IV

Kabanata 4

@}~;~-

"Hey," a voice that skipped my heart a beat as I open the gates.

"H-huh?" This is the first time I got startled. Akala ko yung weirdo kaninang umaga! "Oh."

Pero mas gugustuhin ko pa yatang yung weirdo nalang kanina! "You're bleeding!!" histerya ko.

His head tilted, with difficulty of breathing. "Bakit ka may saksak? Where is the nearest hospital!?" Nanginginig ang kamay ko at di ko alam kung saan siya hahawakan bilang suporta.

And because of it, his body dropped on the floor. "Oh no..." Lumuhod ako para siya iangat. Sa panic ko, 'di ko agad naisip ang first aid. Magtatawag na sana ako ng ibang tao para tumulong nang pigilan niya ako sa pagtayo.

"Hindi pwedeng marecord na nasa ospital ako." he said weakly.

"What? Why?" My eyes can't seem to focus. "Dun ka sa loob but I don't think first aid will help with your wounds!"

This is new to me. So what's gonna happen next?

Is this a prank?

Inihiga ko siya sa sofa, at hinanap ang first aid kit. Now I noticed, he doesn't groan in pain or anything. Baka hindi naman talaga masakit? Baka malayo sa bituka?

Nabawasan tuloy ang kaba ko.

Pagkabalik ko sa kanya, bitbit ang first aid. Kapansin-pansin ang tagagtak niyang pawis. "Masakit ba talaga?" my panic attack surfacing.

"Ugh." Umiling siya.

So no?

After a few minutes of applying the basics of first aid, he says "May masarap bang nasaksak?"

"Hindi kasi halata! But seriously malalim! Saan ka ba galing at ayaw mo magpa-ospital? Baka matetano ka pa..."

Huminga siya ng malalim at sumagot, "stop asking."

What a unfortunate events. Ako pa na-timing'an, ngayon lang ako naka-encounter ng gan'to!

Suddenly I felt scared. "Wag ka mag alala walang mangyayari sa'yo."

I stared at him. Nalaman ko lang ang pangalan niya kaninang umaga. I totally don't know this person. A stranger. But I—"and stop staring. Mamaya rin aalis na ako."

"R-right." Gusto kong kontakin si Carlyn pero wala pala kami sa stage of exchanging numbers.

"Register your number," aniya at inabot sa akin ang number niya. "Babayaran kita."

"What about a thank you." And Lenne Madrigal is surfacing! Tumawa ako. "do I need money?" parang mapupunit na nga yung prosthetic ko.

Ok Lenne, may nakakalimutan ka! You're out of your character!

"Sumasakit ang sugat ko sa'yo, " daing niya. "Do you not?" while surveying the interiors of the house. "I am grateful. I owe you, thank you." in his earnest voice and he added, "tingin ko mas kelangan mo ng pera."

At a times likes this he does looks like Carlyn.

Nighttime.

He's still not leaving because he's sleeping. Nakaupo ako sa tapat ng hinihigaan niya, contemplating of what should I do. I dealt with playful, flirty guys in the past because they were easy unlike this guy.

I sighed. What a mysterious man. He and Carlyn parang iisang tao lang! I can't read them! Kung nag a-act lang sila napakahusay naman!

"Hindi pwedeng marecord na nasa ospital ako."

That's it!

I clamp my lips looking at his sleeping face.

"Ahhh" Inalis ko ang wig, frustrating! Chineck ko ang text message ni Aunticle.

'Are you doing well?'

I replied, 'No I am not! There's a dangerous man in the house! I think he's a gangster can you check up on me?'

Aunticle replied, 'No worries. I got you. Surveillance.'

"Hah?!" I screamed. What do you mean?

Kinabukasan. Finally he's gone!

I don't feel like going to school dahil ayaw ko siyang makita! He owes me 'di ba? Bakit ako ang umiiwas! Nanlaki ang mata ko.

He held my eyes, "Tell me your conditions... just sign the contract."

"Contract?"

"Mmn. Wala kang pagsasabihan sa nangyari. Tikom ang bibig mo."

"Kahit walang kontrata wala akong pagsasabihan! I promise you!" Something pops up, "wait you're telling me last night's incident is not the last time?"

