Warning: Explicit Content

Chapter 16

. ₊ ⊹ . ₊˖ . ₊

Rejection hurts, no amount of sugary words from someone and warm hugs can calm the raging emotions inside me. In the throes of all the emotions, I couldn't hide the fact that I feel boneheaded as soon as I've read the email thread. Naramdaman ko roon na baka nga. . .masyado akong umasang marunong na akong magsulat at alam ko na kung paano manatili sa industriya na ito.

Hindi na nga magaling, hindi pa marunong. Hindi man nila sabihin, 'yon ang nakarating sa akin.

I fought back the tears as I scrolled through the email thread. Nakatitig lang sa akin si Sir Pablo Bello. Taimtim n'ya akong pinagmamasdan habang binabasa ko ang mga sinasabi tungkol sa pinasa kong script.

Pinabasa sa akin ni Sir Pablo Bello ang laman ng palitan ng email nilang dalawa, si Sir Echo, isa sa mga executive producers na naghahanap ng script na p'wedeng gawing pelikula. My eyes scanned the messages, all of them were formal and I couldn't even refute some of their claims because. . .they weren't harsh when they turned down my script. Alam ko sa sarili ko na wala silang personal na galit sa akin. Hindi ko lang talaga naabot ang hinahanap nilang kwento.

'We are not sure if it's feasible.'

'Hindi ito ang storya na pangmasa.'

'I don't know the writer. Isn't it too risky to take a chance on someone who doesn't even have any credentials yet?'

'I think someone else can write this better.'

"Tama naman po sila," mahinang sambit ko habang pilit inaalalayan ang paghinga. I took a deep breath. "Baka nga po hindi pa para sa akin ang pagiging isang script writer."

I was too hopeful.

Napabuntonghininga si Sir Pablo Bello. "Anak, pasensya na. I was sure that your script was good. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw nilang subukan ang storyang nilikha mo."

I smiled faintly. "Okay lang naman po. Naiintindihan ko naman po kung bakit. Baka hindi pa nga po hinog ang sinusulat ko."

I was no one. Kung magiging isang palabas o pelikula ang script na sinusulat ko, mas maganda sana kung may nakakakilala na sa akin. I should have at least some viewers to minimize the risk of it flopping. Hindi na nga madalas mapansin ang mga writers eh, kadalasan ay mga artista o di kaya'y ang mga director ang nakikilala.

No director or producer wanted to take a risk on a small writer like me. Naiintindihan ko naman 'yon. I shouldn't take it personally. Business-wise, gets na gets ko sila. It was like gambling. . .and the stakes were high when it came to betting that my script could gather viewership.

"Pasensya na, Nacia," Sir Pablo Bello said. "Pero kung gusto mo ay ipapakilala kita kay Echo. Baka sakaling magbago ang isip n'ya. You're a great writer. Naniniwala ako na maganda talagang gawing palabas ang naisulat mong script."

Ngumiti ako. "Salamat po."

Alam ko naman na sinusubukan lang n'ya na maging magaan ang pakiramdam ko. Yet, I wanted to be saturated with pain so I could grow numb to it. This isn't the first time I got rejected. Kahit ang mga sarili kong magulang ay tinalikuran ako dahil sinunod ko ang aking pangarap. My childhood friends abandoned me as soon as they thought I was a burden to them. So, this shouldn't be too painful. Sanay na ako.

Dapat ay masanay na ako. Hindi ako manunulat kung hindi ako nasasaktan. My words being etched on the word file are the testimonials that life was indeed hard but I lived—and others can still live even if life taints their souls and wreck their bones, because sometimes living is merely surviving all the trials we face in each day.

Hindi ko alam paano ako haharap sa mga kaibigan ko, kay Kiran, at sa mga magulang ko. Pakiramdam ko na pati sila ay mababa na rin ang tingin sa akin. Mataas yata masyado ang naging pangarap ko. I was too optimistic that things would go my way. Ni hindi ko naisip na baka masyado ko lang tinataas ang sarili ko. Ang sakit tuloy nang ibagsak nila ako sa katotohanang hindi pa ako handa maging isang tunay na writer.

Kiran insisted on fetching me from Sir Pablo Bello's office. Tahimik lang ako habang hinihintay ang unti-unting pagkulay itim ng kalangitan. I felt tired even when I didn't move a lot. Nakatingala lang ako habang iniisip kung ano na ang magiging susunod kong hakbang.

