Scripted Relationship

ERIK

The whole time I was thinking about what Rose might have thought when I said to everyone that I prayed for my miracle. I was really referring to her as my miracle. It was the same prayer I said when we were both in Our Lady of Manaoag, lighting candles for our prayer. Only this time, I also sincerely prayed that Rose would forgive me from all the pain I caused her.

"Ang seryoso mo naman, Boss Erik," Gardo tapped me, bringing me back to my senses. He gave me a can of San Mig Strong Ice. I smiled at him in reply.

We were done eating dinner in celebration of Tita Nang's birthday. Now, we were having a videoke session with bottles and cans of beer. It's the usual thing already for Gardo and the helpers, including myself, to end every celebration with a showcase of our voices.

They already sang a number of Filipino songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s. At the very least, they give me some kind of relief after everything that transpired today. All this day gave me were jitters and awkwardness because of Rose's presence.

I did not expect her to be here in Tita Nang's birthday. And I did not even know the exact reason why Tita Nang (and I think Mom knew this all along obviously) would invite Rose anyway. But then, what more can I do? We were here already and all I did was to be awkwardly silent. Rose even noticed my unusual acts. I felt really uncomfortable.

"O! Sino na ang susunod na kakanta?" Gardo asked everyone using the videoke microphone. One of the helpers just finished singing 'Awitin Mo, Isasayaw ko' by VST and Co.

"Si Boss Erik naman!" One of the helper shouted in response. The others supported the suggestion as they asked me to sing a song.

"Huwag na," I said to them with an awkward smile. "Kayo na lang."

"Wag ka nang mahiya, Boss Erik," Gardo jokingly told me.

"No, really. Just carry on, guys."

"Mukhang kulang ka lang sa inspirasyon eh," Gardo teased me. He moved his sight away from me and looked somewhere at my back.

"Miss Rose! Halika po dito! May kailangan po ng inspirasyon!" WHAT?! DID HE JUST CALL ON ROSE? I stood up to my surprise and tried to prevent Gardo from even calling Rose further.

Too late, Rose was on her way to our place when I turned my back to look at her. She was smiling brightly. But I did not mind her twinkling eyes. I was preventing this possibility from happening. Tita Nang followed her as well and sat on one of the monobloc chairs.

"Miss Rose, kanta ka po," another helper said her when she reached us. Instead of further preventing Gardo (which I obviously failed to do), I awkwardly sat back on my chair.

"Ano bang magandang kantahin?" Rose asked them.

This let out the living daylights of the participants of the videoke night. They clapped their hands knowing that Rose agreed to sing. She first picked up one of the cans of beer and opened it to drink. While she was sipping beer, the helpers suggested songs for her to sing. I did not understand the title of the songs they were suggesting because I was back in my awkward state, taking glances at her.

"Sige, ito na lang ang ilagay mong kanta," Rose told Gardo while looking at the songbook. "Five. Three. Three. Two. Six."

Gardo put the code Rose said to him on the videoke machine. The title of the song was 'Rolling in the Deep' by Adele. The participants clapped their hands, including Tita Nang. I felt the urge to leave the place because it was becoming more awkward and awkward by the moment.