Chapter 4

"You like him? You know him?" Ang dalawang tanong na agad na bumungad kay Naya pagkalabas niya ng silid. Napatawa siya at tinuro ang pintuan ng silid at sinabing 'later'. Parang batang sumimangot si Kenna at pumasok sa loob. Napailing iling nalang si Naya sa inaakto nitong parang walang interview na haharapin.

Habang hinihintay ni Naya na matapos si Kenna ay may isa pang lalaking aplikante ang pumasok na alam niyang huling aplikante sa araw na yun. Umupo ito dalawang silya sa pagitan nila. Nakita ni Naya sa gilid ng mga mata niya ang dalawang beses na pagsulyap sa kanya ng lalaki. Pagkatapos ay lumipat ito ng upuan at naging isa nalang na upuan ang nasa gitna nilang dalawa.

"Naya?" Panimula nito at tinignan ni Naya ang lalaki. "It's really you! Nayasha Lopez right?" 

"Hmm yeah? How'd you know me?" Naya asked.

"Colburn community school right?" His voice had a hint of excitement.

"Yes, I went there. You too?"

"Yeah, I saw you during Colburn piano festival. Your name is quite popular back then, so naturally I know you. And I was ecstatic knowing we came from the same country. Gusto ko sanang makipagkilala sayo after the festival kaso di na kita nakita sa school dagdag pa na magkaiba tayo ng building. Then one day I just heard you came back here already."

"Hmm yeah we have to. We can't leave my father forever." Naya laugh.

"But hey! It's not too late right?" Then he smiled and offered his hand. "Hi I'm Yanique Sanchez. I saw your solo during the festival, you're a badass."

Naya chuckled and shook his hand. "Thanks! I'm Nayasha Lopez. So what's your instrument?" She asked.

"Voice." Yanique replied singing his answer earning a laugh from Naya.

"Oh, and why Duveen?"

"And that is gonna be one of the questions in the interview." He said chuckling.

Naya chuckled too and said, "yes and I'm preparing you so be good."

Pagkasabi ni Naya nun ay nakita niyang bumukas ang pinto ng silid kung saan ang interview. Lumabas si Kenna at kumunot ang noo ng makita sila.

"It's your turn?" Yanique asked Naya.

"Nope, I'm waiting for her." Naya replied pointing Kenna.

"Oh so it's my turn. Okay it's nice meeting you." He said standing. "See you again soon? When you passed and I passed?" He added smiling.

Naya smiled back and nodded. "Good luck." The guy said his thanks and entered the room.

"Who was that?" Kenna asked sitting beside Naya.

"He said his name is Yanique Sanchez." 

"I'm not literally asking for the name, I mean why is he talking to you?" 

Natawa si Naya dahil parang nauubusan na ito ng pasensiya. "Oh, sabi niya nakita niya ako sa Colburn."

"You two attended the same school?" Kenna asked.

"I guess so." Naya replied. Obviously Naya know the guy. He will have an interesting role in her life for the next few years. Naya stood up and asked, "let's go?" But Kenna grabbed her wrist and gently brought her back to the chair.

"We're not done yet." Kenna said.

"Yes we are. Tapos na ang interview mo." 

"Not that, I mean what about earlier?"

"What about earlier?" Balik tanong ni Naya.

"The piano guy in the audition? You said you like him."

"No, you assumed I like him."

"But you know him? You two exchanged weird glances at each other."

"You think too much, it's my first time seeing him and we just enjoyed our improv earlier. C'mon, your twin, mom and dad are waiting too long. Let's go back." Naya said. She can't really tell the other she knows him and he will be her love interest in the future right? That'd be too weird.

"So there's nothing going on? I think he has a thing on you." Kenna said while standing.

"Well, I don't know. But because you seems interested, I'll let you be the first to know if I came to like him in the future." Naya teased.

"I'm not interested, I'm just curious." Kenna snorted and was first to exits the room, Naya followed laughing.

When they came out, there's a staff outside. The staff approached them and asked if they're done with the interview, when they nodded, the staff brought them back to the auditorium. Their family are all smiling when they saw Kenna and Naya coming out from elevator.

