Chapter 6

Special Friend

“Woah. So this is Whiz Entertainment,” manghang bulong ni Primo habang dinudungaw ang napakalaking building sa harapan nilang dalawa.

“Actually, that's just the entrance building. Sa likod ng building na 'yan ay may ilan pang gusaling nakatayo. Like a compound,” kuwento ni Heather habang pinagmamasdan ang ekspresyon niya. He looks like a kid who went to an amusement park for the first time. She finds it amusing.

“Eh, anong mayro’n sa building na 'yan?” kuryoso niyang tanong habang tinuturo ang entrance building ng Whiz.

“Hmm, as far as I know, diyan idinaraos ang mga press conference, signing of contracts, interviews, and many more. Tsaka sa pinakatuktok, nandoon ang opisina ng mga talent scouts and managers,” tugon ni Heather sa kaibigan. 

Tumangu-tango si Primo at nagtanggal ng seatbelt. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Heather. Umamba siyang bubuksan ang pintuan nang pigilan siya ni Primo.

Heather smiled inwardly when he got out of the car to open the door for her. What a gentleman. 

“Thank you,” ani Heather nang alalayan siya nitong makababa ng sasakyan. She did not brought her car because Primo insisted na siya na raw ang maghahatid-sundo kay Heather. 

Tiningalang muli ni Primo ang gusali. “So, riyan magaganap ang talk show?”

Umiling si Heather. “Nope. Sa studio pa 'yon.” Tinuro niya ang kaliwang bahagi ng building. “Dito tayo.”

There's a gate beside the building. Doon usually dumadaan ang mga live audience ng mga shows ng kumpanya. Ipinakita nila sa guard ang ticket para sa noontime talk show kung saan maggi-guest si Aidan. 

'Di naman kalayuan ang studio ng palabas sa audience entrance kaya hindi sila masyadong napagod sa paglalakad. Kailangan lang nilang pumila ulit at maghintay kung kailan papapasukin sa loob ng studio.

“Ilang beses ka ng nakapanood ng ganito? Mukha kasing sanay ka na eh,” tanong ni Primo habang nag-aantay sila na papasukin sa loob. He feels like Heather is so comfortable moving around the compound.

“Maraming beses na rin. 'Di ko na mabilang.” Heather shrugged when she felt guilty of hiding the reason why. She want to be honest with Primo since he’s her friend but she thinks it’s not the right time for it now. Though, she looked chill in Primo’s eyes. “Ikaw ba?”

“It's my first time here. Akala ko nga, tatanda ako nang hindi nakakapasok sa loob ng Whiz,” pagbibiro niya pa.

Heather chuckled. “Well, there's always a first time for everything.” Humalakhak din siya.

Their talk got disturbed when a staff came out and signaled everyone to go inside. 

Naiiling na natatawa si Heather habang pinagmamasdan ang hitsura ni Primo. Para talaga siyang batang first time lang nakapunta ng amusement park. 

“Ganito pala ang hitsura 'pag malapitan—ba't ka tumatawa?”

Pinakawalan ni Heather ang tawang kanina pa pinipigil. “Para ka kasing bata na ngayon lang nakapunta ng amusement park.”

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Primo. “'Di ako bata. I'm older than you, you know.” That's right. He's 27 while she’s 24.

“But acts younger,” segunda ni Heather. 

“That's because I'm young at heart.” Ngumiti siya ng nakakaloko habang itinataas-baba ang mga kilay. Heather laughed again. Matagal-tagal na rin mula nang tumawa siya nang maraming beses sa isang araw.

“Let's go find our seats,” anyaya ni Heather. Baka mawili sila sa pagkukwentuhan at magsimula na ang show pero nakatayo pa rin sila roon.

"Good idea," aniya saka inakbayan si Heather at sinabayan sa paglalakad. Saglit siyang napatingin sa kamay ni Primo na naka-akbay sa balikat niya. Wala naman iyong malisya. Madalas namang magka-akbay ang mga magkaibigan, hindi ba?

Pumwesto sila sa gitna. It has a great view of the stage. Naka-set up ang buong stage na parang nasa sala ka lang ng isang bahay. There's a small center table in the middle, together with three chairs. Magkatabi ang dalawa sa bandang kaliwa at ang isa naman ay nasa kanan. 

