Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Twenty Six •

Betina Tiara

~

"Hello, Zen?"

"God... I feel good today," tugon n'ya sa telepono.

Umupo ako sa sofa na nandito sa office at sumimsim sa dala kong kape. Malapit ko nang ma-kumpleto ang guest, pero naniniwala akong hindi pa ro'n nagtatapos 'yun, aayusin ko pa ang information profile nila.

"Yes and why?" tanong ko.

"I feel good when I think about you... when I hear your voice, it soothes me."

Kumunot ang noo ko at natawa, "What’s with---"

"But---!" putol n'ya, "There’s something more... I got a new role and it’s amazing!" natutuwa n'yang balita.

"If I remembered correctly, you got a new lead role some time ago?"

Bahagya siyang tumawa, "Yes I did but I’ve decided to drop the role and get this one. This is a much bigger production so I won’t waste it."

"Wow... congratulations," nakangiting saad ko.

"Thanks, milady. I’m so much happy. You’re the first person to know it--- of course aside from my manager."

That makes me feel flatter.

"Pero may kasama ako sa project na ‘to. Since it’s a movie... balita ko isang sikat na artistang babae raw ang makakasama ko. Hmm... Alexandria Rudio? Something like that."

"Hindi mo siya kilala?"

"No. I mean I’m not sure if it’s really her but if ever she really is... then I know her. But apparently we haven’t really talk in person."

I slowly nodded, "Then... congrats again. I know you can do it."

"Hehe," he sighed, "You’re not gonna get jealous... are you?"

Since hindi naman ako nanunuod ng tv at wala ako masyadong kilala sa mga artista... malamang ay hindi ko rin kilala 'yung tinutukoy n'yang artista. So... may dahilan ba para magselos ako?

Kapag sinabi ko bang hindi ako magseselos ay natural lang 'yun? Wala akong ideya.

"Jealous?" I giggled, "Of course not. I’m here to support you."

Matagal bago siya nakasagot, "You’re so matured... I like you, I love you so much."

I blinked at how bold his words are-- padalos-dalos papunta sa 'kin. Sinabi naman na n'ya ito pero nagugulat pa rin ako. Isang patunay na wala akong karanasan pagdating sa relasyon.

"Y-Yeah..." natawa na lang ako.

"Don’t worry. I’m not interested on other woman. My Betina is enough. But you know what I’m concerned about? The taping starts in two days, to think I haven’t memorize my script. I’m not comfortable with not having a lot of time to workshop but... oh well what can I do."

"Cheer up! She’s a great actress so for sure you can match her. I’m cheering for you, Zen."

"God, don’t be so cute!"

Nagtawanan kami sa linya pero natigil din 'yun nang biglang may pamilyar na boses ang nagsalita.

"God Seven has entered the lover’s call! Toot--- toot--- toot."

Nawala tuloy ang ngiti ko sa labi. Seven...

Kaya nga pala n'yang i-konekta ang sarili n'ya sa linya namin para makatawag.

"What?! What the hell are you doing here?!" inis na bulalas ni Zen.

"C’mon! How rude! After I help you?"