China Doll [DaraGon/NyongDal]

{ 07 }

{ 07 }

Mabilis na lumipas ang mga araw and before I knew it, simula na ng shoot namin for the drama. I'm really, really nervous, though. Halos hindi nga ako makatulog kagabi dahil sa kaiisip kung anong mangyayari. However, I managed to diminish some of my nerves because of that goofball who kept on pestering me with nonsensical things.

"May silbi ka rin pala 'no?" I teased Kiyong as we walked together towards the tent. We will be shooting the first episode today and well, as much as I don't like to admit, I'm kinda happy that Kiyong's here. Para naman kahit paano ay ma-distract 'yung atensyon ko. I'd be filming a loooooot of scenes with Jiyong, inferring from the Taiwanese version. Sinabi rin naman kasi ni Director Kim na they'll stay faithful to the original version with only a few tweaks here and there kaya naman hinahanda ko na rin talaga ang sarili ko.

He pouted. "Grabe ka talaga. You're always hurting my feelings, Dara." Pagda-drama niya. Tumawa na lang ako bago ginulo ang buhok niya. "Yah!" He reacted but I only laughed, knowing that he secretly likes it when I do that. As I've said before, Kiyong's just like a big baby whom you want to take care of.

The first scene is when I'll be shot daydreaming about Moon Junghwan, Kiyong's character. In the drama, he's my long-time crush but I haven't relayed my feelings to him, ever.

It didn't take long for the shoot to start. As long as my other co-artists came, we began shooting. Ipinaliwanag sa akin ni Director Kim ang set-up ng scene at agad ko naman itong naintindihan.

"Okay Dara, you'll look up to Kiyong on my cue." I nodded. "Action!" The director yelled, and I got to work.

--

"That's a good take," komento ni Hyoni, isa sa mga kasama ko. She'll act as one of my friends. Kasalukuyan kaming nakaupo ngayon sa loob ng tent para magpahinga saglit. The director's currently shooting Jiyong's scene right now.

Tumango-tango si Sungkyung, isa pa naming co-artist. She'll be playing as my friend, too. "Yup. I saw Kiyong-ssi's smile earlier and it just seemed so real!" She giggled.

Hyoni playfully looked at me before smiling. "Wala ba talaga kayong something, Dara?" Pamimilit niya. "I mean, we saw everything sa script reading last time and you two look great together."

"I second the motion," dagdag naman ni Sungkyung na nakatingin na rin sa akin ngayon habang hinihintay akong sumagot.

Nakatawang umiling lang ako. "We're friends. You know the feeling na parang may kaibigan kang nangungulit sa'yo?" Tumango sila. "That's exactly how I feel about Kiyong. Parang bata na susundan ka kasi naghahanap ng atensyon."

Both Hyoni and Sungkyung nodded. "Anyway," sabi ni Sungkyung, "kung anuman ang maging development ninyo ni Kiyong, andito lang kami ni Hyoni para mag-support!" Nakangising sabi niya bago bumaling kay Hyoni at nag-high five silang dalawa.

Umiling-iling na lang ako. Maybe I should just chill. Wala namang masama kung asarin nila ako sa unggoy na 'yun. It's not like I have a boyfriend or anything na magagalit. Besides, Kiyong's single too. Masyado akong naba-bother kaya siguro tuwang-tuwa si Kiyong na asarin pa ako lalo.

Tuloy-tuloy lang ang kwentuhan naming tatlo nang dumating ang isa sa mga staffs para tawagin ako. "Dara-ssi, please get ready. Your scene with Jiyong-ssi will be shot in five minutes." Paalala niya.

Nakangiti akong tumango. "Yes, thank you." Sagot ko bago lumabas ang staff.

"Speaking of Jiyong-ssi..." Simula ni Sungkyung. "Do you think he's together with Yoona-ssi?" Mahinang tanong niya sa amin.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Hyoni bago ako nagkibit ng balikat. "No idea, really." I honestly answered. "And besides, kung sila man, they do look good together."

"Dara's right," suporta ni Hyoni. "There's really a huge possibility na sila nga. I mean, look, sa lahat ng mga babaeng na-issue kay Jiyong-ssi– idols, models, and actresses alike– si Yoona-ssi lang talaga ang hindi nawawala sa tabi niya. They've also starred in several projects together, too."

Napalunok ako at hindi na nagsalita pa. Tumingin na lang ako sa repleksyon ko sa salamin para mag-ayos ng konti bago ako nagpaalam sa dalawa para lumabas. I busied myself checking the script to double-check my lines habang naghihintay ng pagra-wrap up ng current scene.

"Dara-ssi, punta ka na do'n sa may tapat ng stairs." The staff instructed me. We will shoot the scene wherein I was about to give my love letter to Junghwan but unfortunately, I came face-to-face with Geunman.

"Ready? 1, 2, 3, ACTION!" The director yelled, and I got into my character.

Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko. This is the first scene that I am shooting with Jiyong, so my nerves are really acting up.

"Cue!" Sigaw ni Director Kim mula sa likod ng camera. It means that it's time to look up and meet eyes with Jiyong. I swallowed hard before slowly looking up, widening my eyes in surprise to find him smirking.

If I would be honest, I don't see Ahn Geunman. I'm seeing Kwon Jiyong. The Jiyong I met back in high school, the playful guy whose eyes always seem to twinkle with mischief. Para akong hinihigop at hindi sinasadyang nabitawan ko ang letter na hawak ko.

"Hello, Angel," he spoke and I was surprised. This wasn't part of the script. Para akong nagising mula sa isang trance at mabilis na tumakbo palayo and the director yelled "Cut!"

"Great shot!" Puri niya sa amin. Ngumiti ako at nagpasalamat bago siya bumaling kay Jiyong. "Wow, Jiyong-ssi, that line wasn't part of the script but it was great!" The director grinned as he praised him.

Jiyong briefly glanced at me before smiling to the director. "The line just seems fitting." He responded.

"Yes, yes," tango ng direktor. "Dara-ssi looks exactly like an angel, 'no?" He said, making us explode with laughter. Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko na mapalingon kay Jiyong, surprised to find him looking back at me.

He wasn't laughing, no. The side of his lips was only upturned with the tiniest hint of a smile, but his eyes looked serious.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang kumakalabog ang puso ko sa tingin na 'yon.