FALLING SLOWLY

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

RAPHAEL

It's been days that I never get to see Jaimie but like before, I didn't miss her. Not even once. All this time, it has always been Estella who fills up my mind. I wanted to see her but I am still very confused.

"Raph, may bisita ka." My handler, Madam Liliane.

Kunot-noo ko itong tiningala. "Who?"

"It's Harry Smith." Makahulugan siyang tumingin sa akin. Kuhang-kuha ko na ang tanong sa ekspresyon ng kanyang mukha.

"Let him in," walang interest kong sagot.

Anong kailangan niya sa akin? We're not even friends for him to visit me at the set. Or is it about Estella?

"Raphael..." bungad ni Harry.

Tumango ako. "Hey... Please," sabay turo rito ng upuan.

Medyo intimidating ang dating ni Harry. Hindi ko man siya kasing sikat ay matagal na itong kilala bilang isa sa pinakamagaling na actor ng bansa. Kumpara sa akin ay mas marami na talaga siyang napatunayan pagdating sa pag-arte. Kung may isang bagay man na nakakalamang ako sa kanya, it's my fan base.

"Was there anything I can do for you?" I formally asked.

I am still this quiet and awkward person. I still find it uncomfortable to talk to someone I don't personally know.

"I'll go straight to the point," seryosong aniya at matalim na tumitig sa akin. Mukhang nahuhulaan ko na talaga ang sadya niya. "Stay away from Estella."

Hindi ako nakasagot agad sa sinabi niyang iyon at sa halip ay seryoso lang din akong nakipagpalitan ng tingin dito.

"We are going to get married soon. I don't want her to get distracted by you."

"I love her."

Awang ang mga labi niyang tumitig sa akin. Tila ba hindi napaghandaan ang pagtatapat kong iyon.

"I am not taking instructions from anyone I barely know... especially not on you."

"You love her? Are you fucking kidding me?" Nakaloloko pa siyang ngumisi. "Paano mo nasabing mahal mo siya kung unang beses pa lang ay tinalikuran mo na siya?"

Hindi ako nakakibo agad. Alam ko naman kung saan ako nagkamali noon.

"You're still a kid like before. Confused and undecided," dagdag niya.

"You knew nothing about me," matapang kong sagot at matalim na nakipagpalitan ng tingin dito.

"You're right, I personally don't know you. But there is one thing I am sure about, you'll only hurt Estella. 'Di mo siya kayang panindigan, 'di ba? Nag-aalala ka para sa career mo? So, you just left her kahit pa alam mong mahal ka niya."

Sapol na sapol pa rin niya ako. He's right about everything except how I felt for Estella.

"Tahimik na kami ni Estella. Don't bother her anymore."

"You came all the way here just to tell me that?" sarkastiko akong ngumiti.

Tumikhim ito at matalim pa ring tumitig sa akin. "Yes."

"Aren't you confident about her love for you?"

"I-i..." Natigilan siya. "She loves me."

"But she is still in love with me." I firmly said. "That's the reason you came here for. You knew that she's still in love with me."

"You have a lot of confidence in you, don't you think?" Umismid siya at sarkastiko ring ngumiti. "Do you really think she'll never get over you? After what you did to her, do you think she'll come running after you?"