If You Asked Me To (An Epistolary Novel)

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Video call started.

Joshua Parco: Hello.

Olivia: (Smiles timidly) Hi, babe (sighs).

Joshua Parco: Kumusta ka?

Olivia: I'm okay na. . . I think.

(Silence)

Olivia: I don't know what to feel, babe. Everything feels. . . surreal. It never occurred to me that I'll face this side of the industry. People never hated me. . . until now.

Joshua Parco: Stay off the grid muna. Don't read negative comments. Don't engage. Focus on your work.

Olivia: It's hard, though (sighs).

Joshua Parco: Force yourself. And let your social media manager handles everything--your paid posts, etcetera. Let her do her job.

Olivia: (Chuckles in amusement) Look at you, is this Mr. Dimaano as the manager?

Joshua Parco: I'm serious.

Olivia: Guwapo mo nga lalo, eh, kapag seryoso.

Joshua Parco: (Clicks tongue) Pambihira (shakes head).

Joshua Parco combs his hair while staring at the front camera.

Olivia lies in her stomach.

Olivia: Have you ever experienced this? (hands gesturing in the air) Kasi you manage your friends, 'di ba?

Joshua Parco: Oo, si Dave. Medyo kilala kasi ang pamilya nila. May social media manger naman sila. Involved lang ako kapag trabaho na niya ang apektado.

Olivia: Buti hindi kayo nag-aaway, noh? Parang it's hard to stay professional lalo pa at friends kayo (chuckles).

Joshua Parco: Hindi pa naman kami dumarating sa point na gano'n (laughs lightly). Seryoso naman kami kapag trabaho na. Mukha lang silang maloko pero professionals sila (grins at the camera).

Olivia: (Sighs loudly) Hay, guwapo mo talaga. I want to kiss you, babe (pouts).

Joshua Parco's eyes darken but for a brief moment only. His jaw clenched, before his demeanor changed to a cool one.

Joshua Parco: Pambihira. 'Yan na lang ba sasabihin mo?

Olivia: (Laughs loudly) Yes! Anyway, let's meet tomorrow, babe? I want to see you.

Joshua Parco: Kakakita lang natin kanina, ah? Pero sige (chuckles).

Olivia: Ang rupok! (Chuckles) Let's talk ulit tomorrow (pouts lips for a kiss).

Joshua Parco: Tulog ka na?

Olivia: 'Di pa. Nonood pa ako ng comfort series ko.

Joshua Parco: Okay, matulog ka na pagkatapos. 'Wag ka nang magpupuyat.

Olivia: Okay, babe. I wuv you (smiles cutely at the camera).

Joshua Parco: I love you. Goodnight, babe.

Olivia gives flying kiss at the camera before waving goodbye.

Call ended.