04

Deserve

"Woah, grabe pala ang mga pinagdaanan niyo, Aeri. I can't believe nakaya nyo ang secret realstionship. You two were strong, huh? Akala ko eh kilala si Jacob ng parents mo in the first place." Gulat na saad ni Elisha.

Kasalukuyan pa rin kaming umiinom sa condo. Alam niya kung gaano kami katagal at kung sino ang nakarelasyon ko noon. Pero hindi niya alam ang kwento namin. Ngayon ko lang talaga iyon sinabi.

"How are we gonna tell this to our parents? Gosh! And also, pag nalaman ng media ito, I'll be on the news headlines!"

"We'll look for the right time. But for now, I'll move on. I'll get over you muna."

"I'm sorry, Elisha. For everything."

"It's okay. I should accept the fact that I'm not really the one for you.. ako naman ang nagpilit noon pa because I thought mababago pa ang nararamdaman mo." He said calmly.

Napatungo ako at nanahimik.

"So, how did you broke up with Jacob?" He asked. I stiffened.

"It's okay if you don't want to answer."

Natahimik ako ilang saglit. Tsaka nagsalita.

"Right after my graduation, my parents have to leave for New York for a Conference. She gave me time to think about my decision. Ang sabi niya, kapag pinili ko si Jacob, she will not let me continue pursuing my own dream, which is to become a known model/actress...."

I sighed tsaka uminom sa baso ko.

"Pinag isipan kong maigi yun. Halos yung isang linggong iyon ay inilaan ko sa pag iisip. Masyado akong naging mababaw nun. I felt guilty kase naduwag ako. Inisip ko lang non ay ang sarili ko at ang career ko. I was so damn selfish." Tears pooled my eyes.

"I should've fight for him, for us. Sobra akong naduwag! The day before my parents flew back here in Manila, kinausap ko si Jacob. I told him I want us to break up. Syempre, pinigilan niya ako. Pero sinabi kong may iba ako. Na nag cheat ako para lang pakawalan na nya ako." I said in between sobs.

Humikbi ako ng humikbi. Hanggang sa inalo na ako ni Elisha.

"Fuck! Ang tanga ko! Tangina! Bakit ba kasi kita pinakawalan. Sana ikaw na lang pinili ko! Fuck this life!"

"Shush, Aeri. Calm down." Elisha said while his hands are on my back gently caressing it.

Nang mahimasmasan ako, nagsalita ako ulit. "Deserve ko ba lahat ng 'to?"

"I think, you don't deserve all this hatred, Aeri. You were so brave. You stayed strong despite of the things and people around you trying to destroy you down."

"Mapapatawad niya pa kaya ako? Donyou think second chance is possible for us?"

"Yes. He will forgive you. Time will heal, Aeri. And if he still love you, and he thinks that you both deserve it, yes, Second chance is possible. Kaya pag nakuha mo na yun, wag mo na sayangin at pakawalan."

"How about you, do you have any past relationships?"

"Yes, but puro flings lang yun."

Natahimik kaming muli. Hanggang sa naramdaman kong nahihilo na ako. It's 2am. Gosh, madaling araw na.

"Thank you, Elisha, for listening and comforting me. I feel better now that I had the chance to let this out. Thank you, for your patience and understanding. I really really appriciate all of that."

"No problem, Aeri. You should rest." Aniya tsaka inakay ako papuntang kwarto ko. Yes, we are staying in different room.

"Goodnight, Aeri. Thanks for tonight." He leaned to kiss my forehead. Inayos niya ang comforter ko. Tsaka lumabas ng kwarto.

Umiyak muli ako nung umalis si Elisha. Hanggang sa makatulog ako...

I wake up in the morning because of a call. I answered the call while my eyes still closed. My head hurts like shit! Damn it!

"Hello? Miss Aeri?" I'm sure this is Mika.

"Yes? Mika its too early! What's up with the phone call at this hour?! Gosh!" I said, still lying on my bed while my eyes still closed.

"7am na po. Ngayon po mag sstart yung shooting nyo for your movie. 7:45 po ang call time. Haven't you checked your schedule that I sent you last night?" Napabalikwas akong bumangon sa kama ko kahit sobrang hilo ako. Goddamn it, Aeristell! Look at you! You look like a mess!

"I haven't checked it yet."

"How about your social medias? Nireveal na ang mga cast at ang ka loveteam mo sa pelikulang iyan. You have to prepare na."

