"You what?!" Matt exclaimed.
"We're really sorry, Matt. It's just that when we meet Via yesterday, we find the project somewhat unreliable," ani Ally.
"That's right!" medyo high pitched na turan naman ni Elai. "She also said na nagback out yung actors niya. It only means, the producers are not strong enough."
"Yun na nga eh, the production itself is a mess on its own dadagdagan niyo pa? Where's the heart in that?" Matt said in frustration.
There was no response to the four girls. There was a moment of silence. The girls didn't even looked at each other. Trying hard to keep a straight face.
They rehearsed it. It's as if nag-workshop pa sila with the most prestigious director. They have to wing it. Via specifically said not to look at each other when talking. If they can't help, don't speak a word. They may be not real actors but this is for a friend.
"But Via said it's fine," ani Ally sounding as calm as possible.
"She may said that but how did she looked?" Matt was getting frustrated.
"Well, she's calm but we understand that it's devastating," sagot pa rin ni Ally.
"She walked out, Matt. Ofcourse, she's not happy about it. We're pulling out our shares, do you think she'll be delighted?" medyo mataray na turan din ni Terrenz.
"But, Terrenz, whyyyy?" Tila naghihimutok na sabi Matt. Obvious ang frustration niya.
"We said our stand, do we still have to elaborate? Ano bang malabo? Bukod sa prestihiyosong director, we can't see no significance sa project na 'to. You said it yourself, it' s all a mess!" debate ni Terrenz.
Like Via said, keep the reasoning as simple as possible. Just stick to the NO.
"You can keep your shares, but we don't want to donate in a project that's irrelevant, no clear progress a-and low class main leads!" Terrenz clenched her fist secretly. It sounded foul. She didn't mean to say it. But she feels elated. Nakita niyang tumingin sa kaniya ang 3 babae. And Matt pursed his lips. Nahilamos nito ang palad sa mukha in frustration.
Terrenz mouthed hastily sa tatlo, "Sorry," patago kay Matt. Then, went back to having the straight face.
Matt turned to his four friends na nasa kabilang side ng office niya. Red, Thor, JV and Buboy was lounging at the sofa on the other side of the room. They were silent all throughout the conversation. Ni walang umaapila sa mga asawa ng mga ito.
"Dude," tawag ni Matt sa apat. "A little help here."
Umiwas lang ng tingin ang apat.
"What? You'll just gonna let your wives dominate you?" amok pa ni Matt.
"Shut it, Aguimatt!" sabad ni Terrenz. "Look, we're really sorry for doing this. It's just that we can't just fill it in. And hindi naman biro ang investments dito. Besides, Via understood us, why can't you?"
"Can you just let your husband's make the donations for you? I mean you don't have to but them," pagmamakaawa ni Matt.
"Dude, alam mong it was only our wive's decision why we give in to your suggestion but una pa lang we do not want that," For the first time simula kanina sumabad din si JV sa usapan.
His friends were very vocal from the start to refuse. And it was just their wives that made them do so. And obviously, if the four girls backed out, their husbands will follow.
" Terrenz, please..." apila pa din ni Matt. "Is there anything I can do to make you all say yes?"
Natawa si Terrenz, it could've been their cue but sabi ni Via not to make it obvious. So they have to be naive as possible.
"It's fine Matt, you're donation is enough for the project to survive. I'm sorry but we can't just invest on this," ani Terrenz.
"Besides, it hasn't started yet, right?" turan ni Elai. "If the production, can build this up solidly, we might reconsider. But with unstable leads, I don't think so," ani Elai.
"Via, should get reliable actors. Yung could deliver passion kahit na walang bayad. Prestige lang ang kapalit," turan naman ni Ally.
"Yeah, and better yet, replace Samantha Mistia as her main lead," singit ni Red. Minatahan ni Terrenz ang kabiyak. Tila sinusuway ito sa pagsulsul.
Their husbands has no idea about their plan. Buti na lang hindi ito masyadong nakikisali sa usapan. Gayunpaman, alam nilang hindi sila kokontrahin ng mga asawa. They still don't accept the fact na magdodonate sa isang charity with Samantha Mistia being involve.
Muling humarap si Terrenz kay Matt. "I'm sorry, Matt." It was a sincere apology. Probably for deceiving a friend to help another friend.
