forget me not series 2 – The Romance of Ayin & Will
CHAPTER TEN
It was the day of their scheduled musical date with The Phantom of the Opera.
Five hours before the show, Ayin woke up from her afternoon nap to an empty hotel room.
As planned, Will was out since that morning to visit car shops and dealers for his business. He was supposed to be back after lunchtime.
Where is he? Why isn’t he back yet? Was he caught in traffic?
She scowled as she picked up her phone and pressed his number.
He wasn’t picking up.
She let out a frustrated sigh. This was the one time he couldn’t afford to be late.
If they missed the show, she was really going to kill him this time.
He knew this show was important to her. He wouldn’t let her down, would he?
She dialed again.
Just then, her eye caught the unmistakable flashing light of a phone buried in a mess of things by the dresser.
It was his phone on mute. She heaved a sigh of relief. At least, he must already be in the hotel.
But where exactly? How to contact him? It was already time to change.
As she mulled her options, she heard a faint sound coming from the bathroom.
Hurriedly, she opened the door and, voila! There was the missing Will — eyes closed, earphones on and head bopping to whatever music he was playing from his mini player, all the while thoroughly enjoying…
… a bubble bath.
Could he be any more like Pretty Woman? He ought to give Julia Roberts a run for her money.
She couldn’t stop pure laughter from escaping her lips. He’s such a cliche. No, there’s a better word for it — a classic.
Totally engrossed in his own bubble, he was oblivious to her presence.
She sat down on the edge of the bathtub, ran her hand through the bubbles and playfully splashed him.
He finally opened his eyes and grinned sexily. “Wanna join me?”
She chuckled, “I didn’t know you know how to make a bubble bath.”
He shrugged. “I just dumped all the contents of the bottles surrounding the tub in the water and shook it. Nothing to it.”
True enough, all liquid and salt containers on the side were in disarray and empty.
She laughed as she just shook her head and thought — where there’s a Will, there’s a way.
He tugged her hand, “Come on. The water’s still warm.”
She was tempted. Seriously tempted, but she noted the time and felt the Phantom calling.
She said firmly, “No time. We need to change. Allie and Aldwin are picking us up in an hour.”
Him, “An hour, huh? We can change in 15 minutes.”
Then mischievously, he gave her arm a strong pull.
Ayin shrieked as she felt herself tumble in the water – clothes and all.
Will caught her easily and steadied her in his arms.
Slapping his shoulder, she sputtered, “Are you crazy?! You evil, annoying, domineering, stubborn man! You’re worse than a Phantom!”
He gave her a devilish grin, “Phantom who? I don’t know him, but you’re right — I’m crazy. Crazy for you.”
Now all wet, Ayin decided she might as well enjoy it. She gave him one good kick as she settled in the warm, fragrant water.
Unrepentant, he just chuckled and tightened his arms around her.
She sighed. It was cold without him, anyway. And, as annoying as he was, she didn’t want to burst his bubble.
Later, with 30 minutes left to change, Ayin and Will tried helping each other out as they rushed to dress.
Tried, being the operative word.
She buttoned up his shirt, only for him to undo and redo later, when he realized he forgot to shave.
He tried blow drying her hair as she put her make up on.
When he created more of a mess with it in the process, she confiscated the hair dryer and shooed him away.
He wasted about five minutes figuring out how to unclasp and lock her necklace at the back of her neck.
She paused for a few minutes from styling her hair as she helped him search for his damned socks, which they found later innocently waiting right beside the shoe box.
Then he kept asking as he fashion walked around the room, “Are you sure it’s okay not to wear a suit?”
She rolled her eyes. “For the hundredth time, yes. I think you just want an excuse to wear a suit.”
He grinned at her, “Next time you drag me to this, I will definitely wear one.”
The room was a mess.
But like a miracle, somehow they managed to be done a few minutes before the agreed pick up time.
“This feels like prom night,” Ayin mused as she slipped on her heels.
When she didn’t hear a response, she turned to look at Will.
He was standing by the full length mirror, quietly observing himself.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She went to him and hugged him from behind and ran her eyes appreciatively from his head to foot in the mirror.
Her, “Hi handsome, you cleaned up nice.”
Him, “Hi, beautiful.” He pulled her in front of the mirror as well.