I wrote my story. I sent it to the producer. I got rejected. And now what? Saan na ako pupulutin ngayon? Magsusulat ba ako ulit? Para lang i-reject nila ulit?

Akala ko na ang pinakamahirap na gawin bilang manunulat ay tumapos ng isang storya. Mas mahirap pala ang magsulat ulit ng panibago.

When Kiran's car arrived, I stood almost immediately. Gusto ko na lang magpahinga sa kan'yang mga bisig. I feel drained and tired from everything. Alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi maganda ang araw na ito para sa akin. Hindi ko rin masasabi na magiging maganda ang mga susunod pang araw. I know that this might take a toll on me.

Pumasok ako sa passenger seat, pagkaupo na pagkaupo ko ay umawang ang labi ni Kiran. He saw the disappointment and hurt painted on my face. Agad siyang humarap sa akin.

"Baby, did something happen?" he asked gently which triggered the battalion of tears that I was fighting back earlier.

I did my best. . .but my best still fell short.

Sa nababasag na boses ay pinilit kong tatagan ang loob kong sabihin kay Kiran ang lahat. Kung paano nila ako maliitin. Kung paano nila ako kinutya. Kung paano nila unti-unting pinilas ang puso ko.

Unti-unting pumatak ang mga luha ko hanggang sa tuluyan na akong umiyak. I started to sob uncontrollably. It was as if he managed to open the faucet of my emotions. Hinayaan lang ako ni Kiran habang nilalabas ko ang nararamdamang pait.

Goodness, I was such a sore loser. Why did I have to cry over a rejected script? Eh, alam ko naman sa sarili ko na hindi gano'n kaganda ang pagkakasulat ko. I was a newbie! Of course, it would be mediocre to their eyes! Mabuti nga't binasa pa nila! I couldn't help but scold myself for being hurt over it.

"My script got rejected," I confessed, my voice trembling as I tried to compose my thoughts. "I mean. . .okay lang. Pinaliwanag naman sa akin kung bakit hindi pa siya p'wedeng kuhanin bilang script ng isang pelikula. Masyado pang hilaw, hindi pa siya buo para sa kanila. Alam ko naman. . .hindi dapat ako nasasaktan."

It was a lie that I told myself every night so I could sleep well. Palagi kong sinasabi sa sarili ko na kaya ko naman tumanggap ng pagkatalo. Pero ang hirap pala talaga kapag puso, dugo, at pawis mo ang itinaya mo sa iyong obra. My heart clenched as I cried more, ramdam ko ang unti-unting pagiging pugto ng aking mga mata.

I shouldn't have tried. Alam ko naman sa sarili ko na mataas masyado ang ninanais ko. Hindi ko na sana pinilit pang tapusin ang walang kwentang script na 'yon. That story? It won't sell. I was sure of it. Kaya hindi ko rin talaga sila masisisi kung bakit hindi nila tinanggap ito.

"Nacia, baby," Kiran cooed as he peered over my face. "It's okay to get disappointed. Hindi pangit ang gawa mo."

"It's okay, you don't need to comfort me, I know the truth," hikbi ko habang pinupunasan ang aking mga luha. "You don't have to comfort me with lies."

"Others can reject you but you shouldn't reject yourself just because you weren't able to reach their preference. You shouldn't lose sight of your inner value just because they weren't able to see your potential," Kiran murmured as he handed me some tissues and a bottled water. "Umiyak ka lang. It's okay to feel hurt over rejections. It's normal to feel disappointed. What's not good is for you to give up on yourself."

Umangat ang tingin ko kay Kiran.

His eyes shone with pure admiration. A gentle smile graced his face. Sininok ako habang patuloy pa rin ang pagtulo ng aking mga luha.

"My Nacia. . .you have written the most beautiful lines I've ever read," banggit n'ya sa akin at unti-unting pinunasan ang mga luhang tumulo mula sa aking mata. "And no person could change the way I love how you write."

Natigalgal ako sa mga salitang binitiwan n'ya para sa akin. I have always thought that my words wouldn't reach him. Ang akala ko ay baka masyado akong tahimik para sa kan'ya. Pero heto siya ngayon, pinapatunayan sa akin na kahit sa tahimik na paraan ay alam n'yang mahal ko siya. My voice, even when it's not the loudest, was able to reach him.

