In the Midst of the Crowd (Loser #1)

Chapter 25

"Ate, third year na 'ko," nasabi ko. "P-Paano?"

Lumayo si Kobe sa akin at tiningnan ako. He didn't say anything.

"As much as I wanted you to focus on your studies, Karsen, mas gugustuhin ko pa ring masiguradong ligtas ka. Reporters are aggressive, and Jennifer's fans are even more aggressive. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang p'wedeng mangyari sa 'yo kapag nakita ka nila."

Umiling ako. "Titiisin ko, Ate..."

"No," she replied firmly. "People can kill you, Karsen. Ganoon sila kagalit... and I won't risk losing you, kaya makinig ka sa 'kin."

Tears formed in my eyes. Isa at kalahating taon na lang ay gagraduate na ako. I couldn't lose this now. Masyado na akong malayo para tumigil pa.

"Please, Karsen. Huhupa ang galit nila. Just wait." Rinig ko ang pag-aalala roon. "For the meantime, you should stay with Kobe. He could assure your safety."

"Gaano katagal? Isang sem? D-Dalawa?" My breathing hitched as I continuously shook my head. "Ma-la-late ako..."

"Are you with Kobe? Put me on speakers."

Tumingin muna ako sa lalaki bago sundin ang gustong mangyari ni Ate Kat. Parang hinahati ang puso ko sa mga posibilidad at sa mga bagay na kailangang magbago.

"Am I on speakers?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Oo, Ate..."

Umayos ng upo si Kobe. Kitang-kita ko kung paanong sumeryoso ang mukha niya. He heard our conversation. I'm sure he has an idea on what's going on.

"Kobe, after pulling the stunt yesterday, what's your plan?" straightforward na tanong ni Ate Kat.

"I have an exclusive online interview later because the media suddenly wanted to know our side."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

"Maraming reporters ang nag-aabang kay Karsen. Hire her own bodyguards."

"Ate Kat!"

Kobe nodded. "Consider it done."

"'Wag mo munang papasukin at pauuwiin," pagpapatuloy ni Ate Kat.

"Yeah..."

"Are you planning to file a lawsuit against your management?"

Umiling ang lalaki. "No, they would surely get away with it."

"Then how would you make them pay? Karsen is putting her life on line for this."

"I know." He glanced at me. "I have bigger plans for Soul Production."

"At ang pag-aaral ni Karsen?"

"Homeschool."

Naputol doon ang pagrehistro ng mga salita sa utak ko. Alam kong nag-aalala lang sila sa akin, pero hindi ko maiwasang masaktan sa plano nila para sa buhay ko. They were opening a new world for me... without even asking for my permission.

Alam kong mas alam nila ang ginagawa nila kaysa sa akin. Alam kong ayaw lang nila akong mapahamak. But I don't know. It felt as though my whole life wasn't mine to own anymore.

Tahimik lang ako nang ibalik sa akin ni Kobe ang cellphone. I should understand. They didn't want me to undergo the same pain and trouble again. Sumiksik si Kobe sa akin at hinigit ako pahiga ng kama. He hugged me, and only a few minutes later, I heard his steady breathing on my neck.

My heart ached at that. Alam kong hindi siya natulog kagabi dahil tuwing naaalimpungatan ako ay nakikita ko siyang nakatayo at nakatanaw sa labas, halatang maraming iniisip.