Act One, Scene One

"Okay, cut!"

I twisted my head to the side, looking at the guy standing beside me. Hawak ni Jalen yung camcorder habang naka-focus ito sa fountain sa harap namin kung nasaan yung mga actors para sa film project na ginagawa namin para sa Gen L Soc. Nandito kami ngayon sa mansion ng mga Atkinson dahil maganda ang location at wala na rin namang ibang tahimik na lugar na pwede naming puntahan.

Nagbabangayan ngayon yung lalaki at babae sa di kalayuan. Tumakbo palayo yung babae at hinabol naman ito ng lalaki. Wala ito sa script kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyayari ngayon sa dalawang iyon.

Napatingin ulit ako sa notebook ko kung saan ako nagsusulat ng scenes para sa script. Nagsusulat naman ako dati ng fiction pero hindi talaga ito ang forte ko. Ang hirap pala magsulat ng romance.

"I don't think it's a good idea for them to do this project," biglang sabi ni Jalen sa tabi ko.

I glanced at him. "Di ba ikaw ang nag-suggest na kunin sina Liatris at André?"

Binaba ni Jalen ang camcorder na hawak niya at umupo na rin sa tabi ko. "Do you know anyone who would agree?"

Binalik ko ang atensiyon ko sa notebook na hawak ko. "Sana nagtanong nalang tayo sa mga Theatre Arts students."

"I thought they might be busy with their activities."

Tumango nalang ako. Ano pa ba ang magagawa namin?

"Ate K!"

Someone called out, swerving my attention and saving the guy beside me from impending death.

Liatris showed up in front of me, her long brown waves covering her exposed collarbone. "I don't think I can do this with him here." Tinuro niya yung lalaki na papalapit na rin sa amin.

"I'm afraid you have no choice." Inayos ni André yung snapback sa ulo niya sabay kibit ng balikat.

Liatris folded her arms over her chest, glaring at the guy standing almost the same height as her. "Kuya, hindi ba pwedeng iba nalang?"

Jalen shrugged. "I don't know anyone who is willing to do this project."

"I can't believe this!" Liatris stomped her feet, marching forward and squeezing herself in between me and Jalen on the bench.

André shook his head in dismay. "Why are you sulking?"

"Guys, konti lang ang oras natin para gawin itong project. Kung hindi kayo magkakasundo, I suggest humanap kayo ng bagong actors para matapos na ito," I butted in, trying not to burst out in annoyance.

Liatris pursed her lips, her nose scrunching up a bit. "Sorry ate K."

Napangiti ako nang makita ko ang parehas na mannerism ni Liatris at Kell na pagkunot ng ilong nila sa tuwing alam nilang may kasalanan sila. Ang cute lang. At naalala ko ulit si Kell.

"How do you want us to act this scene together?" André asked, showing me the paper that I gave them earlier.

Act one, scene one: first meeting of two strangers.

Hopeless romantic girl meets lonely boy while wishing in front of a fountain.

"Tatayo lang kayo sa magkabilang side ng fountain and then sabihin niyo yung lines niyo," I directed.

"Ate K, can you tell me how do you want me to say those lines?" Liatris asked.

Standing up, I looked at the paper and memorized the first line. Huminga ako ng malalim at pumikit ng ilang segundo. "Sana dumating na ang prince charming ko."

"Why are you wishing for something that will never happen?"

Nagulat ako ng bitawan ni Jalen yung susunod na linya. Napatingin ako sa lalaking katabi ko. Nakatingin rin pala siya sa akin. Wala siyang hawak na papel pero alam niya yung linya ni André.

"Go on..." pag-encourage naman ni André.

I glanced at the script again. "It's a wishing fountain. I'm free to wish whatever I want."

"Instead of wishing for something you can't have, why don't you just wish for something that can help the society?" Jalen delivered the lines with ease na para bang siya talaga yung character na sinulat ko.

I gripped the paper on my hand. Bakit pakiramdam ko ako talaga yung sinasabihan niya?

"Ate K, it's your turn," bulong ni Liatris.

I gave her a tiny nod, before turning back to the script. "Bakit ka ba nangingialam eh wish ko naman 'to? Sino ka ba?"

"I'm someone you're fated to meet," Jalen finished with a staring game.

André sealed his palms together, catching our attention. "Bakit hindi nalang kayo?"

I snapped my head at him. "Ha?"

"I mean, it's obvious you two know how the characters should act," André explained.

I squinted at him. "André, okay ka lang? Ako nga yung writer tapos ako pa gagawin mong actor?"

André clucked his tongue. "Bakit hindi? Pwede naman."

Jalen suddenly spoke, "Okay, I think we can wrap up for today."

"Ah, buti naman at makakabalik na ulit ako sa gaming ko." André stepped forward, tapping my shoulder. "Hatid na kita, Koko?"

"I was planning to go somewhere for the project." Jalen glanced at me. "I need to bring her with me.

André squinted, fixing the cap over his head. "Bakit hindi kami kasama?"

Jalen sighed. "We'll just interview someone. Still want to come?"

"I'm out. Salut (Bye)!" André waved his arm, turning his back at us.

Nang maglaho na sina André at Liatris sa aming paningin, kinuha ko na rin ang bag ko at tumingin sa lalaking katabi ko. "Saan ba tayo pupunta at kailangan pa akong sumama?"

A scoff came out of his mouth as he stood up from his seat. "You don't want to come?"

