Lowkey

5

Caelum Carrasco

I want her. That's exactly what I thought 4 years ago. I'm 22 years old at that time and studying for my Master's degree in Business Management when I saw her talking to my mom. She's my inspiration, she's the reason why I became an actor rather than to inherit our business because she's worth it.

"Caelum do you have a girlfriend ba?" Napabalik ako sa realidad nung marinig ko ang boses ni Tita Penelope. Binaba ko ang baso na hawak ko at pinunasan ang bibig ko.

"Wala po Tita." Napapalakpak naman siya sa narinig. "Oh Ria have many friends, diba anak? Introduce Caelum to them." Napatingin ako sa babaeng nasa tabi ko at tumango lang siya bilang tugon sa sinabi ni Tita.

"You need to find a girlfriend na anak. You're already 26 and your mother is not getting any younger." If your daughter is mine, I can marry her tomorrow.

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at kumain na ulit. Step up your game Caelum. Talk to her.

"Your mom mentioned to me last time na you're a singer?" I faced her and asked her.

Nakita ko naman na nagulat siya sa biglang pag-usap ko sa kanya at pati si Lucas napatingin sakin. I can see in my peripheral view that my mom is smiling. She knows.

"Oh yeah. Pero matagal na yon and I don't have any plans pa to return sa showbiz."

"So you still have a plan?"

"Uhm yeah. I'm just waiting for someone, then I'll plan my comeback." I can help you, just tell me what to do.

"You don't have to answer me but I just want to know what your plans are, especially to those people." I can't even utter their names in disgust. It makes me so disgusted that they're still here and thriving in this industry. I have the power and resources para mapabagsak sila but I won't do it cause it's not my fight.

All I can do is to wait for Asteria to move and I'll be by her side, supporting her. All she needs to do is to tell me that she wants them gone and I'll do it wholeheartedly. She has me wrapped around her dainty fingers but doesn't know. I'll do everything for her. She doesn't know yet but I'll let her know soon.

Asteria Gutierrez

He asked me what my plans are. He knows. He knows that I'm innocent, that I'm not like what they painted me to be. I can feel my throat tighten and my eyes glisten. I drink the glass of wine in front of me before answering him.

"You don't have to know. Don't act like you know me and what happened to me, it makes me sick." I know better than to trust him. Not Caelum Carrasco, I remember hearing that he's a playboy, a cassanova, a heartbreaker.

I sipped my wine again and didn't talk again, he remained silent and I thought that's where our conversion would stop but no.

"I know you but you don't know me. I've known you for so long Ria. Di kita nakalimutan Ria, ikaw lang ang nakalimot." I can't take it anymore. I stood up and excused myself and went to the bathroom.

I stared at my reflection and tried to remember him but there's nothing. I don't know if he's lying but why would he lie? What would he get from lying?

Umayos ka Ria. Remember why you came back. Don't let anyone mess up your plan.

Naghugas ako ng kamay at lumabas na. I saw him standing against the wall while on his phone. When the door closed and made a noise his eyes looked up and stared right at me.

"Let's go. I'll take you home. Nauna na silang umalis and your mom told me to wait for you." Binigay niya sakin ang bag ko pero di ako gumalaw.

"Where's my phone?" I remember that I left my phone on the table when I went to the restroom. "I put it in your bag. Let's go na magiging traffic na niyan." His voice was cold and distant. I can't help but to shiver.

"You don't have to drive me home. Nag drive ako papunta dito. Thank you for your offer. Drive safe." Linampasan ko siya at naglakad papunta sa parking. I can hear his feet walking behind me but I did not pay any attention to it.

I was opening my car when he talked.

"Drive first. My car would be behind you. Drive safe Ri." I was dumbfounded and I heard his engine roaring.

Weird.

I entered my car and started it. Habang pauwi ako tingin ako ng tingin sa likod at sa bawat tingin na yun nasa likod ko ang sasakyan. I felt safe.

Nagpark ako at nagpark siya sa tabi ko. Hindi ko na siya hinintay bumaba ng sasakyan niya at sumakay na sa elevator. Nakakapagod masyado ang araw na to, sumandal ako sa pader ng elevator at pumikit.

I can smell him. Fudge nakasakay pa pala siya.

"You didn't even bother to wait for me." I grunted at him and paid no attention to what he's talking about. The elevator opened in our floor and I went straight to my condo and slammed my door.

Sobrang nakakapagod at gusto ko nalang humimlay. Humiga ako sa kama na hindi naghihilamos at di rin ako nakapagpalit ng damit dahil sa pagod, makakatulog na sana ako pero nag ring yung cellphone ko.

"Hello?" Di ko tiningnan kung sino yung tumatawag at sinagot nalang.

"Hi Ria. I just want to ask about your contract." Ughhhh. I just want to rest.

"Good evening Ate Thea. I'm about to sleep but you called ahhhh." I groaned in frustration.

"9 palang bat ang aga mo ata matulog ngayon?"

"Sobrang drained na ang social battery ko ate. Regarding sa question mo I'll release it next week then I'll handle my contract sa susunod na oras."

"I'll talk to your lawyer. Lahat ng mga evidence for all those cancelled events, concerts, and stolen songs are compiled already and I gave it to your lawyer last week."

"Thanks Ate. About dun sa situation 3 years ago, thank you for being my witness. Thank you for standing up to me Ate." I thanked her with all my heart. She can be blacklisted in  this industry for going up against the company that hired her.

"You don't have to thank me. I'm willing to do it for you. You deserve to be happy, Asteria. And you belong to the stage, singing makes you happy kaya ginawa ko to. Sige na matulog ka na. I'll call you tomorrow after I talk to your lawyer." I thanked her and hung up the phone.

Nagising ako at nag handa na ng pagkain, today would be a busy day for me. I'll talk to Louie and cancel my contract. If she won't cancel it, I'm prepared.

I called my lawyer and told him to me at the company and bring all the files. I did not plan to do this early, but my gut is telling me to do this earlier. That if I let things drag it would be a bad decision.