CharDawn fic "What If" (Chapter 2. Her Queries)

12:15 AM. January 7, 2013.

“Talaga Mare?!” Dawn exclaimed but kept it a level so as not to wake up her kids.

She poured herself an ounce of wine. She was talking to Vivian (Recio), her Manager-slash-best-friend.

“They’re so amazing, imagine world wide trend. Pina trend na naman kami ni Goma. Paano kaya yun nagawa ng mga fans” She can’t help but wonder.

“Aren’t they? And Mare, the CD Club they’re in state of euphoria right now. It’s like they’re having a twitter party ngayon. Kinukulit si Goma oh, mag papa Dawn Zulueta daw sila. Nakakaaliw sila, Mare. Congrats.” Vivian said on the other line. She could be awarded for multi tasking, talking to Dawn while scrolling her Twitter for updates.

“Thank you, Mare! But hey! Thanks to the fans! Grabe nakakabilib sila! I can only imagine my babies right now, esp the CharDawns. Noong taping pa lang nga they were so alive and loud ngayon pa kaya. I’m glad Goma and I made them extra happy. ” She said and she really meant it.

She has always been grateful to the fans. Their loyalty and support has always kept her grounded and humble.

“Wait, I’ll compose a message for them, can you tweet it for me?” She said excitedly.

She does that always, thanking her fans and letting Vivian tweet it in her behalf. And the fans loved her more for it, they felt all their efforts are paid off and appreciated whenever Vivian tweets their Mama’s message.

“Sure, that would absolutely make their night.” Vivian agreed.

“Okay Mare, I’ll call you when I’m done.”

Dawn immediately composed her “Thank You” message to be sent to Vivian through sms. It went this way, “Maraming maraming Salamat sa lahat ng fans na nanuod ng GGV at pina-trend kami ni Goma.” She stopped right there and smiled upon typing his name.

Goma.

After all these years she has always been so comfortable using that moniker to him. It felt like it was the closest thing that she could use next to Babe.

She wondered how he feels right now. Did he ever watch it? Or did they watch it? Together?

Lucy’s a fan so apparently they watched it. Together.

Her mind is full of assumptions. She remembered the GGV taping.

“Nakikita ko naco-conscious siya (Richard) feeling ko may something ka pa kay Dawn.” Vice teased him endlessly to no avail.

She saw him laugh. By the look of it she can tell it was a feigned laugh. She knew him damn too well. He faked a laugh to ease his tension and to divert his awkwardness which was too visible anyway. She tried to be relaxed and composed so that Vice won’t pick her up, for if he did, she might not be able control herself as well.

You’re way too obvious Goma. She would tell at the back of her mind.

GGV cut that part. She wasn’t sure if she’s happy that it wasn’t sure. There’s this vague feeling that she couldn’t understand.

Her recollection was cut short when her phone rang. It was Vivian.

“O mare, are you done with your message? Wala pa akong may natatanggap ah o baka delayed na naman ang messages?” Vivian asked, seemingly hesitant. Doing a “Thank You” message is something that Dawn does in an instant. This time, it took her what, 15 minutes?

Dawn was thunderstruck for a moment, she completely forgot about the “Thank You” message.

“Naku Mare, I’m not done yet. I stopped in the middle.” She answered.

“Bakit naman?”

“Kasi si… Goma.” She shot back.

“O, what about him?” Vivian asked, completely surprised.

“Ano kaya nararamdaman niya ngayon, Vivs?” Dawn honestly asked.

Vivian didn’t know what to tell her. Clearly this conversation surprised her. Dawn surprised her.

“Mare, does it even matter if you knew?” She can’t help but ask. She had known Dawn for years and she can instantly tell if she’s bothered. And she is, right now.

“Ano kasi… nevermind, asan na nga ba tayo?” Dawn asked patting her forehead.

“Yung “Thank You” message mo for the fans.” Vivian told her as if trying to wake her up.

“Pero Dawn ha, we need to talk, may be some other time pag nakakapag isip ka na.” She added not in a stern manager voice but in a sisterly and reassuring tone.

“You know me Vivs, basta I have series of questions lang in my mind. Let’s talk about it next time. And yung message, sige teka tatapusin ko.” Dawn honestly told her. She knew she could tell Vivian everything. Their friendship has been tested and polished for years.

Honk.

She stood up and instantly looked the wall clock.

12:45 AM

 She peeped through the window. A white corporate car stopped its engine on their car port.

“May bisita kayo at this very ungodly hour?” Vivian asked upon hearing that sound on the other line.

“Si Anton kararating lang from Davao, may appointment. Sige Vivs, I have to go and make him dinner. I almost forgot I was waiting for him pala. ” She said almost shaking her head in disbelief. She was waiting for her husband to come home that’s why she stayed up late even GGV was done.

“Dahil kay Goma.” Vivian couldn’t help but tease her.

“Sinapian ka ata ni Vice eh. Oh sige I have to hang up na. Goodnight, Mare.” Dawn fired back giggling.

She looked at the mirror and she smiled at her own reflection.

Bakit ba ang dami mong nakakalimutan tonight? Hindi ka naman makakalimutin. Ano ba kasi sayo kung ano ang nararamdaman niya ngayon?

She wanted to scold herself yet she can’t help but agree, that Vivian was indeed, right.

Dahil kay Goma.

She smiled.

Upon Anton’s entrance, she welcomed him wearing that very same smile.