I pressed my lips, inhaling a breath. "Hindi naman sa ganun. Ang dami ko pa kasing kailangang tapusin."

"So do I," he remarked.

I finally gave up. "Okay. Pero dapat makauwi rin tayo agad."

Jalen smirked. "Don't worry. I don't plan on taking you out for dinner."

I frowned at him, shaking my head. Nauna na siyang naglakad at hindi man lang ako hinintay. Kainis talaga 'tong lalaking ito.

#

Limang minuto na ang nakalipas simula nang makarating ako dito sa restuarant kung saan ako ibinaba ni Jalen. Umalis na rin siya matapos niya akong ihatid dito.

Limang minuto na rin ang nakalipas at hindi pa rin ako umiimik sa kinauupuan ko. Tahimik lang ako kahit na nanginginig na ako sa lamig ng buga ng aircon.

It was the best thing I could do at this point because the moment I would open my mouth, I just might say something I would regret later on. The last thing I wanted was to yell at the only person who had been there for me ever since I was born.

"Koleen, anak..." My father finally spoke, reaching for my hand next to me. I kept my hand face down and my gaze locked on the cream pasta on the table. Nawalan na rin ako ng ganang kumain.

"Gusto niyo akong tumira dito kasama si mama?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko.

"Anak, alam ko na mahirap para sa'yo, pero mas mahirap rin ito para sa mama mo. She's trying her best and if only you would give her a chance-"

"Ano, pa?" I raised my head, looking at him. His eyes glistened for the first time, making me hate myself for blurting those words.

He squeezed my hand tight, letting me remember that he was on my side. "Ayaw kitang pwersahin, anak. But it would be great if you can do just that."

Shaking my head, I looked away, diverting my anger to something else. The laughters from the other table jogged my brain, making me want to stand up and just mute them.

Bakit ba ang saya saya nilang lahat at ako lang ang hindi? Why are they so inconsiderate?

"Anak, mama mo pa rin siya. You had great memories with her when you were young, remember?"

I closed my eyes momentarily as a flashback came fleeting in my mind. As a kid, I was clumsy and inquisitive, always wanting to play with things.

There was one time na muntik na akong mamatay dahil nakalunok ako ng battery ng laruan ko. Kung wala ang nanay ko noon, malamang wala na ako ngayon dito.

But just like a tape from an old film, that memory became wrinkled and twisted over time. It was still there, but it would never be the same.

I took a breath, holding myself back from saying the words already forming in my mind. "I'm sorry, pa. Pero parang mahirap yata yang pinapagawa ninyo sa akin. Mas mabuti pang ibaon ko nalang ang mga alaala ko sa kanya noon."

And just like that, I walked out of the restaurant with a heavy heart. Hurting my favorite person in the world was probably the worst thing I'd ever done.

"Need a ride?"

Napatingin ako sa may-ari ng pamilyar na boses. Nakatayo si Jalen sa may gilid ng entrance ng restaurant habang nakahalukipkip at nakatingin sa akin. Akala ko umalis na siya.

The guy strode his way towards me, tapping my back. "Let's go."

Hindi na ako umimik pa at sinundan nalang siya papasok sa kanyang itim na kotse. Ang bigat pa rin ng pakiramdam ko. Naalala ko ulit ang mukha ni papa matapos ko siyang ma-disappoint sa mga sinabi ko. But, I just couldn't help it.

"Lollipop?"

Napatingin ako sa lalaking nasa driver's seat. His eyes stared back at me as he handed a lollipop up my face. "No, thanks," I mumbled.

He chuckled, turning his attention back on the road. "You hate receiving anything from anyone, huh?"

"I was taught not to trust anyone, especially strangers," mariing sagot ko.

The guy nodded in understanding. "I get it now. It's because of your mom. But, sometimes, you have to let people in your life, so you can actually live."

"Easy for you to say. Hindi mo kasi naranasan ang naranasan ko," I refuted. But, his words actually hit me right in the chest. I just didn't want to show it.

He stifled a cackle. "You're right. My mom was there for me all the way. My dad was supporting me, but he was never really there. Believe it or not, I'm closer to you than I am with my dad."

I knitted my brows in confusion. Mukha naman silang close noong family dinner. "Close ba tayo? Hindi naman ah."

The guy suddenly placed his one hand on top of mine, sending an actual lightning in my system. "Is this not close enough?" He teased, tilting his head to face me.

Bumilis ang pagkurap ng aking mga mata habang nakatingin siya sa akin. His silver eyes mesmerized me yet again, creating a lump in my throat that I couldn't even defend myself from this sudden torture.

When he squeezed my hand, I jolted from my seat, making me choke in dead air.

"Konstant, are you okay?" He asked, slowing down the car and pulling it on the side of the road.

Kinakalma ko pa rin ang sarili ko. Muntik na akong mahulog sa gayuma ng lalaking ito. Kakaiba rin kasi talaga ang magnet na taglay niya. Pero hindi dapat ako magpatinag.

"Here, drink some water." Inabot niya sa akin ang isang bote ng mineral water kaya agad ko rin itong kinuha para matauhan ako.

Habang umiinom ako ng tubig, biglang kinuha ito ni Jalen mula sa aking kamay kaya nabasa pa tuloy ako. "Bakit mo kinuha? Umiinom pa ako!" Reklamo ko.

"Shit. This is not water," that was the last thing I heard him say that night.

🍭

A/N: Ano kaya ang nainom ni K? 😌

#actonesceneone