The Rise of the Fallen Star

Sound of camera shutters and blinding light is all that I could hear and see right now. It was blinding me, but I didn't complain since I'm already used to it. For four years, I've been working in this field and I still haven't grown tired of it. Those experiences just fuel me to do my best every time.

"That's great! Thank you so much, Adri! This is the reason why I really love working with you," the cameraman shouted after the shoot had officially ended. I smiled at him widely. Full of enthusiasm because of his praise.

"Wala pong problema, Mr. Dencio. It's also my pleasure to work with you," I replied back, still wearing the same wide smile.

I couldn't contain my happiness right now. This is my biggest project simula noong pumasok ako sa pagiging aktres. I was the last for the solo shoot kasi may schedule pa raw iyong dalawang bida kaya sila ang inuna.The role given to me is the second female lead, kung sa tingin ng iba maliit lang 'yon, for me it was already big enough after starting as an extra. And the film that was going to shoot received a lot of investment so I really expect that this is going to be a hit. Especially having Amanda and Edmund as the main lead, they're the biggest couple in the industry that every fan ship to.

After the shoot, I immediately changed my clothes and got out of the set. Habang naglalakad sinagot ko ang cellphone kong kanina pa palang tumutunog. A big smile was automatically painted on my lips when I saw the caller ID. It was Axel, my 5-year-long-time boyfriend.

Axel is also working in the film industry like me, pero mas nauna nag-boom ang career niya kaysa akin. Lalo na ngayon na itinatambal siya sa baguhang aktres na gustong-gusto ng masa. I was actually bothered by that at first but he coaxed me until I gave up and he's been assuring me that it's nothing.

"Hi, babe! Bakit ka napatawag?" I enthusiastically asked after answering the phone.

"What took you so long?" My forehead creased at his tone. It was mixed with anger and irritation. But I can't think of any reason why. Matagal ko ng nasabi sa kaniya na magiging busy ako sa trabaho ngayon. Para namang hindi niya alam kung gaano ka-busy sa set kung makaasta siya. So, why is he getting angry about it?

"Anong problema mo? We've already about this, haven't we?" I asked, confused about his sudden attitude.

"I'm sorry about that," he said, sighing. His tone suddenly changed into a soft one that made me breathe a couple of air to calm myself.

"So, bakit ka nga tumawag?" I asked while waiting for a taxi to come near my place. I was elated when one started to come in my direction. Finally, after a couple of standing and waiting, someone has come.

"Let's talk, Adri. In my place " Masama na ang kutob ko sa boses niya.

"O-Okay. I'm going," I tightly shut my eyes as my voice slightly trembled.

Without even saying goodbye, pinatay ni Axel ang tawag. I was left staring blankly at my phone. What's wrong? Did something really happen to him? He's scaring me please.

On the way to his condo, all I could do was to pray that nothing wrong happened that made him act like that. I was having a hard feeling about this already and I'm just convincing myself that nothing happened. Wala na nga akong pake kung mukhang luka na ako sa mata noong driver dahil kanina pa iniiling ang mga possibility na pumapasok sa utak ko.

When the taxi stopped at the condominium building, I hurriedly pass my payment and get off. Sumakay ako ng elevator paakyat sa condo ni Axel ng kinakabahan. Nanginginig ang kamay kong pinindot ang doorbell ng unit niya. Nang mapindot ko iyon ay matinding pagpipigil na tumakbo palayo ang ginawa. And when the door opened, a girl faced me.

She’s familiar. Of course, she is, it was the girl I am most jealous at.

I really can’t deny the fact that she is beautiful. Her heart-shaped face is what the boys and girls have been admiring for. And she has built this innocent facade in front of the public’s eyes. With her graceful moves and shy looks, every man could literally fall for her, even my man if he wanted.

“He’s inside…”

“Okay.”

I nodded lightly at her before going inside the condo unit. One could see me as if I’m not affected but deep inside, I’m already trembling. I want to lash out in front of her and ask her why is she inside my boyfriend’s personal condo.

Pagkapasok ko sa loob, bumungad si Axel na walang suot na pang-itaas habang nakaupo sa sofa. Nakahawak siya sa noo niya, marahan itong minamasahe. Hindi maalis ang tingin ko sa katawan niya, hindi dahil naaakit ako kung hindi dahil nagtataka ako kung bakit. Bakit nandito ang babaeng 'to sa condo at bakit wala siyang suot na pang-itaas? Gusto kong magwala sa dami ng rason na pumapasok sa isip ko. Lahat ng iyon hindi maganda para sa puso ko.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked as soon as I get the courage. Inangat niya ang tingin niya sa akin at biglang lumuhod.

