1 Chapter One

- O N E -

April 25, 1:00 pm. Kasalukuyan akong nakasakay ngayon sa tren papunta sa 2002 Entertainment. I am still wearing my school's uniform. Mamaya nalang ako magpapalit sa studio. May mga naiwan naman akong mga damit doon.

I am Pandora Aine, huwag na kayong magtanong kung bakit 'Pandora' ang pangalan ko dahil nakuha lang 'yan sa isang anime character nung kapanahunan nina Mama at Papa. Sabi nila ang  cool daw ng pangalan na Pandora. Kaya ayun pinangalan sa akin.

Well, it is kind of unique.

The train stopped means that it already reach its destination. Lumabas na ako doon. 2002 Entertainment is a sub-entertainment of 2002 Cloud Ent. Bakit sub-entertainment? Dahil dito daw iha-handle ang mga rookies. The main entertainment is only for superstars. Pwede kaming makalipat doon once we already reach that level.

Which is kind of impossible for now. But I know that we will get there in no time.

Dumaan muna ako sa convenience store. Pagkapasok ko natanaw ko sa usual spot niya ang kaibigan ko na kasamahan ko sa 2002 entertainment.

"Portia!" Tawag ko sa kanya. Lumingon siya sa akin at kinawayan ako. I approach her.

"Looking for new magazines?" Tumango siya at pinakita sa akin ang magazine na hawak niya. Her eyes is twinkling and she couldn't hide her smile. Portia really loves fashion. She always come here to look for a new magazine released by the famous idol unit named Light Miracle.

The current idol queens in idol entertainment.

"Their theme for this week is sexy cat! Tingnan mo Pandora! They are so sexy!" She is right.

Shera, Umi and Nike. With the three of them combined, the Light Miracle is created. Shera Shiratori is a cute-type idol, Umi Takishima is a cool-type idol and Nike Kiriya is a pop-type idol. But the way they pose for this magazine shouts sexyness. Para bang bigla nilang inabandona ang kanilang mga idol aura at pinasok ang panibagong idol aura. When they're alone, they have their own idol types. But when they are together, they gained another idol type which is the sexy-type idol.

They are amazing. They could switch their idol aura's depending on their moods. They are really high-ranked idols.

"Maaabot din natin sila." Sabi ni Portia habang nakatitig sa magazine na hawak niya. Envyness filled her eyes but it also shouts determination. She is determined to reach LM's level. And so do I.

Dumako ang tingin niya sa akin, "Nga pala anong ginagawa mo dito Pandora?" Tanong niya sa akin.

"Gusto ko lang bumili ng tsokolate. Kailangan ko para mamaya sa practice." Tumango siya.

"Sa tingin ko kailangan ko rin niyan. You're always so hype and energetic during our practice kapag umiinom ka ng chocolate. Yun ba ang hidden regime mo?"

"Ano ba ang sinasabi mo Portia? Chocolate is just my favorite at nakaugalian ko na rin na uminom 'non before and after practice." Sabi ko sa kanya. Binigyan niya lang ako na mapanuyong tingin.

"Kaya nga. Parang sikretong pampa-energize ang tsokolate mo. That's why I should try it also!" Wala na akong nagawa ng bumili narin siya ng kanya. Hinayaan ko nalang siya at bumili ng tatlong bote ng tsokolate.

"Bakit laging tatlong bote ang binibili mo?" Tanong niya habang nakapila kami.

"Akin yung dalawa. Kay kuya yung isa. Lagi kasi siya sa akin nagpapabili ng tsokolate. Mukhang nakuha niya sa akin yung pagka-adik niya sa tsokolate."

"May kuya ka?!" Gulat na tanong niya. Dahil sa lakas ng boses niya may iilang mga customers ang napatingin sa direksyon namin. Humingi ako nang paumanhin at pinatahimik si Portia. Portia is kind of big-mouthed person. She is straight-forwarded and very direct. She will tell you the things she notice to you bluntly.

"Shh. Portia naman huwag kang masyadong maingay."

"Eh kasi naman bakit hindi ko alam?!"

"I don't know. The others knows about it but they never knew him." Sabi ko nalang sa kanya. Inilapag ko sa counter yung mga binili namin ng makitang turn na namin.

"Ah! Kayo ba yung bagong recruit ni Maika sa 2002 Entertainment d'yan sa may kanto?" Nagkatinginan kami ni Portia at marahan na tumango. Napapalakpak ng ilang beses yung cashier at naglapag ng papel sa harapan namin.

"Pakipirmahan naman nito oh! Advance na para kapag sumikat kayo. Maipagmamalaki ko na bumibili kayo dito sa convenience store!" Napakurap ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko pero mukhang kabaligtaran naman kay Portia.

