Betina Tiara
~
Saktong pagkatapos ng meeting ko sa isang guest, sandali muna akong tumambay sa restaurant habang inuubos ang strawberry frappé at sinimulan magbasa ng chats sa CVA room. Naabutan kong dalawa lang ang online-- si Zen at Claudius.
Napangiwi ako. Heto at binuksan na pala n'ya kay Zen ang tungkol sa cat food commercial.
Claudius: Why don’t you do a cat food commercial, Zen? Let’s work together after your cast remove.
Zen: The hell?!
Claudius: Is that a yes?
Zen: Why are you suddenly asking me that?! You know I’m allergic to cats!
Claudius: Forget that you don’t get along with cats and consider it. This is business.
Zen: HELL NO!
Zen: Oh, Betina! I have something to tell you later! I’m so excited! It’s about my new project.
Betina: Didn’t you say that you’re giving up the role?
Zen: Yes but it’s a good news!
Claudius: Zen, this will help your career. You’ll never know, one day, you will overcome your allergy. It’s best to do everything for a celebrity like you.
Zen: God... please stop, Claudius.
Claudius: Perhaps God was angry at your ill treatment towards cats and gave you that allergy.
Zen: What kind of logic is that?! I avoid cats because I’m allergic, I’ve never mistreated them you idiot.
Claudius: You’re very narrow-minded to cats for such a petty reason. I feel pity for those who can’t recognize the beauty of cats. You can just overcome it with love.
Zen: Says the one who’s almost like a robot...
Zen: Don’t bother about my allergy, I only need Betina to understand me.
Claudius: It’s common sense to grab the opportunity to make yourself more known.
Betina: Claudius... just find someone else.
Zen: Yeah! I’m doing fine without you. I’ve said this before--- a long time ago that I don’t care about your money or your connections.
Claudius: You are always hostile about my generosity. You always have some sort of excuse to refuse my help... hope it’s not because you’re not professional.
Zen: Dude, this time, it’s about my allergy!
Zen: You’re trying to mess with me on purpose, right?!
Claudius: It’s an arrogant thought to think that I would waste my energy trying to find ways to mess with you.
Zen: You’re such a douche. Stop giving me a hard time, please.
Betina: That’s enough, guys.
Claudius: It seems like you always have something against me, perhaps you are jealous?
Zen: My God!? Jealous to a jerk?! Whatever. I should stop wasting my time and rest.
Zen: Betina, see you later, okay? Be safe going here. I’ll prepare something nice for you.
Claudius: How sweet.
Zen: Tss!
Pagkatapos umalis ni Zen ay natatawa at napapailing na lang ako sa kanila. Ubos na rin ang iniinom kong frappé kaya naman naghanda na 'ko para bumalik sa office.
Malapit na 'ko sa building nang may nakabunggo akong babae. May kasama siyang lalaki, siguro'y boyfriend n'ya dahil magkahawak-kamay ito.
"Sorry," usal ko agad.
Suminghap siya nang makita ako, "Ikaw ‘yung nililigawan ni Zen, ‘di ba?"
"Uhh..."
"Ikaw din ‘yung pinagbabato ng itlog? Si... Betina Garrison?"
"Hon, tara na mahuhuli na tayo sa palabas."
"Omg. Pwede magpa-picture?" saka n'ya nilabas ang cellphone sa kan'yang bag.
Napalunok ako. Picture...? Ano ako, artista na dahil lang sa nag-trending ng dalawang beses? Dapat ko ba 'tong ikatuwa?
Huminga ako ng maluwag at binigyan siya ng pilit na ngiti, "Picture for what...? If you’re going to just poke fun of me then leave me alone," tumagilid ako at handa nang umalis pero muli akong nagsalita, "Sorry but please excuse my attitude."
Kinuyom ko ang kamao ko habang papasok ng building. Hindi ko alam pero kumikirot ang puso ko sa tuwing naaalala ko 'yun-- isa 'yun sa pinaka masaklap na nangyari sa 'kin.
Bahala na. Ayokong magbait-baitan sa harapan ng iba. Tutal, pinagtawanan din naman nila 'ko, ano pang saysay kung magiging mabait ako sa katulad nila?
Magpi-picture kami para i-post sa social media at ipagmayabang na ako 'yung pinagbabato?
Whew.
Tinuon ko na lamang ang atensyon ko sa trabaho. Ginagawa ko ang lahat para hindi na iyon muli sumagip sa isip ko. Nang biglang tumawag si Claudius sa akin.
Tamad kong dinampot ang cellphone ko.
"Hello?"
"In return for letting you go with my body guards, you have to convince Zen about the modeling. I will not take a negative answer, Betina."
Iyon agad ang bungad n'ya sa telepono.
"Seriously...?" kumunot ang noo ko.
"Very serious."
I heaved a deep sigh as I moved side by side with my swivel chair, "You are very persistent, I see."
"If you go yourself and convince him, he might say yes."
Yes...? Well how about his allergy? Sobrang mapilit si Claudius, baka lalo lang sila mag-away.