"Omg! ang galing niyo kanina. You two did really well." Sabi ni Emily ng nakangiti at niyakap ang dalawa. Natawa si Naya at Kenna dahil sa boses teenager na pagkakasabi nito ng mga salita.

"Thank you mom, you saw the performance?" Kenna asked.

"Yes we did! The performance of the piece you prepared was shown in the monitor. You two were really amazing." Their father answered proudly while pointing the big monitor in front of them.

"May iilang tao akong nakita na di nakapagpigil na pumalakpak pagkatapos ng performance mo kanina." Nakangiting bulong ni Emily kay Naya. 

"Really?" Naya smiled widely and Emily nodded. Then they saw Kenna walked and settled in front of Kenneth.

"So? You saw how a nervous person performed?" Kenna said proudly with her chin slightly raised.

"Yabang ng anak mo mom." Natatawang sabi ni Kenneth at ginulo ang buhok ng kambal na kinainis nito. Nagtawanan lang sila sa eksena. 

Naudlot ang tawanan nila ng may isang lalaki ang lumapit sa kanila at tumikhim. Isa iyung staff.

"Excuse me everyone, I'm one of the admission staff of the school. If you would like, I can give you a little tour around the school. We usually do this to every applicant to let them have a glimpse of what kind of environment they will have if they successfully pass the admission."

"Ladies? Your call." Nathan said to his daughters.

"I think it'll gonna be fun. Let's take a look." Kenna answered.

"Okay." Sagot naman ni Naya na tumango tango.

"It's settled then. Let's go, lead the way." Nathan said to the staff.

"Alright. This way please." The staff said leading them out of the auditorium.

Kenna had already researched about Duveen's facilities and it's normal for her to know a lot about the school, but she's still amazed by the unimaginable amount of financial resources the Duveen had spend in building all the huge facilities. Duveen College of Music have everything she could asked for as a college student of music.

The staff had first brought them to the school performance center. The family was amazed by how big the place was when they entered.

"Wow, this place is huge. Nakita ko na siya through pictures and videos pero I'm still shocked seeing this in person." Kenna said in amazement.

The staff smiled proudly. "This is the Duveen Performance Center or the DPC, this was the very first performance center ever built in this school. Renovated over the years as the students attending here is increasing. The seats down here is exactly seven hundreds and up there is six hundreds. Big shows happen here like, if a local or international artist came here to perform they'll be brought here. Large ensemble also happens here, theatre show like epic poetry and duplo, Duveen's competitions, concerts, any big shows." The staff explained and the family just nodded.

The next place the staff brought them was a building with an enormous 'D Bookstore' name at the top.

"This is as you can see, is the Duveen's bookstore. Textbooks, cds, musical instruments are available here. Duveen's apparels like hoodies, t-shirts, cap, scarf and other clothing are also available. You can purchase anything you like." Kenna bought two pieces of hoodies saying it looks cool and Naya also bought her own.

"This building is for students who majored in instruments performance. You did your audition with your principal instrument. So if you majored in performance, in the next years you study in this school you will have a private lessons in here with your private instructor one on one. It's to hone and perfect you in using your instrument." The staff said as they stand outside a building, the glass door have a 'Performance Department' name written in gold.

"Come, the next building is one of the students favorite place." The staff stated as they led them to one of the biggest building of the school. "This place is called the practice center with over a hundreds of practice rooms. Each room is equipped with piano and drums so it's really convenient for students. Students can have their access through their student card, which would be given by the time the students move here in school." The staff breathe before continuing. "Isa ito sa paborito dahil pwedeng mag stay ang mga estudyante dito at magpraktis kung kelan nila gusto at kung gaano katagal nila gusto basta hindi nakakagulo sa schedule nila."

Kumabog ang puso ni Naya dahil sa susunod na minuto ay makikita niyang muli ang taong nakasama sa audition room. 

Habang nilalakad nila ang hallway ng practice rooms ay nasilayan ni Naya na okupado ang isang silid at nakitang may isang lalaki ang nagpapraktis ng violin sa loob. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya habang tinitignan ang likod ng binatang nagpapatugtog ng violin. Biglang parang gusto niyang pumasok sa silid at yakapin ang taong nasa loob. This was her favorite kind of comfort. Watching and listening to the man playing his principal instrument. There's something in the way the man plays and the sounds he makes that soothes Naya's troubled thoughts. It's refreshing, and it always feel like seeing him playing for the first time.

