Lost in Tokyo

Hachi

"Three.. two.. one.. action!" Direk Jen calls out as we begin our first sequence for today.

I always never figured out why they always want to film the romantic and intimate scenes first. When I became an actress, I never thought it would be this hard to fake chemistry. I mean when you shoot films or shows, they'll always film the romantic and intimate scenes during the start because "sayang" ang location. Chances are if you find a kilig scene in a movie, trust me, if the actors are going to be on screen for the first time being a love team, they feel all sorts of animals in their tummy. Then after the first two or three days of filming, it gets easier. You become more comfortable with one another.

Lucky for me Alden is my friend, but the real test is how to make us look like lovers that will bring the audience the kilig factor. It should be easier now because unlike my past teleseryes and movies wherein I'm acting with them for the first time.

"Jana, anong problema?" Alden looks at me.

"Wala." I tell him coldly trying to avoid his gaze.

"You won't be this pissed if wala."

"Wala, Inigo. Umuwi nalang tayo." I tell him walking away.

"Say it already." Alden says as he tugs my arm.

"Wala, Inigo. Walang wala na ako magawa sa nararamdaman ko eh. I don't know how or when it started but mahal na kita eh." A tear escapes my left eye on cue.

I stand there staring back at him, and I see Richard watching us from a distance. Alden was about to say his line when Richard's gaze distracts me. His presence distracts me, and then I get out of character.

"Cut!" Direk calls out.

"Sorry, direk!"

I begin to get into character again and do a few lines. I can't nail my scenes. Alden just stands there patiently doing every take with me. I try again, this time Alden was about to say his lines.

"Cut! Maine, Alden parang it's more meaningful if you guys speak in Japanese." Direk Jen says and the writer Direk Andy agrees. "Richard, could you help us out. Let's rehearse first with you saying the lines to
Maine. Alden prompt him on what to translate. Richard immediately stands up from his chair and stands right in front of me. Both he and Alden are right in front of me.

"Jana, the first time I met you, you already had me."

"Watashi ga hajimete atta toki." Richard begins to translate.

I look at Richard and my heart starts to constrict. I feel myself burn. Alden repeats the words. I feel both of their stares and I feel trapped.

"I don't care what barriers we have to break."

"Watashi wa nani no shōheki o kowasu hitsuyō ga aru ka kinishinai," Richard says.

"No distance..."

"Kyori nashi..."

"And no ocean..."

"Umi wa arimasen..."

"...is too far..."

"...Tō sugiru..."

"To say I love you..."

"Watashi wa anata o aishite iru to iu."

Alden grabs me by the arm and presses his lips on mine. I close my eyes, and yet I can still feel Richard looking intently at me and I feel a sense of guilt. I know that in my head this is acting, but somehow I wished it was his lips instead. They were his words instead. It was him instead. It's too early and too fast for my heart to go on an overdrive, and it equally scares me that I am way over my head.

"And cut! Maine, Alden... that was perfect!"

When I open my eyes, I see the whole crew applauding us, and there was no sign of him. Where is Richard?

***
"Richard?" I peep into the crew tent. No signs of him.

I get my phone, a few rings, straight to voicemail. I call again.

"Maine?"

"Why did you leave?"

"I had to answer a couple of calls and I had to go to an emergency meeting. Sorry, Maine."

I believed him. I didn't want to hold it against him because he was really a busy guy.

"Okay, take your time."

And that was it, he just stops talking to me. No hi nor hello after that. I have two days left and I  know I shouldn't feel hurt or betrayed but I do. He stops replying to my messages, although he did inform the crew that he had to attend to things. And I wake up to the reality that all this is too good to be true.

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This isn't the end. Hahaha. And I just used google translate so if the grammar or syntax in Japanese is wrong then I apologize. Don't hate me. I really think this has to be done. Complicated friendships lead to more complications, trust me. Haha, yuck may hugot. Sorry.