They grinned at each other, then in unison, “Where’s the camera?”
With hearts shooting out of their eyes, they posed and smiled as they tried to capture the moment in time. Just as the camera clicked, the phone vibrated with an incoming call.
They didn’t have time to take another shot as their friends were already waiting at the lobby.
But years later, they would laugh in remembrance at the long story behind that single blurry photo they had prior to the show.
After a quick dinner at Harbour Square, the small group of Ayin, Will, Allie and Aldwin, posed for their mandatory pre-show photos at the lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Then, because they didn’t buy their tickets together, the couples went their separate ways as their assigned seats were on different wings, agreeing to meet later after the show.
When the PA system announced that the theater doors were finally open, Ayin and Will climbed up the red carpeted winding steps leading to the right wing.
Him, “So what’s the story again?”
Her, “It’s about a disfigured musical genius known only as The Phantom, who haunts the Paris Opera House.”
Him, “So he’s a ghost?”
Her, “No, he’s real. He just lives in the underground labyrinth of the Opera House.”
Him, “Hm.”
Her, “Anyway, he was mesmerized by this young soprano named Christine. He lures her to be his protege or music student and then falls madly in love with her.
Him, “Aha. Also a teacher. This story sounds familiar.” He winked at her.
Her, “Well yes, but a mysterious music teacher since he didn’t show himself to Christine until much later. Christine’s singing was inspired by her unseen tutor, whom she calls the “Angel of Music”
Him, “I bet they end up together.”
Her, “But then, later on, Christine meets her childhood friend, Raoul, and they fall in love and get engaged.
He frowned. “What about the Phantom? Doesn’t Christine like him?
Her, “The Phantom became mad with jealousy and tries to get back Christine. Christine’s also conflicted and she questions her true feelings for the Phantom.”
Him, “Hm. So it’s a love triangle. Who does she end up with?”
Her, “Let’s find out.”
As they settled in their assigned seats, Ayin was feeling quite pleased that Will seemed to be getting into the story.
She bet smugly that it won’t be long before he’d be converted to become another musical enthusiast. Just the thought of it thrilled her to the bones.
A few minutes later, the theater lights dimmed and the overture began.
Will found her hand in the dark and held it. Ayin barely noticed as she was already entranced by the spectacle onstage.
The chemistry between the Phantom and Christine was so palpable especially when they sang The Phantom of the Opera together.
Ayin fell a little bit in love with the Phantom as she marveled at his impressive presence, passion for music and very expressive body and hand gestures particularly when he beckoned Christine to “Sing for me!”
Ayin sneaked a glance at Will. He looked unimpressed.
How could he be so unmoved? she wondered.
It was almost impossible not to be drawn into the love triangle story of Christine, Raoul and the Phantom especially with songs like Think of Me and The Mirror (Angel of Music).
The smooth transitions from one grand scene to the next kept her captivated.
And when the Phantom seduced Christine to visit his secret hideout under the opera house passing through a fogged lake, and they emerged on a gondola, smoothly gliding on a mist on stage — the scene simply took her breath away!
It was magical to see the smoke, lights and probably a hundred candles and ornate candelabras slowly emerging to create the Phantom’s hiding place.
It was her favorite theater set by far and she glanced at Will in amazement.
But instead of the awestruck face she expected, he looked bored with his chin resting on one hand, seemingly lost in another space.
And then, the Phantom sang The Music of the Night. But halfway through the song, Ayin felt that it was a bit off with a buzzing sound mixed to it.
She frowned just as the buzzing sound grew louder until she realized it wasn’t coming from the stage at all, but actually beside her.
Her eyes rounded wide in disbelief as she watched Will unabashedly sleeping and snoring on the seat beside her.
Mortified, she jabbed him on the ribs and he woke up with a start.
Sheepishly, he glanced to his right and gave an apologetic glance to the person beside him.
He straightened on his seat as he looked around. Then he whispered on her ear, “I’m not the only one sleeping.”
She glared at him and shook her head in warning.
Will squeezed her hand in apology.
Ayin didn’t have time to mind him as she focused back on stage.
By the time her favorite song, All I Ask of You, played towards the end of Act 1, she had completely forgotten about Will’s little transgression as she immersed herself in the sweeping romance of Christine and Raoul against the backdrop of a rooftop view of turn-of-the-century Paris.
