Bullet Shot

PANG-APAT

WHIPPED

"Miss! Ready na po ba kayo?" I nodded at Chimay as we walk towards the room where the presscon will be held. Nagpa presscon para sa movie namin. I wore a green turtle neck dress. Napahawak ako sa leeg ko. Tuwing naalala ko kung bakit ganito ang suot ko ay biglang umiinit ang pisngi ko!

Nang pumasok ako sa loob ay nagkagulo na ang reporters. Nando'n na din si Gino. Hindi pa kami ayos and I'm feeling guilty. I think masyado akong naging emotional that day. I shouldn't have reacted that way.  Makikipag ayos na lang ako dahil I know for sure that if we don't fix it now, it will affect our teleserye and I don't want that.

Umupo ako sa tabi niya. Nginitian ko siya para naman matanggalan na siya ng tinik. Ang putla niya habang nakatingin sa'kin. Siguro natatakot kasi baka galit pa ako?

Humarap na kami sa reporters. Hanggang sa maari ay iiwasan ko ang personal quesions. Para naman sa upcoming movie 'to diba.

"Miss Amanda. May nabalitaang bitter ka pa din sa ex mong si Jiro at kay Selene. Totoo ba iyon?" Kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong niya. Sa'n naman niya nabalitaan? 'di ako updated na bitter pa ako hanggang ngayon.

"Is that connected to our movie? Pero to answer your question. No. Hindi na. And where did you get the news? Is that from an article 2 years ago? " Tumawa pa ako. They laughed as well. Stupid question isn't it?

Umayos ako ng pagkakaupo at ngumiti sakanila.

"You're both single. Why don't you guys give a try?" Napawi ang ngiti ko. I didn't see it coming. What the heck? Anong kalokohan iyon? Hindi ako makasagot. I'm very aware na marami kaming shippers. Isang maling word lang ay masisira ang career ko.

Hinawakan kong mahigpit ang kamay ko dahil nanginginig iyon. Madami kaming shippers. Would they understand me if I say no? Parang nagbara ang lalamunan ko. Tumingin ako kay Gino. Pati siya ay natigilan. Ang mga reporters ay naghihintay sa mga sagot namin. I really don't know what to say.

"You have chemistry. Madami din fans ang nagsasabi at ang iba nga ay may hinalang kayo nga. Ano sa tingin niyo?" Dagdag ng isang reporters. Damn. Ang sarap nilang pagsasakalin! Ayoko talaga sa media.

"I also want that but.. it depends on her." Unti unti akong tumingin kay Gino. What is he doing? Why is he doing this? Is he saving his career?I mean our career? I should be thankful right? Pero bakit hindi ako makaramdam kahit katiting na galak? Nararamdaman ko na ang pagpapawis. Para bang biglang namatay ang aircon dito sa hall. Biglang uminit.

"We need your response Amanda"

"What can you say Amanda?"

"Uhm.. " Tinignan ko ang manager namin. She mouthed to say yes. Mas lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ko.

Kailangan kong magdecide agad. Papayag ba ako? I can't lose my job. People will hate me if I say no. But I'm not sure if I'm going to be fine with Gino. We haven't dated yet! Hindi ko pa siya masinsinang kilala. I'm so confused!

I looked around. Everyone was waiting for my response. I inhaled and exhaled, thinking that would help me decide well, but it has no use. It didn't help at all.

"Wala namang mawawala if we try, right?" I said.  Peke akong ngumiti sa kanila pati kay Gino. Bahala na. Sasakay nalang ako. Napasuklay ako sa buhok ko. This isn't right. In just a split second, I've been reported dating Gino.

They never asked about it again. The presscon went well and smooth and they've stuck to the plan to only ask questions about the movie. It was both a relief and a disaster.

As soon as the conference ended, I immediately checked my phone. We trended, as expected. There was no doubt about it. I just told the press LIVE that I'll be dating Gino. Of course it will shock the people.