'Di rin nagtagal at lumabas ang host. A few introductions and Aidan, together with Cali, showed up at the stage. 

“Presenting, one of the most promising love team of this generation, Cali Marasigan and Aidan Ledesma!” wika ng host, dahilan para magwala ang lahat.

“CaiDan! CaiDan! CaiDan! CaiDan!” everyone chanted.

“Cali, I love you!”

“Aidan ang guwapo mo!”

Lalong naghiyawan ang mga tao nang lumabas na sila. 

Aidan is wearing a blue blazer paired with a white shirt on the inside and checkered pants. While Cali looks quite formal with her bishop sleeve crepe mini dress paired with a classic bow heel. As usual, naka-angkla siya sa braso ni Aidan while both were smiling at the audience.

“Sila pala ang guest. I know them. They're great actors.” Napalingon si Heather nang marinig ang boses ni Primo.

“Talaga? Fan ka nila?” tanong niya. She tried her best to make it sound enthusiastic but it came out bitter instead. Mabuti na lang at hindi iyon napansin ni Primo.

O baka napansin niya pero binalewala niya lang?

Umiling si Primo. “Not really. But I've watched their previous films and series. They have good chemistry.” He smiled and looked at Heather.

She had no choice but to give him a tight smile even though all she wants is to grimace. “Yes. They have good chemistry.” It should sound cool tunong napipilitan ang kinalabasan. Heather wanted to smack her head for being poor in controlling emotions. Nagagawa naman ng iba pero bakit siya hindi?

Primo chuckled. 

“Bakit parang 'di ka sang-ayon?” natatawa niyang tanong.

“Huh? Sang-ayon ako, ano. They do look good together.” Tinuro niya pa ang dalawa para maiparamdam niya sa kausap na sang-ayon siya. Tumawa si Primo pero 'di na nagsalita. Mukhang 'di ito kumbinsido sa sinabi ni Heather.

Humalukipkip si Heather at itinuon ang mga mata sa harap. 

“First of all, CaiDan. I'm a really big fan. Grabe kahit sa personal, nag-uumapaw ang chemistry niyo!” excited na sambit ng host. They both chuckled but it was Cali who talked.

“Thank you, Laura. Ikaw rin, napakaganda mo in person,” Cali's voice is screaming class.

“Asus! Huwag mo 'kong bolahin dahil baka maniwala ako.” She flipped her hair kahit na naka-ponytail iyon.

Nagtawanan ang mga tao sa ginawa niya. Even Primo chuckled.

“It's true. You do look good, Laura,” singit ni Aidan sa usapan. Everybody laughed when Laura's cheeks reddened, including Heather. 

“Nako! Change na topic na nga! Baka kung ano pang mangyari dito. I can't believe you made me blush.” Tumuwid siya ng upo. “Anyways, how are you guys these days?”

Si Cali ang sumagot. “We're quite busy with the fan meetings and siyempre, promotions para sa upcoming movie namin.”

“Our schedule has become more hectic than ever,” dagdag pa ni Aidan. 

They talked everything about their upcoming movie. It was just fifteen minutes but it felt like forever. Heather keeps on staring at Aidan, forgetting about Primo who called her once but she wasn’t able to hear it. She looked at Aidan and did not take her eyes off him until their gazes meet. Sadly, it did not happen. His attention was focused on the host.

“Bago natin ipagpatuloy ang kuwentuhan, let's play a short game first,” anunsiyo ni Laura Dimaranan, ang host ng TV Show. Tumayo siya, pati sina Aidan at Cali. Some audience clapped in excitement habang ang iba ay tumuwid ng upo. As for Heather, she relaxed in her seat and glanced at Primo for a while. Mukha siyang interesado sa larong lalaruin nina Aidan.

“Simple lang ang mechanics ng game na ito. All you have to do is to take one step forward if you agree or you already did the statement I said. Aidan, Cali, pumwesto kayo sa magkabilang dulo ng stage,” anito saka inalalayan si Cali at Aidan patungong magkabilang dulo ng stage. “I have here ten statements. Sasabihin ko ang lahat ng ito pero kapag sobrang lapit niyo na, ititigil ko na ang pagbabasa. Okay ba 'yon?”

“Yes.”

“Sure.”

