Starstruck Melody (Completed)

Chapter 14

Kanina pa ako hindi mapakali sa set, lumilipad ang isip ko sa magiging reaksyon ni Xavier. Alam ko nakita niya na 'yon ngayon. I texted him earlier but he hadn't replied yet.

"Serena, focus!" sigaw ni direk sa akin, dahilan para maputol ang iniisip ko. I forced a smile and nodded, trying to shake off the nervousness that clung to her.

"Sorry, Direk. Pwedeng ulitin na lang natin?" sabi ko at bumalik ulit sa posisyon.

"Sorry, Luke. Nadadamay ka pa dahil sa akin."

He just nodded. "Ayos lang. Just focus so we can wrap up quickly."

The camera started rolling, but my mind was still elsewhere. Every time I tried to concentrate, the image of the photo and the potential fallout clouded my thoughts. I could practically feel the weight of Xavier's disappointment.

"Cut!" Direk shouted, exasperated. "Serena, ano bang nangyayari sayo? You're completely off today."

I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to panic. "I know, I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm distracted."

Tumungo ako nang makitang papalapit sa akin si Direk. Bahagyang lumambot ang ekspresyon niya kaya nabawasan ang kaba ko nang tumigil siya sa harap ko.

"Look, I know things can get overwhelming, but you need to push through. I know what happened, Serena. Pero normal lang 'yon na pagdiskitahan kayo ng mga tao lalo na at meron kayong bagong project."

I know, but this isn't the right way. I don't want Xavier to get mad at me.

Napipilitan akong tumango kay Direk, kagat ang ibabang labi.  "Naintindihan ko po. I'll try harder."

As I took my mark again, my thoughts drifted back to Xavier. I cared about him more than I had realized, and the idea of him seeing the picture with Luke made my stomach churn. Paano kung iniisip niya na niloloko ko siya? Paano kung mawalan siya ng tiwala sa akin dahil doon? No, that can't happen.

"Serena!" the director's voice jolted her again. "Focus, ano ba!"

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to center myself. I had to get through this. I had to prove to myself and everyone else that I could handle the pressure.

Pero habang patuloy ang shooting namin ay mas lalo lang lumalala ang anxiety ko. Alam kong halatang pilit ang mga galaw ko at peke ang ngiti ko sa camera pero hindi ko maiwasan hindi mag alala. I could see the frustration on Direk's face, and it only made me feel worse.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the director called for a break. Sumalampak ako sa upuan malapit sa akin, nanlalamig ang kamay ko sa kaba. I couldn't keep this up. I needed to talk to Xavier, to explain everything before it spiraled out of control.

Nakita kong lumapit sa akin si Tita Ara, may bakas ng pag aalala sa mukha. "Serena, ayos ka lang ba? Kaya mo pa?"

I nodded my head. "Binigay ko ba sayo ang cellphone ko kanina, Tita? Pwede mahiram saglit? Kailangan ko lang makausap—"

Umiling siya. "Serena, mas lalo ka lang mawala sa focus niyan," putol niya sa sasabihin ko.

My face softened. "Tita, please. I just really need to talk to him. Kahit saglit lang po," pagmamakaawa ko.

She took a deep breath, surrendering. Kinuha niya ang cellphone ko sa dala niyang shoulder bag at inabot 'yon sa akin. "Saglit lang ha, Serena."

"Opo, Tita. I promise."

Mabilis akong naglakad palayo sa set habang tinatawagan ang numero ni Xav. I was silently praying na sagutin niya 'yon pero nakailang ring na ay wala pa din sumasagot.