I leaned towards him to give him a chaste kiss. He leaned forward to accept it wholly. Napapikit ako habang pinapalalim n'ya ang aming halikan.

"I don't want to go home yet, Kiran," pagak kong sabi sa kan'ya.

"Where do you want to go?" malumanay n'yang tanong. His hands found their way towards my back, he was creating small circles on it, tila ba pinapatahan ako.

"Somewhere peaceful. . ." sambit ko habang pinapakiramdaman ang paghagod n'ya sa aking likod. His huge warm hand makes me feel safe.

"Like?"

"Sa walang masyadong tao," sabi ko sa kan'ya. "Kahit saan pero wala masyadong tao."

"So you could think? Makapag-unwind ka?" He licked his lips.

"Yes," I bobbed my head. "And so we could kiss a lot."

"Ay, putangina," nabilaukan si Kiran at ilang beses napa-ubo. Inabot ko sa kan'ya yung bottled water na inabot n'ya sa akin. I think he needs it more than I do.

My eyes widened a bit. "Ayaw mo po ba?"

"Syempre, want ko, ang kapal ko naman humindi d'yan," Kiran pouted his lips then glanced at me shyly. "Papa-reserve na ako ng private resort. Are you okay with late night drives?"

"Yes. . .ikaw po ba? Hindi po ba mahirap ang mag-drive sa gabi? Wala masyadong ilaw. . .at madilim ang kalsada," wika ko habang nakatitig sa mga dumadaang mga sasakyan. We were on the side of the road, mabuti na lang na parking zone ito kaya walang naninita.

"Totoo ba yung kiss a lot?"

"Kung okay lang po sa 'yo," I told him and blinked a few times. "Pero okay lang po ba mag-drive sa inyo ng ganitong oras? It's going to be a long drive if it's a private resort."

"Game talaga ako kahit anong oras mag-drive, Nacia," he said then chuckled to himself. "Kayang-kaya ko mag-drive, umaga man o gabi."

"Malayo po ba yung private resort? Kung malayo, kahit 'wag na siguro, Kiran," sabi ko habang nakakunot ang noo. Nagaalala ako dahil baka antukin siya sa daan. I was not sure if he was well rested.

He shook his head. "Malapit lang 'yon. We have our own private resort so it's not going to be a hassle. Saka minsan lang 'yon."

"Minsan lang mapuntahan?" Pinahid ko ang mga luha ko habang unti-unting tumingin kay Kiran.

"Minsan lang tayo mag-kiss a lot," Kiran smirked playfully. "Wouldn't want to miss the chance to kiss you a lot, Nacia."

My cheeks felt warm. Oh! Hindi naman n'ya sinabi sa akin. But then, I was too engrossed with finishing my script so I wasn't able to give him a lot of kisses back then. Napapilig ako ng aking ulo. Tama na, I should stop thinking about writing.

Sometimes, a writer also needs to take a break from writing. It's part of the progress. You need to have a little setback so you can proceed. Hindi palaging paangat nang paangat ang linya sa buhay, pero palagi itong nagpapatuloy. So it's okay if I feel down right now.

Nagulat ako dahil may tinawagan si Kiran. He was asking about the route for their private resort.

"I know you like late night drives so I'm asking what's the fastest way to go there?" tanong ni Kiran. Naka-connect sa sasakyan n'ya yung tawag kaya naman hindi na n'ya kailangan pang gamitin ang kan'yang cellphone.

"Why are you asking?" The person on the other line asked. Malalim at malambing ang boses nito. If I would guess, parang singer sa himbing ng boses.

"Sige na, Kile," giit ni Kiran. "Fastest route, please?"

Tumawa yung nasa kabilang linya. "May babae ka 'no?"

"Fuck off," iritadong sabi ni Kiran at kita ko ang bahagyang pagpula ng kan'yang mga pisngi.

"Send ko yung sa Waze," Kile chuckled again. "Ingat kayo."

"Thank you po," sagot ko kaya naman nanglaki ang mga singkit na mata ni Kiran.

"What?" Kile coughed on the other line. "Kiran, may kasama ka ngang babae?!"

"Echo lang 'yon!" giit ni Kiran.

"Boses babae?!" Hagalpak ang tawa ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Matutulog na ako, goodnight!" paalam ni Kiran at pinatay ang tawag. His entire face was flushed in red.

I glanced at him. "Bakit mo po siya binabaan agad?"

