"Kapag malambot na ang karne, anak, ilagay mo na ang siling tagalog." Bilin ni Nanny Fe habang nakatingin sa akin na nagluluto.
I wiped the sweat on my forehead with my back hand. "Nanny Fe, hindi po mahilig si Gellian sa maanghang tsaka 'di na rin po siya magaling mag-tagalog, kaya wag na po tayo mag-siling tagalog."
Napatakip si Nanny Fe ng kanyang mukha, pinipigil ang pagtawa. Napag-
desisyunan kong lutuan si Gellian ng sinigang dahil wala pa akong nabibigay sa kanya simula nung makabalik siya sa Pilipinas. Ito ang unang beses kong magluto at ayaw pa nga akong payagan ni Nanny Fe pero nagpumilit ako.
"Ang bango naman!" Kinusot ni Dad ang kanyang mga mata nung makita ako sa kusina. "Wait! Totoo ba 'to, anak? Nagluluto ka para sa amin?"
"Bakit naman ang konti ng niluto mo, anak? Hindi kakasya sa 'tin ito." Kaagad namang lumapit si Mommy at kumuha ng kutsarita. Akmang sasandok na siya sa kaldero nang bigla akong nagsalita.
"Mom, Dad, this special sinigang is meant for... someone else." I shyly admitted.
Mom took a step backward and then whispered something to Dad, which made him gasp. I wasn't able to hear it, but I knew it was about me when they gave me a questionable look afterwards.
"Zein, anak, okay na yung van. Pupuntahan na ba natin si Gel–" Hindi natapos ni Mang Noel ang kanyang sasabihin nung senyasan ko siya na wag itong ituloy.
Dad crossed his arms over his chest, now grinning. "So that special sinigang is for someone special like Gellian. Are we not special, anak?"
I pouted my lips, tightening my grip on the wooden spoon I was holding. "N-no, dad. You are all special in my heart. I can cook again for all of you... if you'd like."
Mom gave me a hug upon noticing that I was almost crying. "Anak, don't take it seriously. Your dad is just joking. We already ate, so you can just give that to your special someone—I mean, to Gellian."
I just pouted upon hearing them tease me. They must be enjoying it since I often do not get their jokes most of the time that I end up believing them. I'm a feebleminded person, and I admit that.
"Anak, ihahatid ka ba ni Gellian pauwi?" Mang Noel asked while looking at my reflection in the rear-view mirror.
I shook my head, letting out a small smile. "Hindi po ako magtatagal, Mang Noel. Ibibigay ko lang po ito tapos uuwi na po tayo kaagad."
Nang makababa ako ng van ay marahan akong lumakad papunta sa Rising Stars Studio. Malayo palang ay nginitian ko na agad ang guard na nakatingin sa akin habang papalapit.
"Bagong artista? Ano pong pangalan nila?" He opened his log book, checking the names listed on it.
"Hindi po ako artista. Nandito po ako para kay Dza–Gellian Ross Zamora." I slipped my tongue a bit, causing my heart to race at a fast pace.
I showed him the paper bag I was holding, which made him nod in response. He called someone on his radio phone before allowing me to enter their lounge. I simply sat on one of the comfy chairs on the side before sending a message to Gellian that I was here.
Well, I didn't mention to Gellian that I would pay a visit, but I did know his schedule since he shared it with me. I'm a hundred percent sure that he's here.
"Zein?" a woman with a screechy voice called to my attention.
Napatayo ako sa aking upuan nung makita ko si Krisha. She looks so fine in her short-sleeved pleated dress. At first glance, I didn't notice her because of her short and pink dyed hair. She has fully become a great lady.
"Are you an artist here, Ate Krisha?" I mumbled in a shy tone after she gave me a hug.
She chortled. "Maka-ate ka naman, Zein! Just call me Krisha, and yes, I've been working here for a month now. Are you here to audition by any chance? I can help you if you want."
"Uhm... n-no. I'm actually here for–"
Napahawak siya sa kanyang bibig kaya ako napatigil. "You're here for Gellian, right? I knew it! Krisha, you're so dumb." She said to herself as she knocked on her head.
"Halika, may kailangan tayong ipatumba." Matapang niyang wika bago hawakan ang aking palapulsuhan at lumakad sa hallway.
Nang tumigil ang elevator sa ika-
sampung palapag ay nauna si Krisha na lumabas. Nakasunod naman ako sa kanyang likod habang masayang pinagmamasdan ang mga nakapaskil na larawan sa dingding. Halos lahat ng mga ito ay poster ng movies ni Gellian at ang ilan niyang mga photoshoots.
Krisha stopped in front of a glass door that had the name of Gellian posted on top of it. She gestured with her hand on the knob, directing me to open it. I took a deep breath before I slowly unlatched the door.
"I told you, I like you, Gellian. Can't you hear me?" The girl, wearing a slim bodycon dress, shouted in despair.
Hindi ako makagalaw nung marinig ko iyon. Nakatayo lang ako sa bukana ng pinto at parang gusto ko nalang tumakbo paalis. Nabigla ako nang tapikin ni Krisha ang aking balikat bago pumasok sa loob ng silid.
"Chloe... Chloe... Chloe," Krisha leisurely clapped her hands. "Hindi ka pa rin nakaka-move on. I heard Gellian rejected you before and here you are, still begging for him to love you back?"
Chloe rolled her eyes, then dragged her feet close to Krisha. "Ano naman sa 'yo ngayon? Parehas lang naman tayo, di ba? You also want Gellian, but he doesn't like you either."
"But at least I know how to accept his decision. Kahit anong gawin mo, hindi ka rin niya magugustuhan. Better look for someone else, Chloe."
Umawang ang labi ni Chloe. "W-why is that?"
Gellian stood up from his seat and walked towards the two ladies. "Because I'm getting married to someone I truly love. I'm marrying my childhood friend, my ball of sunshine, and the only reason why I came back to the country."
Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Chloe nung marinig iyon. Napahawak naman si Krisha sa kanyang bibig sa sobrang pagkabigla. Maging ako'y nagulat sa aking narinig.
His words kept roaming inside my panicked brain. I clutched my chest when I felt my heart beating so fast. My eyes started to water. I was severely overwhelmed.
"W-who is that? and where's the ring?" Chloe stuttered, nervously.
That's where I made my entrance. I bravely went inside of the room which made them turned their heads in my direction. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I centered my eyes at Gellian who's now looking so proud at me.
"Gellian, you said we would take it slow, but I'm afraid that you'll get taken away from me. I'm completely sober now, so listen carefully if I ask you to marry me." I fearlessly blurted.
Gellian's lips parted. "Zein, I–"
He paused when the cameras flashed in our faces. A lot of media suddenly intruded, and I just found myself covering my face, causing the dish that was cooked to spill all over the floor. Gellian hurriedly burried my face on his chest, as the reporters started to question what they heard from me.
What have I done to deserve this?
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