"Gimme that pen! Napaka-swerte mo dahil ikaw ang unang tao na makakakuha ng autograph ng mga future super idols!"

"Yehey! Maraming salamat!"

Napabuntong hininga at napasampal nalang ako sa noo ko ng pumirma nga si Portia at tuwang-tuwa naman yung cashier. Wala na akong nagawa at pumirma nalang din dahil pinilit ako ni Portia saying; Mag-practice na tayo! For sure naman magiging super idols tayo at malalamangan ang LMs! Sabi niya kaya wala na akong nagawa. Umalis kami sa convenience store at hindi ko alam kung makakabalik pa ba ako doon.

"Isn't it amazing Pandora. We have our first fan!"

Hindi ko pinansin ang mga sinasabi ni Portia at tinuon ang atensyon ko sa daan. We stop when the light turns red at nagsiandaran na ang mga sasakyan. Portia is still blabbering and I barely understand what she is talking about. Hinayaan ko nalang siya since she's always been like that.

"Grabe, wala man lang tayong pahinga. Diresto agad practice. Nakakapagod maging idol!"

Our gazes turn from the person who said that. It turns out it came from a young man, I think he is just around my age. They are just a few inches away from us. Naramdaman ko ang kakaibang aura coming from Portia. At nung siya naman ang lingunin ko. Her eyes is blazing on fire! But a smile is visible in her lips.

"Male idols uh? How intriguing." Rinig kong sabi niya habang nakatingin sa tatlong lalaki na malapit lang sa amin. I look at them and saw they also notice our presence. The three of them is looking at us.

Masasabi ko na na-sense nila ang idol aura na nakapalibot sa amin. Admiration is visible to the eyes of the man who spoke earlier. A smile forms on the face of the other man and the male in their middle is just looking at us--- or more specifically to me.

Nakita ko sa peripheral vision ko na nag-turn na sa green ang stop light. Hinawakan ko si Portia at hinila dahil paniguradong wala siyang balak na gumalaw sa kinatatayuan niya. She seems engaged herself on a staring contest with a man who has a smile plastered on his face. And knowing Portia who never step back on every challenge. Hindi niya tatantanan yung lalaking 'yon.

"T-teka! Wait lang!"

"Hayaan mo na sila. We have a practice and we're already late." Sabi ko sa kanya habang hila-hila siya. Hindi ko na nilingon yung tatlong lalaki. I turn and saw the 2002 Entertainment company. A four-storey building. Compared to its main entertainment building, hindi mo aakalain na kumpanya ito para sa mga idols. It looks so deserted and abandoned. Pero sa labas lang 'yon. Once you entered the building, it is sparkling clean. Knowing Aurora who is a clean-freak.

I pull the door and saw a sparkling hallway entrance. The first floor contains the lounge and the office of the producer, Elsa Fortè. And speaking of her sumilip siya mula sa division na naghahati sa entrance at sa opisina niya. Elsa greeted us.

"Magandang hapon sa inyong dalawa. Aurora and Astrid is already on your studio." Tumango kami at bumati rin.

"Magandang hapon rin po Ma'am Elsa." Bati ko.

"Magandang hapon Ma'am Elsa! Alam niyo po ba na may nanghingi po ng autograph namin kanina sa may convenience store?! The cashier recognize us as an idol! I am so happy!"

Napailing nalang ako at dumiretso na sa studio. Walang elevator ang 2002 Ent. Company since sub-entertainment lang naman 'to. I used the stairs. Our studio is on the 4th floor. Since kami daw ang unang naging recruit ng 2002 Ent. kami ang nakakuha ng special studio which includes the rooftop. Well, I think that makes it special.

I reached the fourth floor and opened the only door you can found in this floor. Bumungad sa akin ang napakalinis na sahig at ang malinis na windowpane. Ang isang side kasi ng dingding ay glasswall kaya tanaw na tanaw namin ang labas. Habang yung isa naman ay salamin talaga, para nakikita namin ang mga sarili namin while practicing our dance.

I spotted Aurora sweeping the floor using a broom while Astrid is practicing some steps that she made for our songs' choreography. Napatigil silang dalawa ng mapansin ako at binati ako.

"Yoh Pandora." Bati ni Astrid. While Aurora gave me a warm smile and a wave.

"Please do not make a mess today. Kakalinis ko lang." Nakangiti niyang sabi sa akin. Napakamot ako sa ulo ko at inilapag ang dala kong plastic sa lamesa. I also put down my bag and grab my song book. I place it beside my bag.

"Magbibihis muna ako. Si Portia nasa baba baka paakyat narin 'yon." Sabi ko habang hinahalungkat sa locker ko yung damit na naiwan ko dito.

