Aurora Borealis

Chapter 47 - Before Rock Bottom

>> • LAUREN • <<

"You didn't need to come, Mom. I can manage." I cried as she insisted on coming with me.

The words "I can manage." doesn't seem to console her worries, though. That's what her reaction tells me.

Last week, I signed a contract of approval for working on this project. Even if I agreed on having a double, I'll still film some scenes whereas I don't need to do something that will further worsen my injury.

"Is it bad that I want to see my own daughter at the filming site? Are you a hotshot now to act like that on your Mom?" she scolded as she pinched both of my cheeks.

"Shtop it, Mom! You're shtretching my shkin!" tinanggal ko ang pagkakakurot niya.

"How I miss those days when your cheeks are too squishy." she teased as she fixed the folds on the sleeves of my azure three-fourths. "I want to come so bad. I missed watching alot of your games dahil palagi akong subsob sa trabaho."

I chuckled, "Still no. I'll just send you some pictures, or we can video call after. Palagi naman tayong nagkikita sa bahay, hindi ka pa ba nauumay sa mukha ko?"

She stared right into my face, "Kung nakakaumay ang mukhang 'yan, parang sinabi mo na ring pangit ang genes namin ng Papa mo."

I stifled a laugh before motioning to the door. Halos mapaatras ako nang makita si Baldo sa may gate, sa tabi niya'y nakaparada ang kaniyang motorsiklo.

Mom peeped over my shoulder. "What's he doing here? Did you invite him again?"

"No. But he came at a good timing." I grinned as I ran to him.

"Hey, Lauren! You said you'll commute!" pahabol pa ni Mom.

"Changed my mind!" sigaw ko pabalik at isinara ang gate.

"You need a service?"

I grabbed the helmet before he could even give it to me. "Yeah, thanks. Do you have a class?"

"Hmm. I'll just drop you off, but I'll fetch you after class." tugon niya at isinukbit sa kaniyang harapan ang kaniyang bag.

We went to the designated filming site— a broadway studio. Kakaunti lamang ang mga tao at karamihan sa kanila'y mga producer at mga staff na hindi magkamayaw sa paglalakad.

Project posters were hung on the pillars and scattered throughout the entire studio. There's even a small LED screen on the wall of the hallway projecting the previous ads of the same product that I'm about to endorse. A jingle for the sports drink also played on repeat everywhere.

"See you later." saad ko kay Baldo.

Hindi ko alam kung hindi ba niya 'ko narinig dahil nakatayo pa rin siya sa harapan ko at nakatitig sa 'kin.

"What?"

"You didn't call me beau."

"Is it necessary? I told you, it's a typo." I reasoned. "Bagging up a callsign already, huh?"

For some reasons, he didn't blush when I teased him. His composure remained unfazed.

He's eager. He stood there even if a producer's already calling me for some clarifications.

"Fine." I sighed. "See you later, beau."

Napahilamos siya ng mukha at bahagyang napangiti matapos iiwas ang tingin sa 'kin. Mabilis ko namang hinablot ang phone ko sa bulsa at madaliang kinuhanan siya ng litrato bago pa niya mapansin.