S7VEN (La Familia Kingpin Series #1)

40. Birds Fly. Fish Swims

SANTY

"SMILE! One more. Okay, perfecto."

Naiiling na binuklat ko ang kipkip na folder at muling binasa ang script na naroon. Era's been doing a great job on her task–the busy and bossy clapper slash director kuno. Hindi ito mapakali sa kakaikot kahit pa sinabi ko ng tanghaling tapat na't kailangan n'yang sumilong sa makeshift tent. But my advice falls in deaf ears.

Kaya wala akong nagawa kung 'di panoorin ito't abalahin ang sarili ko sa pagbabasa ng script na makailang ulit na rin naming nirebesa ng mga kasama ko.

We're currently at the busy area of U Town. It's the lifestyle mall right across our campus. Ito ang lugar kung saan iso-shoot ang mga huling scenes ng film namin. Nasa gitna si Era kasama ang ilan sa mga kagrupo ko pati na si Bee na siyang nakasalang sa scene. I was perched in one of the tables we set earlier this morning when the place was still quiet and the sun was still forgiving.

Naipaypay ko ang hawak na script sa mukha't inilibot ang mata para hanapin si Chinnie.

Ba't kaya natagalang bumili ng pagkain 'yon?

"Santy, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Nalingunan ko si Maricar ang isa sa mga co-writers ko at siyang leader namin ng grupo namin. Standing next to her was Milo who's sporting a scowl on his face. Okay, mukhang 'di maganda 'to.

"Sure. About what?" Tumayo ako't pinagpag ang suot kong jeans.

"I'm telling Milo here that we should do this scene, insert it before the scene you suggested earlier. What's your input since ikaw ang head scriptwriter ng team?"

My eyes flitted from the paper to Maricar's direction. Printed copy iyon ng storyboard na bago sa paningin ko. Frowning, I reached for it. Pinigil ko ang inis na bumalatay sa mukha ko habang nakatitig sa papel na hawak.

"I thought na-finalize na natin ang mga huling scenes and cuts. Kung mag re-revise pa tayo ulit, hindi natin kakayanin ang deadline. The school board was firm about the dates, Maricar. We're due this Fiday," seryosong ani ko. Hindi ko pinansin ang pagtunog ng teleponong nasa bulsa ng pantalon. Whoever was it, can wait.

"Santy, kaya natin 'yan. Marami tayo sa group and besides we have all the means," she waved a hand in front of me, dismissing my incoming protest. "Trust me. Before you know it, naipasa na natin ang short film and we're already viral on YT and FB. I'm positive we can do miracles given that we had positive feedback from the viewers."

She's talking about the teaser we released a few days ago. Nagpalitan kami ng makahulugang tinginan ni Milo. I was glad to know that one of my long-time friends and former colleagues as part of the team despite his busy schedule— acads, works and all. Right now, I couldn't be happier especially that I don't know how to handle the controlling streaks of Maricar.

Not that I don't know how to, but my plate was already loaded. Adding some more could mean insanity. I pushed the image of piercing dark amber on the farthest part of my mind as if he can stay there for too long.

"Maricar, we've been burning candles for three straight nights. It's not healthy. Kailangan nating magpahinga," singit ni Milo, nasa tono nito ang 'di maitagong disgusto.

"I agree with Milo. Marami pa sa 'tin ang kailangan tapusin ang mga papers nila."

Nalalapit na kasi ang midterms kaya tambak ang schools works naming lahat.

"Kailangan pa naming i-edit ni Stephen at Jill ang mga frames. Nasa 40% pa lang kami ng total output," susog pa ng binatang kaibigan ko sa nakasimangot na ngayong si Maricar.