Present Time, 2017
"Tash, get ready na. Commercial shoot will happen in an hour and a half" paalala sakin nung floor director.
"Yes po sir." sabi ko.
Pumasok na ako ng dressing room at kasama ko don si Ronnie. May kausap siya sa phone nung makita niya ako. At ngumiti lang ako at nag-thumbs up. Signaling that it's okay. Mukhang si Loisa kausap niya.
"Make-up-an na kita, Ms. Tasha ha" sabi ng isa sa mga stylist.
"Thank you" sabi ko at sabay ngiti.
Ginagawa na nya ang make up ko pati na rin ag buhok. Umabot ng halos isang oras din yon. So may 30 minutes pa ako, to take a nap and mentally prepare myself to what's about to go down.
-
"3... 2... 1... Action" sabi nung director
...
"Kaya mag-KremeTop ka na!" sabay sabay naming sinabi lahat.
Kaming dalawa nasa gitna ni Ronnie. At katabi ko si Ate Maja, tapos si Donny naman sa tabi ni Ate Maja.
"Cut!" sigaw ni Direk.
"Parang may kulang e." sabi nung ad producer ng KremeTop.
"Ano po yun?" tanong nung nag-conceptualize ng commercial.
"Walang sense of kilig or romansa. Sikat na sila ngayon. So dapat may konting pampakilig" sabi nung ad producer.
"I agree on that. May kulang talaga e. Let's take a break. Meeting with the script writers muna. Mabilis lang 'to. Walang aalis ha" sabi ni Direk.
At kami, kanya kanya kaming punta sa mga dressing room namin.
Hindi kami nagpapansinan ni Donny kahit may scenes na kailangan nakatingin kami sa isa't isa.
Awkward pero, professional dapat. Professional kumilos si Donny e.
-
Donny's POV:
I got to stare at her beautiful face a while ago. And it was glowing. She looks so much healthier and happier. That's good though. It means, kinaya nya for the past 2 years.
Ano kayang twist gagawin sa commercial? Sana kami ni Tasha yung magkapartner don.
It has been 15 minutes and nagsscroll lang ako sa twitter.
"Ready na daw sa set, Donny." sabi ng PA ko.
"Okay, thanks." I said and went out.
Nandun na kaming apat.
"So, ganito. We don't know yet kung sino bagay kay Tasha since halos magkakaedad lang kayo Ronnie and Donny. And besides, Maja here is the main endorser. So sa inyong tatlo, Tasha, Donny, and Ronnie yung test shots" sabi ni Direk.
"First set muna. Yung last 2 frames lang ha. Donny and Ronnie switch places and pagdating sa line na "Kaya mag-KremeTop ka na" tumingin kayo sa isa't isa. Ronnie tumingin ka kay Maja and Donny and Tasha tignan nyo rin isa't isa. All smiles. Masarap yung kape kaya dapat bonggang bonggang ngiti makikita ko ha. And for the next set, original position as a while ago but with the tinginan effect" sabi ni Direk.
We followed all the instructions. Until we get to the last frame, tinigil bigla ni Direk yung pag-film.
"Tasha? Ano bagita lang? Clear naman yung modifications kanina di ba? Look at Donny!" sigaw ni Direk.
I was shocked and worried about her. She doesn't want to look at me and be partners with me.
The film is now rolling and she did what she was asked. But it was all acting. I could see how much she's trying to cope up with it. Inulit namin yun ng mga tatlong beses and her facial expression didn't change at all.
Nang matapos na yon, turn naman nila ni Ronnie. I feel jealous but I'm trying to keep my composure.
"Relax Dons." bulong ni Ate Maja.
I gave her a shocked expression.
And she mouthed "I know".
I still gave her wondering look.
"Mamaya nalang natin pagusapan. Trabaho muna." she told me.
And then, inulit namin yung frames for another 3 times din sa kanila.
Until they decided to keep the original positioning because mas natural at bagay daw ang chemistry nina Tasha and Ronnie sa camera.
So does that mean na hindi kami bagay ni Tasha? Are they together na ba?
The shoot ended pretty well and fast. Until Ate Maja called me out.
"Dons!"
"Oh hey Ate Maja." sabi ko.
"Tara? Usap tayo." She said as she was guiding me to the waiting tent.
"Donny, I know your past with Tash. Parehas kami ng management." she told me.
And I nodded.
"She told you?" I asked.
"Oo. Wala siyang makausap non. Wala naman parents niya dito. That time ng break up, wala rin friends nya. Na sa malayo. Kami ni Ronnie ang umalalay sa kanya ng mga oras na yon. I became her older sister at the moment for her. Alam mong piling tao lang pinapapasok niya sa buhay niya Donny." she answered.
I felt guilty again.
"Donny, sa totoo lang. She understands you. The reason why, what happened, and kung saan kayo nagkulang sa relasyon niyo. You guys were 17 that time. Ang lalim na ng ibigsabihin ng love sa inyo ng mga oras na yun. Pero, wala pa kayong pangunawa sa salitang 'choices, commitment, and relationships'. She said.
"You made the right choice. And she knows that. She knows that letting go is the chance for the two of you to grow." she added.
I felt my tears start escaping from my eyes.
"Donny, she loves you. And if I know, she's just waiting. Mahirap balikan yung taong sobra mong nadurog, Donny. Kaya sana maintindihan mo kung bakit iwas pa siya" Ate Maja told me and hugged me.
After that, I was left dumbfounded. I don't know what to do or say. Guilt is eating me up alive.
@DonnyPangilinan: At times like this, I wish I could turn back time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
LAKAS MAKAHUGOT!! Pero I hope you guys like the story. It gets better, I promise. ❤
