Larue
Gulong-gulo si Maki pag-uwi galing sa Tondo.
She collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling, mind racing. Friday na... konting araw na lang bago siya magdesisyon.
Pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin niya naiisip kung sino ba talaga ang true love niya.
Bakit ba kasi ako naaksidente?! she groaned, gripping her pillow in frustration.
Di siya nakatulog. Paulit-ulit na bumabalik sa isip niya ang mga babaeng nameet niya—Gwyneth, Sheera, Jhoharra, Mallory, Iana, Stella... at si Coleen. Pero wala pa ring malinaw na sagot.
Sakto, biglang tumawag si Coleen.
"Maks, kamusta ka na?"
"Hay naku, Cols, di pa rin ako naliliwanagan. Ano ba dapat kong gawin?" Maki sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Wala ka man lang na-feel sa mga babaeng nameet mo?" Coleen asked.
Maki groaned.
"Kung ako yun, pinakasalan ko na lang siguro lahat!" Coleen said.
"Jusko, kung pwede lang ‘no!" Maki said.
Coleen laughed.
"Pero sige, may alam akong paraan. Punta ka sa studio na ito bukas."
Coleen sent her the address, but didn’t explain further.
-------------
The next day, Maki arrived at the studio, feeling confused.
Parang TV network studio ‘to?
She looked around, trying to figure out what was going on.
Following Coleen’s instructions, she walked toward Studio 8.
Pagpasok niya, mas lalo siyang nagtaka.
Isang game show set ang naka-setup, complete with bright stage lights, a live audience, and flashy banners.
Isang staff ang lumapit sa kanya at pinaupo siya sa gitna ng audience area.
Bago pa siya makapagtanong, biglang bumukas ang stage curtains at lumabas ang host—
Si Luis!
"Magandang hapon, Maki!" Luis greeted with his signature grin.
Maki’s jaw dropped. Ano ‘to?!
Sa kabilang banda, lumabas si Coleen, acting as the co-host.
"Magandang araw sa inyong lahat!" Coleen beamed, waving at the audience. "Nandito tayo para sa pinaka-engrandeng game show ngayong taon—ang..."
The crowd chanted along as giant letters lit up behind them—
"RAINBOW RUMBLE!"
Maki’s eyes widened in horror. "Coleen, anong ginagawa natin dito?!"
Coleen smirked. "Maks, since hindi mo pa rin alam kung sino ang true love mo... bakit hindi natin ipaubaya sa Rainbow Rumble?"
Luis grinned. "At ngayon, ipakikilala na natin ang ating mga contestants!"
The audience erupted in cheers as Coleen gestured toward the stage entrance.
"Unang contestant...!"
Spotlights moved toward the entrance as the announcer’s voice echoed through the studio.
"Ang heredera ng mga malls, ang babaeng kayang magdala ng isang buong luxury brand, GWYNETH AYALA!"
Gwyneth walked in confidently, wearing a sleek designer dress, blowing kisses to the crowd. She gave a small wave to Maki, a knowing smirk on her lips.
"Ang bubbly photographer na mahilig sa adventures at kakaibang kaganapan, SHEERA CAROLS!"
Sheera jogged inside with her camera in hand, stopping to take a few snaps of the audience before pointing the lens at Maki and winking.
"Ang ating gandarang artist, na may sariling exhibit ng kanilang pag-iibigan, MALLORY RICALDE!"
Mallory strutted onto the stage in an elegant yet artsy ensemble, her aura effortlessly cool. She met Maki’s gaze and gave her a lingering look, as if waiting for her to remember.
"Ang mayor ng ating city, na hindi lang sa pulitika matapang kundi pati sa pag-ibig, MAYOR JHOHARRA ROBERTO!"
Jhoharra entered with the poise of a true leader, nodding at the audience before giving Maki a pointed stare, as if to say, This better be worth my time.
"Ang perfect wife material, ang babaeng handa kang alagaan habang buhay, IANA ARCETA!"
Iana walked in with grace, her every step composed, radiating warmth and confidence. She looked at Maki with soft eyes, filled with unspoken feelings.
"At ang panghuli, ang reyna ng Tondo, ang babaeng walang inuurungan, STELLA SEVILLA!"
The moment Stella stepped in, the audience erupted into wild cheers. She strutted inside like she owned the place, flipping her hair before giving Maki a huge smirk and a wink.
Maki stared at them, feeling her heartbeat race.
Luis clapped his hands together. "Eto na! Pitong babae, isang puso. Maki, ready ka na bang malaman kung sino ang para sa’yo?"
Coleen grinned, leaning on the podium. "Simple lang, Maks. Lalaro tayo ng isang quiz show na may twist. Sa bawat tamang sagot, uusad sila sa floor gameboard. Ang unang makarating sa dulo... siya ang iyong true love!"
Maki groaned. "Coleeeeeen! Naboang naaaa!"
Luis laughed.
"Well, then… GAME NA!"
The game heated up as each contestant pushed forward with determination.
Luis fired off questions:
"Ano ang first pet ni Maki?"
"Golden Retriever named Choco!" Iana answered instantly.
"Tama! Move forward!"
"Ano ang favorite ulam ni Maki pag pagod siya?"
"Caldereta na may cheese with potato chips toppings!" Sheera shouted.
"Correct! Move forward!"
"Anong kanta ang kinakanta ni Maki sa karaoke?"
"‘Snooze ni Sza!" Jhoharra declared proudly.
"Tamaaaa!" Luis cheered.
The final question loomed, and the competition was neck-and-neck between Mallory, Jhoharra, and Stella.