"Baka ma-inggit siya eh," sabi ni Kiran sa akin. "Wala kasi siyang girlfriend."

"Oh, kawawa naman po pala siya," I said then blinked my tears away. Kiran burst in laughter and I watched his shoulders shake. Napailing-iling na lang siya.

Bumalik siya sa pagmamaneho habang ako naman ay nagnilay-nilay sa gitna ng daan. Habang tumatama sa akin ang samu't saring ilaw mula sa ibang sasakyan, sa mga street food vendors, at mga ilaw muna sa iba't ibang establishments sa Manila. . .napagtantuan kong hindi pa rin ako talo dahil sumubok naman ako. Hindi ko hinayaan na hindi ako lumaban.

I think I'm being too hard on myself. So what if my script got rejected? I shouldn't be cripled by that rejection, I should be motivated to write better. Baka sa susunod, mas katanggap-tanggap na ang sinulat ko.

My thoughts were swayed by the huge landscape that marveled in front of me. Malawak ang lupain ng private resort na pinuntahan namin. He parked outside the huge house that reminds me of Greek Architecture because of the columns.

Bumaba na ako ng sasakyan at sumunod si Kiran. He got his body bag and closed the car's door. Lumingon siya sa akin at ngumuso.

"Walang tao sa loob," sabi n'ya sa akin. "Tara?"

Tumango naman ako at sinundan siya papunta sa loob. My eyes caught sight of the huge chandelier on the main entrance. Ganito pala talaga ang mga mayayaman. . .maraming ari-arian.

"This is my Mom's," kwento ni Kiran habang binubuksan n'ya ang pintuan. "Hiwalay sila ng properties ni Dad. They're not married so they really don't have ties when it comes to properties. Pinapagamit ito ni Mom sa amin ni Kile kapag gusto namin. It's a place where we can unwind without the constant watch of people."

I licked my lips and nodded. Hindi ko maalis ang galak sa aking dibdib dahil unti-unting binubuksan ni Kiran ang buhay n'ya sa akin. I know it was hard for him to unveil those moments in front of me yet here he was. . .trying to open up. I was proud of him.

"Can we swim?" I asked in a small voice.

"May spare swimwear d'yan," Kiran answered back. Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang paglunok n'ya. "One piece swimsuit nga lang."

My eyes widened. I could see his cheeks turning red. Kiran. . .is blushing because of a one piece swimsuit? Ni hindi man lang dahil two piece? I blinked a few more times because I couldn't believe it.

"May two piece po ba?"

"Nacia?" His head tilted towards my way and his eyes widened a fraction. Napaawang din ang kan'yang labi.

"Nagtanong lang. . ."

"I-ikaw ba magt-two piece?"

"Dalawa lang naman tayo rito, Kiran," I pursed my lips. Bakit? Balak n'ya bang mag-two piece kung sakali?

Unti-unting namutla si Kiran at naririnig ko ang malulutong n'yang mura habang papaakyat ng pangalawang palapag. I waited on the patio as I looked towards the pool. May ilaw ito sa ilalim. . .so the water is clear and well-lit. Napanguso naman ako.

"Here," Kiran gave me a swimsuit and a towel as soon as he arrived on my side. "We have spares because we also had guests here before. Bago 'yang mga 'yan."

"Thank you," sabi ko sa kan'ya. "Maghubad ka na."

His cheeks went crimson. "H-ha?"

"Lalangoy ka rin po ba? O manonood ka lang sa akin?" I asked as I looked at the swimwear.

"Ah, lalangoy rin. . ." Napalunok siya. He carefully removed his shirt by pulling the edge of the shirt upwards.

My lips parted upon seeing his toned body. His skin was as if made of marble, so perfect that even a scratch didn't exist. Iniisip ko noon na  lampa si Kiran kaya may mga sugat siya na naging peklat. Yet, I was proven wrong because his body was indeed a wonderland.  The sharpness of his collarbones, the perfectly sculpted muscles, and his v line. . .goodness, ginagawa n'ya akong manyak nang hindi n'ya alam!

He proceeded to remove his shorts but I turned around. I could hear him unzipping his shorts which made me gasp. Grabe na yata ang utak ko ngayon!

"A-ah! Magpapalit lang ako," nahihiyang sabi ko at agad naghanap ng p'wedeng pagpalitan ng damit.

