Behind Every Pages

Chapter Three:

Ezra

Every time someone approaches me to have their book signed, I'll greet them with a wide smile. I'm really happy seeing them once again showing their support for my book.

Even after hours of signing books and chatting with them, I never felt tired. I guess that's how it is when you are happy with what you are doing.

Pero may isang tao akong hinihintay na hindi ko rin naman kilala kung sino. There's a lot of faces in front of me, they keep on waving and greeting me. Pero patago kong hinahanap ang mukha ng isang taong hindi ko kailanman nakita.

"Will she come?" I couldn't help but ask myself that. I have been discreetly glancing around hoping to spot my secret number one fan.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako nang ma-realize na napaka imposible ng ginagawa kong paghahanap lalo pa't hindi ko nga alam kung anong hitsura ng hinahanap ko.

I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. I was taken aback when a book was placed in front of me. My surprise grew when I saw an elderly man with a dignified presence. He was dressed formally, parang galing sa defense.

I recognized him as someone I had seen at previous book signing events. He must really enjoy reading, with a wide range of interests. It's surprising to have this kind of reader. It's a bit embarrassing, as I wonder what he might think of my stories, especially since most of them are romance-themed.

"Hi, Sir. It's nice to meet you. Thank you for always supporting my work. I often see you at my book signings, and it's heartwarming to know that you still enjoy reading romance at your age. It's a bit embarrassing, really. May I ask for your name, Sir?"

"Alistair," nagulat ako sa baritono nitong boses. Isusulat ko na sana ang pangalan niya pero nagsalita siya. "Hindi sa akin 'yan," nagtataka ko siyang tiningnan.

Hindi ako nagtatanong ng mga pangalan noon para isulat sa libro ko kapag mag papa-signed sila. Pero this time ay naisipan kong gawin yon kaya nagulat ako sa sinabi niya.

"Po?"

"Sa alaga ko iyan, fan mo siya, I'm her butler." nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Kaya pala ganoon ang pananamit niya. Ngumiti ako at tumango.

"Wow, ano po bang pangalan niya?" siguro mayaman itong fan kong ito, may butler eh. Napangiti ako at naisip na Sana All.

"Lesty na lang." sagot niya. May pagka-nonchalant siya kaya napapangiti ako lalo.

"Can you tell me about her po? Bakit hindi siya nakapunta ngayon? If it's okay lang naman po. Siya po kasi ang fan ko, dapat siya ang nandito." pagbibiro ko at hinintay ang sagot niya.

"Bawal siya. Hindi siya pinalalabas ng amo ko. Number one fan mo daw siya. Actually, lahat ng libro mo ay mayroon na siya kaso ako lang ang nakakapunta sa mga ganitong events dahil nga bawal siya." seryosong sagot niya. Nalungkot ako sa narinig. Napayuko na lang ako at pinirmahan ang libro ko.

I couldn't help but ask, "Why is she not allowed to go out po?" I felt a pang in my heart from what I heard about her situation. I could almost feel the sadness that Lesty must be going through.

I never wanted to lose my freedom, which is why I'm grateful that I hide my identity before to live a normal life, despite having thousands of supporters. Sometimes people recognize me because they've seen me at events like this one. But most of the time, no one really knows me.

After spending years in the orphanage, ngayon pa lang ako bumabawi sa sarili ko. Ngayon ko pa lang nararamdaman na maging malaya. Bumabawi ako sa batang ako noon.

"Dahil nga makulit siya," I didn't know if he was joking or not, but I just smiled and nodded. I saw a sticky note on the side and decided to write on it, so I wouldn't write on his book with random things. After writing, I discreetly slipped it inside.

I returned the book to Sir Alistair and thanked him once more. He simply nodded and left. It took me a few more hours to finish signing all the books I needed to. I thanked everyone who came for their support before stepping down from the stage and leaving the event. Nang makapasok sa kotse ko, doon ko lang naramdaman lahat ng pagod.

"Thank You," I said with my eyes closed, expressing my gratitude to Him.

I took a moment to rest and savored the cool air coming from the aircon before I opened my phone, hoping for a message from the girl who had been on my mind all day. But there was none. I wondered why she couldn't make it. Was this the first time she missed an event? She's my fan, after all. I shook my head, feeling like she was sulking.

"Have we met before?" I quickly straightened up and recalled past events. I realized I didn't even know what she looked like.

Naalala ko si Sir Alistair kanina at ang nai-kuwento niyang si Lesty. I hope she's okay. I hope I made her happy and that she liked my book.

I lifted my phone again when I heard it ringing. It was my best friend, Ross, who is also a writer like me.

"Bro," he said on the other line.

"Oh? What's up?"

"Tara sa club later, I have someone to introduce to you"

"Pass, iyo na yan," I shook my head. He knew I was single, so he was always trying to set me up. I used to agree to blind dates he arranged, but I eventually stopped because I wasn't interested. I was too busy with my writing, so I didn't have time for people I used to talk to.

"Hoy, hindi 'to babae, It's an international company of writers. I heard they're currently looking for writers to join their company," he caught my attention with that.

"T-teka, bakit mo sinasabi sa'kin? Chance mo 'to ah?" Ross also dreams of becoming a famous writer internationally. I could feel a mix of nervousness and excitement. Is this it?

"I didn't say I'll just hand it to you. Pagalingan tayo tanga, and I'm not sure because there's something going on," natahimik siya.

"What?"

"I'm in the middle of courting someone," I laughed at what he said, so he scolded me not to laugh because he was serious.

"Really, Ross Fuentes?" I chuckled as I asked. I knew Ross as a serious playboy. Where there's a bar, he's there with various women, so it was surprising that he's now committed to a relationship and even courting someone.

"Bro, I'm serious. So if you end up getting the opportunity, I'm okay with it." I chuckled even more at that.

"Ewan ko sa'yo," I shook my head. I thought Ross would be a lifelong playboy. Mukhang nakahanap na ng katapat.

"So, what do you think?" My smile disappeared, and I became serious. Is this it? Is my biggest dream about to come true? I've waited so long for this. I've worked hard for this.

I took a deep breath before nodding, even though he couldn't see me. Like I said, I'm not leaving anything behind, and the opportunity is right here, kusa pang lumalapit.

"Saan ba?" I heard the excitement in his voice on the other line. Even though Ross and I both dreamed of becoming famous writers, I know he supports me in everything and doesn't feel any envy towards my achievements. I'm the same way with him.