"Hayst. Baka madumi nanaman siya ah. Sinasabi ko sa inyo kapag nagdumi siya dito siya ang ipanglalampaso ko." Gigil na sabi ni Aurora habang mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa walis. Napailing nalang ako at sinara ang locker ko at pumunta sa shower room namin.

Well, since Aurora is a clean-freak. Opposite naman ni Aurora si Portia. Portia don't really like clean places.

"GIRLS! MAY BALITA AKO NA NANGYARI KANINA SA CONVENIENCE STORE!"

"PORTIA! YUNG SAPATOS MO MAY PUTIK! BAKIT HINDI KA MAN LANG MAGPALIT NG INDOOR SHOES SA BABA!"

"KYAH! NAKALIMUTAN KO!"

"PORTIA!"

Napailing ako at sinuot ko ang shorts at jacket ko. I usually wear this kind of suits when practicing. It is much more easier to move while wearing this. Lumabas ako sa shower room at nadatnan ko sina Aurora at Portia na nagsisigawan. I tied my hair in a high ponytail and grab my songbook and sat down beside Astrid who is currently taking a break.

"How's the song?" Tanong niya sa akin. I lifted the song book and said, "Getting good."

Astrid is assigned for our choreo while I was assigned melodying the lyrics. While Titania is the one who will write them down. Aurora is good in make-up and sewing and Portia is the one who designs our dresses.

All in all, our group do the teamwork. We already understand each other's specialization. Kaya mas napapadali ang mga trabaho namin.

We do our jobs. After ng sermunan nina Portia at Aurora, they gather on the corner with their sketch pads and discuss about our dresses for our debut. While me and Astrid discuss about our choreo and song.

The door swang open and our last member enter, Titania Arisugawa. The brain of our group.

"Titania. It is very unusual for you to come late." Sabi sa kanya ni Astrid but Titania didn't answer. She seems bothered. Me and Astrid look at each other, by our looks it looks like we both noticed the same thing. We turn our gaze at Titania again and the bothered expression is still plastered on her face.

"Titania, what's wrong?" Tanong ko. She approach me. I also noticed that she is not wearing indoor shoes and Aurora also notice that.

"Yah! Titania! Huwag mo naman gayahin si Portia! I just cleaned the whole studio just a minute ago! Brr." Pero hindi kumibo si Titania at nakatitig lang sa akin. She reach us and said, "We have a big problem."

Nagkatinginan kaming apat. Our moods switch so quickly. Lumapit sa amin yung dalawa at umupo sa tabi namin. We didn't mutter a word and waited for Titania spill the problem. And so she did.

"I heard that the Cloud Entertainment will make a debut live for their unit idols." Astrid is the first one to react.

"What?! Bakit?! Aren't we were the ones who fill up a proposal for our debut?! Bakit mauuna sila?!" Galit na sigaw ni Astrid. Ganun din ang tanong namin. Its been a month since our producer proposed to the main entertainment for us to debut. But we didn't recieve a reply but we still waited patiently. And now malalaman nalang namin na may mauunang mag-debut sa amin?

Titania must be furious, especially Astrid.

"I hate this. It frustrates me." She murmured under her breath. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa towel niya. Among all of us Astrid has a deeper reason whe she started training to be an idol and aim to be an idol queen.

And this news frustrates her, not just her but all of us.

It frustrates me.

April 25, 6:30 pm. Umalis na kami sa studio dahil may mga pasok pa kami bukas. Sabay kami ni Astrid dahil parehas lang kami ng village na tinutuluyan.

"Mauuna na kami. Keep safe guys." I nodded and bid our goodbyes. Silence surround the both of us. Astrid seemed to think about it deeply. Which is very understandable.

"Ang daya. Ang daya nila Pandora." Sabi niya habang nakatungo. I nodded my head as a sign of approval. A tear escaped her eyes. She tried to hide it but it was too late since I already saw it.

"Bakit ganon? Bakit hindi man lang tayo bigyan ng chance? They didn't even let us hold a live show for once. Bakit hindi man lang muna nila tayo subukan before they decide?"

I didn't answer. I don't know what to answer. Hindi naman ako magaling sa pagco-comfort at isa pa. She need time to let go all of her thoughts.

"Are you frustrated as me Pandora?" Tanong niya sa akin. Tumango ako at tumingala.

Yes, I am frustrated. Very frustrated to the point I don't know what kind of reaction should I express. I ended up using nothing. Just plain.

"I am frustrated. Same as you." Sagot ko sa kanya. We parted our ways when we both reach the village. She took the left side while I took the right side. We walk silently and goodbye to eachother silently. She needs some time to process everything.

We need some time to process it.

April 25, 7:00 pm. Our day ended just like that.

- O N E -