Kuting Short Stories

ONE CALL AWAY

"Congrats 'ga!" Ken happily greeted as soon as Justin picked up his cellphone.

He was with TJ doing the MV of 'Sariling Mundo' where he would play as the lead actor together with Pauline. Inaayos pa ang set just in time when Ken called kaya nasagot niya agad.

He chuckled, "'ga naman wala pa, pero thank you!" he replied." Ikaw, how are you? he asked.

"Rehearsals, pero we're on break muna." he replied.

He heard Justin sigh, napangiwi siya, He already knows what will happen next, so he prepared himself. At hindi nga siya nagkamali, kaya't natawa nalang siya. As expected, pinagalitan siya ni Justin.

"Break? Eh why are you calling me? Kumain ka na ba? Wag mo sabihin seryoso ka sa 'til we collapse' mo? Pag nagkita tayo hindi mo na hihintayin mag collapse ka kasi ako na mismo sasakal sayo." mahaba nitong sabi.

He could almost see his face when he said those lines. Justin would always check with Bea to see whether he ate properly and on time, because he knows he gets sick easily, at ayaw na ayaw naman niya mag pa-check up kaya ayaw nitong humihina ang resistensya niya.

"Ga naman, you're not having enough sleep kaya please atleast eat healthy. Eat a lot." paalala niya.

Ken finally answer, "I will naman 'ga after this call. Namiss lang talaga kita."

Justin narrowed his eyes, he can also imagine Ken's face while saying those words, " Ga, I can feel that you're smiling. I will check on ate Bea ha kung marami kang nakain."

"Ayokong nag-aalala ka, so don't worry I will eat a lot, pero not too much kasi baka mag bloated naman ako." natatawang sagot nito.

Justin rolled his eyes, "You posted that fit check with your abs na nakalabas, alam mong nasa malayo ako. If your goal is para ma-miss kita, congrats Suson, nagtagumpay ka." he pouted.

He heard Ken chuckled loudly, "It's all for you!"

Then he saw TJ signaling at him na okay na ang set, "Kuya TJ is waving at me na, later 'ga, ako naman tatawag sayo." he replied.

Ken's voice saddened, "Okay 'ga. Miss na kita sobra. Kakain ako ng marami, with video tapos send ko sayo."

"Hahaha! Eat well 'ga! I miss you too! I miss you very big!" he happily replied.

But after the call ended, Justin smiled sadly. This has been their scenario for the previous several weeks. He was preoccupied with his solo endeavors, while Ken was preparing for solo concert. They understand that it is part of their work and careers as solo artists tho, what matters is that, at the end of the day, uuwi parin sila sa isa't-isa.

Pahinga din nila ang isa't-isa, kaya in between their breaks or whenever they have free time, they make sure to call each other. Kahit five minutes lang, sobrang laking bagay na para sa kanilang dalawa.

"Hi 'ga! I'm with Player two and Cyra, rehearsals." Ken greeted as he picked up the call coming from Justin.

He heard Justin yawned, "Dito na ako sa room 'ga, katapos lang mag shower. Okay ka lang mag phone? Di ako nakakaistorbo?" he ask.

"Never ka magiging istorbo 'ga, you know I can drop anything and everything for you." he replied.

Justin felt flattered, he's tired but at that moment, pakiramdam niya nakainom siya ng sampung bote ng energy drink, and he felt that a call was not enough.

"Sorry 'ga, pero grabe na yung pagka miss ko sayo. Okay lang ba video call?" lambing niya.

Ken didn't answer, akala niya hindi okay kaya nagulat siya when he called thru messenger requesting for vc. Of course, agad-agad niyang sinagot.