Captures of Perfect Timing (The Art of Life #1: Life Version)

09.00.17 - five feet apart

"Mommy, pwede ba 'kong pumunta sa bahay ng kaklase ko bukas? Mayroon kaming gagawing project," paalam ko kay mommy habang nasa hapag-kainan. "Sa bahay nila Kiel."

"Kiel?" Nag-angat ng tingin sa 'kin si mommy. "The boy from last time?"

"Last time?"

"Yung kasama mo sa shed."

"Ahh..." Tumango ako.

"Taga saan siya?"

"Isang sakay lang daw sa kanila."

"Hanggang anong oras?"

"Hmm... six o'clock?"

"Susunduin kita."

First time kong magpaalam at pupunta sa bahay ng kaklase. Pumapayag naman pala si mommy.

"Pinayagan ka? Tuloy ba tayo?"

Tumango ako.

"Ye'y! Tara na!"

Nagcommute kami at pinayagan ako ni mommy sa gano'n dahil marami naman daw akong kasama. Nang dumaan ang unang jeep at anim lang ang kasya, hindi na nila tinuloy sumakay doon. Gusto kasi nila na sabay-sabay kami.

We got squeezed in the second jeepney. I didn't mind since I was sitting between Honey and Shanice.

Caught on traffic, we arrived at Kiel's house at 4 p.m. already.

"Uh... guys, si mommy." He introduced us to a beautiful woman walking down the stairs. "Mommy, classmates ko."

Ngumiti ang babae nang makababa at pinasadahan kami ng tingin. Binati siya ng mga kasama ko.

When her eyes settled on me for a while, I just smiled awkwardly. Ngumiti rin naman siya bago bumalik ang tingin kay Kiel.

"Pagmeriendahin mo muna sila, Yuan," aniya.

"Upo muna kayo." Kiel instructed us to the sofa before walking over his mom. Her mom snaked her arm around his waist and they went to the kitchen together.

"Kain muna kayo." Kiel was holding a tray when he returned. He placed it on the coffee table.

They chitchatted while I remained quiet as we ate, worrying if we could still achieve our agenda today with the time remaining. I was planning to shoot at least four scenes.

"Kain lang kayo." Maya-maya ay may dumating na isa pang babae, holding a tray of sandwiches. Nilapag niya iyon sa coffee table.

"Thank you, manang," pagpapasalamat ni Kiel.

I pursed my lips while Kiel was distributing the food. I checked my watch; it was already 4:40. I looked at my groupmates and realized I was the only one bothered about the time.

Nagtama ang tingin namin ni Kiel nang i-abot niya sa 'kin ang sandwich. His eyes stilled on my face for a moment before he gazed down my watch.

Lumipat ang tingin ko kay manang nang bumalik siya sa sala, may dala-dalang panibagong tray. Umawang ang mga labi ko.

My eyes were drawn back to Kiel when he chuckled softly. Umalis siya sa harapan ko at tinulungan si manang maglapag ng tray. Buti na lang at juice lang naman pala iyon.

"Thanks, manang," aniya bago humarap sa 'min. "Start na tayo. Kain na lang kayo habang nagshushooting. Para hindi kayo gabihin ng uwi."

We started with the first scene.

Binabantayan ko ang oras. Every time they would goof around and make mistakes, I'd get more uneasy, worrying about the time and our progress.

Bumuntong-hininga ako nang mag 5:30 p.m. I ended the shoot even when we only finished two scenes.