Chapter 2
We were okay. We were so inlove. We were free. WERE. Past tense. Nakaraan.
Perks of being a celebrity is that your life will always be a live show. People will always have their eyes on you, on what you are doing and everything about you. As well as the things that aren't related in showbiz. Lahat yan binabantayan at pinapansin nila. Syempre haters and bashers will always be a part of it. And of course, fans or supporters. Though not all of them are having the same wants as the others. Kumbaga, yung iba ganito ang gusto para sayo. Yung iba naman, may ibang gusto.
Oo, masaya maging artista. You get to have fame. You are able to meet different people. You are loved. You are appreciated.
Pero mahirap pag nasa sitwasyon ka na. Your life will be controlled depending on what the management's plan for you. Whether you like it or not, you need to do it. As long as it's in the contract, you need to comply on it.
"Son?"
I woke up from stupor when my Mom came into my room.
I'm here sitting on my bed while my television is on. But I don't understand what I'm watching. I am in the bubble of my thoughts.
"Mom."
She held my hands.
"I know na I'm one of those hindrances on your relationship with Julie. Just so know, I like Julie for you. It's just that the management has other plans for you, and unfortunately, Julie's not part of it."
Yeah, management. I know she likes Julie for me but she chose to let people think that she doesn't. For the management. For the promotion. For my career.
At first, I don't understand why Mom was like that to her. I even said harsh things to her kasi nga akala ko she doesn't like Julie for me. That she didn't do everything para hindi mangyari ang nangyayari samin. The loveteam. The promotions. The pretend-to-be-stranger act. Everything.
"I know, Mom. Sorry if I blamed you for all of this before. I should have known. I should have known that this might happen, me and Julie having separate careers. Sorry, Mom."
"I should be sorry too, son. I've been your manager through those times. I admit I forgot that I should act as your mother too. Siguro kung naisip ko yun dati pa, hindi sana kayo mahihirapan ni Julie nang ganito."
I shook my head.
"Mom, mahihirapan at mahihirapan kami. We're in the same industry wherein there is no such thing as permanent. Hindi lang siguro talaga namin kaya. Hindi lang siguro kami meant for each other."
"What are you trying to say?" Confusion evident in her voice.
Tears started to form in my eyes.
"We broke up already, Mom. She gave up on me. She doesn't love me anymore." I almost choked as I tried to suppress my tears from falling.
"Julie gave up on you? And she doesn't love you? Impossible."
See that? Even Mom can't believe Julie said those things to me as much as I do.
Not long enough, I found myself crying infront of my mom. The last time I cried to her was the time that I begged for our freedom. Me and Julie. I even knelt infront of my mother just to convince her na pagbigyan niya ang relasyon namin ni Julie. Na wag niyang hayaang kontrolin ng management ang relasyon namin ni Julie. But I didn't succeed.
"Nothing is impossible, Mom. She said it already. Halos ipamukha na niya sakin na hindi na niya ako mahal. Na hindi na siya masaya at hindi na niya ako kailangan. Ramdam na ramdam ko yung sakit na nararamdaman niya sa bawat salitang sinabi niya. Napagod na siya at sinukuan na ako."
