The Spaces In Between

[6] What's In A Name

“Why are you fucking mad at me, anyway?” Andreau screamed back. Whoa, he’s cussing now. I really pissed him off.

“Don’t you dare cuss at me! Nakakairita ka!”

He then turned to Lean, who was obviously enjoying this. “Ano bang problema niyan ha?”

“Wala raw yung interview mo sa kanya sa vi—“

“That’s not it!” bumitaw ako sa hawak sa’kin ni Kuya Lean at lumapit ulit kay Andreau, “Tanggap ko naman na wala yung interview ko eh. Pero damn it, Andreau! I know this is irrational but I am mad at you.”

“For what!? Look, about the video..” he sighed. Medyo kumalma na siya. “Your interview.. I’m sorry about it. The camera I used for your interview was stolen when I went to Miami last month. That was my personal camera, by the way. Nandun din lahat ng pictures nina Butchoy at Nana. Believe me, gusto ko talagang ilagay sa docu yung interview mo.”

Ang tanga naman nito, hindi nagback up! “That’s not my point! My name wasn’t included in the credits!” Ugh, ang babaw pala ng pinaglalaban ko dito. Pero gusto kong magsorry siya sa’kin. “Bakit wala dun yung pangalan ko?”

Mas naguluhan ata si Andreau sa pinagsasabi ko. “What? Nandun kaya pangalan mo!”

“Wala dun!” I turned to Kuya Lean for support. “Kuya, did you see my name there?”

Siguro natakot siya sa’kin kaya umiling siya. “Wala dun, Dreau. But.. I did see a Shaira Pascual there.”

SHAIRA PASCUAL!?!?! Shaira? Meron nga akong nakitang ganun sa credits niya. So that was.. me? Triple shit, ang layo naman ng Scheherazade sa Shaira!!

My irritated gaze shifted to Andreau, na parang gulat na ewan. “Care to explain that, direk? Sino si Shaira Pascual? Was that.. me?”

“Fuck this,” he mumbled angrily. “You’re Shaira, right?”

Oh my God, this is ridiculous. “I’m going to pretend that you didn’t say that.” Nang hindi siya nagreact.. “Oh my god. You thought my name was Shaira, didn’t you?”

Two months ago I witnessed the different faces of Andreau Cortez. Kabisado ko pa lahat nang yun until now. Pero nothing would ever compare to his embarrassed face. I’m staring at it right now, and it’s really epic.

Kuya Lean’s laughter broke the tension between us. Galak na galak siya sa away namin ngayon. “Puta, seryoso ka Dreau?” he managed to blurt out breathlessly, “Hindi Shaira pangalan niyan! Lagot ka!”

“Bakit Shaira, Andreau? Saan mo napulot yun?” kalmado kong tanong sa kanya.

Then.. I heard the most absurd answer of all time.

“I.. I forgot your name.”

 “You what?!” pinagtitripan lang ba ako ng lokong ‘to? Unti-unting bumalik ang inis ko sa kanya. “Pano mo nakalimutan ang pangalan ko, ha? I was with you the whole time! You could’ve asked me my name! Sina Addie nga alam ang full name ko!”

Hiyang-hiya na si Andreau ngayon, he kept looking at the floor and he’s fidgeting his fingers. “I’m so sorry. Una kong ginawa yung credits than the editing so.. I..”

“You think my name’s not worth knowing, huh? You think my name’s ugly?”

His eyes grew wide in annoyance. “Hey! I didn’t say that! Saysay lang kasi ang narinig kong tawag nila dun sa inyo. I.. just guessed your name. I’m sorry.”

“Hindi panget ang pangalan ko, Andreau. Tandaan mo yan.”

“What’s your name, then?”

“Ikaw ‘tong pumunta sa café namin months ago tapos hindi mo matandaan ang pangalan ko?” My angry tone didn’t affect him that much anymore. Umaacting lang ba siya kanina at seryoso na ‘to ngayon? “My name’s Scheherazade Pascual. Don’t you ever forget that.”

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko pero nung pinandilatan ko siya.. “Oh, you’re serious? That’s your name?”

“Kung nabubulol ka, Zade na lang,” singit ni Kuya Lean.

Realization hit him upon hearing my nickname. “I knew it! I k—“

“Don’t bother to cover up your ass, asshole. Just don’t talk or ask favors from me anymore. Ipadala mo na lang kina Nana yung DVD copy and make sure Zade na yung nakalagay dun.” Wow, I stood up against a celebrity. Saan ko naman nahugot ‘tong tapang ko? Tama nga si Kesh, anger can drive you to do anything.

I was about to leave when Andreau caught my arm and gripped it lightly. “Look Zade,” he sounds really sorry now. “I’m very very sorry fo—“

“Nga pala,” barado pala sa’kin ‘to. Inabot ko sa kanya ang isang plastic ng tinapa. “Pinapabigay nga pala ni Nana yan sa’yo. Bisita ka raw sa’min ulit. Apparently, nakakamiss ka raw.”

Low blow naman ata ang sarcasm ko, mukhang nahurt si Andreau. Buti nga! Sakitan ng feelings pala ang theme ngayong araw eh! “Zade..”

“Let go of me right now, Andreau. You don’t want a scene di ba? Just.. don’t talk to me anymore and we’re good.”

With that, he let me go. Aray, akala ko pa naman magsosorry pa rin siya sa’kin. Shooting ng pelikula, Zade? Umalis na ako sa vicinity bago pa magsilabasan ang mga tao sa audi.

Lesson learned: Wag masyadong umasa, Zade. Lalo na sa mga katulad niya.

Artista nga naman si Andreau. Sa mga mata niya, isa lang akong fan.

And just like other celebrities, kahit ilang beses mo pang ipagsigawan at ipaaalala ang pangalan mo, hindi nila maaalala yun.

Because.. you’re just a fan.

-A&Z-

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