#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 34

"Hey, babe. Don't you miss me? Hindi mo man lang ba ako babatiin pabalik?"

I was too stunned to utter a word when I heard her greet Kirk. Kaagad na nanliit ang mata ko habang nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa. Hindi naman nagsalita si Kirk at nanatili lang na gulat na nakatingin kay Harriet. Oh, yes, I finally remembered her. She's an actress and a beauty queen, ang alam ko ay nakasama na siya ni Kirk noon sa isang movie at isang series.

"And oh, Khaisia, right? Hello, it's nice to meet you! I think... this is our first meeting, am I right?" baling naman nito sa 'kin.

I forced a smile as I don't want to appear rude. "Yes, this is our first meet. It's nice to meet you, too."

"Cool! I've seen some of your movies and... it's not that bad." she said, shrugging. Kumunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, I tilted my head a bit and raised my left brow.

"Oh, please, don't take it in a wrong way. You're not that bad naman, e. I mean, I just feel like no one can top my acting so yeah... I hope I didn't offend you." she answered while smiling and I almost scoffed. Hindi ko alam kung bakit na-a-asar ako sa paraan ng pag-ngiti niya sa 'kin.

"Uh, Harriet, I think you need to prepare now." sabat naman ni Kirk kaya napatingin kami sa kanya. He even glanced at me before looking at Harriet who's smiling sweetly at him.

"I'm glad you still remember me, babe. Akala ko ay hindi mo na ako papansinin kapag nagkita tayo ulit, e." she replied which made my brows furrowed more.

"I told you to stop calling me that, Harriet." sagot naman sa kanya ni Kirk.

"What's wrong with that? You don't need to worry, babe." she said, she even touched Kirk shoulder. "As if naman may magagalit, right?"

Umiwas ako ng tingin, hindi ko alam pero naiinis ako sa nakikita ko. I had to close my eyes for a moment to calm myself. Nang binalik ko sa kanila ang tingin ko, I forced a smile again. From my peripheral view, I can see Kirk glancing at me pero nanatili lang kay Harriet ang tingin ko.

"Anyways, I'll go to my dressing room na. See you around, Khaisia." she smiled at me. "And babe, don't avoid me, please." sabi naman niya kay Kirk bago umalis.

Kirk and I were left alone standing there, no one dared to speak. Ramdam ko pa rin ang inis sa sistema ko. I released a sigh, calming myself. Pinaypayan ko pa ang sarili ko gamit ang script book, though it's not that helpful because it's too thick.

"She's not my girlfriend." Kirk suddenly said after a long silence between us.

I looked at him and raised a brow. "I didn't ask."

Nilayasan ko na siya dahil natanaw ko na si direk. Wala na rin naman kaming pag-uusapan kaya ano pa'ng gagawin ko sa harapan niya, 'di ba? And who cares about their relationship? Wala naman akong pakialam kahit na may relasyon silang dalawa. Hanggat hindi nadadamay ang pangalan ko, wala akong pakialam.