I was like a deer caught in the headlights! Napailing-iling na lang ako dahil hindi ko tanggap na muntik na naman akong maglaway sa kan'ya. Dapat siya naman ang maglaway sa akin! Hindi puro ako lang.

Agad akong nagpalit sa isang comfort room. I was a bit conscious because the fabric of the swimwear was a bit thin. Pero wala namang bumabakat kaya okay lang din.

When I went out, Kiran was already inside the pool. I looked at him as the water glistened on his skin. Ang buhok n'ya ay halos dumikit sa kan'yang mukha. He looked like a Greek god taking a good bath while he was raking his hair using his fingers. Napalingon siya sa akin at umawang ang kan'yang labi.

"Nacia. . ." pagak n'yang pagtawag sa akin. When his eyes found mine, his gaze softened. "Join me?"

I licked my lower lip and nodded without thinking. I found myself slowly dipping inside the pool as I glided towards him, I was trying to touch the water with my toes. Papalubog na ako nang papalubog.

Kiran swam towards me, instead of just watching me slowly being consumed by water. He was the one who surged against the water to be with me.

"Nacia," he called my name with such affection.

"You look. . ." I licked my lower lip. He looks like a sea god, with his half body submerged in clear water.

"Yeah?" he tilted his head, some strands of his hair were sticking on his forehead.

Hindi ko alam kung anong espiritu ang pumasok sa akin dahil ang una kong ginawa nang makalapit sa kan'ya ay ipinatong ko ang aking mga kamay sa kan'yang balikat. My cheeks flushed red.

"Hindi ko na makapa yung sahig," palusot ko.

He chuckled, not buying my excuse. "Uh, yeah. Got it. You need someone to lean on."

He suddenly gripped his arms around my waist which earned him a quick gasp from me. He pulled me closer to his chest which makes the water around us. . .a bit warm.

"You're playing a dangerous game, you know?" bulong n'ya sa akin. "Tayong dalawa lang nandito, Nacia."

"Uh. . ."

"And you're driving me crazy lately," his fingers traced the sleeves of my swimwear which gave shivers to my spine. "I don't know how not to surrender to your touch."

He slowly swam across the water until he managed to entrap me on the ledge of the pool. Napasinghap ako nang mas lumapit ang mukha n'ya sa akin. Our faces were only inches apart now. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin. His eyes set on my lips, and his gaze spoke of wanting pleasure from it.

"I want you, Kiran," I said as I went near him. "I have wanted you since the first time we met."

"Well. . .the marriage certificate says a lot," halakhak n'ya.

"That wasn't the first time," anas ko at lalong kumapit sa kan'ya. "I met you when we were kids. Hindi mo man ako napansin pero ikaw ang nag-salba sa akin noon."

"Kung nakilala mo ako noon, edi ako dapat first love mo," he cockily exclaimed as his gripped on my hips tightened.

"Ikaw nga. . ." pagak kong kumpirma. "You were my first love. You're the only man I have ever adored."

He licked his lips as he stared at me with heightened lust. Naramdaman ko na unti-unting bumaba ang hawak n'ya sa akin. His hands were exploring my body despite it being submerged in water. Kahit malamig ang tubig sa pool, pareho kaming sinisilaban sa init dahil sa titigan namin.

"I love you, Nacia," he said as he slowly leaned in. "You're the one that matters to me the most. You keep me alive."

He leaned for his mouth to capture my lips. Kumapit ako sa kan'yang braso habang unti-unting nagpapadala sa kan'yang mga halik. I moaned against his lips when I felt his tongue delving inside my mouth. Ang kamay n'ya ay unti-unting umangat patungo sa aking dibdib.

"Kiran. . ." I cried out of pleasure when I felt his lips moving towards my neck.

"Fuck," he cussed as I felt his knees touching my feminity, he was teasing my folds which made me flustered. "There's a spare room upstairs."

"I want you to. . ." nahahapong tumitig ako sa kan'ya. "Do me here."

"Not safe, baby," Kiran kissed my earlobe and I heard a soft chuckle coming from his lips. "The bed's better anyway."

He lifted me first, out of the pool. Sumunod naman siya at ginamit ang kan'yang mga kamay upang makaalis mula sa pool. He shakes his head so the water from his hair would lessen. Lumingon siya sa akin, his lips were red from all of the kissing that we've made.