"I don’t---" huminto ako nang maisip na baka hindi n'ya ako bigyan ng body guard, "Fine... I’ll ask him but please don’t get your hopes too high."
"Good. Then I’ll hung up."
Alas singko sakto nang lumabas ako sa office at tumambad sa akin ang tatlong body guards. Sinabi nila na sila ang sasama sa 'kin at maghahatid sa bahay ni Zen. Bago makarating do'n ay nagpababa muna ako sa isang grocery store, balak kong magluto para sa hapunan naming dalawa... o lima? Kasama ang mga body guards.
Hindi kalayuan ang byahe namin para makarating sa village na kinaroroonan ni Zen. Sobrang tahimik at magkakahiwalay ang mga bahay, bukod do'n ay napaka si-simple rin ng mga ito.
Hindi mo aakalaing may nakatirang sikat na artista rito...
Bumaba ako sa isang simpleng two-storey house, brown at white ang kulay ng kumbinasyon ng bahay n'ya. Hindi gano'n ka-laki, hindi rin naman sobrang liit.
It's cute though.
Nag-doorbell ako sa maliit na gate nito, segundo lang ay bumukas na ang pinto at agad siyang ngumiti nang makita ako.
"Good evening," bati ko.
Paika-ika itong naglakad papunta sa gate gamit ang kan'yang saklay, "I’m thankful that you’re here. I did made a cup of black tea for you."
Tuluyan na akong pumasok nang mabuksan n'ya 'yun. Ako na ang nagsara nito.
"Bumili ako ng ingredients," tinaas ko ang dala kong plastic, "I’ll make something for dinner."
Bahagyang umawang ang bibig n'ya pero hindi rin nagtagal ay luminya ito sa ngisi. Tumaas tuloy ang isang kilay ko.
"What?"
"Hindi pa tayo pero may pagluto na," he giggled, "Wifey material... is this a sign?" he asked mockingly.
I shrugged and support him on his arms, "Let’s see..."
"Weh?!"
"Anong weh? Pumasok na tayo."
Bago pa kami tuluyang makalapit sa pinto ay narinig naming tumikhim ang isang body guard at tumingin sa kasama ko.
"Sir Claudius told me to bring her back in two hours, so we will be waiting here in front," diretsong aniya.
Two hours?! May oras talaga?
"Give us a moment, I’ll have to---" naputol ang sasabihin ko nang sumingit si Zen.
"Oh! You can ignore what Claudius said. We’ll have fun and call you when we’re finished," kumaway siya sa lalaki at naramdaman kong marahan n'ya akong hinatak sa kamay para makapasok.
"Excuse me---"
Pero hindi na natapos pa ang sasabihin ng lalaki nang isara na ni Zen ang pinto.
I glared at him jokingly, "Zen..."
Tumawa lang siya saka ako inalalayan sa likod paupo sa sofa, "What, it’s fine. So how was your work? I’m sorry if you have to visit me this late. I know you’re tired but... I’m grateful to see you here in my house, I mean it."
"It’s me who should ask you that. How is your injury?" yumuko ako para tignan ang naka-cast nitong paa. Hinawakan ko 'yun, "Masakit?"
"Ah---! B-Betina... of course. Don’t press it," atungal n'ya.
"Did I?"
"You did," he sighed and smiled sweetly at me, "But I wonder... are you really fine? I mean, please get over with your ex-friends."
Natigil ako at napaiwas ng tingin. Naalala ko na naman sina Kayecie at ang ginawa nila sa 'kin. Gayunpaman, gusto kong magtanong kay Zen kung napanuod n'ya ba 'yung video na 'yun-- but at the same time, I can't... because I'm still ashamed.
"I-It’s okay, you don’t have to answer. I’m just wondering but you don’t need to answer my question," aniya, "It’s just... I wasn’t able to ask you how the party went on. But I hope, you’re fine and if ever they did something on you..." hinawakan n'ya ang kamay ko kaya napatingin ako sa kan'ya, "Just remember that we are here for you. You got our back--- me and the CVA. You don’t need them, hmm?"
His sincere voice matches his sincere eyes... nakakapagtaka lang kung bakit sinasabi n'ya ito ngayon. Bakit parang alam n'ya ang nangyari? Sinabi ba ni Seven? O napanuod n'ya nga sa social media?
Either way, I guess, I’m still lucky to have them beside me. Hindi ko man sila gano'n katagal nakasama pero iba ang epekto nila sa 'kin.
I tried to redeem myself and nodded, "Thank you... but can we not talk about this anymore?"
Ayoko lang balikan pa ang alaala na 'yun. Masakit, sobra, na hanggang ngayon ay buong-buo pa iyon sa isipan ko kahit anong gawin ko.
Hindi rin nagtagal ay ginalaw ko na ang mga gamit n'ya sa kusina. Balak kong magluto ng mushroom wild rice soup para sa kan'ya. Bukod sa masustansya, iyon din kasi 'yung pinaka una kong natutunan sa tunay kong ina.
