[𝟏] 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬

"Ｈｅ ｓｔｅｐｐｅｄ ｄｏｗｎ， ｔｒｙｉｎｇ ｎｏｔ ｔｏ ｌｏｏｋ ｌｏｎｇ ａｓ ｉｆ ｓｈｅ ｗｅｒｅ ｔｈｅ ｓｕｎ， ｙｅｔ ｈｅ ｓａｗ ｈｅｒ， ｌｉｋｅ ｔｈｅ ｓｕｎ， ｅｖｅｎ ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ ｌｏｏｋｉｎｇ．" － Ｌｅｏ Ｔｏｌｓｔｏｙ

_________________
𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐳

"Get in the Zone, Break! Hi, we are -  SB19!" The video was played repeatedly on the small TV screen here in the waiting room while I and the girls are busy preparing for the concert. I am not an artist myself, that's why Cora does my makeup—she also designed our costumes for today, and guess what? Most of it is from ukay-ukay, she thrift flipped these for us. 

"We will have free 10 concerts nationwide. Uulitin ko ulit ha? Free. Free, wala kayong gagastusin," Sejun said while he continues his announcement while the four members are standing alongside with him. 

"Paki-abot ng boots ko, loves," Alana said who's finishing her look with a reddish nude lipstick and clicked her lips bilabially in front of the mirror, then she pointed her forefinger at her shoes that were under my chair which made me reached for it. Until Cora gently grabbed my hair—her grasp forced me to sit properly. 

"Patapos na ako, wait lang," Cora gave Alana a slight attitude-ish reply as Alana respond with rolling eyes. Cora is a kind of girl who doesn't like being disturbed doing her things unless she's totally done with it. 

She then retouches my hair, for the nth time with hairpins and sprayed it afterward with hairspray. "Now. You look human again, dear," Cora held my chin facing at the mirror. 

Cora gets Alana's boots and gave it to her, "Here."

"Thanks, loves."

It's been a while since I look very human again. Hindi ko ugali mag-ayos ng sarili and I don't like putting chemicals on my face, especially doing skincare routines. I made a quick check if all seven of us are done preparing but my attention was caught again by the TV.

"Eto-eto po ang mga lugar kasama sa ating 10 nationwide free concert: Kasilayan Gymnasium in Negros Occidental, Cuneta Astrodome in Manila, Ibalong Centrum, Legazpi City, Iloilo Convention Center, UZ Summit Center, Zamboanga City, University of Baguio in General Luna Road, Baguio City, International Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro. . . . "

Cagayan De Oro

We heard two knocks and all of us looked at the door, it's Jennie, the Production Manager's assistant.

"Girls? Are we all set? We have 30 minutes left before the show. Diretsyo na po tayo sa backstage." We all nodded and stood from our seats. 

"Tara, pray muna tayo," yaya ko sakanila. We formed a circle, hold each other's hands, and bowed our heads. As the leader of the group, I also lead the prayer.

"Lord Almighty God, we thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity, despite having several conflicts and misunderstandings, you let us perform again as a group. Thank you, because without your guidance hindi namin po 'to maabot. Lord, guide each of us na sana hindi namin makakalimutan ang mga prinaktisan na steps," everyone looked at me. 

"Sana hindi rin namin makalimutan ang lyrics," then they looked at Cora. 

"At sana hindi rin kami maaksidente," and they looked at Alana. 

"Lord, our performance is not only for us but also for the people, for our family and for You. We thank you for giving us a chance to rock this stage once again. In Jesus Name." 

"Amen." 

I saw some of them wept their tears, hugged each other and some smiled. 

Sinimulan ko ilagay ang kanang kamay ko sa gitna namin at sumunod sila. "After 3. 1, 2, 3," and held our arms high.

"Prisma!" Our cheer gave us confidence and courage. We mostly do this before performing.

Prisma, a girl cover group name who dances to 2ne1, Blackpink, Girl's Generation's songs but in most general, boy K-Pop group. We are composed of 7 members, went to the same school, Institute of the Philippines. Our group started at Performing Arts Society, known as PAS. PAS is a university-based organization. We dance during school events and we entered different kinds of competitions—folk, ethnic, modern, and hip hop. Prisma is a product of PAS and decided to compete for places to places that are mostly related to K-Pop.

Prisma was created after Ken Suson left Performing Art Society. And of course, the creator of this group is yours truly. Me and Ken we're used to be high school friends.  

"Ash, here are your lapels," Jennie gave us each with earpiece using her right hand while wrapping the box with her left arm. 

"Sino ang magibibgay ng signal sa akin?" she asked.

Cora raised her right hand while adjusting her lapel on her right white collar. "Ako na, since ako ang malapit sa technical," she said. 

