my god, I don't know how to sing nor act." Joellen gloomily mumbled.
How come ma'am Ching gave us such task? May hinanakit ba siya samin? Nakatingin lang ako sa cake habang nakikinig sa reklamo ni Joellen.
"It must be recorded and should be 45 minutes to an hour." Ice said habang naka side view na naman, his hand on his chin and elbow on the arm chair.
Tsk. I don't like him doing that since it really attracting. Kidding...
"Do you have a script?" I asked at napatingin naman siya sakin na hindi manlang nagbago ang ayos niya.
"Yeah." He simply answered.
"Where's the script, by the way bro?" Alexus suddenly asked.
"Board room." Ice simply answered again.
"You wanna read the script?" Tanong naman ni Alexus sakin. And I just nodded as an answer.
Tumayo agad siya at naglakad papunta sa second floor.
Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at napasandal sa couch.
"If it's a role playing, then may characters? If it involves music, then the characters have a chance to sing? Then, if it's just the four of us, oh my god! So I have a chance to be a character that sings? Omg, no way. Hindi ako magaling umacting at kumanta, Shein!!!" Sunod sunod na reklamo ni Joellen sakin.
"Props nalang ako, pwede ba yun?" She added.
"Sana isa o dalawa lang ang character na kakanta, para ikaw nalang." Natatawa niyang sabi ulit.
"Tsk, tingnan natin sa script." I said at her and she just pouted.
Ilang sandali pa ay bumalik na si Alexus dala ang script.
"Here." He then gave me the papers.
Agad ko naman itong iniscan habang si Joellen naman ay nakasilip sa ginagawa ko.
I read the synopsis and the plot of the story and even also the dialogues.
What an interesting story, but....
"Oh my god, why there's a trace of romance?" Reaction ni Joellen matapos namin basahin ang script.
I know my face look fierce, especially my eyes when I'm serious or not in the mood. But it doesn't show much as what Zel told me when I'm wearing eyeglasses.
But today, I am extremely serious, so I don't know if it's visible. Why the heck do we have to do this task?
"Hays, I was surprised when I read the script, too." Alexus said.
"What? Are you in or not?" Ice suddenly asked. Kanina pa siya tahimik actually.
"We don't have a choice, tho. But you know, I can't sing, so si Shein nalang ang female lead." Joellen commented.
Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya habang nakataas ang isa kong kilay.
"Have you even see me sing nor act?" Seryoso kong tanong.
"Hmm, nope... Pero Shein ayos lang yan kung hindi ka marunong. Para sa grade natin to. Basta ako extra character nalang ako."
Napabuntong hininga nalang ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa dalawang nasa harapan namin.
"So it's settled?" Nakangising tanong ni Alexus. Habang si Ice ay seryoso parin ang muka at nakatingin din sakin.
Napairap nalang ako at umiwas nang tingin.
Do I have a choice?
"I don't like the male leads role, so we already both decided na siya nalang." Biglang sabi ni Alexus habang nakaturog kay Ice.
"What?!" Medjo nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya.
"I'm not a good singer, you see? Aizer's the best one. Even if I want to, Aiz will be better." Nakangiti niya pang sabi.
Napangiwi nalang ako at napatingin kay Ice na ganon parin ang tingin, hindi mabasa. Tsk.
"I can be the second male lead you know." Natatawang sabi ulit ni Alexus.
"But how about the other characters?" Joellen suddenly asked.
"We can disguise ourselves or asked help from a friends, trust me, this will be perfect." Alexus said while grinning.
Perfect my ass. Baka maging zero pa ang score natin, tsk.
Nagsimula kaming mag plano kung paano namin dadalhin ang storya. Nag usap usap tungkol sa mga props and costumes na gagamitin.
Nagsimula din kaming mag memorize ng dialogues.
Ng mag lunch naman ay don na kami kumain. I was shocked, that Ice told his maid to prepare foods para samin.
After that ay bumalik kami sa aming ginagawa kanina.
"Let's go upstairs. We'll be shooting at the Board Room." Ice suddenly said while I was at the middle of reading my dialogues.
"Oh right. Para makapagstart tayo magshoot tomorrow." Alexus said as we start walking upstairs.
We entered a color white room. Broad games were at the left side of the room together with a huge full screen tv and a set of couch. In the right side was a studio.
"Aizer prepared all of this after he got the task." Alexus whispered who's infront of me.
Ah, kaya pala he said last night that the equipments are here, already prepared. What an effort.
Malaki ang kwartong ito, kaya enough na siya para dito kami mag shoot.
"Ah... Forget about the costumes. We can edit that one. Since we're going to use a greenscreen." Ice suddenly said while holding a camera.
Tumango nalang kami and ibinalik ko nalang ang tingin sa script ko.
" Oh right, I already called Luca and he said he'll come." I heard Alexus said to Ice.
I don't know what their talking about since I am with Joellen sitting here at the couch while the two where doing something at the studio.
Hindi ko na pinansin ang usapan nila at pinagpatuloy ang pag mememorize ng dialogue ko.
"Let's practice our voice acting." Ice suddenly said.
"Sige sige." Joellen agreed.
Since we already assigned the characters to just the four of us. We can already do the acting.
"We can actually finish this in just two to three days of shooting but we don't have enough vacant time since we have regular classes. So we have to start recording tomorrow early. Creating greenscreen is difficult so we have to stay focus." Ice added.
"Who will create the greenscreen?" I asked.
"Him of course." Si Alexus na ang sumagot.
"Okay, let's start." Seryosong sabi ni Ice.
Hindi na kami umimik at nag simula ng mag practice.
Nakaupo lang kami sa couch habang nag babatuhan ng linya. Of course with acting na sa voice yun.
"Wow, perfect! Ang galing mo palang umacting Shein!" Masiglang sabi ni Joellen nang matapos kami.
Napatingin naman ako kay Ice na nakatingin pa sa script na hawak niya.
Ang galing niyang bumato ng linya niya. Just what the heck, I almost got swayed!