Fraudulence of Bliss (STATION Series #5)

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

Beat

When I went to work the next day, I expected that I would be away from the band as my assignment.

Nabigo ako.

Kasalanan ko namang nag-expect ako.

"Technically, the band, STATION, would be your beat," ang eksplanasyon ni Ma'am Jangco pagkatapos ko sa trabaho. Sumalang pa ako sa live report kanina dahil kinover ko ang banggaan ng bus at sasakyan sa EDSA. Bumigat ang daloy ng trapiko dahil do'n, dumagdag pa na umuulan.

I sighed as I stared at my notebook.

I really thought that being a "proxy" interviewer would be the last of this. Mukhang magiging permanente pa.

"Did they sign under our artist label?" I asked instead.

"No."

Sumakit ang ulo ko. "Kung gano'n, bakit po 'yung STATION ang beat ko? They're from S&T Records. Hindi po ba dapat wala na tayong abala tungkol do'n?"

"It's what their management wanted, Tamara," she said with finality. Huwag ka na makipagtalo, iyon ang dating ng tono niya sa 'kin.

I pursed my lips as my patience thinned. Kahit anong pilit kong isipin kung ano ba talaga ang pinupunto nito, hindi ko makita-kita.

May punto ba talaga 'to? O talagang...

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. "I'm sorry but I can't understand what's this all about. Besides, I'm not sure that I would be of any help with the band's image. Given their fame, paniguradong may nag-aasikaso na po ng public image nila."

"You're the additional," prente niyang sagot. Sa itsura ng mukha, mukhang ayaw na niyang pag-usapan ang bagay na 'to.

Tanggapin mo na lang, Tamara, mukhang gano'n ang ipinupunto niya.

"Additional?"

"The management wants you to go, Tamara," she asked, her voice slightly pleading.

Ibinuka ko ang bibig para magsalita ngunit isinara ko kaagad.

I had reached my number of attempts to negotiate my projects, whether it was a big one or a small one, it remained constant—twice. If possible, thrice.

That's why I forfeited.

I'll just try it for a week or so before I'd give my final verdict.

"Can I put my decision on hold? Pag-iisipan ko po muna, Ma'am."

She nodded and clasped her hands. Nagliwanag din ang mukha niya. "So, you're open sa talk natin with Greta?"

I nodded half-heartedly. "When will be the talk po?"

Tumayo na siya at binanat ang damit gamit ang kamay. "I have one scheduled today. After natin mag-usap."

"Right now?"

"Yes. So, please? Can you join me in the conference room?"

I refrained a sigh. Ayokong magpakita ng masamang attitude. It's not professional.

I silently followed Ma'am Jangco in the conference room at the lower floor. Pagkababa ng elevator, ilang lakad mula roon ay niyakap ko ang sarili dahil may nadaanan na namang standing air conditioner.

Nang makapasok sa loob ng conference room, bahagya akong natigilan sa pintuan. Nauna na si Ma'am Jangco pero hawak-hawak ko pa rin ang malamig na door handle.

I expected that the band's manager would be alone. Hindi pala. Bigla ko tuloy isinumpa ang mga roller shades na tumatakip sa mga glass walls.

The band's here.