AshLea Playlist

Chapter 3 of "The Journey"

Months of finding Asher was never easy.  Every afternoon, after her work at the cafeteria, that is the time when she would go out and look for her sister. "Ate, nakita niyo po ba itong bata na ito?" Lea showing her sister's picture. The lady stared at the picture. "Naku, hindi eh." Lea sighed. "Salamat po." She continued roaming the street near the orphanage until she reached to a church. She went inside and kneeled in front of the altar. "Lord, tulungan niyo po akong mahanap ang kapatid ko. Sana po nakakakain siya ng maayos, Sana po may kasama siya. Lord, sana po makita ko na siya at kung hindi na po, sana nasa maayos siyang kalagayan at may kumupkop sa kanyang mabuti ang puso. Amen." She wiped the tears that fell down on her cheeks. "Nasaan ka na ba, Asher?" She thought. "Ate Grace, may balita na po ba sila Sister Mary?" Lea asked her Ate Grace as she reached for her outside the church. "Naku, Lea. Wala pa din daw, eh." She slightly smiled. "Bukas na po tayo ulit maghanap, malapit na pong dumilim, eh."

Shin and Asher were both busy in organizing the newly delivered items for Mang Caloy's souvenir shop. Months had passed, Asher didn't mention her sister's name anymore. Besides, It's been six months. She puts in her mind that Lea left her on that orphanage for her to be what? To be better? To have a better life? What is life without her, anyway?

It is painful to see Asher crying every night looking for her sister, that's why she helped Asher in dealing up with her situation. Joy filled her heart when she saw Asher's happiness while she's approaching the upcoming customer. "Hello po! Welcome to Caloy's Souvenir Shop where you can buy this, this, and this!" The customer laughed as well as Shin and Mang Caloy. "Hello, little girl, what's your name?" The lady customer asked. "My name is Asher po, pero papalitan po ni Erpats ko kapag nagkapera na kami, kasi mahal daw po magpalit ng pangalan, eh. Kaya po bili na po kayo. Ano po bang hanap niyo Miss Ganda?" The customer entertained to Asher's sales talking ability that's why she bought everything from keychains, t-shirts, shorts, and even some of unnecessary things. Shin helped her in arranging the items in an eco bag while Mang Caloy is the one who's in charge for the payment. "Thank you, Miss Ganda!" Asher thanked the customer. "Ingat po kayo." Shin handled the items to the lady. "Ayos! Ang galing niyo talaga! He gave two thumbs up to the two. "Erpats, kelan po mababago pangalan ko?" Asher curiously asked. "Malapit na 'nak."

Twenty years later

"Aviona Carmine Madrigal?" The middle aged man approached Aviona. "Let's go inside na?" Aviona shrugged off her nervousness. "Ate Shin, wish me luck, please?" Shin smiled. "Soy, kaya mo yan! Ikaw pa ba? Pang-ilang audition mo na ba to?" She playfully count on her fingers. "Go na, Soy! Love you!"

The audition held at La Carmela de Boracay was for The Voice of The Philippines. Aviona's decision was final. If she passed the audition here, she will be able to join the blind audition in Manila. "Kamusta, soy?" Shin smiled when she saw Avi going out of the room. "Wait daw ng three days. Sana makapasa ako, Ate. Lea Salonga daw yung isa sa coach, eh. Kilala mo ba yun?" Shin rolled her eyes. "Baliw ka, Aviona Carmine! Tanggalin mo na nga yang galit sa puso mo." Aviona laughed. "Sinong galit? Sumigaw ngayong gabi? Walang ganun, teh! Di ako galit noh, masama lang loob ko. Pero wala na yun, past is past." Shin looked at her as if she's saying maniwala ako sa'yo. "Whatever! Halika na nga. Dami mo pang satsat."

Meanwhile, Lea was busy rehearsing her song because she'll be having a production number for TVOP's promotion at ASAP. "Are you sure, kakantahin mo yung sinulat mong kanta? Diba exclusive lang yun para sa inyo ni Asher?" Lea sighed. "I'm hoping that she could hear it this time." She uttered her response in a hopeful manner. "What if gamitin lang nila yun para magpanggap. Ilang taon nang madaming nagpapanggap na sila ang kapatid mo, simula pa lang nung nag viral ka when you sang it many years ago ang daming manloloko. Paano pa ngayon? Kakantahin mo on national television." Lea stood up because her glam team will start preparing her look. "Ate Grace, puso. Mararamdaman ko gamit ito." She pointed at her chest.