Strangers On-Set

Prologue

"You are trending all over the internet."

My manager said with the biggest smile on her face.

"I already know that, Aya." She scoffed.

"Of course! Lahat naman ng mga upcoming shows mo, nagt-trending, e." She rolled her eyes playfully and we laughed.

"Tss. I know."

"Anyway, wala ka bang balak na magkaroon man lang ng boyfriend?" Napatingin ako sakaniya dahil sa tanong na iyon.

"What? Anong klaseng tanong 'yan? I'm not interested in dating." I said.

"Well... Focus na focus ka kasi sa trabaho. And I just wanted you to have some fun at naaawa na ako sa'yo, Naomi." Natawa ako sa sinabi nito.

"Bakit ka naman maaawa? At isa pa, I'm in the industry. I don't want to create any issues for myself that can affect my work." I said.

"Ayan, e! Naaawa ako sa'yo dahil sa mindset na 'yan. Gumawa ka naman ng kahit kaunting dating issue, Naomi." She acted like she was wiping her 'fake' tears.

I scoffed. Sinong tanga na manager ang ipipilit na  sumabak sa dating issue ang artist nila?

Si Aya lang.

Hinampas ko siya ng unan sa mukha para mahimasmasan.

"Gaga ka talaga kahit kailan, Ya. Ikaw nalang kaya gumawa ng sarili mong issue. Dinadamay mo pa ako." I rolled my eyes at her.

"Ito naman, nags-suggest lang! Ang boring ng buhay mo, e. Buti nalang nandito pa 'ko." She rolled her eyes at me.

"Lumayas ka nga! Ang aga-aga, Aya nambubulabog ka."

"Nye, nye, nye. Mag-ready ka na riyan. May interview at fan meet ka pang need puntahan." She said and closed my door. 

Agad akong napatingin sa phone ko nang may nag pop-up na notification. 

It's mom. 

I sighed. 

‘Answer my call, Naomi.’

One second and my phone started ringing.

“Hello, mommy?” I answered.

“Naomi, honey how are you?” I smiled when I heard my mom's sweet voice.

“I'm okay naman po. How about you, mom? Are you doing good with dad?” Bumangon ako at dumeretsyo sa balkonahe para makalanghap ng hangin.

“Of course, we are. Anyway, do you have some errands pa ba mamaya?”

I stilled.

As I remember earlier, Aya said na fan meet and interview lang ang pupuntahan ko.

“Hmm... Not really po, mom. Why?”

Please, tell me this is not how I think it is.

“Is it okay for you to have dinner with us later? Hindi ba kami makakaharang sa schedule mo?” I sensed my mother's worried tone.

I bit my lower lip.

“N-no po.” I sighed softly.

“Great! See you later, ha?” And just like that. My mother's excitement filled my ears.

“Okay po, mommy.”

“Okie. Anyway, good luck on your errands, ha. Don't overwork yourself and ask Aya if you need some help.” I nodded.