"Mr. Do Jaechan?"

 

"Yes po, that's me," sabi ni Jaechan na halos mangatal ang boses sa sobrang kaba. Nasa audition lang naman siya ng Dreams Entertainment. Pangarap niyang maging parte ng banda na ide-debut ng agency na ito. Pangatlong audition niya na ito para sa nasabing agency, at hopeful siya na sa pagkakataong ito, matatanggap na siya bilang trainee.

 

"I'm sorry for making you wait, but we regret to inform you that we cannot accept you as of the moment. You still lack the skills that we want from a guitarist. However, we notice that you have a powerful voice. Maybe you'd like to audition as a vocalist instead?"

 

"No, I really want to be a guitarist."

 

"Let's have a deal. The management really likes your voice and maybe you can audition as vocalist for Dream's latest rock band? I can put in a good word for you. You have the looks plus the voice."

 

Napabuntung-hininga si Jaechan, trying to weigh his options. On one hand, the offer seems promising, lalo na at nakailang audition na rin siya. On the other hand, hindi niya magagawa ang hilig niya--ang pagigitara.

 

"That's not to say you can't play the guitar," dagdag ng training coach sa kanya. "If anything, you can hone your skills while you're here and maybe you can be a vocalist who also plays the guitar."

 

"Talaga po?"

 

The coach nodded. "So, what do you think?"

 

"Opo, yes po! Go na po!" excited na sabi ni Jaechan. Kulang na lang tumalon siya sa tuwa at yakapin ang coach.

 

"I have to remind you though, you have to be at your best at the audition. This is Dreams, and expect na maraming ibang tao who will want to debut under us. So I advice you to put your best foot forward tomorrow."

 

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Jaechan. "Tomorrow?!"

 

"Yes, tomorrow. Bakit? May problema ba sa schedule?"

 

Jaechan quickly shook his head. "Wala naman po. What time po?"

 

"9 in the morning. Hope to see you there."

 

Jaechan nodded. "I'll be there po. Thank you po for the opportunity!"

 

"I just don't want a talent like yours to go to waste," sagot naman ng coach. "Anyways, I'll go ahead."

 

*****

 

Naglalakad si Kyungsoo papunta sa lobby nang may marinig siyang nag-aaway.

 

"Bakit ako ang may kasalanan? Ikaw itong hindi tumitingin sa dinadaan niya!"

 

Teka... May kaboses ang nagsalita.

 

"Kasalanan ko bang hindi kita nakita dahil ang liit-liit mo?"

 

"Aba! Ang kapal mo!"

 

Jaechan? At tama nga ang hinala ni Kyungsoo paglapit niya sa dalawang nag-aaway. Nakita niya ang nakakabatang kapatid na tinitingnan nang masama ang matangkad na kaharap nito. Ngayon, na-gets na ni Kyungsoo kung bakit nasabi nito na maliit ang kapatid niya.

 

Lumapit siya sa dalawa ngunit hindi agad siya napansin ng kapatid na masama pa rin ang tingin sa kaharap.

 

"Jae?"

 

Nilingon siya nito. "Kuya?"

 

"Anong nangyari?"

 

Agad niyakap si Kyungsoo ng kapatid. "'Yan kasing higanteng 'yan, hindi tumitingin sa dinadaanan. Nabangga niya ako at muntik nang mahulog si Betty."

 

"Naku, okay lang ba si Betty?"

 

"Oo, Kuya. Pero nakakainis pa rin. Hindi na nga ako natanggap sa audition, muntik pang masaktan si Betty." At tuluyan nang naiyak si Jaechan.

 

Mukha namang naapektuhan ang tinutukoy nitong higante. "I'm sorry, hindi ko sinasadya."