Napansin ni Kenna na medyo napatagal ang pagtitig ni Naya sa loob ng isang practice room. Nilapitan niya ito at nakitang si Seth Lawrence na nagpapatugtog ng violin ang tinititigan nito. Kenna nudged Naya and the latter came back to her senses.

"What?" Naya asked.

"Halata ka masyado. You said you don't know him but why did I saw familiarity in your eyes when you're peeking at him?" Kenna whispered in teasing voice.

"You're thinking too much again. I just like the way he plays violin. He looks completely different compared from the guy playing piano earlier." Naya whispered back.

"How different?" Kenna asked confused.

"Hmm, I don't know if you sense or see it but he looks more comfortable and free in violin." Naya answered while her eyes are still on the person inside the practice room.

"Hey ladies! Kayo po ang mag-aaral dito hindi kami. Ano ang pinagbubulungan niyo jan?" Sita ni Nathan sa dalawa.

"Sorry dad, it's just Naya. Looks like she found herself a crush." Kenna said to Nathan and glanced at Naya teasing.

"Oh...Ah?!!" Nathan looked startled by Kenna's words.

Naya and everybody around laughed by Nathan's sudden bursts. Even the bodyguards who was silently following them chuckled seeing Nathan's face. Naya walked beside her father and hugged his right arm.

"Wala yun dad. Kenna's joking, naamaze lang ako sa paraan ng pagpapatugtog ng violin nung lalaki sa loob." Naya said pointing the man inside the practice room, who's still oblivious of what's happening outside. Everybody took a glance and the staff who was curious laughed lowly seeing the man inside.

"That's Seth Lawrence Duveen, his father Mr. Dominic Duveen is the current president of the school. Seth assisted the judges during the audition earlier, didn't you saw him?" The staff said and asked Kenna and Naya.

"We did, we played with him." Kenna said smiling.

"Right." Naya seconded.

"He is majoring in contemporary composition, that kid is very talented and have a great potential. A promising musician and seems to have a bright future in music industry." May paghanga na sabi ng staff.

"Well he should be. He's a Duveen after all, it runs in their blood." Kenna said.

"Don't say it like that. The kid would be pressured hearing that kind of thing." Sita ni Emily sa anak. Kenna immediately murmured her sorry.

Mukhang nakapansin na ang taong pinag-uusapan sa loob. Humarap si Seth sa glass door at medyo nagulat ng makitang may iilang nanunuod sa kanya. Binaba niya ang violin at lumabas ng practice room.

"Hello everybod-" hindi natuloy ni Seth ang pagbati dahil tumama ang paningin sa pamilyar na mga mata. 'Naya' sa isip niya, nagulat siya at di inakalang magtatagpo muli ang landas nila ngayong araw, ang akala niya ay umuwi na ito pagkatapos ng audition. Nakatitig lang siya sa dalaga at di alintana ang ibang tao na kasama nito.

Si Nathan na napansin ang pagkatulala ng batang Duveen sa anak ay tumikhim. "And you are?" Tanong ni Nathan na humakbang sa harap ni Naya para itago ito sa likod niya na nakatanggap ng mahihinang tawa mula kay Emily at sa kambal.

"Ah? Oh, sorry about. I'm Seth Lawrence Duveen." Medyo awkward na pagpakilala ni Seth sa taong nasa harap niya. Nang masilayan at makilala ang mukha ng kaharap ay namilog ang mata niya. "Mr. Lopez! I didn't know you personally accompanied your daughters in here. I didn't saw you earlier, pasensiya na po. Gusto niyo po bang tawagan ko si dad para personal kayong makausap?" May pagkatarantang pagkakasabi ni Seth.

"No need, I came here for the girls not for other business." Seryosong tugon ni Nathan.

"Don't try to scare the kid." Emily whispered lowly at Nathan and the latter nodded reluctantly.

"Oh okay. How about ahmm," Seth turned to face the staff. "How about I'll tour them from here. You're touring them around right?" He asked and the staff nodded. Seth faced the family again. "Is it okay to everyone to let me continue with the tour?"

