BEHIND the SCENES (DarLentina version)

Chapter 2: Judged

[STAY by Rihanna playing on the background]

All along it was a fever
A cold sweat hot-headed believer
I threw my hands in the air, said, "Show me something"
He said, "If you dare, come a little closer"

Round and around and around and around we go
Oh now, tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know

Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay

It's not much of a life you're living
It's not just something you take it's given

Round and around and around and around we go
Oh now, tell me now, tell me now, tell me now you know

Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay

Ooh, ooh, ooh, the reason I hold on
Ooh, ooh, ooh, 'cause I need this hole gone
Funny you're the broken one but I'm the only one who needed saving
'Cause when you never see the light it's hard to know which one of us is caving

Not really sure how to feel about it
Something in the way you move
Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay, stay
I want you to stay, hooh

"Hanggang dito ba naman?" Naiinis na tinakpan ni Regina ang tenga n'ya.  She hated every heartbreak song that was being played on the radio since she and Noah broke up.

"May problema po, ma'am?" Tanong ng bartender ng mapansin nito si Regina.

"No.  I'm fine. Another shot of tequilla please."

Mabilis namang tumalima ang bartender at ibinigay ang order n'ya.

"Where on earth can I find my peace?" May kalakasang tanong n'ya sabay tungga sa laman ng basong hawak.

"Sa lugar kung saan wala kami. Mas maganda kung ikaw nalang 'yong wala sa mundo namin. 'Yong ikaw lang 'yong nasa mundo mo at malayo sa amin."

Napalingon si Regina sa nagsalita. Binistahan n'ya ng tingin ang babae. She has long black hair,  sweet little face, fair skinned but a bit shorter than her.  Filipinang-filipina ito.  She recognized her all at once.

"Julia?"

"Oh you recognized me! That's so sweet of you." Umupo ito sa tabi n'ya at omorder ng maiinom.

Tinitigan lang n'ya ito. Mabait naman si Julia sa kanya dati. Mahinhin at palangiti ito.  Kapag kasama ito ni Brian ay lagi lang s'ya nitong binibigyan ng tipid na ngiti. Unlike ngayon. Seryoso ang mukha nito na para bang mananapak.

Napabuntong-hininga si Regina. "I guess you've already seen the news."

Lalong kinabahan si Regina ng hindi ito magsalita at nagpatuloy lang sa pg-inom.  Omorder nalang s'ya ulit sapagkat nararamdaman n'ya ang lalong panunuyo ng lalamunan dahil sa kaba. Julia is not here to accompany her,  iyon ang malinaw.

"Ganyan ka na ba ka despiradong sumikat,  Regina? Kailangan mo ba talagang manggamit ng tao para lang bumango lalo ang pangalan mo sa industriya?" Baling nito sa kanya matapos ng mahabang katahimikang namamagitan sa kanilang dalawa.

"No.  I and Brian... there's nothing going on between us.  Its just work." Depensa n'ya.

"Hindi ako tanga, Regina.  Ang daming kumakalat na pictures ng halikan n'yo sa internet. I even watched the video of you two kissing on that bullshit press conference! Ano?  Magdedeny ka pa ba? Sino'ng maniniwalang walang namamagitan sa inyo ni Brian, Regina? Ganyan ka na ba ka desperada?  Wala na ba talagang papatol sa'yong lalaki na pati boyfriend ng iba sinusulot mo pa ha?" Pagalit na inilapag ni Julia ang boteng hawak nito sa bar counter habang masama ang titig sa kanya.