While Ayin was partial towards the Phantom for Christine, she couldn’t help but be swept away as well by Raoul’s love for her especially when his rich baritone enveloped the dark theater like summertime…
[Raoul] 🎶🎵
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I’m here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I’m here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Goosebumps. Ayin could feel it all over her body.
[Christine]
Say you’ll love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That’s all I ask of you
[Raoul]
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You’re safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
Ayin’s eyes misted. Then she felt Will’s fingers intertwine closer with hers in comfort or assurance.
[Christine:]
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me
Overwhelmed, Ayin rested her head on Will’s shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and drew her closer.
[Raoul:]
Then say you’ll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me
With you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Christine, that’s all I ask of you
[Christine:]
Say you’ll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
[Together:]
Share each day with me,
Each night, each morning
[Christine:]
Say you love me
[Raoul:]
You know I do
[Together:]
Love me, that’s all I ask of you 🎵🎶
And there in the darkness, in every heart all across the audience, no less than these two intertwined souls, it echoed:
“Yes, love me, that’s all I ask of you.”
During intermission, they strolled the hallway of CCP looking for a drink. She needed to unclog her throat.
Along the way, Will actively checked out The Phantom memorabilia and took photos as souvenirs.
Then, with glasses of sparkling wine on hand, they rested at a cocktail table, while waiting for Act 2.
She said dryly, “You look more alive out here than you did inside.”
Him, “It’s boring. I don’t like the opera.”
She corrected, “This is not an opera. It’s a musical. The music in opera can only be classical and there’s no dialogue. Whereas this one is made up of several songs connected by lines of dialogue.”
He shrugged, “Same difference. It’s all singing in high pitched voices. I don’t understand them.”
In a way, she got him. She was not a big fan of sopranos and tenors, too. But the story and overall experience was still amazing.
Him, thoughtfully, “But I like the chandelier when it crashed.”
He looked at her with raised eyebrows, hoping she’d be happy he finally found something he liked.
She chuckled as she remembered that, after the Phantom swore revenge in a fit of jealous rage when he heard Raoul and Christine singing and declaring their love for each other, the signature infamous chandelier, the most indelible element of the set, crashed to the stage in heartbreak.
An exclamation point right before the curtain closed.
She looked at his hopeful face and grinned. “I liked that, too.”
His face broke into a smile.
She just shook her head. He was totally missing the story, but well, to each his own.
She was simply glad he was with her.
As they went back to their seats for Act 2, he asked her, “How much longer till it’s done?”
She gleefully told him, “More than an hour.”
He groaned.
Later, right after the scene of the Masquerade Ball, Will fell asleep again.
When she didn’t hear him snoring this time, she decided to let him be.
The loud stage demanded complete attention.
Will slept through the Phantom’s outstanding performance as he appeared in costume as the Red Death.
Although brilliant and talented, the retelling of the Phantom’s painful past revealed the source of his anger and disdain for society, as he was reviled and cruelly exhibited in a cage as part of a traveling fair due to his deformed face, until he escaped and found refuge beneath the opera house.
Will still didn’t wake up when the people plotted to lure and trap the Phantom with Christine’s help and end his reign of terror, just like that in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Will missed seeing the furious Phantom declare war and kidnap Christine, and the ensuing fight as Raoul came to save her.
Ayin’s heart twisted as she felt Christine’s struggle between her love for Raoul and her awe and affection for the broken Phantom, especially when the latter gave her an ultimatum to stay with him or let Raoul die.
In the end though, the Phantom painfully realized that Christine’s happiness lies with Raoul and not with him.
Ayin felt tears running on her face as, in this final act of love, the Phantom let Christine go to join Raoul, the man she eventually chose to love.
Meanwhile, Will was oblivious to it all.
After the show, Ayin and Will met up with Allie and Aldwin at the lobby.
Upon seeing them, Ayin squealed as Allie rushed to her side and hugged her.
Finally, someone she could talk to and gush about the play.
Ayin, “Giirrlll! Did you cry?”
Allie, “You betcha!
“The Phantom!” they said in unison.
Allie, “I wish he could have his Christine. That scene when he let her go to be with Raoul was absolutely heartbreaking.”
Ayin, “I know, right?!”