"Copy, if you girls are ready, Cora will raise her hand for the music. Remember: No introduction and outros, you are here for an intermission." We nodded and Jennie left. 

Since we won the K-pop National Summit last year, which held at Manila, and won K-pop CDO Summit for 3 consecutive years, even the K-pop Cebu National Convention this year. Our group eventually reigned on top and became widely known. On the record, we are the first female group who actually won in all K-pop cover dance competitions ever since our group started performing. 

"Hi ate Alana, pwede pa-picture?" A volunteer staff approached us and took a picture with Alana. And obviously, Alana's the prettiest amongst us.  

She has long brown silky hair and brown almond eyes, she still looks beautiful even though she's morena. She's one foot taller than me. And believe me, this girl went through a lot of courtships. 

"Ate, sabi po ni ate Jennie mag-ready na po kayo," another volunteer staff said.

This is it. Excitement and nervousness started to pour on me, na parang eto ang unang performance namin.  Well, it's not because of 6,000 people who are going to watch, but finally, I am going to see him again. 

The program manager of the concert sent us a request letter to perform on stage at SB19's free concert. Without hesitation, we said yes. The Convention Center was donated by our Governor and they don't want to waste the remaining time since it's already free, that's why we're one of the lucky ones who has given a chance to perform in a house of 6k fans. 

The last video of SB19 was finished playing at LED Screen, the place went dark and the stage lights are focused at the center. The crowd cheered louder.

But the noise lessened as our video started to appear on the screen. It was our teaser, our intro, it's about Prisma. It disappointed the crowd's expectations, hoping it was SB19.

"A light reflected the glass with 7 colors. 

There was strength.

Determination comes in.

Diversity joined.

Then confidence arrived.

Truth.

Beliefs were poured in.  

Then there was 'Dream'"  

That was Cora's voice, she can't help but say 'dear' a few times in the video. Well, that's Cora for you. Siya ang napili namin mag voice-over sa aming introduction video since she's our main vocalist.

"The 7 colors united, creating a new beautiful ray of light."  We slowly go into our respective positions. Seven silhouettes cast on the stage. 

"The 7 colors represent these women. Shared the same dreams and were united over diversity."

"Why chose a color if you can be all of it." The quiet place is now filled with a loud cheer and fired the whole convention center. 

"Be a rainbow, dear. Be a prism." A heavy background sound effect dropped as our CG name appeared: ░P░R░I░S░M░∆░

Cora raised her arm. 

That was the signal. 

Our show is about to start.

Our intro was started with a dance break. Inspired by BTS' Idol during MMA 2018. 
[see the video in the multimedia above, for a better reading experience. Hanu daw?]

First with Selen, portraying J-hope's concept and then she raised a large red fan. She fake threw it to Luna, and everyone thought Luna caught it by hand, but she already has a spare fan. 

Luna continues the dance with a fan personating Jimin, then she grabbed a long red ribbon from her pocket. 

The spotlight went to Reagan, dancing, with two long red satin ribbon. She reworked Jungkook's steps and dances it gracefully. Reagan wore the mask and turned her back.

Finally, the spotlight went to me. Wearing the mask, creating my own concept of BTS' Idol performance. As the audio softly decreased, a heavy bass pound and the lights turned off.

The crowd cheered as they heard the intro of Whistle by Blackpink.

"Are you guys, prism ready?!" As everyone got hyped after my greeting,  Alana quickly glanced at me, bulging her eyeballs out, saying 'No intros and outros, right?'. Oh, shit. I got carried away. 

I forgot that this was supposedly SB19's concert. The program manager is aware of our stage presence and audience impact, she reconsiders our request to let us sing on stage, wherein fact, bawal. This is their concert, not ours. That's why she keeps reminding us not to make any intros, outros, speech nor greetings because it might confuse the crowd.

Oh, well. This is prisma. Ni isang performance, hindi kami makakaalis sa gulo, kasi kami ang nagsisimula gumawa ng gulo. 

Cora leads the song. A transition looped with the song after the first chorus. 

We want to prove something, especially me. 

The reason why I created Prisma. The only reason why I am here. Why I want to conquer the stage, to perform, to dance is all because of you. 

It's all because of you, Felip. 

Because I know one day, through Prisma, we will meet again. 

"Can you hear me?" I softly said. The audience thought that it was for them, but no. It was for him. I know he's listening out there, he might be on backstage seeing our performance, or maybe my voice reached their guest room. 

I adjust my lapel as I walked on the center of the stage, and girls followed my lead. "Are you ready for the B.E.S.T?" And some of the audience looked puzzled with the song. 