He smiled naturally, "smart. If you accept I'll tell you a secret. Hindi katiwa-tiwala ang itsura mo but I decided to trust you."

"You..." it shocked me, really unpredictable!

I did not sign the contract. Iniwasan ko siya for the next few days.

"Good Morning Jackie!" pagbati ni Carlyn.

Remember, si Jackie Cuevas ay; Mapagpasensya, Mabait, Mapagkumbaba, wag mayabang! And always be positive!

"M-magandang umaga!" I tried...

She smiled, "I'm offering you a part-time job. Are you up for it?"

My heart jump nervously. This is Jackie's feelings... Paulit ulit kong pinapaintindi sa utak ko. As long as I can grasp Jackie's soul I'm ok. I want to play her character well.

Nararamdaman ko ang front teeth dahil sa pagkagat nito sa lips ko. "Sige, payag ako."

Where are we?

"You see this equipment? Hahawakan mo lang siya para mag reflect ang natural light," Carlyn said.

Of course Lenne is familiar with the drill but not as a staff attendant. "Okay!" Jackie said enthusiastically.

Ngumiwi sa akin ang model couple. Carlyn said that the two are influencers. Umiling si Carlyn, "Smile Wendy. Be natural."

"I'm sorry Direk Car." natawa si Wendy, "nakaka-distract yung assistant mo."

"Do you think I need your money? Sorry I cannot be your director."

"Wait. Alam mo namang I love your direction kaya ikaw ang gusto kong mag direk sa videos namin ni Peter! Just a simple request lang naman pwede paki-palitan yung assistant mo?"

Si Carlyn, masyadong mabait ang role niya. Halata namang umaakting lang. Sinong niloko niya? Ako na etong malaki na ang experience when it comes to acting!? Nah-uh! Kung makikipaglaro siya, might as well play along with them. Tutal naman eh, full in disguise ako! Walang sinuman ang makakakilala sa akin!

"Uhm..." I tugged at Carlyn's blouse, "Ok lang s-sanay na ko..." umiling ako.

"What a pity. Remember what I told you before na may kilala akong mag-co-coach sa'yo about modeling and posture."

"Siya! That—"

"Don't judge a book by it's cover, Wendy." Hinila niya ako to present to Wendy. "Look at her."

She looked at me disgustingly, "A-ano?"

"At her posture!"

"Y-yes!"

I unconsciously straighten up. Carlyn's voice somehow startling me.

Wendy's laughing. "I see! What an odd fellow."

So stressful! Nasa bahay na ako at naghahanap ng makakain. "Puro canned goods ang natira," I said lazily.

"Tomorrow morning 8am punta ka sa bahay." Carlyn said.

Quarter to eight nang puntahan ko nga ang bahay—mansion nila! Tama naman 'tong nakasulat kahit pangit, understandable naman. Dito kasi ako dinala ng sinakyan kong tricycle kanina, at grabe lang haciendero pala talaga sila. Nothing to be says-de la Cerda Flores.

Pinapasok naman ako agad. Expected siguro nila ang pagdating ko. Sa itsura ko ba namang 'to! Malamang, she already gave them instructions na kapag may dumating na ugly creature eh papasukin agad. Kasi ako yung mag aaply ng maid ganun?

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang loob ng mansion nila. Not bad. Sims ang pumasok sa isip ko.

Their housemaid led me at their living room. I saw their elegant stairway because of certain someone descending.

I felt relieved. He's not headband-boy. May other sibling pa siguro sila ni Carlyn. He's wearing a white sando, and a panjama. Naka-pwesto 'yung cap niya ng opposite direction. Pababa palang siya when he notice me here. Pasok siya sa showbiz sa lakas ng dating niya. There are lots of heartthrob in showbizness and I'm used to their aura. But this guy is extraordinary.

I remained my composure kasi he's going to where I am.

"Bagong maid ka dito?" Tinignan niya ko mula ulo hanggang paa. Tapos tumango tango.

He's different, kagaya ng kambal ng tadhana. I can see na hindi naman siya nandidiri sa looks ko. His character seems cheerful. "Buy me some Ice cream. 'Wag mint! Ikaw magbayad."

That triggered me. I smiled despite my veins popping. I can see that hindi kami magkakasundo!

