Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 43

Kabanata 43

Special

"So, who are we looking at?"

Tinagilid ni Shawn ang ulo habang iniiscan ko ang lahat ng portrait shot ng mga artistang pinadalhan namin ng special letter para sa exclusive casting audition. Nagpadala na ang ilan ng kanilang portfolio, kasama ang mga head shots, side views, and full body. Mamayang alas kwatro ang simula ng auditions at inaayos na namin lahat.

Kung maipafinalize na namin kung sino ang dalawang lead na tingin ko'y makukuha na namin ngayong araw, we'll start the shooting right away.

"Aba, halos lahat na pala nakapagbigay ng shots."

"Hard working kasi 'yan si Direk,"

"These women are the best of the industry. Walang duda na magiging maganda ito." Si Mother Rose. "I'm really happy that they sent these out immediately."

"Kinulit niya raw nang kinulit ang mga agents!"

Sinadya ko talagang kulitin ang mga artistang 'to at mga agent at manager nila para paunlakan at basahin man lang ang offer namin, ang proposal, at ang mismong screenplay. May coverletter na ginawa si Andi noon pero tinanggihan ni Shawn at gumawa siya ng mas maganda at mas bago.

"Sino namang tatanggi sa napakalaking offer non!"

"Ang budget na iyon ay hindi lang para sa protagonist. Sa antagonist din."

"Eh maraming antagonist ah?"

"Sa lead, siyempre. Iyong gaganap na presidente."

"Sino ang gusto mo rito, Direk?" Tanong ni Bench sa akin. "For the lead protagonist,"

Sinulyapan ko ang cellphone ko dahil sa pagtunog ito. Sinilip ko ang mensahe ni River sa aking notification at napatikhim sa text message niya.

River:
Nagyayaya si Rush at Yakob mamaya. Dinner daw. Gusto mong sumama?

It has been weeks since I had that talk with Vanna and River. Naging totoo naman si River sa sinasabi niyang 'friends' nga kami, at walang halong ibang kahulugan iyon. Natutuwa rin ako dahil para lang din talaga kaming magkaibigang dalawa. Parang Rush at Lei lang. Iyong halong walang landian o kung ano.

We're past that phase. We grew up. We learned a lot and I hope that we're better people now.

Kuntento na rin naman ako na nakikita kong nag e-effort si River na maging mabuting kaibigan. He doesn't give me mixed signals liked before, he also says what he means with no pretensions. It's all pure direct words, and I can feel his emotions as well.

However, despite the state I am in right, Vanna's words always haunted me during the night. I can't possibly fathom how she's able to keep it all inside. We were best of friends! We basically have been a sibling to each other, and I love her—and I'll always do, but not in a romantic way.

I know I said I'll get back to her and we'll talk, but I don't know what to tell her or how I'm going to approach her.

Gulat lang talaga ko. Hindi ako galit o nandiri man lang. Kung may iba pa akong nararamdaman, iyon ay lungkot din. I broke two hearts, without even knowing it.

"Direk Lei," Tikhim ni Bench nang mapansin na nag s-space out ako.

"A-ano nga ang sinasabi mo, Bench?"

"Sino ang top 5 lead protagonist mo out of these nine actresses?"

"We have Lizzie, Nadia Samonte, Ms. Amanda Sachs, Daenerys, and Arabella Pangan."

"Ay same! Pwera lang kay Ms. Amanda! Diva queen kasi talaga 'yan. Attitude malala, Bench!"

"She's the prettiest though," Seryosong saad nito.