SHARTIN Imagines

Tell Her

SB19 is allowed to go into acting. They sign with Dreamscape Productions for a contract of one year and creats an indie film with them.

One of the actresses featured is Sharlene San Pedro. Justin, happy to work with his longtime celebrity crush and at the same time achieve his longtime dream, takes on the project with enthusiasm.

Being in a semi-love team with her, he gets to be closer to the girl than anyone else. With matching work ethics, passion, and complimenting personalities, they fall for each other slowly.

However, only Justin is aware of that fact. He tries to stop it, with constant reminders to himself about the company rules. He's not allowed to fall in love, he's not allowed to date her.

But just as Sejun says, "If it hits you, it hits you." It hit him. Justin can't do anything about it anymore, he knows he's slowly falling– in love and into heartbreak. His loved ones, from his biological family to the ShowBT staff and managers to his fans, are expecting him to put his career ahead of his heart.

Justin, with his pure heart, can't bear to disappoint them. He knows he should avoid her, but he can't do that either. He knows she would be hurt, despite being unsure whether or not she returned his feelings. So to avoid causing her pain and disappointing his fans and family, he takes it all by himself.

At least, that's what he thought.

He isn't alone, as co-actor Donny Pangilinan sees through his "best friend" facade. Even then, Donny isn't alone. Mr. San Pedro, father of Sharlene, sees the young man for his worth and the love he has for his little princess.

The two men confront Justin, and ask him what are his intentions. Justin can only smile at them sadly.

"Mahal ko na po ang anak ninyo," he says to the father. "Sobra ko na po siyang mahal."
"Alam ko," Mr. San Pedro replies sympathetically. He can see it, Jah's sincerity and heart.
"Pero, Justin..." Donny sighs. "Dating ban ka ah?"
"Alam ko," he repeats Mr. San Pedro's answer sadly.
"So anong plano mo, anak?" The fatherly tone causes tears to rise in his eyes.

"Wala po. Hindi rin naman po pwede eh, ano pa magagawa ko? Kung ipaglaban ko po siya, masasaktan lang siya. Baka magkaron pa po kami ng bashers parang sa Korea... Mahirap po maging boyfriend ang isang boy idol, sir." Justin looks above at the moon.

"So, susuko ka na lang, bro?" Donny frowns.
"Wala naman pong laban eh."

"Umiwas ka na, 'nak," Mr. San Pedro advises. "Mahihirapan ka lang. Ako na bahala kay Shar."
"Yeah," Donny agrees. "You'll keep falling kapag hindi ka pa umiwas. Mas maigi na 'yun."

"No." His voice is firm in its decision. Pain laces his tone, but it stays strong.

"No?" Mr. San Pedro is surprised. "Di ka ba nahihirapan?"

Justin laughs bitterly.

"Nahihirapan na po. Sobrang nahihirapan. Kapag mag-isa na lang po ako, parang hinahati sa dalawa yung puso ko. Well, I mean..." He paused.
"Gano'n naman yung nangyayari, hindi po ba? I'm expected to choose between my love and my passion. I love her po, pero hindi ko pa kayang ilagay siya sa itaas ng pamilya ko. Marami pa po ang umaasa sa'kin. Hindi pa po pwede."

"So, wala ka ngang gagawin? You'll... You'll take it all. The pain? Why?" Donny asks, confused.
"Kasi mahal ko siya."

Mr. San Pedro, in awe of his dedication to Sharlene, quietly states, "Nagugustuhan ka na rin niya, hijo. Baka mamaya mahulog pa yun sa'yo. Umiwas ka na hanggat hindi pa."

"Aalis na po ako sa Thursday. Dalawang araw na lang po, susulitin ko na." Justin tells them.

"Don't think I can't hear you crying Justin." Donny's mouth thinned into a line. "Sinasaktan mo na sarili mo. Umiwas ka na, bro."
"Ok lang, ako lang naman 'to. Pero hindi ko siya kayang iwanan na lang sa ere. Di ko kayang iparamdam sa kanya na may nagawa siyang mali," Justin counters.

The three men goes silent.

"Iba ka rin, ano?" Mr. San Pedro muses. "Ikaw na ata ang pinakamatapang na lalaking nagkagusto sa anak ko. Harap-harapan mong sinabi na mahal mo siya sa tatay niya."
"True," Donny huffs.

Silence takes over again.

"You'll tell her, won't you?" Justin suddenly breaks it, his voice cracking with emotion. "Sasabihin n'yo namang mahal ko siya, di ba? I mean, wag ngayon. Sa tamang panahon. Di ko alam kailang yun pero... Tell her. Kapag- kapag nainlove na siya sa iba. Tell her I love her. And that I'm letting her go. Tell her, please?"

The two older men lock eyes, sharing his heartbreak. "Yes, hijo. Sasabihin ko na lang sa kanya."

Flash forward, eight years later...

Sharlene is in her wedding gown, a pure white thing glistening like snow. Her hair, now long just like before, is pinned up in a beautiful updo. Her face is flushed with delight and her smile can't be wiped off her face.

Mr. San Pedro smiles at her, teary eyed. As he looks at his princess, he realizes it. She won't be princess any longer. She'll be the queen of another man, the mother of her own child.

And then he glances at her hand, where her engagement ring shines merrily. He remembers the young man his unconditional love, and remembers the promise he made.

"Daddy?" Her sweet voice asks. "Da, okay ka lang?"
He smiles even wider, and steps near his daughter. He takes her hand.
"Minahal ka niya noon, anak. Minahal ka niya ng walang hinihinging kapalit. Yung tipong kahit nasasaktan na siya ay nagmahal pa rin siya," he recites.

"Ikaw ba 'yan, da?" She laughs wetly, tears in her eyes. "I love you too, daddy."
"Hindi ako, anak." He hugs her. "Pero mahal na mahal ka niya."

"'Lika na?" He offers his arm. The young woman takes it, and then takes a deep breath. "Opo daddy. Ready na po ako."

Her mother, also teary-eyed, takes her other side. Together, the three step into the church aisle.

They walk, cameras flashing and smiles beaming. This is one of the most awaited weddings of all, and it shows.

And when they reach the young man at the altar, the mother kisses his cheek and leaves for the seats. The father hands over his dauther's hand and the groom takes it, crying gratefully.

"Ingatan mo anak ko," he tells the man. "Ingatan mo si Shar, Jah."

"Opo," Justin promises. "Opo, iingatan ko siya."