Since walking distance lang naman yung isa sa favorite café ko mula sa Police Station, linakad ko nalang din. Pagkadating ko, agad akong umupo sa vacant seat at tiningnan yung menu before calling the attention of the waiter.
"I would like to have a Hisbiscus Tea with Honey and three sets of Toast Macarons, that's it." I smiled before the waiter disappeared from sight. Aside from being my favorite café, may kailangan din akong gawin.
While waiting for my order, I grabbed my laptop since I know I'll be having a problem to troubleshoot during noon time since dito karamihang tumatambay yung mga students from Lisabona Theatre Academe after class.
Dito ko talaga naisipang pumunta after the conversation between us and the captain. I know I can gather informations here since sa ngayon, kalat na ang nangyari sa dalawang student nila.
"Let see what we can gather here..." napatigil ako sa pagtatype nung lumapit sakin yung waiter to place my order on the table and continue typing.
"Miss, this sucre rose bread is on the house. Since you're a regular customer here, we will be giving you additional one set of of Chérie Macarons and a tea of your choice." I looked at the waiter and smiled sweetly, kung sweswertehin ka nga naman. Buti nalang pumunta ako dito.
"Why thank you, can I take the freebie out later?"
"That won't be a problem, madamoiselle." the waiter bowed before grabbing the tray.
Tinuloy ko ulit yung ginagawa ko, checking the steps that I already conducted on my list, when the café door opened welcoming some new customers. They walked around just to choose an empty seat, I chose not to pay attention at first, but knowing they're in front of me, it's inevitable. Marites nga naman. They started with a very loud voice, so anyone inside this small cafe can actually noticed the newcomers.
"Sayang talaga si Fatima, she's one of those prettiest and talented lass from LTA." napatigil ako sa pagtatype just to listen, I placed the strand of my hand at the back of my ear so I can listen carefully.
Based on their uniform, they're from Act Foothill Academy, so bakit nandito sila?
"Totoo, she's more than ready katulad nila Serene, Lian at Lara." sabat naman nung isa. Rinig na rinig ko yung sinasabi nila since nasa harap lang sila ng inuupuan ko. Nakikinig lang ako sa pinagsasasabi nila. Since it is already in the news, they won't be needing any facade to speak about the issue. Plus noticing me won't be a big deal as I'm smaller than the rest of them.
"Ilang weeks nalang bago magstart yung Theatrical Play sa Roumer Bay saka pa nawala yung apat na pinagpipilian."
"Di naman sila specifically na pinagpipilian, sila yung rank four sa nag audition as Cossete sa manuscript, walang specific order, pero sa pagkakaalam ko, sa apat na yun si Serene yung pinili nilang una," one of the student paused from talking before accepting their order from the waiter. After the waiter left, she proceeds with their topic.
"So basically, what actually happened is ginawa nilang substitute si Lian after the death of Serene, tapos nung mawala si Lian si Lara naman. Same thing happened to Lara and Fatima." muntik na mawala yung composure ko sa pakikichismis. Ang tanong totoo kaya yung pinagsasasabi nito?
"Ikaw na talaga Miriam, ikaw na ang Goddess of Chika, tinalo mo pa si Aling Marites at Susan. Sino namang source mo dyan?" sabi nung short hair na babae. Don ako nagfocus pero sige pa din yung type ko para di nila sabihing nakikinig ako sa usapan nila.
"Sino pa ba? Kahit naman Archenemy ang LTA at AFA nagsheshare naman sila ng information. Lalo na sa faculty noh? Nandon din ang mga student council, so kanino sa tingin niyo ako nakakakuha?" humagikhik sya na parang kinikilig.
"Kanino pa ba? Syempre sa Vice President ng AFA?" one of them responded.
"Anyway, feeling ko talaga merong sumpa yung villain role ni Cossete. Parang Cursed Role lang ganon. Whoever holds the role will die." sabi nung nakaglasses na babae while sipping her juice.
"Minsan naniniwala na rin ako sa mga beliefs mo, Aly. Sabagay kasi noh, namatay si Cossete sa script dahil sa false accusations. Ended up, na yung villainess who accepted the role in real life will actually face the same fate, but in different way, what a tragedy." sabay sabay silang nag deep sigh at sabay sabay din nilang pinick up yung macarons nila.
Napangiti nalang ako sa mga narinig ko, siguro nga kung nasa fantasy world lang tayo, maniniwala akong cursed role nga si Cossete despite not reading the script. I'm having the gist of the case already. Few confirmations to go, then we're set.
"Bakit nga ba tayo pumunta dito kung alam nating di tayo mapipili sa role sa script noh?" sambit ng isa sa kanila bago humagalpak ng tawa.
"Malay mo naman diba? Magtry lang tayo, baka mabigyan tayo ng role kahit puno lang sa background." tawa naman nung isa sa kanila.
"Gaga, akala mo naman kailangan nila ng taong puno, di naman tayo nasa elementary stage play, syempre gagamit sila ng CGI or greenscreen niyan. Hindi naman cheap ang LSA at AFA noh?" sambit nung Aly habang kain pa din ng kain ng macarons.
"Anyway, magsstart na yung pagpili ng panibagong Cossete at ibang roles. Tara na sa LSA bago tayo maunahan sa front seat." sabay sabay silang tumayo habang hawak hawak yung macarons at juice nila, isa isa din silang lumabas.
I act fast pagkatapos nilang lumabas. Ipinasok ko sa bag ko yung laptop ko and ring the bell para bayaran yung bill at kunin yung freebie, inabot naman ito sakin ng lalaking waiter. Madali ko itong ipinasok sa bag ko bago maglakad papuntang Lisabona Theatre Academe which is kaharap lang ng café na kinainan ko. Tuloy tuloy lang ako pumasok sa academy only to be stopped by their guard.
Luh, feeling principal.