Thirst: The First Collection (Completed)

28. Anniversary

Mocha Uson paced the room while staring at the two people sitting behind the desk in front of her. She still couldn't believe that that kind of accident happened. She kept thinking that it was somehow a publicity stunt but no one in their right mind would do that on live television.

"Kailangan ko malaman kung ano talaga ang nangyari?" She stopped pacing, sat on her office chair and faced the two. "Be honest. Was this a publicity stunt?"

The first person spoke. It was Jenny Ferre, head writer of the television show. "Hindi talaga. I can attest to that. Never namin gagawin yun sa aming TV show lalong lalo na na may history lahat ng aming hosts." She sat straight but her eyes showed fear.

Sitting beside her was one of the producers of the show, Mr. Tuviera. He kept quiet because he didn't know what to say. It was supposed to be just a normal celebration day for them, but what happened just blew itbout of proportions.

"If you really want to know what happened,talk to the crew." Mr. Tuviera suddenly blurted out. "I'm sure Maine and Alden had nothing to do with this. Grabe lang talaga yung coincidence." He said.

---

"Sira yung lock nung control room. Wag niyo hahayaan matanggal tong blocker na to." One of the floor directors said. She pointed at the paper that was strategically placed on the door hinge to prevent it from closing. "Pag nasara yan, mamaya pa balik ng maintenance."

"Sige." One of the control room operators said.

"Okay. Balik na ko sa labas. Uulitin ko, wag kayo lalabas ng hindi kayo sure na hindi siya sasara." The floor director left the control room operators and went back to her job.

The show went on smoothly for the first few minutes, just like any other day that they've done it.

And then suddenly, it just didn't.

"Anong nangyayari!?" The floor director screamed into her headset. "Putangina, i-off air niyo!!"

"Ma'am, di kami makapasok! Na-lock yung door! Shit!" The guy on the other side said loudly and panicky.

"Oh my God." The floor director directed her eyes to audience. They all just sat there, surprised at what was unfolding infront of their eyes.

---

"So aksidente talaga?" Mocha asked the new person sitting in front of her. It was the floor director of the show earlier.

"Opo. We tried to disconnect everything. We did our best. Nalock yung team namin kasi sira talaga yung pinto. Hindi sila nakapasok. Natira sa loob yung intern na hindi naririnig kung ano yung sinasabi ko sa head ng control room. It was a blur. Ang bilis po ng pangyayari. Hindi yun nabuksan. It just went on hanggang sa network na mismo ang pumutol ng airing. Pero it continued to play inside the studio. There was no way to cut it but to cut the line. Pero the equipment is too expensive kaya medyo natagalan magdecide ang nasa loob ng studio."

"Eh papaano naman ba kasi napunta yung camera doon at papaano nangyari na hindi nila napansin na nawawala yun? Mocha was still confused on how everything really happened.

"Hindi ko po alam. Hindi ko na masasagot yun. Kasi po wala ako doon nun. I was giving instructions sa other side." The floor director said. She bowed her head in embarassment.

---

"Kuhaan mo yung nasa loob mamaya ha. Para masaya. Nasa script naman yun. They know what to do." The floor director said.

"Opo. Basta sabihin niyo lang." The cameraman said.

He went around while the commercial break was still on. A few minutes later, the camreaman bumped into Alden Richards.