"Wait," biglang sabi ni Matt after a few minutes of silence. "You mean to say, you won't back out if the production is stable with good actors involve?"
"Huh?" tila nalito si Terrenz sa ibig tukuyin ni Matt. Nawala siya sa script.
"So if ever they have a suitable actor you will not take back your shares? " tanong ni Matt na nagpapalipat-lipat ng tingin sa apat na babae.
"I-I guess..." Terrenz stammered. Tila hindi siya makapaniwalang their plan is working.
"I'll make you all a deal then," hamon ni Matt sa lahat ng mga kaibigan. He walked back and forth tila nag-iisip kung itutuloy pa ang sasabihin. "Double your shares..."
"Patawa ka, Aguimatt!" Apila agad ni Thor.
"...I'll play the lead," he said. Everyone was quiet for a moment. Then, his four guy friends laugh.
The four girls kept their cool. As per Via they have to react unbelieving when Matt give in. And she was also right, the four men may laugh at it. But they don't need to shriek with joy. Keep it platonic. Sulit ang orientation nila with Via.
"Are you kidding?" bulalas ni Wallen. "You are not an actor."
"Via asked me to play the lead the other day. But I rejected," amin ni Matt.
"What? Are you debuting yung career as an actor now?" natatawang turan ni Thor. Patuloy na inaasar si Aguimatt.
"She asked you to play the lead?" tanong ni Ally trying to be as innocent and surprised as possible.
"Why would Via ask you that?" gatong pa ni Elai but she sound excited rather curious. Thankfully Matt didn't notice
"Ewan ko. I just played the piano and that she had this crazy idea that I fit the role," Matt replied shyly.
"Pero it doesn't mean na you could do it!" turan ni Red na may halong pang-aasar. Nagtawanan pa ang apat na kaibigan niya.
"You? Acting?" tatawa-tawang turan ni JV
The four girls remained quiet. Waiting for the perfect timing. Of course, sabi ni Via, when the deal was being offered they have to say yes eventually. Not so eager but not too far also. Kunting kalma lang. They execute the final phase.
"But, we can all agree that Matt could fit that princely role," umpisa ni Ally. "I mean, he's that handsome and kahit mukha lang without the talent, if wala man, he could make it."
Natigil ang halakhakan ng apat na lalaki. Sumeryoso ang mukha ni JV sa description ng fiancee sa kaibigan niya. Matt's lips twitch a little being sarcastic on JV's gaze.
"Don't get me wrong, babe. But I'm just looking on the way Via saw it Batikan na siya sa career niya. Of course she knows what she's doing," patuloy na paliwanag ni Ally.
Terrenz looked at Matt like she was examining him, with arms folded. "I guess Ally was right. Maybe you could do it,"
"Girls, so that means you will double your shares for Matt?" tanong ni Buboy. Totally nawala na yung mapang-asar na tawanan.
"Will Matt do it?" tanong ni Elai pertaining to Matt.
Matt couldn't reply. Tila trying to decipher kung may other option pa siya. "I'll talk to Via if the offer still stands."
Hindi na napigilan ng apat na babae ang malapad na ngiti.
"We'll wait for it, then..." ani Elai.
"You know, I was just wondering though," biglang sabi ni Ally. "Why fuss over this issue, Matt? I mean, this is not your personal project and we are just donating. But why would you do it?"
Ally hit the right mark. Kahit sa sarili niya tanong niya rin yun. But all he can tell to his self was that, she wanted to help this little orphanage that depends on projects such as this. They're help can give plenty to a one child. But kahit isaksak niya yun sa utak niya, it seemed not his valid reason.
"He's trying to impress that Samantha Mistia!" iritableng turan ni Red. "And you're all falling for it!"
"I think not! That actress was just one thing but we never heard Matt say her name," turan ni Terrenz. "But I think you're trying to impress someone."
Matt gave her a boyish grin but didn't reply. At this time, he's too scared to admit it. And he still try to think things thru. Alam niyang hindi siya papangunahan ng mga kaibigan niya. For now, he's just satisfied that his friends won't break Via's heart.
'Yeah, I do want to make her happy.' bulong ni Matt sa sarili.