Allie, “I mean, I could understand why Christine would choose Raoul. He was positively light and bright… and safe, I guess.”
Ayin, “Still, even though the Phantom was dark, he was sweetly intoxicating. I don’t know, I always have a soft spot for people who wallowed in darkness for long. They deserve the light the most.”
Allie, “I agree. Their brokenness makes you want to love them even more.”
Ayin, “Not to mention that the Phantom actor was hot!”
Ayin and Allie giggled.
The girls were already talking a mile a minute about the show, totally forgetting their men.
When they finally realized their absence as they neared the exit, they turned back and found them lining up at the photo corner with the big The Phantom of the Opera backdrop.
Ayin chuckled. For someone who claimed he didn’t enjoy the show, Will sure was excited to have his photo taken with the Phantom.
After the mandatory couple and group shots, they finally left CCP.
Not quite ready to call it a night yet, Allie and her husband took them to the nearby Resorts World Manila for late coffee and pica-pica.
As they waited for their orders, Will stood up and said, “I’ll explore for awhile.”
Allie’s busy husband was a little distance away by the railing as he answered his missed calls during the show.
That left Ayin and Allie alone to gossip.
Allie, “So, did he like it?”
Ayin rolled her eyes, “Are you kidding? He slept through it.”
Allie burst out laughing.
Ayin, “See how full of energy he is right now? That’s because he rested so well for an hour.”
Ayin shook her head in exasperation. “I don’t know how we’ll manage in the future. You know how I love musicals and he hates it. Either I drop him every time I go see one, or I would have to keep dragging him.”
Allie teased her, “Didn’t you say before that you would never date someone who hated musicals?”
Ayin grinned at her, “He was too fast. He already caught me in the net before I knew it.”
Allie, “Still, he followed you here. That’s promising. He’s just like Raoul…”
Allie paused to clear her throat, then broke into a song:
“Say you need me
With you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too…
Ayin…”
At Allie’s prodding look as she replaced Christine’s name with hers, Ayin gamely joined in singing the last line:
“…That’s all I ask of you.”
They giggled at their dramatic rendition.
Ayin told her friend, “He’s not really a Raoul… he’s more like The Phantom — a bit dark, moody and with a troubled past…
And we are so opposite in many ways. We don’t have the same likes most of the time. Still, I find myself drawn to him.”
Allie, “There’s a simple, scientific explanation for that. Have you forgotten — two opposite charges attract while like charges repel. When two opposite ends meet, they attract each other and form a circle.”
Ayin, “I like that — a circle. Rather than being too different that you run in parallel lines, never intersecting. That’s what I worry about.”
Allie, “Being different is not bad. For as long as you respect each other’s individuality. Two different people will work if they have something special between them like love or trust or respect.”
Allie continued, “Besides, isn’t it more romantic to find the night to your day, the cool rain to your hot summer day…”
Ayin, “Or the yin to his yang…”
Allie, “There you go. It’s nice to balance each other out.”
Ayin, “True. That is, if you’re not busy trying to kill each other in annoyance.”
Allie teased her, “Still, you have hearts in your eyes, girl. So happy for you. Despite what you said before, I knew you wouldn’t be single forever. Someone’s here to finally ‘lead you from your solitude’.”
Ayin, “Hey, I liked my solitude…”
Then, thinking of her Will, she amended, “Well, sometimes.”
Allie continued as if not hearing her, “So, is he The One? The one you’ll be sharing ‘One love, one lifetime’?”
Ayin looked at Will, as he emerged from a corner with both hands in his pockets, curiously looking at the lighted display windows of the shops.
Ayin felt her heart swell as she watched him. “Maybe. We’ll see.”
She may not know what the future holds and they may not agree on many things. But in that moment, she was simply grateful to be able to share the light and darkness of this short Manila trip with him.
Sensing that they were talking about him, Will grinned at them as he went back to their table.
She smiled at him, then took and squeezed his hand as he sat down, to let him know how much she appreciated him that night.
He didn’t understand a line. He absolutely hated the music. But he dressed up and sat through 2.5 hours of it all, holding her hand, because he knew it was her thing.
For that night, he was her “Phantom of the Opera.”
And the great thing about it was, he’s real.
And hers, because unlike Christine, she chose him.
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