Muli akong nagulat nang halikan n'ya ulit ako. I closed my eyes as I felt him wrapping his hands around my waist. Nanglaki ang mga mata ko nang bigla n'ya akong buhatin upang dalhin papasok sa mismong mansion. I wrapped my legs around his waist to make myself as weightless as I could. Patuloy lang ang paghahalikan namin habang unti-unti n'ya akong nilapag sa may kama.

He spread my leg like a book  and went towards the gap between my thighs. I gasped when I felt his lips kissing my inner thighs as soon as he was near it. I shuddered in pleasure as his gaze went towards me while his lips were still on my skin.

"I hate your swimsuit," reklamo n'ya at nagawa pang umirap. "Ang hirap hubarin."

"K-Kiran. . ."

I bit my own hand to suppress my own moans when I felt his tongue slowly making its way inside my sensitive folds. When I couldn't hide the intense pleasure he was giving me, I grabbed a fistful of his hair to make him stop. Umangat ang tingin n'ya sa akin.

"I'm not done yet," Kiran muttered while looking at me. Namumungay ang kan'yang mga mata. I saw my juices on his lips and my cheeks reddened. I was that wet?

"K-Kiran. . .I, please," naliliyo kong sabi. I couldn't express what I wanted to say. I was good at words but right now, all I know was I was saturated in pure pleasure.

His gaze never left mine as he went back from his business. I could feel his tongue incessantly flickering on my entrance which made me gasp as I closed my eyes.

"M-may condom ka po ba?" I managed to ask in a hoarse voice. I was nervous because he might take me. . .raw and bare. 

Natigilan si Kiran. Para siyang robot na nawalan ng baterya. Did I kill his momentum?

"Putangina," he cursed as he stopped from what he was doing. "Fuck! Yung condom! Shit!"

Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib nang mapagtantuan na mukhang kahit pareho kaming nagiinit, he was still rational. It was safe to say that Kiran Lemuel Conjuanco. . .really did plan to have kids at a young age but he prioritized having safe sex as well.

We didn't go any further that night. . .even when I hope we did. Naiwan n'ya raw yung condom n'ya.

The night made me forget about my rejected script. Pero nagulat ako nang may tumawag sa akin. It was Sir Pablo Bello and he was delighted when I picked up the call. Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman dahil pilit kong kinakalimutan ang nangyari sa script na 'yon.

"Nacia, p'wede ka bang makausap sa personal? Gusto kang makausap ni Sir Echo."

Naghudyat 'yon upang pumunta ako sa mismong production office nila. I knew that Sir Echo was a big name in the industry. Hindi ko alam pero puno ng kaba at saya ang puso ko nang sabihin nila na baka gamitin pa rin nila ang script na sinulat ko.

We were inside a conference room. All of the walls were made of glass and the chairs were all office chairs with cushions. Kumakabog ang dibdib ko nang umupo si Sir Echo sa mismong harapan ko.

"Siya ba si Nacia?" tanong ni Sir Echo sabay lingon kay Sir Pablo Bello na nasa tabi ko.

Sir Pablo Bello nodded which made Sir Echo smiled at me.

"We revisited your script as per Sir Pablo Bello. Totoo naman pala na maganda ang storya na ginawa mo."

"T-thank you po. . ." I smiled at him. He seems nice, naka-polo siyang gray at maayos din ang kan'yang buhok na tila ba gumamit siga ng pomade.

"Balak sana namin itong gamitin bilang script sa movie comeback ng isang kilalang direktor," ani Sir Echo. "But we want it to have more exposure. We want it to be more known. Wala ka pang masyadong credentials bilang script writer."

"Ano pong gagawin? Kailangan ko po ba i-market?" tanong ko habang umaakyat ang kaba sa aking dibdib. I was excited! I was thrilled to hear that they were considering my script!

Umiling si Sir Echo. "Wala kang gagawin. Pipirma ka lang ng kontrata."

"P-po? Contract po agad?" I moistened my lips. Hindi ba p'wede kami maguusap tungkol sa script? Hindi ba nila ako kailangan sa mismong paggawa ng pelikula? Shouldn't I have at least a little involvement?

Tumango si Sir Echo at strikto akong tinitigan. "Oo, contract kung saan binibigay mo sa amin ang lahat ng rights para sa script na ginawa mo. It means, we also have the right to replace your name as its writer. Don't worry, we'll compensate you. It's a win-win situation, dear. You get the money, your script gets a movie, and we'll only have the story. Doesn't that sound ideal to you?"