LIKE THOSE MOVIES

Story

**

"WELCOME to the Philippines!" Masayang nakangiti si Tito Ian ng salubongin niya ko dito sa MIA. Nagbeso kaming dalawa. "So, kumusta? How's your flight?" Tinulongan niya akong magtulak since mga tatlong maleta rin ang dala ko.

"Ayos lang naman, 'To. 'Di naman ako na-stress."

"That's very good then. Nga pala, for the meantime..." Huminto siya. Nasa labas na kami ng airport. Sinundan ko ang direksyon kung saan siya nakatingin. "You're gonna use that car." Oh, very nice. Napangiti ako. Isa rin sa iniisip ko kung anong gagamitin ko, e. If I'm going to buy for this project or.. buti nalang andito si Tito.

"We'll talk about the whole film-thing later. Kapag nalagay na natin 'tong mga dala mo. Come, I'll drive you sa pags-stayan mo."

Si Tito na ang nag-drive. Habang nagda-drive siya, siyempre panay kwento siya. Isa 'to sa mga gusto ko kay Tito Ian—madaldal. Hindi 'yong nakakainis na daldal, e. Tapos pogi pa. Diba? Paano ka maiinis niyan?

"They're so happy that we got you. You're a very brilliant writer and to think na you wrote the most popular romance movies of today is just so.. wow, you know? Grabe. We're pretty sure this is going to be a big hit."

"Naku, Tito, parang ngayon palang nape-pressure na 'ko.. and grabe. I mean, nakaka-excite and nakaka-kaba at the same time."

"Haha, 'wag kang kabahan. Believe in yourself like how we believe in you. You're gonna nail this thing, believe me." Pagche-cheer up niya sakin. Napangiti nalang rin ako.

"Anyway, tomorrow, mami-meet mo 'yong iba sa team natin. Sa pagkaka-alam ko, they will give you a month?" Tumingin siya sakin. "Or that's more than or less than enough for you to write the whole thing?"

Nagisip ako sandali. I don't think so. "Kahit two weeks... I can make it, I guess?"

"Wow! See! Great! Are you sure about this?"

"Hindi naman sa pagmamayabang Tito Ian but wala pa naman akong palpak na story na sinulat na gantong time ko lang nasulat. When I was starting pa, I can write everything in a week. Pero kasi siyempre, marami na ko'ng natutunan... so, mas marami na ko'ng trip na estilo. Haha!"

"That's great, that's great. You will meet the director tomorrow and the production staff and the actors, of course."

"Okay, mga what time? And saan?"

"I will pick you up. Baka nakalimutan mo na ang pasikot-sikot dito. Around 10? Then we'll have lunch after the meeting." He turned and smiled to me. "Kilala ka na nga pala ng director. I mentioned you. I told him your name." Hmm... "Kilala niya ba ako, Tito?"

"I think so... who wouldn't be familiar of you?"

Nakarating kami sa isang subdivision sa Metro Manila. Nag-stop kami sa isang malaking bahay. I wonder whose house is this.

Pumasok na kami ni Tito. He just commanded someone to bring my luggages inside. "Good afternoon!" Sinalubong kami ng isang matandang babae. "Hello, hija, good afternoon." Bati niya ulit sakin.

"Good afternoon din po." Nakipag-beso naman agad siya sakin. "So you're Prim? Am I right? Prim Zamora?"

"Yes, I am."

Tuloyan na kaming pumasok ni Tito. "Prim, this is the mother of our boss. Mrs. Prieto."

"Oh... Hello, Ma'am."