Hidden Popularity

Scene #1

AGNES POV

"ANI tumingin ka dito!"

"Show us a half smile!"

"Humiga ka ng kaunti!"

I placed the palm of my hand relaxing on my waist. I smiled halfway as I looked at the lens of the camera then tilted my head approximately 80 degrees. I rested my right arm on the pole.

"Ganyan nga! Sige galaw pa."

Ginawa ko rin naman ang sinabi niya. Gumalaw-galaw ako tumingin sa ibaba then leaned to the front.

After minutes natapos na rin ang shooting para sa cover ng bagong album. Pagod na pagod na akong tumayo at mag-pose for 35 minutes.

"Good work" sabi ni  Patricia. Ang manager ko.

Umupo ako sa sarili kong upuan at uminom ng tubig. Obviously exhausted.

"What's next?" tanong ko.

"Kailangan nating pumunta sa MT Studio para ihatid ang lista ng arrangements for your album. Pagkatapos you have another photoshoot for the face of SHOWBIZ Magazine. After that your going to have your lunch with your parents at The R's RESTAURANT. Pagkatapos ng lunch. Your going to have your poster signing at T.H.E MALL then an interview for a talk show at JIMMY'S STUDIO. Next your going to continue shooting a new episode for your series POPULAR CHICKS. After the shooting you will have another shooting for the new brand advertisement of T-SHIRTS then next will be your dinner with me. I will discuss your night schedules as we both take our dinner. Any questions?"

Umiling ako. Huminga naman siya ng malalim na para bang nakulangan ng hangin.

"Wait for me at the parking lot downstairs. I'll be there by 10 minutes kakausapin ko lang si Mr. Director tungkol sa magazine for confirmation of the release."

"Okay" mahina kong sabi. Sinunod ko naman ang sinabi niya at bumaba na papunta sa parking lot. I went to the elevator and pressed GR FLOOR. The elevator was about to close pero bigla naman itong tinigilan ng isang kamay.

"Buti naman at naka-abot pa ako." muni niya. Sa nakikita ko may naka-sling na camera bag sa katawan niya at may hawak na hawak siyang suitcase.

We were at the 11th floor and I caught him glancing at me for 8th time already!

"May problema ba sa mukha ko?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Mabilis naman siyang umiling.

"Excuse me for asking this pero ikaw si ANI diba?" tanong niya.

ANI. That's me.

"Ako nga po." sagot ko as I looked at him from head to toe to head. Mukha siyang nasa 40's (*referring to his age). Siguro dahil sa get up niya. Nakasuot siya ng loose coffee mocha colored pants then darkgreen plain t-shirt which I think na branded. He has dark brown eyes and his skin was a bit tan. Additionally he's wearing glasses.

Ngumiti siya. At may iniabot sa akin na papel.

"Pwede po bang pahingi ng autograph niyo? Idol ka po kasi ng panganay kong anak." Sabi niya. Tinanggap ko rin naman ang papel and marked my signature.

"Ano po ba ang pangalan niya?" tanong ko.

"Roseann"

Isinulat ko ang From: ANI  at  To: ROSEAN. Pagkatapos timing lang rin nang bumukas ang elevator at lumabas ako. I heard him shout thank you. I nodded as a reply.

Kilala ako ng buong mundo bilang ANI pero hindi nila ako kilala bilang AKO. Nakikita nila ang personality ni ANI on-camera pati off-camera. Kahit asan man ako pumunta marami camera ang nakatunganga sa mukha ko. Maraming mga taong naghihintay para makita ang napakasarap na scandal.