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INAYOS NI AUTUMN ang kopya ng script sa kamay nya at isa-isang tinignan ang mga gaganap sa film nila
"Daniel, ready the storyboard. We'll be needing that"
"Sure. When do we start filming?" tanong ni Daniel
"In two days. All the house scenes should be film first. That way, we can move along to the next scenes"
"I'll compile those scenes then" sabi ni Daniel at tinanguan nya lang ito
Pumalakpak si Autumn ng dalawang beses para kunin ang atensyon ng lahat "Since, each of us have their task. I'm expecting everyone will be responsible enough especially kapag nagstart na tayo mag-film. We'll start filming in two days. All the house scenes will be film in that house"
"Kaninong bahay?" tanong ni Hannah
"Our family house" sabi nya
"Makikita ko ba si Kuya Storm doon?" tanong ni Hannah
Tipid lang na ngumiti si Autumn at umiling "We're going to shoot there not to do boy hunting" sabi nya at pinagkrus ang braso "So props team, I'm expecting that you will cooperate with the finance team with the expenses. Finance team, I need liquidations. And characters, make sure that you memorize your lines in two days. Any questions?"
"Do you have the exact address of the house?" tanong ni Xavier
"I'll send it later to our group chat" sabi nya
Napatingin si Autumn kay Daniel na nakangiwi habang nakatingin sa cellphone nito
"Wala ng tanong?"
"None!"
"You may leave, everyone" sabi nya at nilapitan si Daniel "Is that Kuya Storm?"
"Yeah, he will meet us both in the family house. 7PM sharp"
"Let's go" sabi nya at kinuha ang bag saka lumabas
Agad namang sumunod si Daniel at may nakabangga pa si Autumn habang patungo silang hagdan "Sorry"
"It's fine" sabi ni Xavier
Tinignan ni Autumn si Daniel at hinawakan ito sa braso "Let's move faster, Daniel"
"Sandali naman. I can't find my keys"
Tinignan nya si Daniel at pinagkrus ang braso "Did you check your pockets?"
Kinapa naman ni Daniel ang bulsa at mahinang natawa "It's here. Let's go" sabi nito at hinawakan ang pamulsuhan nya
Nagmamadali silang bumaba ni Daniel
"Autumn, sandali! Saan kayo?" tanong ni Hannah
"We're going home" sabi ni Daniel at kinindatan si Hannah "Don't miss us too much, Hannah" saka sya hinila ni Daniel
"Really?" walang emosyong tanong ni Autumn kay Daniel
"What? She's pretty"
Binatukan nya si Daniel saka naunang maglakad dito
"Is she off-limits? She's very pretty, cousin" sabi ni Daniel
"Yeah, and not for babaero like you"
Natawa lang si Daniel saka sila sumakay ng kotse nito. Sinuot ni Autumn ang seatbelt at malalim na bumuntong hininga
"Time to face the music, Autumn"
Tumango lang si Autumn "Kuya will surely kill us in acoustic"
"Acoustic with guilt-trip and so many pangangaral" sabi ni Daniel at pinaandar ang sasakyan nito
KAGAT-KAGAT NI AUTUMN ang pang-ibabang labi habang nakaupo sa couch katabi si Daniel habang ang Kuya Storm nya ay nakaupo sa pang-isahang sofa at nagbabasa ng libro nito tungkol sa law
"How's school Autumn?"
"Just fine"
"Hmm...how about you Daniel? How do you feel moving into that school?"
"Masaya, Kuya. Nandun si Autumn eh"
"Do you know the reason why we put you two in different school?" tanong nito at tinignan sila dalawa
Umiling si Daniel habang napasandal lang si Autumn. The acoustic is about to start....
"It's because you two are bunch of headaches. I received reports about your past activities Daniel. I'm very impressed that you punch kids same grade as you and Autumn was there too"
"Eh Kuya---"
"I know your reasons. Autumn was being harassed by those kids but you didn't fight back when you faced them in the guidance office. Why is that?"
Napayuko si Daniel "Kasi Kuya, hindi ko sinabi kila Mama na pinapatawag sila. Ayoko namang tawagan sila Tita, nakakahiya"
"Then call me, Daniel. Your parents asked me to look after you. That's why I'm here"
"Opo" sabi ni Daniel
Palihim na umirap si Autumn at tinignan ang kapatid
"And you? Why didn't you call me when that incident happens?"
"I'm in the hospital. Bruised with high fever"
"You didn't have time to call me?" tanong ng kapatid
"Kuya, I'm pretty sure you know that I'm unconscious for four days"
"Yeah, I know that. Then you act like nothing happened and didn't call me. You just let your cousin fix the mess" sabi nito
Napairap si Autumn at pinagkrus ang braso "I know I should've helped Daniel but when I woke up, everything was settled. That's what Daniel told me"
"Kasalanan ko, Kuya" sabi ni Daniel
"I'm not blaming you or anyone. Just call me next time"
Palihim na umirap si Autumn "Are we done here?"
Binalingan sya ng tingin ni Storm "You and Daniel will stay here from now on"
"No." may diin na tanggi nya
"I didn't ask you, I'm ordering you. I will stay in this house as well. I asked your roommate to pack your things so you have no choice" sabi nito
Nangunot ang noo ni Autumn sa sinabi ng kapatid "How dare you do that?!"
"Don't raise your voice at me. I'm your brother, Autumn" sabi ng kapatid nya
"Stop controlling me, Kuya Storm"
"I'm not controlling you, I'm teaching you a lesson. I'll just prepare our dinner. Manang will lead you to your room" sabi ng kapatid nya at ginulo ang ibabaw ng buhok nya "I missed you, little mischievous Autumn"
Hinawi nya ang kamay ng kapatid at tumayo na "Manang, I want to go to my room" sabi nya
"Dito, iha. Naku ang laki laki mo na"
Tipid lang na nginitian ni Autumn si Manang Delia at sinundan ito
"Heto ang silid mo, iha. May gusto ka ba? Tubig o makakain? Medyo matatagalan sa pagluluto ang Kuya mo"
"Manang, I want to be alone for a while. I'm not gonna eat dinner and tell them not to disturb me" sabi nya
"Galit ka ba sa Kuya mo, iha? Ikaw lang ang iniisip nya"
Tinignan nya si Manang at tipid na nginitian "I'm tired, Manang. Good night po" sabi nya at sinarado ang pinto. Nilock nya iyon at hinayaang patay ang ilaw
Binagsak ni Autumn ang sarili sa kama at malalim na bumuntong hininga. What a night...
YOU ARE READING
When Flowers Bloomed
General FictionAutumn Belinda Cardinal Collins, she's called Miss Perfectionist. The President of Drama and Theater Club. She's known as the Patron Saint of Bitterness and Antagonist Director for writing and directing film that broke many hearts of people but not...
