Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Eleven •

Betina Tiara

~

Paggising ko sa umaga ay si Carmille agad ang una kong kinumusta. Binilinan ko siya na 'wag munang pumasok sa clinic at bantayan ng buong araw ngayon si Nanay Gretta hanggang sa dumating ang mga body guards mula kay Claudius-- oo, plano kong ipadala sila doon sa oras na magkasundo kami ni Claudius.

Kaya dapat ko na siyang makausap ngayong araw sa office. Balita ko ay sinabihan na ito ni Seven.

Bago pa 'ko makalabas ng apartment ay bigla nang tumunog ang cellphone ko, bahagya akong nagulat nang makita ang pangalan ni Zen.

"Yes...?"

"Good morning, Betina! Paalis ka na?"

"Yeah. I was about to go when you suddenly called."

"Hmm..." he paused, "Sorry. Just wanna know how’s your feeling. I’m still worried, but... you didn’t cry last night, did you?"

Of course I cried...

"Yes, I did."

He sighed, "I knew it. I think that girl is crazy. I can’t believe she really say that--- I... I mean, let’s change the topic."

I smiled bitterly, Olyn’s hurtful words really sent me into a spiral.

"You know when I recieved my first main role on a movie project, I was so happy and grateful. I wasn’t really famous back then so I was shock to my nerves that I am the one who got that lead role. Like, isn’t it cool that my looks and talent got them?" he chuckled, "So when I got home, I jumped on my bed and screamed in happiness, like, ‘THIS HANDSOME FACE IS ALL YOU NEED! I’M GONNA BE A SUPERSTAR! WAIT FOR MY TURN!’ rawr!" at saka siya humalakhak.

Tahimik akong natawa sa ka-kornihan n'ya. Well, having your first lead role is so fulfilling so I understand him.

Atleast kahit paano, sandaling natapalan ang masasakit na alaala ko.

"Did you laughed at that? You did, didn’t you?" natatawa n'yang tanong sa linya, "It sounds cheesy but I was young back then and that was really cool so I don’t regret screaming like an idiot that time."

Tumango ako, "Yeah, I agree."

"Pero... nakakatawa kasi akala ko para sa akin talaga ‘yung role na ‘yon. Isang araw, sa kalagitnaan ng workshop ko, nalaman kong substitute lang pala ako. Dumating na ang tunay na leadman--- at naiwan ako."

'Yung ngiti ko ay napalitan ng kung anong lungkot nang marinig ang pagbabago ng tono n'ya.

"Hmm... it’s all in the past. It’s disappointing, pero hindi ko na ‘yun pinagtuunan ng pansin dahil sa bagong project kong gagawin. It’s also a leadman role--- but I don’t have any leading lady. That time I’m dreaming of having a role of a prince charming, ready to save his princess... but that never happened. Gusto ko ‘yung may leading lady ako, pero no’ng binigyan ako, tinanggihan ko."

"And why?"

"I never had a leading lady. I wanted, but I kept declining. I don’t know why..."

Natahimik ang linya ng ilang sandali. Iniisip siguro n'ya kung bakit gano'n. Sa tingin ko naman ay kahit gustuhin n'ya magkaroon ng partner, kung hindi siya ready, matatanggihan talaga n'ya.

Magsasalita na sana ako nang maunahan ako nito.

"...how about it? Will you play the lead with me?"

Halos maubo ako sa biglaang tanong n'ya na 'yun. Napakamot ako sa gilid ng pisngi ko. I can't help but to feel flatter. Ikaw ba naman tanongin ng gan'yan ng isang artista kahit pa hindi ako artista, e.