Unti unting napupuno ang meeting room sa pagdating ng mga staffs and team.
I still can't believe na ako ang magiging writer ng project na to. And since hindi na si Marina ang writer, iisip nanaman kami ng bagong story.
Hindi kasi pwedeng ipagpatuloy ko ang story na binubuo niya dahil mahihirapan akong bigyan ng hustisya iyon dahil hindi naman ako ang main creator ng story.
Sa industriyang ito, hindi ka pwede sumalo ng kwento ng iba. Ang kwento niya, kwento niya. Maari mo lamang itong dugtungan o kausapin siya na ibahin ang ibang parte ng kwento niya, pero nasasakanya parin kung susundin ka niya.
"Is everybody here?" Tanong ni Sir Gran. Nakalimutan kong sabihing siya din ang Head Director ng project na ito.
"Yes direct, si Marina lang talaga wala." sagot ng P.A niya.
"Have you read my emails to you this morning?" tanong ni Sir Gran sa lahat.
And everybody nod.
"So like what I said in my email. Si Celestia ang ipapalit nating writer ng project na ito. We are going to rearrange the story because ofcourse this is another writer."
"But we already started it. Do you think Marina will be disappointed when we change the story? We still have time para antayin siya gumaling." sabi ng isa sa mga producers.
"Marina will be disappointed surely. But we need to professional, tho her reason is valid, we cannot wait for her. We need to start as early as now actually. We need to produce this as polish as possible." Sabi ni Sir Gran pabalik.
Nakikinig lang ako sa diskusyon nila dahil wala naman talaga akong masasabi.
"Celestia, what are your thoughts about this?" tanong sakin nung producer
"I... I, umm... I will just follow whatever your commands." nahihiya kong sabi. Nakatingin sakin lahat. It was like I was a small fish in a middle of the sea na pinalilibutan ng big sharks.
"May I ask why did you choose Celestia as our writer?" tanong naman ng isang director.
"That's what also in my mind. Why Celestia? She is a newbie. Kailangan natin maging praktikal. Binigyan tayo ng malaking budget para sa isang big project, and then what? We'll let the story handle by a new girl?" sabi ulit ng isang producer.
Naisip ko din yun. Why me? Andaming writers diyan with big names. They are actually offensive but I remain calmed and express nothing.
Talent ko yun eh. I can be expressionless in whatever feelings I feel.
"Celestia has the passion in writing. You just didn't know it yet, because you didn't saw her works." He lean on the table as he said protectively
"Or baka naman you let her take the spot because she is close to you Direct? Hindi kaya sipsipan ang nangyayari?" accusingly said by one of the team.
Anong pinagsasabi nitong mga to? I am now really offended sa mga lumalabas sa bunganga ng mga kasamahan ko.
Sir Gran is like a father to me, he was my mentor, a teacher and a guide. How can they say those filthy words.
"Are those really your mentalities?" I finally voice out.
"We didn't said that because we hate you dear. But for a big project like this, we need to be 100% sure." sabi ng creative director
"But you don't need to brag my closeness with Sir Gran."
"Celestia, tama na." pigil sakin ni Sir Gran
"Im so disappointed to all of you, is that how you think of me? Ganun ba kababa ang tingin niyo sa mga decisions ko?" sabi ni Sir Gran at humalukipkip.
"Direct we are just---"
"Yes I know. But you didn't respect me. You have the rights to question my decision, yes. But do not ever think that low. Satingin niyo dahil malapit saakin si Celestia ay ilalagay ko na siya agad sa pwesto na iyon?
I know that there are big writers out there. But I know that Celestia have the talent. Hindi ko siya ilalagay diyan kung alam kong ikapapangit ito ng project."
"We are sorry sir." sagot ng isang staff
"Do you have anymore questions?"
Umiling na lamang ang karamihan
Sir Gran nod back and continue to discuss the new plan. At dahil nasabi nila ang tungkol sa bagong storyang dapat gawin, napaisip ako kung ano nga bang storya ang gagawin ko?
I felt the pressure bigla. Fuck. Pano kung hindi maganda ung story na maibigay ko? What if hindi tangkilikin ng mga tao? What genre kaya ang gagawin ko?
Action? Sci-Fic? Romance? Ughh.. This is frustrating.
"Celestia." nawala nalang ako sa kaiisip ko ng tawagin ako ni Sir Gran.
"Yes sir?" mataaubling sabi ko sakanya
"We are giving you 2 weeks to think about the new concept. " Sir Gran
"I--yes sir. " I nod repeatedly. Shit 2 weeks! Sana hindi ako magkaroon ng writer's block.
"Do you have something in mind celestia? I mean, we need to atleast hear some of your thoughts or ideas right now?" tanong ni Maam Rina. She is the producer, siya rin ang isa sa kimuwestyon kay Sir Gran kanina.
"Or do you already have a story in your mind? Give us a teaser Celestia, just a brief words, come on." tanong ni Sir Gran
Now everybody's looking at me. Shit, the pressure.
I need to come up with a story, right now! Wait, what story? Shit!
Come on, think. Think!
All eyes and ears are waiting for me, ready to hear the story.
And a story pops out in my mind.
BINABASA MO ANG
More than just a water
Short Story"This is more than just a water, this is more than just a dream. It's more of that man. It's more of the two of us. "