Pati ang mga manonood ay sumang-ayon. Nagpakawala si Heather ng buntong-hininga. She has a bad feeling about this.

“Ready? Let's start! Nagandahan o naguwapuhan ako sa kaniya nang una ko siyang makita,” nakangiting basa nito sa papel na hawak. Naghiyawan naman ang mga tao. Cali and Aidan both took a step forward. 

Of course they will. The answer’s very obvious.

“Who wouldn't be? I mean, look at her,” nakangiting sambit ni Aidan habang tinuturo si Cali. Heather took a deep breath. That's acceptable. Cali is indeed, beautiful. 

“Okay, next...I like his or her personality.” They both took a step forward once again.

“Aidan is very caring and thoughtful to everyone. Kahit na off-cam, kinukumusta niya pa rin ako. He would always call me or send me a text message asking how I am doing. Minsan pinapaalalahanan niya ako na laging mag-ingat, lalo na kapag nagda-drive. He always greet me good morning. So I think he's very thoughtful and caring and I like that about him,” nakangiting kuwento ni Cali dahilan para mas lalong umingay ang audience. Especially when they saw admiration in her eyes.

Heather simply gritted her teeth at Cali’s remarks. 'Di niya alam kung totoo ba 'yon o scripted pero kung totoo nga, bakit 'yun ginagawa ni Aidan? Samantalang ako, bihira na lang niyang tawagan at kumustahin. Unlike before.

“Cali is very kind to others. She has a good heart and that's what I really admire about her. Maaaring isipin ng mga taong hindi malapit sa kaniya na maarte siya, mataray, pero hindi. She's actually very approachable at kung minsan nga, siya pa iyong unang kakausap sa 'yo,” sabi naman ni Aidan. 

I've made up my mind. I'm sure, these are all scripted. Heather convinced herself.

“Nakilala ko na ang mga magulang at family relatives niya.” This time, it was only Aidan who stepped forward.

“Nakilala ko na ang mga magulang niya noong bago pa lang kami. And they're both very nice people. Pati mga kapatid ni Cali, mababait din,” paliwanag ni Aidan. Laura gasped like Aidan said something very shocking.

“B-Bago pa lang kayo? Bakit? Matagal na bang may ‘kayo’?” It was a joke but that was highly offensive for Heather. She wanted to crush something so her hands held the strap of her bag and gripped it tightly to stop herself from standing.

It is normal for talk shows to have a little teasing with the guests but it will never be acceptable for Heather.

Aidan laughed and take note…it was not an awkward laugh! It’s like he wasn’t even bothered by the joke. Like he’s even enjoying it.

“What I mean is with work, as a team.” Napatngu-tango si Laura.

“Ah akala ko iba na eh.” Heather rolled her eyes in irritation. “Yes, Cali?”

“Actually, he and my brother gets along pretty well. Callix sees him as his Kuya kaya nga, madalas dumalaw si Aidan sa bahay. Minsan nga, feeling ko siya na 'yung kapatid.” Cali chuckled.

“Well, pupwede namang kayong dalawa ang maging kapatid niya, hindi ba?” Heather’s jaw clenched at the other joke. No one reacted and just smiled so Laura continued.

“Why didn't you stepped forward, Cali?” tanong ni Laura.

Cali bit her lip and looked at Aidan na parang nanghihingi ng tulong. Tumawa muna ito bago sumagot.

“As you all know, my Dad is in overseas. Gano'n din halos lahat ng kamag-anak ko. So I'm waiting for a perfect time to introduce her to them and I want it to be personal.”

Heather suddenly felt her mood worsen. Never nilang napag-usapan ang ganiyan. Aidan never mentioned about her, meeting his family. Kilala ni Aidan ang magulang at Ate niya pero siya, kahit ang Ate man lang nito, hindi siya kilala.

Ilang mga katanungan pa ang sinabi ng host hanggang sa isang metro na lang ang layo nila sa isa't isa. The crowd keeps on cheering and shouting with glee. Habang si Heather naman ay nakakuyom na ang mga kamao.

“Okay! Second to the last question. Are you guys ready?” Tumango ang dalawa. “I want to be with him or her for a very long time.” Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Heather dahil sa tanong. If Cali steps forward, parang inamin niya na rin na may gusto siya kay Aidan. Laura said, a very long time. That's almost the same as 'till they grow old!

