Anonymous Lines - Hambebe AU

Chapter 2

"Since when ka naging interested dyan?" A voice suddenly appears from Gabrielle's back.

Gabrielle turned her head to see where the familiar voice came from and found Sage walking toward her seat. "Yung tawa mo rinig sa malayo"  Gabrielle paused the video for a moment and casually shrugged her shoulders.

"Someone recommend it to me," Gabrielle replied with a shrug before shifting her attention back to her laptop screen, resuming the video. Sage took a sit beside her, curious, she leaned in to see Gabrielle's laptop screen to catch a glimpse of the video that evoked Gabrielle's laughter.

"I never thought you'd be watching some cracked moments of Enhypen tapos dito pa mismo sa set natin," Sage remarked, raising an eyebrow.

Gabrielle let out a soft chuckle and paused the video again. "I never thought na I'll be watching this kind of video of them din," She admitted, shaking her head in amusement. "Just to think of it, I've been listening to their music for the past few months na pero ngayon lang ako nanuod nang mga ganitong video nila."

"Baka maging full-fledged fan ka na nila," Sage teased with a mischievous grin. "Yung tawa mo kasi, abot hanggang likod ng set." They both laughed at the thought, enjoying the lightheartedness of the moment.

"Hindi naman," Gabrielle responded, her laughter fading into a more thoughtful expression.

"Bakit? Ayaw mo ba?" Sage asked, raising an eyebrow as she watched Gab. She noticed a brief sigh escape Gabrielle's lips before she spoke again.

"Hindi naman sa ayaw," Gabrielle began, her tone is more serious now. "I just don't want to get too invested. You know me, Sage." She looked at her with a knowing gaze, one that spoke volumes beyond her words. Sage met her eyes and nodded, understanding exactly what she meant.

Gabrielle had a tendency—a "me" problem as she called it. She only became aware of it in the last two years and still trying to fix it. A "me" problem wherein she realizes na anything that piqued her interest or entertained her, she had this habit of pouring all her time and energy into it na kulang nalang gawin niya nang mundo. She knows that it wasn't just about liking something; it was about getting so deeply involved that it consumed her thoughts and time, kahit she had a spare time to do other stuff or the things that she needs to do, hindi niya yun magawa-gawa kasi yung atensyon niya ay nilalaan niya lang sa isang bagay, making it difficult to focus on anything else, even when she had other responsibilities or free time.

Sage knew this about her all too well. She'd seen it before on how Gabrielle would dive into a new hobby, a book series, or even a show, only to emerge weeks later, exhausted and overwhelmed. It was part of what made her so passionate, so vibrant, but it was also something she struggled with, a balance she was still trying to find.

But there's also a thing that Sage doesn't know about Gab. Gabrielle also had a problem finding something new that truly captivated her. Despite her efforts to explore different interests, try new things, and discover new aspects of life, nahihirapan pa rin si Gabrielle mag ahon. No matter how much she tried to branch out, Gabrielle often found herself gravitating back to the familiar, searching for the same comfort she used to. That's why once something caught her attention or interest, she clung even more tightly pouring all her time and effort into it, afraid to let go of the rare spark she had found.

Gabrielle gave a small, self-aware smile. "I just don't want to fall into that trap again, ayaw ko ng maulit ulit," She admitted, her voice softening. "It's not that I don't like them, it's just... I'm trying to be more careful with where I spend my time."

Sage nodded again, this time with a touch of admiration in her eyes. She appreciated her honesty and her awareness of herself. "I get it, Gab. It's good that you're being mindful of it."

Gabrielle let out a small, relieved laugh, feeling understood. "Yeah, I'm working on it. It's just hard sometimes, you know? When something makes me happy, I want to dive in, to the point parang sinasakal ko na sarili ko, but I know that I need to remember to come up for air too."

Sage smiled warmly at her. "You're doing great, Gab. And if you ever need someone to remind you to breathe, I'm here."

Gabrielle's smile widened, grateful for her support. "Thanks, Sage. I'll definitely need that."

They shared a quiet moment, the earlier teasing now replaced with a deeper understanding between them. Sage knew that Gabrielle's passion was one of her greatest strengths, but it was also something that needed to be managed with care. She was glad that she was taking steps to find that balance.

As Gabrielle and Sage shared that quiet, understanding moment, they heard a voice calling out to them from across the room. It was Ariana, motioning for them to return to the set.

"Gab, Sage! We're ready to start again. Let's go!" She called, her tone light but urgent.

Gabrielle glanced at Sage, giving her a quick smile before closing her laptop. "Guess it's time to get back to work," She said, standing up and stretching her arms.

Sage nodded, her playful demeanor returning. "Yeah, let's make this shoot as fun as that video," She joked, giving Gabrielle a gentle nudge with her elbow.

They walked back to the set, where Ariana was already waiting. The crew was busy adjusting lights and getting the camera ready. Gabrielle took a deep breath, letting go of the earlier conversation and refocusing on the shoot.

"Ready?" Ariana asked with a warm smile.

"Always," Sage replied confidently, slipping back into her role. Gabrielle nodded, her worries fading as she got into the moment.

The photographer signaled them to start, and they moved into position. Gabrielle stood between Sage and Ariana, their natural camaraderie coming through in the photos. The flashes, the buzz of the crew, and the energy on set created a magical atmosphere.

As the session went on, Gabrielle's earlier thoughts drifted away. She felt in sync with the shoot, enjoying the playful banter and the occasional glance from Sage reminding her to stay light and relaxed. Ariana's professional guidance kept everything smooth and enjoyable.

Between shots, they shared quiet laughs, deepening the connection between them. Gabrielle knew that Sage and Ariana had her back, making the long hours on set feel easier and more rewarding.

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After the final shots were taken, the photographer smiled. "Great job, everyone! That's a wrap!"

Gabrielle sighed in relief, feeling satisfied. She exchanged a glance with Sage, who gave her a thumbs-up, and then looked at Ariana, who was chatting with the photographer.

"We nailed it," Sage said, smiling as she walked over to Gabrielle. "You were awesome."

Gabrielle grinned, her earlier concerns gone. "Thanks, Sage. You were great too," she teased, lightly tapping her arm.

As they gathered their things, Ariana joined them, glowing with excitement. "You guys were incredible today."

"All thanks sa pag l-lead mo samin," Sage joked, giving Ariana a playful salute.

Ariana laughed, shaking her head. "It was a team effort, and you two were perfect."

They exchanged smiles, their bond strengthened by the day's work. As they left the set, Gabrielle felt content. She knew she was finding the balance she needed, and with friends like Sage and Ariana by her side, the journey felt less daunting.

"How about we grab something to eat?" Ariana suggested as they walked toward the exit. "We deserve a little celebration after today."

"Yes pleasee, gutom na ako after that shoot" Sage excitedly said while pursing her lips forward, pouting. Ariana and Gabrielle couldn't help but laugh.

With that, the three of them headed out, ready to enjoy the evening together, knowing they would face any challenges as a team.