Silent Waves of Whispers

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“How are you dealing with everything that has happened? Noong una ay baseless accusations 'yung kumalat, tapos ngayon about your love life na naman.” The interview continued. “Ano-ano ang nasa isip mo noon at ngayon?”

“The first time it happened, on the way ako sa isang event no'n,” I started, not mentioning AASA purposely. “At sa kasamaang palad pa, my phone was with my manager, si ate Perry. Naiwan ko sa kaniya 'yon. So when those articles popped up, I really had no clue. I was shocked.”

“I feel so... stupid that time. Sorry for the word. Kasi noong nasa loob na ako, feel ko lahat sila alam nila,” I told the interviewer who was just nodding her head while I'm talking. “Sobrang nahiya ako no'n. Nakaupo lang naman ako sa table kung saan ako naka-assign, bihis na bihis. But I felt so naked because of the people's stare.”

Kahit ang tagal na since nangyari 'yon, hindi ko pa rin talaga malimutan ang naging epekto no'n sa'kin. It ruined not only my image.. but also my confidence as a celebrity.

“I admit it was really hard for me, and also for the people around me. Nadamay na kasi 'yung trabaho ko eh. Baseless nga lang 'yon at hindi totoo, pero malaki ang impact kaya nadamay lahat. My management released a statement to addressed it and it went okay. However, the media perhaps wanted me to speak up about it personally kaya sinusundan pa rin ako. To the point na they're invading my privacy na, nagkakampo na sa labas ng condo building ko at minsan pa pumupunta sa bahay ng parents ko,” sabi ko. “So that's when my management told me na I need to have a break.”

“Hindi mo man lang ba naisip na magsalita na lang sa media para tigilan ka na or anything..?” the interviewer asked.

“I was not in my right state of mind when that happened, I couldn't face them. Alam ko sa sarili kong walang katotohanan lahat nung nakalagay sa articles, pero the fact na naisip nila 'yon dahil sa nakapasok ako sa event na 'yon.. sobrang nasaktan ako,” I admitted. “It made me question myself na.. deserve ko ba talaga 'yon? Masyado na ba akong nagmamataas? Mga thoughts na gano'n.”

Tumango-tango ang interviewer. “Understandable. So doon na pumasok 'yung hiatus mo?”

I nodded my head. “I had to be away kaya I was sent to a place na.. malayo rito.” I was careful not to mention Isla Antrades. “That's when I met him.”

“Him? As in your non-showbiz boyfriend?” She smiled na parang kinikilig. “Oh my gosh, siya ba nag-comfort sa'yo kaya nagkahulugan?”

“His presence comforted me.. hindi niya alam 'yon.” I chuckled.

“Can you tell us more ba about your relationship?”

I shook my head. “No, let's just leave it at that. Kapag nagkwento ako baka hindi ko mapigilan ang bibig ko at masabi ko lahat.” Tumawa ako para gumaan ang atmosphere.

“Okay, okay... gusto ng Nation's Sweetheart natin ng privacy sa relationship nila ng boyfie niya. Let's give them that, netizens,” said the interviewer. “So, next question. How are you now?”

“I can say na I'm fine. Although it happened again, it's more bearable now since I know what to do this time.”

“I see. In fairness ha, sa lahat ng rumors mo, itong relationship mo lang ang totoo na. Hindi ka ba natakot na i-admit 'yon sa lahat?”

“Nandito pa rin naman 'yung takot. I'm not scared about admitting my relationship sa public, takot ako na kapag nangyari 'yon alam kong mari-risk na 'yung privacy ng boyfriend ko. That's why I'm protecting it as much as I can,” I told her.

“Oh, I see. So to wrap up this interview.. anong gusto mong sabihin sa mga netizens ngayon? Including your fans?”

I looked straight into the camera. “Hello. Sana po ay nasagot ko na rito ang mga katanungan niyo, at sana po last na ito. And sa mga humahanga po sa akin na hindi nawala ang suporta, maraming maraming salamat po sainyo. I will continue to work hard and perform better in the future for you guys.”

“'Yan. Around of applause for our Nation's Sweetheart.” The interview clapped her hands kaya napapalakpak na rin ako.

The interview ended well. Nagpasalamat ako sa lahat ng nandoon bago ako sinundo ulit ni ate Perry. 'Tsaka ko lang naramdaman ang pagod na kanina ko pa iniinda. Wala pa akong tulog simula kagabi at hindi pa ako nakakain. Sumasakit na tuloy ang ulo ko.

“Ate, can you order me some food first bago dumiretso sa condo?” I asked my manager.

“Sure, sure. Anong gusto mo?”

“Anything will do.”

After ordering some food for me, hinatid na nila ako sa condo. I told ate Perry not to worry about me since balak ko lang naman ang magpahinga buong araw. Hindi ko naman na kailangang pumunta pa sa Stardome dahil technically, I'm still on my vacation.

I ate the food ate Perry bought before I decided to sleep. Halos kalahating araw akong natulog. Nang magising ako ay nakita kong madilim na sa labas. I forced myself to stand up even though my body feels heavy. Sobrang init din ng pakiramdam ko, mukhang lalagnatin pa ako.

I reached for my phone at nakita kong nag-miss call si mommy at may mga text. Pati si Kit ay may text din, nagtatanong kung okay na ba ako. Nireplyan ko naman si Kit bago tinawagan si mommy.

“Asraelle! Kanina pa ako tumatawag! Kung hindi lang sinabi ni Perry na nagpapahinga ka ay hindi pa ako nakalma!” bungad agad iyon ni mommy.

“I'm sorry, my. Natulog kasi ako agad pagkarating ko rito sa condo.” Sumandal ako sa headrest ng kama ko dahil sa bigat ng pakiramdam.

“What's wrong with your voice? May sakit ka ba?” Lahat talaga napapansin ni mommy sa akin.

“Magkakasakit pa ata, my...”

“Teka, pupuntahan kita! Rafael, tara sa condo ng anak mo!”

I did fell sick the next days. Mabuti na lang at nandito si mommy, siya ang nag-alaga sa'kin. Pumupunta rin naman si daddy pero kada-hapon lang since may work siya. Si ate Perry naman ay bumibisita lang din since busy din siya dahil sa pagkakaalam ko ay may pinu-pursue siyang talent. Pinipilit niya ata para pumasok sa industriya. I think it was one of the Villasurda siblings.

The interview was already posted two days ago. Hindi ko na pinanood 'yon pero I heard from my mom na it got good feedbacks. She scolded me pa kasi nalaman niyang wala pa akong tulog at kain noong nagpa-interview ako. Like I had a choice?

I felt a little better the next day, kaya nag-ayos na ako para pumunta sa Stardome. I have a scheduled meeting today kasama ang director ng upcoming teleserye ko.

“Pababa na ako, ate. Wait lang,” I told ate Perry on the line.

I simply wore a white fitted top and a faded blue high-waisted pants. I brought my white tote bag with me; phone, wallet, at perfume lang naman ang laman.

Sa basement parking lot ako bumaba dahil nandoon na ang artist van kong naghihintay. I was fixing my hair while staring at my reflection on my phone screen while walking towards the van.

“Pwede bang dumaan muna tayo sa drive thru for breakfast, ate? Hindi pa ako kumakain.” Binaba ko na ang phone ko.

I was expecting to see ate Perry waiting for me. Nandoon nga si ate Perry, pero sa katabi niya ako mas napatingin. Lucho was standing beside the open door of the van just like when he was still my bodyguard. The difference is.. he was already staring at me when I looked at him.

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