The Lost Chapters: Romancing the Tragedian

Chapter 1

'AWPH set three bullets to fire this year,' The headline says.

"Aspiring Wordsmith Publishing House has gained millions of support not only in the Philippines but in almost all parts of the world, targeting the Filipino readers who are fond of reading romance. Throughout the years, you are acclaimed to reach the booming sales of books, specially the published books from your senior writers. What more could AWPH give to the people who have been supporting your for ten years now?"

Ibinaling ni Careen ang mikropono sa kaniya at saka nagwika, "First of all, AWPH would always be thankful for everyone's support regarding our unique projects and book releases including the book signings around the country. Of course with this, rest assured that all of us, including my co-editors and co-writers would give them the best of the stories that we aim to produce in more years of AWPH. In line with this, we also aim to change some sort of our writing styles to give some spice in our stories, as well, for our readers."

Napalunok ako nang bahagya sa mga sinabi ni Careen, ang isa sa mga editor ng AWPH. I have a quick hint about her statements that will surely shake my writing style.

Kitang-kita ko ang pag-asa sa mga mata ng karamihan sa mga taong dumalo sa nationwide release ng sampung bagong libro na magmumula sa Aspiring Wordsmith Publishing House. Isa itong serye ng mga librong isinulat namin, bawat isa, na naglalaman ng tila ba huling istorya nasulat sa paraang kinasanayan namin.

Ten years is not a joke for a publishing house like us. We started from being an independent publishing house, until we reached this position after those years of hardship. Aside from that, we almost failed when we reached our fourth year but then, through our passion and the effort that we exerted, we happened to maintain the quality of our works and our will to share stories to a great population.

"So Ms. Roseate," the male interviewer caught my attention upon calling my penname. Bahagya akong nawala sa sarili dahil sa malalim na pag-iisip, at nakabalik lang nang tawagin niya ako.

Nakasuot siya ng asul na pang-itaas na may disenyong maliliit na puting bilog na nakapaloob sa kaniyang pambaba. Sa mata niya ang salamin at sa leeg ay nakakurbatang pula, gaya ng suot ng mga serbidor sa isang high class na restawran.

Nginitian ko lamang siya, karaniwang hudyat ko ng pagpayag. Tumango ang lalaki at sinimulan ang pagtatanong.

"What can you change in your own style since Ms. Cafsim already admitted that AWPH authors would have transition regarding their writing styles?"

I smiled once more. I sighed before I get the microphone and say my opinion. "In reality, I have nothing to change about my writing style. People loved me as an author because of the topics, plot, characters, and the remarkable ending of my stories. So if AWPH would have a system reset, including the way the writers put the stories into words, I would probably retain my tragedian way of writing. Thank you."

The people in the crowd applauded as I gave out the microphone. I saw some of them whispering and murmuring words that I cannot understand. Was it about my statement earlier? I did nothing but keep my mouth shut.

Nag-obserba lang ako sa mga tao sa paligid ko habang tinatanong niya pa ang iba kong kasamang manunulat. Tahimik at maayos lang akong nakaupo at nakikinig sa mga sinasabi nila.

Hindi ko lubos akalain na rito mismo sa Siargao nagaganap ang book launch at book signing namin. Kakaiba talagang magplano ang buong team dahil mas pinipili nila ang mga lugar na hindi gaanong pinupuntahan ng ibang publishing house para sa malaking event na gaya nito.

Back to the thought of conducting this activity in Siargao, I don't know if this is all scripted or not. All of the senior writers and editors that are my friends have known my background about this island. Never to mention, I always have hard times and frustrating thoughts about this place. How I wish someone could realize that I am not comfortable anymore, that I want to go home soon.