Back From Beginning #WATTYS2020 (Next Cycle Playlist #1)

XLIII

Back From Beginning
Chapter Forty-Three

"J-Julia, what a coincidence!"

Pilit na ngumiti sa akin si Julienne at lumapit para makipag kamayan. Pinanuod lamang kami nina direk at Noah habang awkward kong tinanggap ang kamay niya.

"I was not expecting this mini-reunion."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang nakuha ang ibig niyang sabihin. I wanted to shut her up before she even gives a hint that Noah and I knew each other a long time ago. Ayaw kong malaman iyon ng director o ng kahit sino pang hindi nakakaalam.

"It's a pleasure to work with you again."

Halos naging awkward na ang mga natirang oras. Si direk nalang ang may ganang magsalita sa amin dahil nililinaw niya sa amin ang mga key points ng script at kung anu ano pang kailangan sa movie.

"I would like to take you to the venue of the first shooting—"

"May gagawin pa po ako direk. Kayo nalang po." I immediately cut him off.

Ayaw ko nang makasama pa ang dalawang ito. Who cares about going to the shooting now? Bahala na sila kung anong gusto nilang gawin sa kwento ko!

"Sheena slowly closed her eyes as Jin kissed her. Tears started to fall as she realized how much she loves him."

Agad kong tinakpan ang bibig niya nang napagtantong ang kwento ko na pala ang sinasabi niya.

"What the heck?!" I whispered.

"You're going with us." he smirked and grabbed my hands.

"Direk, sa akin na po sasabay si Miss Ramirez."

Hindi niya na hinintay pang sumagot si direk. He just dragged me to the parking area while I tried to pull my hand back.

"Tigil-tigilan mo ako Noah. Ayaw ko na nga ng issue!"

He didn't even bother to answer me.

"Please lang Noah, pwede bang hayaan mo nang manahimik ang buhay ko?!"

"Just think of this as your way of helping me Julia. Ayaw kong makasabay sa kotse si Julienne, kaya sinama kita. Okay?"

Parang may tumusok sa puso ko nang sinabi niya iyon. So he's using me again?

"Manggagamit talaga..." wala sa sarili kong bulong.

Tahimik lang ang naging byahe namin sa isang kilalang theme park. Iyon daw ang sinend na address ni direk kaya doon kami dumerecho.

Then I remembered that this was the exact same theme park that I was describing in my story.

Dito 'yung parte kung saan lumabas kami para magpapicture sa paparazzis. He got sick when I persuaded him to ride the roller coaster with me.

Mas lalo akong namanhid nang naalala ko ang mga magagandang alaala na kasama ko si Noah. I've been reminded once again that they're all just for show, for pictures, for showbiz.

"Andito na pala kayo."

Nilingon namin si direk na kasama na ang iba pang myembro ng team. Julienne followed him and stood beside him.

"Dito natin ishushoot ang pinaka importanteng parte ng kwento, where the lead actress actually realizes she loves the lead actor."

I imagined Julienne and Noah acting the scenes of the story that took place here. Bakit pa kasi pumayag akong gawing movie ang kwentong ito? Why am I such a masochist?

"Why does this place look so familiar?" narinig kong sabi ni Noah.

I immediately approached the director. Medyo nagulat naman siya sa biglang pagsulpot ko sa harap niya.