"Hmm! It’s delicious!" bulalas n'ya habang sarap na sarap kumain.
I sat in front him, "How about the guards outside? Should we invite them to eat?"
"Leave them be, Betina. I’m telling you they would just decline you--- maliban na lang kung iuutos ng boss nila," he shrugged as he answered.
"Well... okay."
"Ah! Yeah, I have some good news to tell you." he sat properly as if he's somewhat excited, "It’s about my project. I’m happy to tell you that I’ll still be playing the lead role! The director called me earlier for that news and will be delaying the taping for seven days so I need to catch up."
A smile crept on my lips at his news, "Congrats. Of course they don’t want to let you go."
"Nah, I don’t think it’s because of that. Remember what I told you last time? About Alexandria Rudio? She came to see me yesterday!" his eyes suddenly widened and quickly added, "But---! Don’t take it the wrong way, milady."
I nodded, "And...?"
"Apparently, Alexandria’s father is a CEO of a pretty big company. She knows about Claudius and Light, even the CVA’s previous parties. So basically, since she’s a famous celebrity and a big shot daughter, she helped me with this upcoming project of us. She told her father to talk with the director and I know it’s unbelievable but they yes, they approved!"
"Maybe they have a connection?" tugon ko habang naghahalo ng sopas.
"Dunno. She mentioned that she planned all of this just for me. She says the whole production’s pointless if I don’t play the lead. She seemed so desperate I couldn’t just refuse," he sighed, "But you know, she shared about this filmed commercial for one of Claudius branch company and hit on him because he’s so good looking," he continued as he shook his head, "I mean I’m more good looking, right?"
"You’re both good looking."
"I gotta admit that but for me, I’m more handsome and attractive." he smirked and winked at me. Naikot ko na lang ang paningin ko at bahagyang natawa.
Ewan ko pero sa paningin ko, wala namang hindi gwapo sa kanila-- hindi lang sa pagitan nila ni Claudius, isama mo na ang iba.
"Back to Alexandria... she told me that at first, Claudius treated her well. But after she shot the commercial, he immediately stopped replying to her text and all that. She says that she was hurt a lot."
"I guess she wasn’t Claudius type?"
He shrugged, "I guess he’s just a cold jerk," then he reached for my hand, "I know that you won’t get jealous of her, right? This is just a work. My heart belongs to you, Betina." his eyes were tender, with a hint of a smile.
What is he talking about? Wala naman sa 'kin kung maging ka-pares n'ya 'yun. Alam ko namang trabaho lang ang mayro'n sila.
"Pinagsasabi mo? I’m fine as long as you’re happy."
Para siyang nagulat sa sinabi ko. Pero maya-maya'y lumambot ang ekspresyon n'ya, "Thanks for trusting me..."
Saka ako may naalala.
"Oo nga pala, Zen. Alam kong tinanggihan mo na ‘tong alok ni Claudius pero gusto n‘yang sabihin ko pa rin sa ‘yo... tungkol sa---"
"No, Betina. I still refuse," mabilis n'yang sagot.
Dahil do'n, hindi ko na inisip pang ulitin iyon sa kan'ya. Alam ko naman kasi talaga ang sagot.
Sumandal siya sa upuan at bahagyang sumimangot, "Claudius that jerk... I hate that he always messes me with cats."
"Why so?"
"He just..." nagkibit-balikat siya, "Annoys me for some reason."
Naging tahimik ang pagitan naming dalawa. Nakatingin lang siya ng diretso sa harapan habang parang may malalim na iniisip. Nag-iba bigla ang ihip ng hangin. For some reason, hindi ko masabing dahil iyon kay Claudius.
"Zen..."
"To be honest, it wasn’t like me to accept Alexandria’s help. I’m always wary of rich or elite people offering me kindness," seryosong aniya, "This is only between you and me but... it’s because my brother was kind of like that," saka dumako ang malungkot n'yang mata sa akin.
Hindi ko mapigilang magtaka, "But why did you accept Alexandria’s offer? She’s the daughter of a CEO and she’s a famous celebrity."
"If I don’t then it will be a waste of chance for me. That project, that lead role... is a one of the biggest production I’ll ever work on. I’ve been playing in a lot of productions but this one... it’s like when you’re chosen to work for them, feels like your an international actor." mababang sagot n'ya na naintindihan ko naman.
Wala akong karapatan kumontra ro'n. Magkaiba ng pag-iisip ang isang duktor at isang artista.
"My brother was a so called elite. He always emphasized that I have to make compromises with the world..." he went on, "Claudius’s not like him but he treats me in a similar way. That’s why I don’t like him."
"Zen..."
Ngumiti siya sa 'kin, "I’ll tell you about my past with my family and all. I want to share it with you so that you can understand me more. I want to be the best man for you," seryosong anito.
Hindi ko alam pero biglang pumasok sa loob ko ang boses ni Gavin...
"...you can tell he’s serious on you when opens up about his family. Based on what I know, he didn’t take the courage to share it with her..."