Late-night Talks

EXTENDED CHAPTER

TRIXIE DEL VALLE'S POV

"Our guest today is the superstar in the writing industry! She launched her own writing app, which is currently the most downloaded app in the country. Please welcome, Author Trixzzz!"

Nakangiti akong umakyat sa entablo habang malakas na namamayani ang hiyawan at palakpakan mula sa readers kong nandidito sa ADB Studio ngayon.

First time kong mag-guest sa isang TV show. Kung hindi lang kailangan para sa promotion ng movie adaptation ng libro kong Late-Night Talks ay hindi rin ako haharap sa ganito karaming tao at idagdag pa na live kami ngayon dahil introvert ako.

"Hello everyone!" masiglang bati ko sa kanila.

Mas lalo lang naging maingay ang paligid. Hinintay muna ni Miss Ellen na kumalma ang lahat bago sinumulan ang interview sa akin.

"Ikuwento mo naman sa akin kung ano na ang ibig sabihin ng pen name mo," panimula pa ng host.

"Ang Trix ay galing po sa name kong Trixie at 'yong zzz naman po ay..." Saglit muna akong napatigil sa pagsasalita at ngumiti sa mga readers ko. Ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong sabihin kung anong mayroon sa pen name ko. "Iyon po ang parang symbol ng natutulog, 'di ba?"

"Oh... that's why, karamihan sa novel mo ay natutulog at hindi na talaga nagigising sa bandang huli ang mga character?" pabiro pa nitong usisa na siyang ikinatawa ng lahat.

"Kind of po," biro ko rin. "Gano'n lang po 'yon. Wala masyadong special sa pen name kong gamit."

"Okay. So, can you now tell us what inspired you to write your best-selling book titled Late-Night Talks? There's a rumor circulating that the book is based on real-life events. Is that true?"

Limang segundo rin siguro akong napatulala. "Uhm, yes po," sagot ko naman. Pumailanlang naman ang katahimikan. "My brother and his wife died together," dugtong ko pa.

Napaawang naman ang bibig ni Ate Ellen. Halata rin sa mga mukha ng readers ko ang gulat.

I've had the privilege of conversing with both Ate Lavinia and Kuya Tyron, gaining insight into their remarkable love story. Our chats, often in the afternoons with Ate Lavinia and evenings with Kuya Tyron, provided me with a deep understanding of their journey, especially during Ate Lavinia's battle with a brain tumor diagnosis.

Aware of my aspirations to become a writer, both Ate Lavinia and Kuya Tyron graciously permitted me to document their story, even though they might have initially harbored doubts about my commitment.

Following my graduation with a degree in Mass Communication, I dedicated myself fully to collaborating on the completion of the Trixzzz Stories app, initiated by Kuya Tyron, alongside Kuya Veil.

"Oh my... kung hindi ka komportableng pag-usapan ay huwag na..."

"Ayos lang po. Kaya ko po isinulat ang kanilang love story para malaman ng lahat na may ganitong kagandang kuwento na minsang nag-exist sa mundong ito." Ngumiti ako at itinapon ang aking tingin sa manunuod. "Ate Lavinia died because of a terminal disease while Kuya Tyron died because she died in his arms. Hindi namin alam na may broken heart syndrome pala ang kapatid ko. Natagpuan na lang namin silang pareho na walang buhay sa rooftop ng apartment building nila at magkayakap sa isa't-isa."

Namasa na ang aking mga mata kaya kaagad na inabutan ako ni Ate Ellen ng tissue.

"I'm sorry," paumahin ko.

"No, don't be, dear. It's okay. Thank you for sharing such a sad yet beautiful story."

"Yeah. Their story was beautiful. It was all green until the end, and I know that they're both happy wherever they are now."

"Indeed. I couldn't agree more. Paniguradong kung nasaan man sila ngayon ay masaya at proud din sila sa'yo."

Ate Lavinia, Kuya Tyron, are you both watching me right now? Your love story, which began with a late-night conversation and concluded in the same manner, will be etched in everyone's memory.