So, let’s love: Episode 13

Episoe 13 | The Reunion

▶ Play this track: Multo (Stripped Down)

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center

Saturday, 8:40 PM

Third Person’s POV

Ramdam ni Ayen ang init ng mga spotlight sa loob ng studio, pero tila mas nakapapaso ang katahimikang namagitan sa buong kwarto pagkatapos ng huling nota ng ‘So, Let’s Love.’

Bilang VJ ng MYX Global nang halos tatlong taon, sanay na si Ayen sa pressure ng live broadcast. Wala naman kasi itong pinagkaiba sa fieldwork na araw-araw niyang hinaharap noong nag-aaral pa siya sa UP.

Pero iba ang kalbaryong kinakaharap niya ngayon. Hindi yata kayang tumbasan ng galing niya sa trabaho ang pagharap sa multo ng nakaraan na agad na siyang tinitigan matapos nitong iabot ang bass sa isa sa mga staff.

Hindi niya rin alam ang mararamdaman nang makita na si Goldie pa rin ang gamit ni Brian hanggang ngayon. Ang pamilyar na kislap ng instrumento ay tila isang piping saksi sa lahat ng pangarap na binuo nila noon; isang piraso ng nakaraan na bitbit pa rin ni Brian sa kabila ng layo ng narating nito.

“3… 2… 1… Cue!”

Ayun na ang cue niya.

Ayen took a deep breath before forcing her cheerful mask back on. “What’s up, MYX Philippines! This is VJ Ayen again at your service,” panimula niya. Her gaze remained fixed on the camera lens, iniiwasang sulyapan ang lalaking nasa tabi niya.

“That was such a powerful performance! I’m still processing the lyrics, but wow. Brian Kang… or should I say, Brian? How does it feel to be performing here in your home country?”

Ayen internally patted herself on the back for not fumbling her spiel, but just one glance at Brian made her throat feel dry.

Brian wasn’t just looking at her like a normal TV host. He wasn’t looking at her as VJ Ayen either, but as the Ayen he once knew. It was an intense and unwavering gaze that disregarded the cameras, the road managers, and the thousands of people watching the stream.

It was a look that carried the weight of seven years of absence.

“It feels… right,” Brian replied, his voice low and gravelly. Ibang-iba sa nakasanayang boses ni Ayen noong high school pa sila. Pero isa na rin siguro ito sa mga nagbago makalipas ang maraming taon. “I’m happy to be back home.”

“It’s like I’m finally exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Napalunok si Ayen. “Grabe naman ‘yon! I think we can all agree that we feel the love here in the studio,” biro niya, trying to ease the tension that was clearly visible on screen. Even her supervisor who was on standby was looking at them with a raised brow.

‘Tangina, bakit kasi hindi man lang ako naabisuhan nang maaga? Hindi ba uso ang month-long notice?’

Kinakabahan man, kailangan niyang ituloy ang interview. As much as she wanted to crawl back to her apartment, there were bills to be paid. “But seriously, ‘So, Let’s Love’ hits differently. Lalo na sa line na ‘you know me, please hold onto my anxious heart.’ Who was the inspiration behind this? At ano ‘yung pakiramdam mo noong sinusulat mo ang first draft?” dagdag ni Ayen nang may ngiti sa labi, pero alam ni Brian na pilit lang ‘yon.

Tumingin muna si Brian sa camera bago idinirekta ang buong atensyon kay Ayen. Halatang tinatatagan na lang ng dalaga ang loob niya, kaya naman sumagot na ang lalaki.

“The first draft was written when I was at my lowest,” Brian began, recalling his mental state back then. “I was balancing my responsibilities as an international student and my life as an aspiring artist. Everything became hard to manage, and I felt like I wasn’t the same person that this friend of mine knew anymore.”

“To be honest, it was a classic case of someone losing themselves,” he forced a light laugh as Ayen felt her grip tighten on her cue cards at the revelation. “Still, I wrote this with the hope that I’d still get a second chance at reconciliation. I wanted to tell that person that even when I disappeared or went silent, I still cared about them.”

Brian’s answer

The studio suddenly felt too small for the both of them.

Alam ni Ayen na siya ang tinutukoy nito. If she were to dissect the lyrics, she’d get the picture clearly: it was Brian’s feelings during the years they grew apart. Mga taon na puno ng sakit, pagsubok, at paglaya. Ang bawat linyang inawit ng kaibigan ay sagot sa bawat katanungan na nauwi sa iyak mag-aapat na taon na ang nakalipas, noong mga panahon na bigla nalang itong nawala nang walang paliwanag.

“That’s… very brave of you to share,” pabulong na sambit ni Ayen sabay mabilis na humarap sa camera bago pa siya tuluyang bumigay sa harap ni Brian. “Well, if you want more of these feels, don’t go anywhere! Up next, we have his other single, ‘Guard You.’ We will be back shortly!”

“And… cut! We’re on commercial break!” sigaw ng floor manager.

Pagkarinig na pagkarinig ng hudyat, hindi na hinintay ni Ayen ang anumang feedback mula sa kanyang supervisor. Agad nalang siyang tumayo at marahang in-excuse ang sarili para magtungo sa restroom, dala ang bigat ng mga salitang kanina pa gustong kumawala sa kanyang dibdib.

‘Brian, bakit hindi mo sinabi?’