After The Credits

Chapter 2 A Captured Moment Vlad's POV

I had a feeling you'd be here.

Vlad watched Karl enter the classroom with the girl he was with earlier. Joan, was it? The two took their seats and Joan tapped Karl before gesturing to the front of the room as if to say Hey your friend's here, oh. Vlad could see the shock on Karl's face as he noticed what Joan was pointing at. Vlad responded with a sly wink.

"Good afternoon, everyone. You may be thinking ab0ut where on earth your usual professor is. Well, Kuya Rob personally asked me to share some of my experience as a new director today since most of you are film students." Vlad announced.

Of course, I agreed. I knew Kuya was your professor, after all.

"So, framing is one of the most important parts of any story. This includes things like whose point of view the story is told from, for example, or what you, as the storyteller choose to show and to omit. The same can be said about handling a camera for film. How you angle the shot, what can be seen, where is it seen from, et cetera. Which brings me to our activity today. Get a partner and go around campus for a bit, take some photos. I want you to think about what your shot says. Write a short explanation of your photo and submit it to my Kuya next session."

The students all got up and started looking for partners. Karl was about to leave the room with Joan, but Vlad grabbed him by the shoulder from behind.

"Karl, I'm your ASF mentor, 'di ba? Tara, ako yung partner mo."

Karl looked at Joan as if to ask permission.

"Okay lang, Karl. I'll make a new friend na lang, it's fine." She smiled and turned around to look for a new partner.

"Ano 'to? Plano mo para magbalik tayo sa dati?" Karl asked.

"Grabe ka naman. I'm just doing my duties as your mentor. And besides, alam naman nating dalawa na 'di ka ready. Plus you're still important to me. Can you blame me for at least wanting to be your friend?" Vlad replied.

Karl smiled.

"Anyway, tara na. We don't have all day." Vlad said, beginning to walk out of the classroom. He noticed a smile on Karl's face as he turned around to face the door. He couldn't help but smile too.

The two walked around campus. Karl would take pictures of the scenery while Vlad would give photography tips. Vlad lectured Karl about everything from lighting to angles. The two shared a few laughs as they strolled around.

I missed this. Just you and me spending time together.

"Arki! Ay, Karl pala. Picturan mo ako." Vlad said, posing next to some flower bushes.

Karl obliged, taking the shot with his phone.

"Patingin naman diyan!" Vlad extended his hand, gesturing for Karl to give him the phone.

"So, Karl... What does this shot say?"

"Na nandito ka. Hindi ka na malayo sa'kin." He answered.

Vlad noticed Karl blush and wondered if he was blushing himself. The two smiled before being interrupted by Vlad's phone ringing.

"Ah, that's probably Ate. Day off ni Kuya Eddie ngayon so she needs me to pick her up."

Vlad picked up the phone, and talked to Judit for a few minutes.

"Mauuna na ako, Karl. Was nice spending time with you today. I'll see you around." Vlad said.

"Sige, bye Vlad. Punta na ako sa susunod na klase ko. See you around." Karl replied.

Vlad got into his car, which was thankfully nearby, and as he watched Karl walk away, he couldn't help but smile at the boy.