Pinakatitigan niya ng maigi si Cali. She looks hesitant. Panay ang yuko niya at kagat ng labi na para bang pinag-iisipan niya ng mabuti kung hahakbang ba siya o hindi. Heather was too focused on Cali kaya nang lalong lumakas ang hiyawan ng mga tao ay kumunot ang noo niya. She did not move. Why is everybody going wild?

Heather felt like her whole world stopped when she saw Aidan took a step forward. Dahil sa ginawa niya, sobrang lapit na ng katawan nila sa isa't isa. Their face are just inches away from each other and Heather can see from there that he's staring at Calista softly. 

“W-Why did you stepped forward, Aidan?” kinikilig na tanong ni Laura. Pilit na pinipigilan ang impit na pagtili.

Aidan shook his head. “No explanations. I just wanna be with her for a very long time,” aniya habang nakatitig lang kay Cali na para bang siya lang ang tao sa studio at wala ng iba.

Wala sa sariling nakapa ni Heather ang dibdib kung saan nakapuwesto ang puso niya. Sobrang sikip ng pakiramdam niya. Parang hindi siya makahinga. 

“Tubig?” Napakurap-kurap siya nang marinig ang boses ni Primo. Heather looked at him and the water bottle he's holding. Nanginginig ang kamay na tinanggap niya iyon. Mabilis niya iyong ininom para mawala ang bara sa lalamunan niya. She closed her eyes and took a very deep breath to calm herself down. 

That is just scripted, Heather. Pinlano nila iyon.

But Calista looked stunned. It's as if she wasn't expecting that. Or maybe she was just acting. Doon naman sila magaling eh.

Kung ano-anong mga pampalubag ng loo bang pinagsasasabi ni Heather sa sarili. She wanted to put doubt on her system so she won’t black out and launch without notice.

“CaiDan, thank you for participating on our simple game. Grabe, kinilig ako ng bongga do'n.” Humiyaw ang audience, senyales na sumasang-ayon sila sa sinabi ni Laura. 

Seriously, hindi ba sumasakit ang lalamunan nila kasisigaw? Naiiritang kumento ni Heather sa isip. She was jealous. So jealous.

“So now, let's move on to the question answer portion of the show. Are you guys ready?” The two nodded again. “First question is for Aidan.” She cleared her throat first before continuing. “Aidan, who is Cali in your life. Anong posisyon niya sa buhay mo. Is she a friend? Or more than that?”

Kaagad siyang pinamahayan ng kaba sa tanong ni Laura. That's the same question Heather wanted to ask Aidan. Sino nga ba si Cali sa buhay niya?

He licked his lips before answering. “Cali, she's...a very special friend.” He glanced at Cali, the same time my heart was being ripped into pieces. 

“Paanong special?”

“Special to the point that all I care about is her happiness. Ayaw kong nalulungkot siya. Gusto ko palagi siyang nakangiti kasi kapag malungkot siya, malulungkot din ako. I want her to be happy all the time and I want to protect her happiness. I could do anything just to make her happy. That's how important she is to me. Her happiness is my happiness as well.” Heather was starting to doubt if all of it was scripted. The way he said it, sobrang sincere. And he looks at Cali the way he looks at her. Hindi puwede iyon!

“Are you saying that you love her?” Namuo ang luha sa mga mata ko nang itanong iyon ng host.

“I always tell her that I love her—" 'Di niya na kinaya. Dali-daling tinakbo ni Heather ang daan patungong exit.

“Heather! Huy, sandali!” Primo said in a half-whisper and half-shout manner. 'Di niya ito nilingon at mas binilisan ang lakad paalis ng studio. She keeps on wiping her tears that won't stop falling.

He said he always tells Calista that he loves her. He's in love with her!

“Heather, ano bang problema—umiiyak ka ba?” Primo tried to touch her hand pero hinampas nito ang kamay niya. Hindi siya sumuko at hinawakan si Heather sa magkabilang balikat. “Hey, what's wrong?” he asked softly even though his mind was shouting what the hell is going on. Umiling lang si Heather at mas lalong lumakas ang paghikbi. Hindi na lang nagtanong si Primo at niyakap siya ng mahigpit. Consoling her.