What's The Real Score? [JerNella]

Chapter 45

JANELLA'S POV

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o ano. Grabe naman kasi teaser pa lang nung Tonight with Boy Abunda interview nina Jerome at Marlo. May sama nga raw ba ng loob sa akin sina Marlo at Jerome. Now that I'll be paired with Elmo, syempre iintrigahin nila si Marlo. At niligawan nga raw ba ako ni Jerome. Grabe.

Tahimik lang akong nanonood. Napapangiti at natatawa minsan sa mga tanong at sagot nung dalawa.

"Sumagi ba sa isip mo na ligawan si Janella?" Tito Boy asked after Jerome denied courting me.

At least they didn't ask kung nagka-mutual understanding.. or if we even dated. Kasi kahit ako kinakabahan sa magiging sagot ni Jerome.

"Hindi sumagi sa isip mo na ligawan si Janella?"

"Sumagi," he replied without second thoughts. He looked down and smiled.

"Sumagi," Tito Boy clarified.

Ilang beses sinapo ni Jerome ang ulo niya, "Saging-sagi."

I sighed. There's no denying with Jerome Ponce right now, is there?

Hindi ko napansin na nakangiti na pala ako. I remember before, I loved watching his interviews. Tagos kasi siya sumagot, he's so real and gentle. You can see the passion in his eyes when he talks. Na kahit noon, kapag sabay kaming iniinterview, I can't help but stare at him for a long while because of amazement and shock. Pakiramdam ko kasi minsan, ang konti pa lang ng alam ko sa kanya kaya sa tuwing iniinterview siya, may nalalaman akong bago tungkol sa kanya.

On the other hand, I somehow felt sad nang si Marlo ang tinanong tungkol sa loveteam namin at pagkakapair ko kay Elmo. Syempre, mamimiss ko siya. Two years kaming magkasama palagi. But I'm happy he's into hosting now. Natatawa nga ako kasi para siyang reporter ngayon, and he know what to answer.

The question was passed to Jerome. If he was threatened or whatsoever to Elmo.

"Hindi naman si Elmo sa kanya eh, trabaho lang sila," seryosong sabi niya. He was cut off by the audience's crazy reaction. Maraming napatili at napa-Woahhh! Then biglang nagplay 'yung Mahal Kita Pero as the background music. Jerome was all smiles.

"Yan ang lumalaban!" kumento ni Tito Boy.

Para na akong lutang, hindi ko na masyadong naintindi 'yung mga sumunod na sagot niya. I wasn't expecting an answer near to that one. I thought he'd say it's okay, period. Tinototoo nga niyang hindi niya idedeny 'yung nararamdaman niya.

Naghahanda na akong matulog nang marinig ko ang tunog ng phone ko. I checked the message I received.

Jerome: Laban. Good night.

"Jea, 'yung phone mo," habol ni Mama bago ako humiwalay sa kanila ni Russell para harapin ang media. Kinuha ko 'yun at nagpasalamat. She laughed, "Nervous or excited?

"Nerxited," I tried to smile.

Umiling siya at ngumiti, "Kaya mo 'yan! I'm so happy for you, anak. Congratulations!"

Napangiti ako at tumango. She motioned me to go ahead so I did. Kabadong-kabado ako habang naglalakad papunta kay Jerome. Sinalubong niya ako, naglapitan agad ang reporters sa amin.

Tonight will be the launching of Haunted Mansion's special screening. 'Yung casts, staffs, bosses at fans ang invited to watch this screening. Meaning, we'll all watch together tonight. I'll hear their reactions, I'll see myself on the big screen. Just the thought of seeing myself on the big screen makes me nervous and excited. Puro newbie pa naman kami, kaya siguro ganoon din ang nararamdaman nila lalo na nina Jerome at Marlo-if he was here.

Katabi ko syempre si Jerome sa panonood. While waiting for the movie to play, Jerome leaned on my chair.

"Napanood mo ba?" he whispered.

Kumunot ang noo ko, "Alin?"

"Interview."

"Kailan?" I whispered back.

"Last week."

"Tito Boy?"

He nodded. I bit my lip and slowly nodded.

"Some parts," because I felt high at the end, "Why?"

His lips curved, he was smiling from ear to ear when he shook his head and diverted his attention to the screen.

"May confession ako," seryoso niyang sabi kaya napalingon ako sa kanya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. He sighed, "Alam kong magagalit ka."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sobrang curious. Mukha siyang guilty. Kinabahan ako.

"What is it?"

Yumuko siya, "Mangako kang hindi ka magagalit."

"Just say it!" I whispered, annoyed and anxious. "I can't promise. Don't make me eat my words."

Kasi kapag hindi ko talaga nagustuhan ang ginawa niya, hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. Bumuntong-hininga ulit siya.

"Nangyari 'to nung nagshoshoot tayo para sa Haunted Mansion."

"Kailan? When exactly?"

"Buong shooting." Kinabahan ako lalo. "Ayokong isipin mo na-"

"Jerome!!" I glared. He sughed for the third time already.

"Habang nagshoshoot kasi tayo, hindi ko sinasadya.." tinakpan niya ng kamay ang mukha niya.

I leaned closer, inaabangan ang karugtong.

".. nahulog ako kay Ella."

Namilog ang bibig ko. My mind was searching for a girl named Ella. This is crazy, who the hell is she?!

Ella? Ella Cruz? Kaso buong shooting ng Haunted Mansion? May Ella ba kaming kasama?

Pagtingin ko sa kanya, titig na titig siya sa akin habang nakangisi.

"Ella Cruz?" I guessed.

Mas lalo siyang ngumisi pero napapangiwi, "For a smart girl.."

"Ano?" banta ko. Ang bilis ng kabog ng dibdin ko, nagagawa pa niyang tumawa?

Umiling siya, "Hindi siya. Si Ella. 'Yung weirdo. 'Yung Ella ni Jacob."

Napaawang ang labi ko. Napangiti ako. Pero I looked at him blank-faced, "Leche! Ewan ko sa 'yo!"

Ang kapal talaga. Pero.. basta!

Humalakhak lang siya, biglang namatay ang ilaw. Minsan napatili ako sa gulat habang nanonood. Ibang-iba 'yung ilang scenes nung shinoshoot namin. Iba talaga kapag horror, it was harder to shoot syempre kasi kailangan malawak imagination mo. But it was actually.. weird seeing myself in love with Jerome's characer. Patay na patay ako kay Jacob. Actually, matino unlike Megan but God.. I really looked like I love him. I can only see it now, literally.

In my own eyes, I saw myself falling for him even more.