Written On A Canvas

Chapter 40

This is the last chapter. If you've come this far, thank you. I'm truly grateful for your support and patience.

Chapter 40

"The sooner, the better," Francine said. We were in a closed door meeting, talking about the launch of the trailer for Written on a Canvas. "After which, we could have... I guess, one week break before we finally get into the promotions and media exposures," she followed.

"I agree," I spoke. Advantage ito sa akin dahil may plano kami ni Zibon na pupuntahan. We could use the break to go that place.

The month went by so fast. May mga trailers, teasers, at posters na na handa nang i-produce. May mga nakaambang interviews na rin para sa cast at maging sa akin bilang direktor. The only thing left to do is to confirm the dates.

"The big man says yes, so that's the verdict," confirmed Francine. Her heavy duties start right when the materials are exposed to the public. She probably needs the week break to condition herself.

Nagpatuloy ang pag-uusap namin ng production team kung may kulang pa ba kami o kung may idadagdag. It was always a collaborative discussion. Hindi dahil ako ang director, ako na talaga ang batas. There are areas that I can't handle on my own. But with helping hands from my team, consider them successful.

"Best of luck to us, peeps!"

Fulfilled and excited, we got out of the room and that was it for our meeting.

* * *

"How's my Director Lavidar?" bungad ni Zibon nang maisara ko na ang pinto. We were in my unit. Nasa kitchen ito at may niluluto. I couldn't see the flames from here pero okay lang dahil nakakaya ko naman tignan ang little amount of it.

"I'm fine," sagot ko naman. Sumalampak ako sa couch habang tinitignan siyang naka-apron pero walang panloob. "What are you cooking?"

He smiled at me. "Bicol express," and he winked. Muli nitong tinignan ang niluluto at may kung anong nilalagay sa pinaglulutuan.

Exactly what I need!

"Sarapan mo, ah," hamon ko sa kanya.

"Of course," sabi niya naman, tinatanggap ang hamon. "How did your meeting go?"

"It went so well, actually. Ready na 'yung mga materials namin. It will be produced next week," sagot ko. "With that being said, we allotted one week for ourselves. So that means, pwede na natin gawin 'yung plano mo."

Lumiwanag ang ekspresyon nito at gumuhit ang saya sa mga labi. "Really? That's great! I'd go buy our tickets after this," tukoy niya sa pagluluto at hindi na nawala ang mga ngiti sa kanya.

Zibon wanted us to go to Davao. Gusto niyang bisitahin ang puntod ng pamilya niya at ipakilala ako sa kanila. Hindi lang agad pinaunlakan dahil marami pa akong dapat asikasuhin. Maging siya rin. Pero sabi niya naman, anytime daw, pwede siya. He was just waiting for me to finally have some free time.

I cleaned my body while Zibon was still cooking. I wore a comfortable short and a black oversized shirt that has a zebra print on the back. Medyo basa pa 'yung buhok pagkalabas ko ng banyo and I saw Zibon already preparing the table. Kita ko rin ang unti-unting pagdilim ng kalangitan sa labas. Hudyat na malapit nang makatago ang araw ng tuluyan.

A smile appeared on Zibon's lips as soon as his eyes darted on me. "Hey, there."

Raising my eyebrows, I took a look at the bicol express he cooked. There was skepticism in my face―the reason why he spoke.

"Masarap 'yan, promise," pangungumbinsi niya.

"To taste is to believe," untag ko naman.

"Edi tikman mo na," aniya sabay ayos ng kubyertos sa pwesto ko. Nakaharap ako sa glass wall ng unit ko at kitang-kita dito ang mga ilaw ng BGC at ng mga karatig-building.