Stalker

-7-

"LUCAS, I have to go. Kitakits sa susunod," at nginitian ko siya. Ngumiti naman siya pabalik. I was about to turn around when he reach my elbow.

"Wait," at may kinuha siya sa kanyang bulsa.

"Can I have your cellphone number?"

"Ah, sure." At kinuha ko rin ang phone niya. Sinave ko ang cellphone number ko sa phone niya at nagpaalam na ako sa kanya.

Habang naglalakad ako, I examined Lucas' physical feature. He is every girl's magazine cover. I mean, he has a perfect beauty for a model. Since he has my number and I also got his number, then there is no problem for communication. Kukulitin ko siyang maging artista since inencourage ako ni Diana na maging manager which turn out na dating-contract pala, so I'll go with it. Gagawin ko siyang sikat na artista pinag-aralan ko naman ito, so maybe I'll prepare myself for a big turn-out. Sa inisip ko palang, I'm sure bigtime na bigtime na ito sakin.

PINUNTAHAN ko sina Dino sa may cottage kung saan nagtatake ng scene sina Diana. Pagkaabot ko roon, tuturuan ko siya ng leksyon. Leksyon na hindi niya malilimutan. I smirk playfully.

Nakita ko sina direk at ang ibang crew na naghahanda para sa kukuning take. Habang sina Diana naman at Rheigla ay minimake-up pan pa.

Lumapit ako kay Diana para tanungin sana kung nasaan ang kuya niya ng may tumawag sa akin.

"Cyra!"

Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa aking pangalan. And it was Dino's ugly urgh. Not again. So, I act like I didn't hear him kahit  nakita na niya akong nakatingin sa kanya. Duh. And I remember my intention.

"Uy, Cyra! Tinawagan ko na si Attorney sabi niya--"

Agad kong hinawakan ang kanyang kamay, "Tala! San tayo magdedate? Gusto mo sa restaurant o sa may seaside? Date tayo whole day! Ano? Ha? . . . Dinosaur? Uy? Tala, ano pa ang hinihintay mo? May himala na oh," at kumapit ako sa kanya. "Leggo!"

"Tss. Pakipot ka kasi eh. Gusto mo naman pala ako."

* * *

"This is your ate Arcy. Thank you for tuning with us! Till next time of 'Love hurts'.  Have a nice day everyone!"

And my segment has just ended, not literally. I storm my ass out in our studio. I was looking at the wall clock and it's already 8 pm. I check my phone if there are messages. And there's one. I was about to open it when a call from an unknown person pops out. Maybe it is mom or what? I answered it and I waited for him or her to say a word. But I only heard a loud silence.

"Hello?" I stated.

"Get ready." And he cut the call. Yes, he's a man. I don't know if he's randomly joking or not. But at all times, I ignore it. Like, idgaf.

Marami na akong natatangap na ganoong tawag pero kanina, the voice of the caller is as cold as the weather in Siberia. I always received calls from different person pero ibang number yung gamit ko for greetings and request sa segment and my personal number is for my closest friends and family lang.

I switch off the lights since ako nalang ang natitira dito sa aming studio and I closed the door and leave the station. I used to be brave passing in this corridor but this creepy feeling right now won't help me survive this situation. Baka magkaheart attack ako sa sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. So I run as fast as I could but when I was about to reach the end line of this building, someone grabs my hand and I could feel the sting in my elbows. Tinignan ko yung gumawa noon pero hindi ko na maaninag ang kanyang mga mukha. Naging malabo na siya sa paningin ko at nawala na ako sa aking huwisyo.

* * *

"OUCH! What the hell?!"

"You're having a nightmare for godsake. Ano ba ang ginawa niyo ni Kuya at nagkaganyan ka?"

She slapped me damned hard. Kaya ako nagising. Tumayo ako at pumunta sa may salamin para tignan ang aking sarili. Pulang-pula, parang makupa. Tinignan ko rin kong anong oras na. Its 3:15 am.

"M-may sinabi ba ako?" This eyes again. Urgh. Stop.

"Sumigaw ka ng tulong. I thought you did it on purpose kaya ginising kita pero bigla kang umungol na parang nasasaktan. Kaya sinampal nalang kita." She sincerely said.

"Anong araw tayo ngayon?"

"February 13." And when she said that date, I cried. Again.