Ice cream? Mint? Inuutusan ba niya ko? Saka gagastusin ko 'yung money ko para sa ice cream niya?

"Aaron! Jackie?!" Boses 'yon ni Carlyn. Finally! Pababa sa stairway to heaven nila. Ngumiti siya nang may halong pagtataka. "Good Morning! On the way na si Wendy—"

"Carlyn, personal maid ko siya." Narinig kong baritonong boses, kaya napatingala kami. He's wearing a plain white shirt. And a panjama... bagsak ang buhok niya na mistulang humaharang sa mata niyang mapungay. Nakasandal siya sa railings mula sa 2nd floor.

This is so confusing! Kailan niya ako naging personal maid?!

"Gab! Ano na namang ginawa mo!" Protesta ni Carlyn. Gosh. Is this also her idea? Playing safe huh?

"Ayun ay usapan naming dalawa. " aniya habang pababa sa stairway to heaven. "Bayad na 'yan. Kaya keep out the grass, Carlyn."

"No we didn't—" I rebuke, "Hindi! Maniwala ka wala akong alam sa pinagsasabi niya!"

Carlyn looks at me, looking confused.

"Gab! Sabi ko na! Inutusan ko ngang bumili ng Ice cream! Bigyan mo ng pera!" Bumaling siya sa akin, "strawberry flavor ha!" makulit siyang ngumiti.

"Ah Jackie. Cousin pala namin ni Gab, si Aaron." Sumimangot si Carlyn kay Aaron. "Isip bata. Selfish!"

"Gusto ko ng kumain ng Ice cream! Faster!" Aba! demanding!

"Stop bullying her." pigil ni Carlyn. "She's with me, ako nagpapunta sa kanya dito." Hinarap niya yung dalawa, "You two, out." She grabbed my hand, "let's go. Papakita ko sa'yo yung studio."

After a while umalis siya for whatever reason. Nang naramdam ko ang pag-vibrate ng aking dearest 3310. Si Aunticle. sometimes, nakakatamad sagutin. For sure, mangangamusta lang naman 'to.

Bagot na bagot kong sinagot ang phone. Inantay ko siyang magsalita sa kabilang linya. Paano walang nagsasalita sa amin.

[Hoy! HELLO!?] he first gave up haha!

"HELLO!!?" Parang pilit pa ang boses ko sa pag hello.

[Ba't di ka nagsasalita kasi!?] Why? Ayaw mong magsalita eh. [Anyway, 'di ka ba muna mag b'break dyan!? Ang dami ng naghahanap sayo dito! Kahit puslit-puslit lang!]

"Papanindigan ko 'to, Aunticle. "

[Wala kang paramdam! Ni hindi ka manlang nag po-post sa ig, fb, o sa twitter mo! Which is unusual kay Lenne Madrigal!] Inalayo ko ang phone sa tenga ko. Grabe! Ang tinis ng boses!

"Hindi ba'y kinonsficate yung handphone ko?"

[Nyeh! *laughs* Hoyyy ahh!! Nakakakilig si Harvey ha! Napanuod mo ba ang message niya sa yo!?]

"How can I watch? Eh, no TV nga ako dun sa house that you bought for me eh! And I don't care!" Shucks! Kapag nagkakausap talaga kami ni Aunticle nawawala ako sa character ko!

[Aba, bumili ka!]

"Kahit hindi na Aunticle!"

Someone's entered the studio room. She's wearing high school uniform. Oh she's just Wendy.

"Sige na Aunticle, I'm hanging up na. " She sat on the sofa na katapat ko lang. Ayan na naman po ang nakakatalim na titig. Sus! Siya rin naman may ngiping naka-usli. Tapos mas payat pa siya sa akin, malaki ang noo niya at maliit na babae. Yep, that's my description of Wendy the Influencer.

"Ke bago bago. Ang arte arte ng pagsasalita. Akala mo maganda." I can hear her mumbles. Sigh, I want her tarayan. Kaya lang si Jackie Cuevas ay, mapagpasensya, Mabait, mapagkumbaba, hindi mayabang! And always be positive! Courtesy of my dearest among the rest Aunticle. I'm trying to be optimistic alright?

Am I improving?

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