"Okay, sige Mika. Bye. I'll drive myself to tge studio." Then I hang up.

Tiningnan ko ang social media acc ko. Damn! Sabog lahat!

Aeristell Garcia & Laurence Andres, A new loveteam?

LaurEistell, tandems in a new romance movie?

We are on the news headlines and we are no. 1 trending in twitter and instagram! Gosh!

Mabilis akong kumilos para makaabot sa call time. 7:30 na. Kakatapos ko lang mag light make up. Hindi na ako nagblowdry dahil malalate lang ako lalo. Gosh! Sana hindi traffic!

I am wearing a white plain shirt and I tucked it in my denim shorts. Nagsuot rin ako ng designer belt and my a beige flat sandals.

Binasa ko rin ang mga sinend ni Mich sakin na kailangang dalhin sa shoot. Inayos ko na ang gamit ko before ako lumabas ng kwarto.

I went to the kitchen and found Elisha l, seating on the high chair. He's eating breakfast. May work siya ngayon pero it's too early for him to go.

I walk towards the fridge and grab a glass of water.

"Goodmorning, Aeri." He greeted.

"Goodmorning." I greeted back.

"Early schedule?"

"Yeah, hindi na ako kakain dito. I'm late for taping."

"Okay, here. Bring this. Anjan na lahat ng kailangan mo. Don't skip meals and stay hydrated. You'll probably have a hangover. I saw the news, goodluck on your new project." He smiled.

I glanced at the paper bag on the table. Katabi niyon ay ang hydroflask ko tsaka isang painkiller. Lumapit ako tsaka kinuha iyon.

"Thanks, you too. I'll get going. Bye." I smiled.

"Bye," I was about to turn my back to him when he suddenly grab my wrist pulling me back to him.

"W-what?" I asked. Nervously. He was just staring at me.

"Take care," he said gently and leaned to kiss my forehead.

"Y-you too. I'll go now."

Sanay naman na ako sa mga ganon ni Elisha, is just that, It makes me feel so awkward. Hinayaan ko na lang iyon dahil wala lang naman sakin yun and besides, we've had deep talks last night. I cleared what I have to clear about us. So, I don't have nothing to worry about.

I am on my way to the studio when I got a call from Mich. She said that everyone is waiting for me. I had to hurry because I'll be dead soon, for sure. Gosh!

"Miss Aeri, bakit ba ang tagal mo? Galit na galit na sila Direk Jane tsaka ang manager mo!" Asik ni Mika.

I am now on the dressing room. Kasalukuyan akong nag reretouch ng make up while Archie is doing my hair.

"I had a family dinner last night, so I got home late! And then, it was so freaking traffic!" I fired back.

"Miss Aeri, pakibilisan na po, Susunod na po ang scene nyo ni Sir Laurence." A staff peeked on the door of my dressing room.

"Yes, I'm coming."

Nang magbreak ay nakaramdam muli ako ng hilo. I didn't have time to eat breakfast and drink the painkiller, Elisha gave me earlier.

Doon ako nagdesisyon na kumain ng brunch since malapit na rin mag lunch. Ininom ko na rin ang painkiller na binigay ni Elisha sakin.

After ng shoot sa studio. Nagpunta kami sa BGC para mag shoot ng isa pang scene. Natulog lang ako sa byahe patungo roon dahil kulang talaga ang tulog ko.

Pagkagising ko ay nasa BGC na kami. Nagpahinga lang ako sa tent kasama si Laurence.

Matagal ko na ring friend si Laurence. I am really happy to work with him.

"So, how are you, Aeri? We haven't talk since..." Ani Rence habang nakanguso at nakataas ang isang kilay tila nag iisip.

"Since our last show finished. Hindi ka na nagpakita sakin. But now, magkatrabaho na ulit tayo and loveteam pa! Akalain mo yun." I laughed.

"Oo nga, naging busy eh. So, kamusta kayo ni Elisha? I heared you are engaged? Congrats!" He greeted.

"We're actually, fine. Thank you!"

"When is your wedding? Am I invited? Hmm?"

I laugh. "We don't know it yet."

Hindi ko muna sinabi na hindi na talaga matutuloy ang kasal. Syempre tsaka na. Di pa ako ready.

Pagkatapos niyon ay nagshoot na kami. Nag shooting na rin kami ng iba oang scences sa Taguig since andun na rin naman kami.

