Coleen Vergara
Coleen Vergara.
Famous singer and songwriter.
An icon known for her soulful voice and numerous love scandals—although she never admitted to any of them.
As Maki got in her car, a song by Coleen Vergara played on the radio.
The melody was haunting, the lyrics about a love that was hidden but deeply valued. It was in Tagalog, rich with emotion, and for some reason, Maki felt drawn to it.
The voice was mesmerizing, reaching into a part of her she didn’t realize was empty.
Coleen and Maki had agreed to meet at Coleen’s penthouse in the central business district.
Public places were impossible for her; she couldn’t go anywhere without attracting a massive crowd.
Coleen’s penthouse occupied the top two floors of a luxury condo building.
The lower level housed a fully equipped studio—complete with a dance rehearsal space, a recording booth, and a production house. Everything she needed to create her music was here. On the top floor was Coleen’s actual residence.
As Maki’s car approached the towering glass building, she felt an unfamiliar tightness in her chest. Kinakabahan siya.
There was something about meeting Coleen that made her uneasy, as if she were on the brink of discovering something important—something she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
She took a deep breath as she stepped out of the car.
This was it.
Time to see if Coleen Vergara was the missing piece of her past.
Pagkatok ni Maki, bumungad agad sa kanya si Coleen. “Hoy Bai! Josko, akala ko di na kita makikita ulit.”
Coleen immediately pulled her into a tight hug. Maki froze for a second before awkwardly patting her back.
“Upo ka, nagluluto ako ng paborito mo,” Coleen said, flashing a playful grin.
Maki’s heart leaped. Finally, a chance to remember something. She followed Coleen to the dining area, anticipation bubbling inside her.
Paglapag sa mesa, napansin agad ni Maki ang neatly packed takeout boxes. Japanese food.
“Kala mo talaga nagluto ako, ‘no?” Coleen smirked. “Syempre, di naman ako marunong.”
Maki chuckled. “Favorite ko ba talaga ‘to?” she asked, studying the food in front of her.
Coleen nodded confidently. “Oo, no. Mahilig ka sa anything Japan. Anime, sushi, ramen, pati J-dramas. Ang dami mong sinasabi tungkol sa mga ‘yan dati. Tsaka di ba obvious, Maki nga pangalan mo.”
Maki picked up a piece of sushi, hesitant but hopeful. She wanted to remember. She wanted to know what Coleen was to her.
Coleen watched her with a soft smile, as if she knew something Maki didn’t.
“So… anong kwento natin, Coleen?”
Sa totoo lang, Maki. May anak na tayo, lima.”
Maki almost choked on her food. “Ano?!”
Coleen grinned mischievously before standing up and walking toward one of the rooms. “Ito sila…”
Maki’s heart pounded as she waited. But when Coleen returned, she was followed by five adorable cats, each with a different colored collar.
Maki let out a relieved laugh. “Sus! Kala ko may anak na talaga ako.”
Coleen doubled over laughing, holding her stomach. “Boang! Akala mo naman kakayanin ko ‘yun.”
Maki reached down and scratched one of the cats behind the ears, a small smile lingering on her lips. “So, what are we?”
Coleen’s laughter faded slightly as she looked at Maki, something softer in her expression. “Mag-best friends tayo, no… pero I think di lang natin inaamin sa isa’t isa, pero we like each other.”
Maki looked at her, eyes searching. “Ganun ba?”
“Boang. Ang saya naman nito, lahat ng sabihin ko papaniwalaan mo. Hahaha. Loko ka.” Coleen smirked, shaking her head. “Anyway, ano nga, bakit nga nakasama ako sa girlfriend profiles folder ni Atty. Valerio?”
Maki crossed her arms. “Oo nga, bakit nga ba?”
Coleen shrugged. “Baka kasi, lagi tayo magkasama and ako parati mong plus one sa mga events niyo na public, so inisip siguro nila na mag-jowa tayo.”
Maki raised an eyebrow. “Okay lang naman ‘yon sa’yo?”
Coleen winked. “Oo naman, cute ka naman minsan.” Sabay pisil sa pisngi ni Maki, pero sobrang lakas.
“Awwwtsssuuu! Shekeet!” Maki yelped, rubbing her face.
“So kung di tayo mag-jowa, kilala mo ba yung jowa ko?” Maki asked, tilting her head.
Coleen clicked her tongue. “Hmm, medyo mahirap no, kasi pati sakin iba-iba pinapakilala mo.”
Maki’s jaw dropped. “Grabe naman ‘yon. Pero kilala mo sila lahat?”
“Siguro?” Coleen said, tapping her chin. “Pero parang dun ko nalang din nakita ‘yung iba sa hospital. Gulat nga ako eh. Ang tinik mo pala.”
Maki leaned forward, serious now. “Can you help me, Coleen? I need to get married by Sunday.”
“Hah? Sunday? Bakit?” Coleen’s brows furrowed.
“Yun ang nakasulat sa will ni Dad. I need to have a wife before ako makapag-takeover sa company.”
Coleen whistled. “Grabe naman si Tito. Eh ang hirap mo pa naman i-convince mag-settle down. Pero sino na ba mga nameet mo?”
“Nameet ko na si Gwyneth, Sheera, at Jhoharra,” Maki said.
“Grabe naman mga dinate mo, Bai. Puro maganda at bigatin ha,” Coleen teased. “Sino pa susunod?”
“I still have to meet Iana, Stella, and Mallory.”
Coleen pursed her lips. “Ooohhh hmmm. Naku, mahihirapan ka din diyan. Pero sige, tutulungan kita.”
Maki let out a breath of relief. “I need to meet them individually and then I need to decide who to marry.”
“Sige, sabihan mo ‘ko pag andun ka na sa part na ‘yon,” Coleen said, grinning. “I’ll think of a way for you to remember.”
Maki smiled. “Thanks, Coleen!”
“Anytime, Maks. Alam mo namang di kita matitiis.”
"Coleen..."
Maki looks at Coleen with longing... “What if ikaw na lang kaya pakasalan ko kung di ko talaga maalala?”
Coleen burst out laughing. “Piskit! Nadamay pa ‘ko. Kumain ka na nga diyan!”
They both laughed, the warmth between them undeniable, but something lingered beneath their easy banter—something unspoken, something waiting.