Ever since nagsimula ang practice sa Laura Theatre, hindi mo ma-deny sa sarili mo—may something kay Enzo na hindi mo ma-explain. Hindi mo alam kung dahil ba sa pagiging expressive niya, sa ngiti niyang laging extra, o sa paraan niyang pagbigkas ng lines as Florenta… pero one thing was sure: may crush ka sa kanya.
Pero syempre, secret mo lang iyon. For now.
PRACTICE DAYS
“Laura! You must gasp dito!” sigaw ni Enzo habang nagpa-practice kayo, sabay dramatic na pag-flip ng imaginary dress niya.
Napatawa ka. “Ang OA mo talaga, Enzo.”
He grinned. “Mas bagay sa’yo pag ngumiti ka.”
Napatingin ka agad sa script mo, hoping hindi mapansin na kinikilig ka. Why would he say that?? Bakit parang ang lambing???
Every practice, mas lalo kang nabibighani sa kanya—sa dedication niya, sa passion, at sa pagiging natural niyang funny. At minsan, hinuhuli mo siyang nakatingin sa’yo habang nagre-rehearse ka ng lines.
“Good job, Laura,” he’d whisper, soft at sincere.
At doon, tumitibok agad nang mabilis ang puso mo.
THE PERFORMANCE NIGHT
Backstage, ramdam mo ang kaba sa dibdib. Enzo walked toward you in his full Florenta costume.
“You okay?” tanong niya, voice softer than usual.
“Medyo kinakabahan…” sagot mo.
Ngumiti siya. “Don’t worry. I’m here. I won’t let you fail.”
Bakit ba ang sweet niya ngayon?!
Then he leaned closer, fixing a loose strand of hair from your face.
“There. Perfect.” Your heart almost jumped out of your chest.
ON STAGE
The lights dimmed. Curtain rose.
Enzo entered dramatically as Florenta, his eyes catching yours. And suddenly, kahit puno ng tao sa audience, it felt like kayo lang sa stage.
Your lines connected perfectly. Your chemistry glowed. And at the climax, when he “fainted” into your arms, he whispered softly—only for you to hear:
“You’re doing amazing, Laura.”
Your heartbeat went wild.
AFTER THE FINAL BOW
Backstage, habang nagtatanggal siya ng wig, lumapit siya sa’yo.
“Laura,” he said, eyes steady on yours, “thanks for being my partner. I… actually like working with you a lot.”
You felt your face heat up. “Same… I like working with you too.”
He smiled, the kind na hindi theatrical—kundi totoo. Genuine.
“Maybe… after this play… we could hang out? Just the two of us?”
Your crush on him suddenly felt like it wasn’t so hopeless after all.
“Sure,” you whispered, your heart flipping, “I’d like that.”
Enzo grinned. And for the first time, you wondered…
Maybe he likes you too.