Watermelon Dreams

Fireflies

What bewildered her was another presence in her dream she didn't recognize. That woman. And the strange thing was, she couldn't remember what she looked like. Tila parang nabubura sa memorya nya ang hitsura nito sa tuwing gigising sya.

Natigil ang pag-iisip nya nang paakyat na sa driveway ng restaurant ang kotse ni Rayanne. Nasa mataas na bahagi ang restaurant kaya kitang- kita sa balcony ng 2nd floor ang city lights.

Before 9PM sila nakarating at kanina pa nagstart ang party. Simpleng celebration lang ito ni Alea with her family and closed friends.

Alea hugged Olivia tight the moment she entered the restaurant. She hugged her back. "Hindi sya dumating," Alea whispered a little forlorn.

Olivia knew Alea was referring to her mother. Hindi nya alam kung anong sasabihin dito. She just squeezed the actress' hand sympathetically. Mahigit isang buwan ng hindi nakakausap ni Alea ang Mama nito. Mukhang galit pa rin ang ginang sa naging desisyon ng anak.

Alea had an exclusive interview with Liezle Lobregat, the editor-in-chief of Metro Art Magazine. She was featured for winning Best Actress in Asian Television Award and a nominee for Cannes Festival.

Ang pagsisimula nito bilang child star hanggang sa makamit nito ang tugatog ng tagumpay ang naging paksa ng article. Nang mapunta sa usaping puso, inamin ni Alea ang tungkol sa gender preference nito. Matagal ng may usap-usapan tungkol doon but she never confirmed. The whole country was shocked and so was Alea's mother.

Bago pa man magpa-interview si Alea, kinausap sya nito sa plano nitong gawin. It could end her career; the actress knew that. They discussed the many possibilities on what would happen and Alea was ready.

Laking pasasalamat nito kay Olivia na hind nya ito pinigilan sa mga gagawin. As a respect for Olivia and the network, Alea did it when her contract just ended with Studio 11. Sinabi nitong maiintindihan nito kung hindi na gugustuhin pa ng network na irenew ang kontrata nito.

Olivia admired Alea's resolved. The actress worked hard for all the things she achieved. Her gender preference didn't define her as a person. Ang pagiging bisexual nito ay hindi naging hadlang kailanman sa pagiging magaling nitong artist.

Pumayag si Olivia na umamin ang dalaga at sa isang mapagkakatiwalaang writer nito ginawa. Pagkatapos mailabas ang issue na iyon sa magazine, saka naman nagpa-interview ng live sa The Hot Seat, ang showbiz talk show ng Studio 11.

"Did you try to call her?" Olivia asked. She waved to some of Alea's friends in showbiz as she and Alea walked over the table reserved for her and Rayanne.

"Oo. Ayaw pa rin nya akong kausapin. Gusto sanang pumunta ni Papa kaso walang kasama si Mama," medyo naluluhang sabi nito. Sa kabila ng kalayaan nito, hindi lubos ang kaligayahan ni Alea dahil hindi ito kinakausap ng Mama nito. Mahirap ito para sa aktres dahil closed na closed ito sa Mama nito.

"She would come around eventually. Palipasin mo muna ang galit nya. I'm sure matatanggap ka rin nya." Olivia was lucky that her own parents were open minded. They never went against her sister's preference. Masaya pa ang mga ito dahil malapit ng ikasal sina Pris at Dominique.

Kahit papano ay nababawasan ang lungkot ni Alea dahil nasa tabi nito lagi ang nobyang si Vesper, isang indie movie director na nakilala ni Alea sa isang exclusive lesbian party. Ilang taon na palang tinatago ng dalawa ang relasyon at kita naman sa mga mata ng mga ito ang kaligayahan dahil hindi na kailangan pang magtago.

May mga ilang fans ang aktres na nagpahayag ng pagkadismaya sa social media pero mas marami ang sumuporta rito. Mas umani pa ito ng mga tagahanga lalo na sa LGBTQ community.

Olivia had Alea signed another exclusive contract with Studio Eleven. May pinaplano ng pelikula para sa aktres na may paksa tungkol sa LGBTQ. Si Rayanne ang magsusulat ng script at sya ring magiging direktor. Na-excite ang mga tao nang i-announce ito ng network.