Foolish Sparks

Chapter 5: Pain

Aeryn POV

Nagbihis ako ng mabilisan sa pagbahay kong damit. I wore a spagetthi strap along with comfy shorts. It's not like it's anything special dahil nandito si Eros.. this is really what I really wear normally!

Lumabas ako ng kwarto at nadatnan siyang nagbabasa ng script. As usual, wala talagang masasabi sa sobra niyang kasipagan.

"Okay ka lang?" tanong ko sakanya.

"Yeah." he smiled lightly. He drifted his eyes on me for a bit pero mabilisan naman niyang binalik sa script na binabasa niya.

I went to the kitchen to get two water bottles for both of us. Buti nalang ay naisipan ko ding bumili ng groceries kahit papaano noong short holidays kaya naman may kaonting pagkain sa pantry ko.

Since I am very conscious of my body, mostly fruits, vegetables and organic food ang binibili ko. There's chopped watermelon and pineapple cubes in the refrigerator so I decided to serve that to him in a small bowl. Madali din kainin ang mga ito.

Although, I suddenly regret about not buying enough food. Dapat pala ay bumili din ako ng pagkain ng ibang variety para may mapakain ako sa mga bisita sa condo. The only ones who visit me is Marjorie and my family, anyway. I guess I am a little bit like a lone wolf in some way.

Mayroon akong mga kaibigan sa showbiz but our friendship isn't that close like how the media depicts it... lalo na sa mga kasabayan ko. In actuality, mas close ko pa ang mga beteranong mga artista na matagal na sa industriya. Okay din naman kasama ang mga baguhan at mga kasabayan ko pero the closeness we have is strictly formality. We have good times during working times at sets but it doesn't go that far to the point where I open up to them.

Sa isang tray nakalagay ang inayos kong water bottles at prutas para kay Eros. Nilagay ko iyon sa coffee table na nasa pagitan ng mga sofa. I sat on the one-seater couch opposite the larger one where Eros was positioned. Nakaharap ako sakanya at sa tingin ko'y mas makakapagusap kami ng ganito kaysa kapag magkatabi kami.

"Thanks, Ryn. You didn't have to, though." aniya pero kumuha siya ng water bottle and took a sip from it.

Kahit kami lang dalawa, hindi ako nakakramdam ng kahit anong bahid ng awkwardness. It's probably because we've worked together for a long time kaya ganoon din ang nararamdaman niya. Well, hopefully.

"Hmm. How can I help? Tell me your description of your character so far." mariin kong sabi, in so much willingness to help him.

"I know the basics. I am Zulo, son of Rajah Agil who is in love with you, Mayara." diretso niyang sabi.

Damn! Kinabahan ako doon. How dare he say that? I almost got a heart attack. Buti nalang ay hindi ko pa pala ininom ang water bottle na kinuha ko para sa akin kung hindi ay paniguradong nasuka ko ng di oras.

"But... I just can't feel the character. Wala akong ramdam na emotional connection sakanya kumpara sa mga dating roles ko."

Ngumiwi ako ng kaonti. Malungkot ako dahil ayoko siyang nahihirapan ng ganito and it's also because I understand him. I have been through the same phase but it was many, many years ago and I have fought over the obstacle because of the people that surrounded me.

"I think you're a bit pressured, Eros. Ito yung pinakamabigat na project na gagawin nating dalawa kaya baka di mo pa talaga ma-focus yung pagi-in character mo..." I said calmly.