"Axel!" Agad akong bumaba paupo upang pigilan siya. I held his shoulders trying to lift him up, but he's really determined to kneel. "Get up. Ano bang problema mo?"

Mas lalo akong kinain ng kaba sa aksyon niya. The last time he kneeled in front of me, he did a big mistake. I wonder what mistake did he do now for kneeling like this.

"I'm sorry, Adri but we need to break up."

Para akong pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa matapos marinig ang sinabi niya. Unti-unting bumagsak ang kamay kong nakahawak sa kaniya kanina lang.

"Tell me why." I tried to ask him firmly, but the crack in end is still visible.

"Something happened between me and Veronica. Hindi ko inaasahan, pareho kaming nalasing kagabi. Nagising na lang kaming magkatabi sa kama."

My hands trembled—no my entire body did.

"It's just one night, Axel..."

Pahina nang pahina ang boses ko habang kinakausap siya. Binaling ko ang tingin ko roon sa babae na pinapanood lang kaming dalawa. I feel so pathetic in front of her, pero ano bang magagawa ko. Paano ko itatapon ng basta-basta iyong limang taon?

"Her father saw us. Hindi raw siya papayag na hindi ko papanagutan si Veronica." Inangat niya ang tingin niya sa akin at hinawakan ang kamay ko. Dulot ng panghihina, hindi ko maialis ang kamay niya sa akin. "Sorry, Adri, but I really need to break up with you. I can't afford for my career to be ruined."

Agad akong natauhan sa sinabi niyang 'yon. Pabalibag na inalis ko ang kamay niya at malakas siyang sinampal, dalawang beses, tig-isang pisngi.

"Axel!" Veronica gasped, but I didn't bother to look at her.

"Potangina mo pala. Mas mahalaga pa iyang career mo kaysa sa relasyon natin? Why didn't I realize you are this kind of guy?! Mag-break na nga tayong hayop ka. I*****k mo sa baga mo 'yang career na iniingatan mo. Malandi!" I lashed out. Sinabi ko lahat ng gusto kong sabihin sa kaniya ng walang preno. Tumayo ako at tumalikod na sa kanila pero agad ring tumigil sa harap noong babae. I refuse to call her by her name, a slut doesn't deserve it.

"You should be happy ruining us like this. Ha, good luck na lang sa 'yo habang nakikipag-relasyon ka sa isang 'yan. You know, kung mang-aagaw ka na lang din sana pumili ka na ng mas maayos," payo ko rito habang nagngingitngit sa galit. She doesn't know how jerk that man could be. Bago maging kami sangkatutak ang babae ng isang 'yan, tumigil lang siya noong nanligaw sa akin kaya akala ko nagbago na siya.

I am wrong, he's still the same selfish egotistic jerk that I know. Sinayang ko lang ang limang taon ko habang kasama siya.

Binalibag ko iyong pinto pasara, walang pakialam kung masira man iyon o may makarinig na mga katabing unit. Deserve malaman ng lahat kung gaano kahayop ang iniidolo nila.

Pagkalabas ko galing elevator doon tumama lahat sa akin. Parang biglang may waterfalls sa mga mata ko. I cried loudly without thinking where I am.

"This is the last time I will cry for that jerk," I said in between my sobs. Mabuti na lang at tapos na ang shoot namin kung hindi babalik ako sa set ng mukhang dugyot. Nakakahiya kapag ganoon. Pinipilit ko pa naman magkaroon ng magandang image sa kanila.

"Tears shouldn't be shed that easily don't you think?"

Napatigil ako sa pagngawa ng biglang may puting panyo ang humarang sa paningin ko. Walang imik na tinanggap ko 'yon at pinunas sa mukha ko.

"Thank you," pagpapasalamat ko matapos kong ayusin ang itsura ko. A frown showed up in my face when I look at the handkerchief. Ang kaninang puti ay naging colorful na dahil sa makeup ko. Mabuti na lang at walang uhog iyong kasama.

"Why are you crying?"

Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa lalaking nag-abot sa akin ng panyo. Halos mangalay na ako habang nakatingala rito, pilit na tinitingnan ang mukha niya. But to my dismay, I can't see anything because of the bright light at his back. An angel must've descended from the heaven to help me.

"Why is my fiancée crying for a man."

Lumaglag ng tuluyan ang panga ko. Pakiulit ng sinabi niya?