Nakabalik kami sa Manila ng 9pm since medyo natraffic kami. I am on my car driving myself home. May ilan pa kaming shinoot sa QC and then nag pack up kami around 12am.

As usual, madaling araw na kaya hindi traffic. When I got home, the lights were dimmed. I was about to open my room's door when suddenly Elisha went out of his room. He's probably working.

"You got home earlier than I expected. Have you eaten already?" Bungad niya.

"Yeah, sa set ako kumain. Maaga kami ngayon since wala pa kami masyadong ishohoot."

Tumango siya. "I'll be leaving for Spain tomorrow. Meron akong conference na aattendan and may nag offer sakin ng contract doon so I might stay there na rin."

"Oh, I see. Mag isa pala ako dito. How long will you be staying there?"

"About 6 or 7 months, I guess? Depende l. It can be extended. Why you'll miss me?" He smirked.

"Well, syempre. Nasanay ako na nandiyan ka sa tabi ko. Maiiwan nanaman akong mag isa." I faked a laugh.

"Ano ka ba, marami kang admirers jan, oh! Hindi lang naman ako ang nandiyan oara sayo. You have your fans, other close friends. Besides, babalik ako. Aayusin pa natin yung problema natin."

Right, hindi ko pa nasasabi yung tungkol dun.

"And gusto ko na rin muna umalis so I can really get over you." He smiled. I saw his pain in his eyes.

"Oh, okay. I think it will be better for the both of us. Especially for you."

"Yeah..."

"What tine is your flight, then?"

"6pm. I told your parents about this and I told them that I'll marry you when I get back here. Para hindi ka na nila i pressure."

"Okay, Can I... Uh..."

"What?" He said, smirking.

"Send you to the airport?"

"Sure. Para naman hindi mo ako mamiss!" He teased. I laughed a bit.

"Kidding, pag hindi ka naman busy eh pwede naman." He said.

"I can go home early just to send you sa airport."

Kinabukasan, maaga rin akong umalis ng condo. Hindi na ako nakapagpaalam kay Elisha kasi ang call time namin ay 4am. I left a note and stick it on the fridge.

Wearing a black sweatpants a baby pink halter top and my  white classic arizona birkenstock, I drove myself to Tagaytay since dun ang next scene na ishoshoot namin. It was cold so I wear my black and white nike swoosh jacket.

Since maaga akong umalis, walang traffic. Nakarating agad ako sa destination ko. Nagshooting lang kami buong araw.

"Tita Ashley, Can I go ahead na po? Elisha's going to Spain and I'll send him sa airport." Paalam ko sa manager ko. She's around 30s.

"Oh, okay. Bukas na lang ulit tayo magshoot, Aeri. Take care and pakisabi kay Elisha, have a safe flight!" She said.

Nagpaalam lang ako kay Mich, kay Direk at sa mga casts na kasama ko roon.

Nagpalit na ako ulit sa suot ko kanina nung papunta ako sa Tagaytay. It's 4pm and I hope na hindi traffic.

I texted Elisha that I'm on my way to NAIA. After 1 hour, narating ko rin ang airport. I parked my car near Gate 2 kasi andun raw siya. When I saw him, I went out of the car and walk towards him.

"Wow, di late ah? Tapos na ang shooting?" He said and leaned to give me a kiss on my cheeks. I am also wearing my shades because people might recognize me. Nalimutan ko ang cap ko damn!

"Yeah, nauna ako umalis."

"So, ano? I'll go inside na. I'm just waiting for you."

"Uh... Okay, mag ingat ka." I said.

He spread his arms widely to give me a tight hug. Sinalubong ko naman iyon.

"I'll miss you, Aeri. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Yes, I will. You too. I'll miss you."

"Okay, enough of the drama, I'll get going... I'll see you in 6 months, I guess?" Tumikhim siya ng wala na skong nasabi.

"If you need me, just call okay?" He said. I nodded. He was about to turn his back on me when I suddenly grab his wrist. Nilingon niya ako.

"Wait, uh..." Kunot ang noo niya.

Inalis ko ang singsing na binigay niya sakin.

"I'll return this to you, I think I don't deserve this ring..." I paused.

"You must give this to the person that deserve you and loves you dearly, and that person isn't me..."

"I hope you'll find the love & happiness you deserve, Elisha."

____♥♥♥____