THE DAY HE BECAME RUTHLESS: The Metaphorical Series #2

FORTY

"Kailangan ba talaga ako diyan? Why am I not informed prior to this? I'm on my way to Pangasinan for a video shoot."

Hinila ko ang sarili sa antok at pinakinggan si Colby. He's silent for a moment as he listened to someone on the other end of the phone line. Dumating ang tawag sa kalagitnaan ng biyahe namin para sa huling scene ng video.

"O'right. Make sure handa na lahat pagdating ko diyan para naman hindi masayang ang cancellation ng prior commitments ko. Had I only been notified." Pumalatak siya, nagsusumigaw sa inis.

Ibinaling ko na ang mga mata sa labas ng bintana. The van driver asked for Colby's approval to turn the vehicle around and enter the road back to Manila. An inexplicable ease washed over me for the last scene shooting not to happen. Palaisipan sa akin kung bakit, pero malaking parte ang nagdidikdik na ang dahilan ay ang babaeng katabi ni Dean sa likod ng van.

She insisted to have her ride here kaya naman naka-convoy ang sinakyan niya kanina. It pissed me even more than her silent glares. Kahit hindi siya magsalita, basta't ramdam ko ang presensiya niya ay nasisira na agad ang araw ko!

Umalab lang ang patago kong pagmamaktol nang pagkapasok namin sa van ay sa kanya agad siya tumabi. Dean didn't even complain the reason why I'm pissed at him, too! Resistance isn't a back-breaking move so why can't he do it around her? He may have been honest with what he said a while ago but if he cannot validate the words with his actions then they would just fall null to me. I hope he'd realize that.

Hindi ko sila nilingon kahit ramdam kong nakatutok ang mga mata ni Dean sa akin. Without needing to put eyes at the back of my head,I knew he's staring. Ang init kasi ng ulo ko.

"You want the chicken? May dala rin akong burger 'tsaka fries. And oh! Pineapple juice for you since bawal sa 'yo ang softdrinks." Jillian's sweet voice wounded my hearing my ears bleed.

Tumunog ang paperbag galing sa isang fastfood. The scent basically tortured every growling stomach in the van including mine. Si Dean lang ang dinalhan niya ng pagkain.

How sweet.

"I think we have to delay the last scene. This was urgent. Kailan niyo balak i-release ang video?" si Colby pagkatapos ng tawag. Katabi niya ang driver sa front seat.

"After the homecoming concert in Cebu," tugon ni Wilmer na nasa harap ko. "Nandoon na si Marcus para asikasuhin iyon."

Isinandal ko ang aking ulo sa bintana. I diverted my attention to the view outside, looking for some calmness in the place of the buildings and concretes. The thought of going back to Cebu envelopes a nostalgic feels of my hometown. Plano ko na ang una kong gagawin ay umuwi sa amin at personal na kausapin si daddy.

I also made a mental note to ring my sister up and tell her about the news.

"We can shoot the final scene in Cebu. I'll attend the concert," rinig kong sabi ni Colby.

"Sorry guys, I only bought for one, nagmadali na kasi kami kanina. But we can stop by for a drive thru. My treat!"

Kung sumabog ang pagbunyi nila sa sinabi ni Jillian ay irap naman ang sa akin. For the first time, I wasn't happy for a treat. I rather not eat if it would only come from her. My colossal pride won't extend to accepting any free food from her.

Umuga ang van sa bump na nadaanan. Sa aking paanan ay natumba ang paperbag laman ang mga hinanda ko kanina para sa maagang biyahe. The sandwhich I made this morning for Dean rolled out like it wants to be freed and get eaten.

A wave of dread claimed my whole being. Ayaw kong batiin ang pakiramdam na parang naiiyak ako.Pinipiga ang aking puso. It was like my efforts just went dead in the water. Abandoned. Taken for granted.