"Of course, the Duveen himself offered, how can we say no? Right Naya?" Kenna answered before Nathan could object and then she looked at Naya with teasing eyes.

Lihim na napailing si Naya. This hadn't happen before. She's not complaining but she's worried, worried her father might go for the kill. She knows how overprotective her old man is, so she acted hesitant and just slightly nodded.

"Well I guess it's okay." Naya responded not looking at Seth.

"Great!" Seth said and turned to face the staff. "I'll take it from here, I know the admission area is busy today so you can go back." He said to the staff and the staff nodded, said thanks and bid farewell to the family before living the place.

Seth led the family to the elevator. The atmosphere inside was a little awkward, everyone is quiet and only the low breathing can be heard so Seth decided to speak. "The next floor we are about to enter is called the learning center." Timing naman ang pagkakasabi niya dahil bumukas na ang elevator. "This way please. This floor as you can see is filled with computers. Students can do their research or other computer works here. This is like a home studio for students who doesn't have computers on their dorms or respective places. Each computer is equipped with piano keyboards so students can also do their composition or any musical assignments in here. It is very convenient for the students."

Gustong matawa ni Kenna sa paraan ng pagsasalita ni Seth Lawrence. Parang kinukumbinsi sila nitong mag-aral sa Duveen. Tinaas niya ang kamay at nagtanong.

"How about social media? Can we use the computers here for that?"

Seth Lawrence chuckled for some reason. "Almost all students entering here always asked that question. Sadly the answer is no, but video streaming like youtube is allowed and music streaming sites are also allowed like spotify, soundcloud and of course Duveen's very own music streaming site, Duveen Music."

"Ah, hindi naman ako worried, curious lang." Kenna responded.

"Okay, so everyone the next two floors is the library and a recording studio. Want to look at it?" Seth asked the family. 

Naya answered first. "No it's okay, we can do that later. How about the main building?" Naya tried her best to not look at his eyes for long, because if she did, she'll only want to look at them the whole day.

Seth smiled at her. "Of course, no problem." He said and began to lead them to the elevator again. "Just a little reminder, the main building is kinda far from here. We can walk but if you don't want I can get us a ride."

"I don't mind walking but something came up." Emily said looking at her phone then she faced Nathan. "Restaurant." She said to Nathan and the latter understood.

Nathan nodded, "urgent?" he asked and Emily nodded. "Okay, do you want me to take you there?"

"Dad I can go with mom, we'll bring bodyguards. We'll be fine." Kenneth suggested.

"Alright." Nathan nodded. "Message me if there's something I can help okay?" Nathan added to Emily.

"Okay, you take care of the girls." Emily said.

Pagkalabas nila ng building ay nagpaalam na din si Emily at Kenneth saka umalis kasama ang dalawang bodyguards.

"So let's walk?" Seth asked after the other party left.

"I don't mind." Nathan responded. "Girls?"

"I don't mind either, I like long walks. Especially we're in Duveen, I'm liking the scenery here." Kenna said looking around.

"Anything is fine with me." Naya responded.

"Okay walk it is." Seth said.

They walked and Seth Lawrence do all the talking, explaining what place is this and that. The three people and the bodyguard are just following and listening attentively. When they reached the cafeteria, Seth asked them if they want to take a look first. Nathan and the girls didn't disagree.

"This cafeteria is quite interesting because it's a two-story cafeteria." Panimula ni Seth ng makapasok sila sa cafe. "And you see that stage there in the corner with sound and light system above?" Pointing at the corner of the cafeteria. "At night students can actually play their instruments or sing in there to have a good time and others would come to watch or sing along and just enjoy the performances."

"Jamming sessions?!" Kenna exclaimed.

"We call it caf shows but yeah we can also call it like that." Seth replied.

"I didn't know about that." Kenna said. "How do they do that? They just go to the stage and perform?" She asked.

"No, in daylight you have to sign a form for reservations. There's pretty a lot of students who want to show off their talents and there's a limit for each night so you have to reserve a slot. You can ask for a form from the cafeteria staff." Seth explained.