Okay, boomer. 

Let me introduce you to the Queens of Kpop Industry, the badass girl group of Kpop era, where music break record doesn't matter to them, where dancing perfectly isn't a big deal. 

The Blackpink's motherfucking mothers, everyone. 

2ne1. 

____________________
𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐉𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐨𝐧

"Can you hear me?"I do, Astrid.

"Are you ready for the B.E.S.T?" 

Hindi pamilyar ang kanta sa madla, pero marami pa rin gusto makisabay. Hindi dahil sa kanta, kundi dahil sakanilang pito. Base sa aking nakikita, parang inaangkin nila－Hindi, naangkin na nila ang entablado. They can fill their presence on that big wide stage, kahit kakaunti lamang sila. 

What makes their performance more awesome is Astrid's confidence.

Nahanap mo din. 

Prisma. Sabi nila ate Sofi, sikat na sikat ang cover group nila sa buong Bisayas at Mindanao, maski ang bawat indibidwal na members ay kilalang kilala ng karamihan. 

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gusto nilang iparating base sakanilang performance. 

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!" sigaw ni Ash gamit ang kanyang lapel. 

They want to prove something. She wants to prove something. 

Natapos ang performane ng Prisma. Mas lumakas ang sigaw ng mga kababaihan at aaminin ko, nabingi ako. 

Kahit mga kasama ko, nadala na rin. Nakalimutan ata nila na idols sila.

Grabe, parang nawala sa isipan ng karamihan na Sb19 ang pinuntahan nila dito. Hats off for them on how can they flip the tables and for 3 minutes they made the people feel na kaya rin ng madla gawin ang ginagawa ng Prisma. At hindi ko madedeny ang sabi ng iba, na truly they can conquer the stage and own it. Walang sino man makakagaya sa kanilang stage presence nor heat up the convention center.

Except for idols. 

_________________
𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐳

Our performance went well more than I expected. All of us were almost out of breath yet a wide smile engraved on our faces. The crowd keeps cheering "Prisma! Prisma! Prisma!" Asking for another song, pero mapapalo ang mga lubot namin dahil dito. 

I was about to utter a word to my lapel, but my eyes accidentally looked on Jennie, the production manger's assistant,  making a hand sign that we're so dead, and that made us go off the stage immediately without waving goodbyes to the people. 

The volunteers gave us bottled water each while I and the girls are waiting here at backstage for Sb19. The staff wanted to escort us to our waiting room yet we insisted to stay. 

"Are you ready for Sb19?" Tatang's voice excites the people. Dahil sa malakas nilang sigaw, naramdaman ko na parang guguho ang Convention Center. 

I suddenly feel butterflies in my stomach. Hindi ko alam kung paano isalugar ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. I feel nervous and excited, euphoric yet a bit sad on what expression he'll react.

Would he recognize me? Despite having blonde hair and a whiter skin?

I shouldn't expect anything since he is Ken now, not the Felip I used to know.

My girls started squealing as they see them approaching. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa bote, nabibingi ako sa bilis ng tibok ng puso ko kaysa ng ingay sa labas. 

"Andiyan na, andiyan na," tugon ni Alana. Unlike me, they weren't here for Ken, who used to be their batchmate. May kanya-kanya rin silang bias. 

Naunang dumaan ang staff telling us not to take pictures or videos, if we did, huwag daw namin i-upload maski saan man na social media sites. 

And here they are. 

Sejun went first, looking seriously focused. Josh followed while adjusting his lapel on his ear. Justin was smilingly looking at the staff, to volunteers, and to us. And here's Stell who still practicing his vocal cords. 

All of them are on the stairs, ready to go up on stage waiting for the last member to come up. 

"Ayan na si Ken mo," Alana teased me.

Gusto ko isigaw pangalan niya o tawagin siya but I can't. Mas pinapairal ng katawan ko ang nerbyos at duda. Nang dahil dito, dumaan na siya saamin.

"What the hell, Ash? Gonna lose another blessing? Maybe you need a little push," as Alana getting annoyed with my actions, she suddenly pushed my back. Sa sobrang lakas ng tulak niya muntik pa ako mapadapa. 

And because of Andrenaline Rush, I yelled his name. In the right timing, the place went quiet. 

"F-felip!" 

He stopped taking another step as he heard his first name. 

"It's me, Astrid."

And at that time, naniwala na ako sa kasabihang: "Expectations does hurt"

Hindi niya ako lamang ako nilingunan at umakyat na siya sa stage.

End of [1]

𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬
(n.) the joy  of meeting or finding 
someone again after a long separation;
rediscovery

A/N: Hello A'tins! Please don't attack me, this is only a fanfiction. *peace.