City Lights & Country Hearts [COMPLETED] (SS Book1)

Special 1

Clad in a crisp white tailored-fit tuxedo, I walked through the red carpet together with the actors of my film, each step resonating with confidence and anticipation. Nasa isang awards show kami after our film got nominated sa iba't ibang kategorya, a testament to the hard work and passion we had poured into the project.

The bright lights flashed around us, capturing our smiles and the electrifying atmosphere of the night, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as we made our way into the venue.

Ilang taon man akong nasa industriya, ngayon lang ako ulit nakaramdam ng excitement sa mga red carpets. The film 'Threads, Cuts, and Heartbreaks' was a film that I created a year ago. Sinulat ko sng storyline habang nasa Rome ako't nagbabakasayon. It took me five months to complete and polish the story, before ko ito iprino-prose sa isang kakilala kong producer. And as usual, it isn't a mere love story, but it mirrors my own experiences.

Love, like a thread, can be fragile as it requires careful attention. If neglected or pulled enough, it'll break. Cuts, represents the moments wherein I had to beg for something that shouldn't have been deprived from me—truth and assurance. It represented moments in my life where I literally had to cut the thread that held me back from healing, from growing. Lastly, heartbreaks, self-explanatory, but I made sure that every scene in the movie can be felt and can resonate the feeling of a love that had to stop, not because there is another person involved—but because of many misunderstandings, fears, and changing of priorities.

Minsan napapamura na lang ako sa mga pinagsusulat ko. Parang sinasakyan ko pa lalo ang sarili ko nang dahil sa paggawa ng istoryang may halong personal na karanasan. That's why, proud na proud ako sa bawat pelikulang naisulat ko.

I've been to many award shows, yet nothing beats attending the show in your home country. Lalo na't parang pinatunayan ko na talaga na hindi lang ako isang magaling na artista noon, kundi may ibubuga rin bilang isang bagong direktor ng mga pelikula.

"Congratulations!"

Napalingon ako sa aking kanan at nakita roon ang gagong si Lionel. Akala ko ba nasa Amerika ang isang 'to?

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" I asked him, confused at his sudden appearance.

"Dre, 'di ba p'wedeng umattend ang sponsor?" Taas-kilay na tanong niya. I sighed, realizing that he's right. Isa siya sa mga sponsors ng pelikula ko. Um-extra pa nga ang kaniyang kasambahay, ano nga ulit pangalan nun? We've met once sa kaniyang condo, three years ago.

"Nasaan yung kasambahay?" Tanong ko sa kaniya. Instead of Lionel, mas okay pa siguro kung yung kasambahay niya ang kasama sa show.

"Ba't mo hinhanap ang Beauty ko?"

"Beauty mo, amputa."

"Kahit kailan basher ka, lintek. 'Di naman kita binash nung nakipagbalikan ka sa ex mo—"

"Mr. Servantes," napalingon kaming pareho sa isang lalakeng may ka-edaran na. Lionel's expression changed as soon as he recognized the man.

Hindi na niya naituloy pa ang kaniyang sasabihin nang biglang dumating ang isang investor ng kompanya niya. He went back to his business mode and excused himself. And I excused myself to go back to my team. Ako na lang pala ang hinihintay nila, sabay kaming umupo sa designated seats namin sa theater.

A seat was left free on my left for a special guest—Tyson—whom I invited a week ago. Pupunta naman siya, ngunit hindi lang on-time dahil may client meeting daw siya. Kasama niya si Hugo, dahil parehos silang kinuhang abogado for an international case. I understood that we have our separate lives to live. I couldn't be more proud of his achievements.