"May piano din saka drum set. I think this place is really cool." Kenna said smiling.

"Another interesting thing is there's a big basement down there whereas you can find another recording studio." Seth said.

"It's quite good. There's a lot of recording studio around. It'll be convenient for everybody." Naya commented.

"Oo nga halos lahat ng building na pinuntahan at dinaanan natin may mga recording studio." Kenna added.

"Gusto niyong pumunta sa basement?" Seth asked.

"No, we can do that later too. Let's proceed to the main building, I wanna see it." Naya answered. Everyone nodded and went out of the cafeteria. Malapit na ang main building kaya di na sila naglakad ng malayo.

"This main building is huge." Kenna said looking up at the building.

"Tara pasok tayo sa loob. This very first floor is the lounge area. Yung ibang estudyante ay tumatambay dito para magpalipas oras at magkukwentuhan pag may break o naghihintay ng susunod na schedule. Dito sa building matatagpuan ang composition department. I'm a major in composition so it's also my department. Saka film scoring department, contemporary and writing production department, a floor of another library and a dormitory usually for students in these departments." Seth said.

May sasabihin pa sana si Seth nang may tumawag sa phone ni Nathan. Nagsignal itong magpatuloy at nag-excuse saka medyo lumayo sa kanila bago sinagot ang tawag.

"Gusto niyong pumunta sa susunod na floor or we'll wait for Mr. Lopez?" Seth asked.

"Let's wait." Naya said and the two beside her just nodded. Naya knows what will happen next, her dad is needed in the company so they have to end the tour here.

Umupo sila at tahimik na naghintay. Napansin ni Naya ang ilang beses na panakaw tingin ni Seth sa kanya at narinig ang mahinang tawa ni Kenna na nasa tabi niya.

"You know, I can feel your glances, is there something you need to tell me?" Naya said wearing a serious face.

"Sorry I just.. ahhm I'm a little overwhelmed seeing you." Seth responded palming his nape.

Naya heard Kenna gasped. She decided to feed her sister a little information so she asked the man. "You know me?"

"Of course, years ago you participated an international piano competition right? I happened to be there at the finale. Your interpretation of Chopin was very impressive. You're good in expressing emotions and also the clarity of the notes you made just sounds so good in the ears. It's no wonder you won the competition." Seth said with a hint of pride in his voice. 

Lihim na napangiti si Naya. Seth have always been a flaterer. He likes to boost her confidence, he would generously compliment her whenever he saw something good in her.

"Hmm," Naya hummed and nodded. She looked at him, her eyes smiling. "Thanks, you play violin very well too." She complimented back.

"It's my principal instrument so I have to play it well." Seth responded looking at her eyes.

Naya who was beginning to drown in Seth's eyes felt a gentle push on her shoulder. Kenna leaned at her and whispered.

"Should I go out?" Kenna asked in teasing tone. "I told you he has a thing on you and I think it's not one sided." She added.

Naya was about to respond when their dad came back. Nang makalapit ay nagsorry dahil may aasikasuhin ito sa kompanya.

"It's okay dad, pwede naman kami umuwi at ikaw dumiretso sa trabaho. We can always visit the remaining facilities the time we move here." Naya said.

"It's okay Mr. Lopez, there's not much left to tour around anyway. It's okay to end it here." Seth seconded.

"Okay." Nathan nodded. "Thank you for entertaining and touring us around the school. It's a good school for my girls, I heard the security here is quite tight so I'm okay with them studying here." He added sincerely.

It's true that the school have a good security. Given that most of the students attending in the school came from rich and influential families. Politicians, businessmen, musicians and celebrities. 

"It's our responsibility to protect and make the students safe sir. Rest assured that when your daughters study in here, they're in good hands." Seth said offering his hand. "Thank you for personally visiting the school." He added and Nathan shook his hand. 

Seth turned to looked at the girls. "With your audition earlier, I know you two will be able to get in. It's nice meeting you and see you two next time." He said smiling and also shook hands with them. When Seth and Naya's hands touch, they looked at each other's eyes. Seth somehow felt familiar by the touch like it was not the first time shaking hands with her.

"Let's get going." Nathan interrupted and they left the school after exchanging good byes.