KABANATA 6

Third Person POV

"Are you sure about this?" Tanong ni Cheska sa kanya sabay hawak sa kamay niya. "Pwede ka namang magback—"

"Gusto mo bang mawalan ng talent na kagaya ko? Listen, I'm doing this for both our sake. Besides, magpapanggap lang kami chesks," sabi pa ni Luna at nginitian ang manager niya.

She told her manager about sa plano nila ni Damon, ang oplan magpanggap na engage at ikakasal. Ayaw pa nga sana ni Cheska, kaso marami naman ang nakataya kung sakaling hindi nila masolusyunan kaagad ang issue na kumakalat.

"Let's go," singit ni Damon saka hinawakan ang kamay ni Luna, dahilan para pagtaasan siya nito ng kilay. "What? Aren't we playing our act?"

Inirapan na lang siya nito at hinayaan.

Pumasok sila sa function hall at halos masilaw sila sa sunod sunod na pag-flash ng mga camera. Nakakabingi din ang ingay ng shutter at walang pigil ang mga reporters na paulanan sila ng mga katanungan kahit hindi pa naman nagsisimula.

Pasimpleng napabuntong hininga si Luna dahil sa kaba. Hindi niya mawari kung bakit kinakabahan siya, gayong sanay naman siya sa mga ganito.

Naramdaman na lang niya ang pagpisil ni Damon sa kanyang kamay kaya napatingin siya dito.

"You're trembling," he said. "Don't make it obvious," dagdag pa nito.

Hindi na lang nagsalita pa si Luna.

Umupo sila sa harap ng press. Sa gitna sila puwesto, at sa kabila ni Luna ay nakaupo ang manager niyang si Cheska habang sa kabila naman ni Damon ay ang media consultant ng Villaruel Medical Group.

"Good morning to everyone. We are here today to address the speculations, correct the misinformation, and clarify the real story behind the photos and rumors that have spread over the past few days..."

Habang nag-iintro ang media handler, bahagyang kumapit si Luna sa laylayan ng damit niya. Naka-cross legs siya pero hindi niya maitatangging bahagyang nanginginig ang kanyang mga tuhod.

Marahang hinawakan ni Damon ang kanyang kamay. "It'll be fine," mahinang bulong nito.

"O-Of course..." sagot ni Luna, piit ang kumpiyansa kahit kumakalabog na ang dibdib.

“Now,” pagpapatuloy ng media handler, “we will open the floor to our guests, and we request that we limit questions only to matters concerning Ms. Ferrer and Dr. Villaruel’s relationship. Personal medical or legal inquiries will be deferred.”

Damon was wearing a charcoal gray suit—crisp and spotless. He took the microphone, nodded to everyone, not like a doctor caught in a scandal, but like a diplomat well-versed in facing the international press.

“We understand how sudden everything is,” panimula ni Damon sa baritonong boses. “But we also know how important truth is—to all of you, and to the people who follow us.”

Nagkatinginan ang ilang reporters. Their eyes seemed to say. 'This guy is no joke'

"Regarding the photo circulating online, we admit that it is indeed us in the picture," sabi niya at umani naman ito ng samo't saring reaksyon galing sa mga press.

Bago pa man siya batuhan ng mga tanong, inunahan na niya ito. "Luna and I have been in a relationship for over two years, so I don’t see anything wrong with what’s shown in the image. The real issue lies with the individual who deliberately released that photo with malicious intent. It’s a direct attempt to tarnish my fiancée’s name, and I will not stand for it," Malamig at batid ang authoridad sa boses nito.

The reporters wore a look of complete confusion and shock. Gulat na gulat sila sa kanilang narinig. 

"May mga pinaghihilaan ba kayo kung sino ang may gawa ng pagpapakalat sa litrato?" Tanong ng isang reporter.

Kinuha ng media consultant ang mikropono. "As of now, wala pa pong specific na pinaghihinalaan from either party, but rest assured we are taking legal and investigative actions to identify and hold accountable those responsible."

"So, totoo nga ang kumakalat na balitang engage na kayo? At kay Luna Ferrer?"

“Dr. Villaruel, why choose to make your relationship public now, especially at the peak of the controversy?”

“Isn’t this relationship affecting the image and integrity of Villaruel Medical Group?”

“What will you do if the investigation reveals someone from your own circle leaked the photo?”

Sunod-sunod na mga katanungan ang ibinato sa kanya pero nanatili siyang kalmado at hindi mahahalatang kinakabahan ito. Parang mas expert pa siya kay Luna sa ganitong sitwasyon.

“Let me address this point by point,” aniya. “Yes, Luna Ferrer is my fiancée. She is the woman referred to in the circulating engagement article. While the timing may appear reactive, our purpose is to clarify, not to defend. And to be clear—our relationship does not compromise the integrity of Villaruel Medical Group.” paliwanag niya.

“Miss Ferrer, why keeping your relationship with Dr. Villaruel a secret for so long?”

“Some say this is just a publicity stunt to save your career. What’s your response to that?”

“Were you aware that the photo would cause this much chaos in the industry?”

“There are rumors that you were seeing someone else before this came out. Can you clarify?”

“Do you truly love Dr. Villaruel, or is this relationship built on convenience?”

Si Luna naman ngayon ang ginigisa ng katanungan ng mga reporters. Ang daming katanungan na gusto nilang bigyang linaw at sagot.

Kinuha ni Luna ang micropono at hindi sinasadyang mabitawan ito. Nanginginig ang mga kamay niya sa sobrang kaba. Ultimong briefing niya kanina ay nakalimutan niya. Nilamon na siya ng pagka mental block.

“I’m sorry,” singit ni Cheska, habang inalalayan si Luna, “but Luna isn’t feeling well due to the stress and backlash caused by the recent issue. We hope you understand. If you’ll excuse us, we’ll be ending the conference here.”

Nagsimula namang magreklamo ang ilang reporters.

"We've been waiting for this day to come. You can't just simply leave us hanging,"

“How do you plan to prove to the public that this is real and not just a cover-up?”

Nagsimulang dumugin sila ng iilang reporters at kaliwa't kanan ang mga men in black sa pag-awat.

Hinawakan ni Damon si Luna at iginiya ito palayo. Ngunit bago sila tuluyang makaalis, may isang reporter na muling nagbitaw ng tanong na nagpahinto sa kanila.

“Was there ever a plan to fake a breakup after this blows over?”

Tumigil si Damon at binalingan niya ang reporter. Tumahimik ang buong hall—lahat ay nag-aabang sa sagot niya.

“If this were a publicity stunt, we wouldn’t be standing here taking bullets for it,” aniya. “There was no plan to fake anything, especially not a breakup. I don’t make temporary commitments, especially not with someone I deeply care about.” his voice was firm, yet lace with unmistakable trace of compassion.

Umingay muli ang paligid. Halo-halo ang reaksyon kasabay ng pag-flash ng mga camera. Pero wala nang ibang sinabi pa si Damon at tahimik nilang nilisan ang function hall.