Tuliro na nagmamaneho si Sarah patungo sa Sofitel. Pinag isipan niyang mabuti bago siya makarating sa desisyon na ito. Her first instinct was to say "no" and ignore the situation. But as the days passed, she couldn't help but rethink her first decision. She wanted answers and during these times, it would help to tick off the endless questions going through her mind.
She stopped at the hotel entrance and went down her car, gave her keys to the valet and was about to proceed to the lobby when she forgot something in her car. She hurriedly went back and gestured for the valet service to stop for a while. Pinabuksan niya ang trunk ng kanyang kotse at kinuha ang isang maliit na duffel bag.
She then went in the lobby, past the usual security check and when the duffel bag was opened, the lady guard gave her a curious look. She gave back a timid smile,
"Things from my past...". Tiningnan niya ang papel na kanyang binulsa. Iniabot iyon sa kanya ni Yaya Novie kahapon kasama ang laman ng duffel bag. Minemorya niya ang nakasulat dito...ROOM 1503.
Bagama't kanyang pinaghandaan ito, di niya napigilan ang kaba. She then decided to stop by the ladies' room for a while and inside, sat in one of the couches.
She opened the bag and took one letter...She read it a couple of times and felt her eyes stinging. Her throat was tightening as she held back her tears. How can her life turn 360 degrees in a matter of days. Parang naglagho bigla ang lahat ng pinaniniwalaan niya sa buhay. She didn't know how to feel. She didn't know good from bad. Boundaries were blurred.
"Tama na...Tapusin ko na 'to..." she told herself. Pinaalala niya sa sarili niya na ibang Sarah na siya. Matapang. Hindi takot. Handang panindigan ang desisyon niya.
Biglang nag-ring ang kanyang mobile phone. She looked at it and smiled. Right on the dot, she told herself.
"Babe? Napatawag ka..." Bati ni Sarah sa kasintahan.
"Hello, kumusta ka na love? Nasa hotel ka na ba?"
"Kararating ko lang, dumaan lang ako sa powder room sandali. Alam mo na, nag-iipon ng lakas ng loob..."
"Are you okay then? If you want, puntahan kita...matatapos na din siguro ng maaga meeting ko."
"Thanks but I need to do this alone...kaya ko ito, don't worry.."
"Alam ko naman na kaya mo eh...ako lang talaga worried. Can you promise to call me soon after you're done?"
"Sige, tawagan kita. Promise. "
"And let's meet after, if you're free?"
"We'll see babe ha? Text kita. I have to go...I love you!"
"Mahal na mahal din kita baby girl and remember nandito lang ako, okay?"
Sarah put down the phone, took a deep long breath and walked out of the restroom now feeling eager to redefine who she really is.
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Gerald finished his call to Sarah. He was in the basement parking of his managing company's office. Bumalik sa isip niya ang usapan nila ni Ate Nhila, ang kanyang handler kaninang umaga. Dumaan ito sa bahay niya on his rest day and he was surprised at her visit. She didn't usually disturb him on his days off.
"Ge, it's time to talk..."
" Ano 'yon ate? May problema ba?"
"Kinausap ako sa taas kahapon Ge and ...they're concerned."
"Ano na naman 'yan?"
"Pinag-uusapan na kasi yung pagkakalabuan ng loveteam niyo ni Jessy....natatakot sila na mag-fail yung serye ninyo..."
"Ate, I tried to be friends with her pero she's so scheming. Nakarating kay Sarah yung picture and she doesn't need that kind of stress with her dad sick and all."
"Alam ko naman 'yun Ge, kaya lang.....showbusiness ang pinasok mong trabaho. People have expectations ...fans mo and management."
"And what if I refuse to ride with their 'expectations' ?"
"Ayokong isipin ang pwedeng mangyari... alam mo na mahal kita. Bilib ako sa 'yo, sa talent mo, sa pagkatao mo....You deserve every bit of success you have right now. Marami na din akong narinig na ginawa nila sa mga hindi sumunod sa patakaran...."
Gerald snapped back to the present and turned off the car. He took a deep breath himself and thought of what he was about to do. Inisip niya ang mommy niya at ang mga taong umaasa sa kanya. Kasunod niyang inisip si Sarah. He was amazed at her. It seemed that every day, he was falling more and more in love with her. She deserved the best from him. Inisip din niya ang kanyang mga supporters. He didn't want to let them down. Kahit saan niya tingnan, meron at Merong masasaktan.
He then went down the car and went to the elevator. Upon entering, he pressed the topmost floor. He felt the ascent up but inside, he was left with a sinking feeling...
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Author's Note: Sorry for the delay sa update. Domestic issues are pressing, had to take a vacay (I'm on one as I'm writing this!) and my kaadikan took a back seat. Back to regular programming na ko by next week so hopefully, sunod sunod na update. Medyo maiksi yung chapter but just want to whet some of your appetite...may sense ba? Hehe! Guess na lang kung ano ang kinakaharap ng dalawa nating bida.
