"Morty, faster! We're almost late!" sigaw ko from the van that I am in.
They're not yet done loading all my carriers at the van but by now, we should be driving to the airport, or else we'll miss the departure time. Too bad that I can't sit on a private plane owned by the company dahil I am wearing my endorsements from head to toe and they all need that exposure to the people.
"Hindi ka na ba uuwi, A? Bakit parang halos buong closet mo eh dala mo?" sagot niya. "Hindi ka naman ganito ka rami mag dala ng mga damit before."
Humalukipkip ako at sumandal. "I have to bring everything that I can. We'll be stuck on an island for three months, Morty."
I don't know what kind of miracle happened but the script that I was reading when I was at Stella's office, End of August, was the one that the management chose for me to act with Joshua Herrera.
When I heard the news, I immediately approved to push through. I was thrilled that it was chosen because when I was reading it, it was as if I could picture myself as Augusta and it's really happening.
Stella said that they chose it because it's a heavy drama. Something that I have never done before and it excites me because I have always wanted to do these kinds of films. I am not afraid to outdo myself and always go out of the box because I love it when I serve hot drinks on the table and people love it too.
I attended the audition that was only for formality, the script reading, and Joshua and I have undergone a few workshops so we could build more connections between us.
And now, we are going to the airport because the filming will officially start the other day.
"Let's go," sabi ni Morty. He sat beside me and puts his body at ease. "I hope it's not traffic."
I have Morty as my manager, Criselda as my personal assistant, Louie as another assistant and driver, and Jes as my make-up artist, hairstylist, and stylist all in one. Ever since my career started and rose to the stardom, sila na ang kasama ko so they are also the people that I am most comfortable with.
When we arrived at the airport, the guards are lined up like a barrier to protect from crowding me from my fans and those who are not pag baba ko pa lang ng van. I learned that the hard way. Once, I was scratched by a fan on the neck because the girl wanted a picture with me.
Alanis ang ganda ganda mo!
Alanis Ray, we love you!
Boo! Ang sama ng ugali mo! Hindi ka naman maganda!
Alanis Ray na utak bacteria!
Ilan lang 'yan sa mga comments that I accepted while I am being escorted on the airport but I kept my smile up and kumaway sa mga nag ma-mahal sa akin and nothing to those that who don't.
"This way po Miss Alanis," the security guided me.
Nakarating kami sa isang private lounge kung saan ako at ang team ko lang ang naroon. I must say that this is the privilege of endorsing the campaign of the Tourism Department with the partnership of Jose Miranda Airport.
"If you need anything, Miss Gonzaga, just tell them and they'll be happy to assist you," sabi ni Andres, referring to the three ladies na naka ngiti rin sa akin on his side.
"Sure! Thank you, dear!" I said, smiling, and patting his back. I saw him squealed pagka talikod niya sa akin.
Inikot ko ang mata ko and there is a lot of food it's too bad that I am on water cleanse today. Gusto ko pa sana to have a massage but the time won't allow it.
The two-hour flight from the JMA to San Lorenzo Airport isn't that dreading. It's just enough for me to finish a whole movie and the next thing that I know, we're landing.
Contrary to the bustling crowd of Pilar City, San Lorenzo Province is the peaceful and hushed one. Walang sumalubong na fans from the airport at hanggang sa ma- transfer kami to Isla Mercedes where we are currently on a thirty-minute ride in a small ferry before we arrive.
"Are you sure that we are heading to the island?" tanong ko kay Morty while I am here on the deck and leaning on the railings.
Huminga ako ng malalim and lets the salty airbrush my face and the sun slightly burn my skin.
This is the first time in years that I have been in the middle of a sea instead of being high above the sky and I never knew that it will feel this good.
"Yes, A. Malayo- layo raw talaga sa city so the production chose this saka sabi for boosting rin raw ng tourism ng isla sabi ni Direk Jan."
I craned my neck when a saw a huge blue and white establishment from afar. One look and I know that the resort is a high-class one. The more that we get closer, the more that I am in awe.
Dumaong kami and the staff welcomed us with garlands and buko juice.
"I am glad you arrived safely, A!" Direk Jan welcomed me with a warm hug.
All the staff and crews arrived yesterday, even Joshua. Ako ang na- huli because I just finished the pictorial with Kimsun for their soft launch which is my last schedule before this lock-in taping.
"This is a really nice hotel, Direk ah."
"I know! That's why sinabi ko talaga sa friend ko, he is the owner, na rito tayo sa isla nila. The world deserves to know that there is an island like this," aniya.
After that small welcome ceremony, dinala naman na kami kaagad sa room and I have it on my own.
"Ang ganda Maam A! Pag gigising ka, dagat na ang makikita mo hindi puro buildings," Criselda said while they are unpacking my things while I am at the small balcony of my room.
"It still won't make any difference when I can't really sleep at night," sagot ko saka pumasok sa loob.
I hate mornings.
That is the most awful time of the day for me because it would just mean that a new day has come for me to live.
"How come that this island is promising but they don't have a signal?" tanong ko. I looked at the phone na naka patong sa small coffee table ko that I gave up on using.
Sana pala hindi ko na dinala if I knew that this will be just useless here.
"May roon namang kaunting sagap maam galing sa city sa kabilang isla," sagot ni Cris.
"But that's not enough for my social media accounts to load and refresh," dismayadong sabi ko. "I'll stroll around. Babalik rin ako," I put my sunglasses on pairing the baby blue sundress that I am wearing.
Cris dropped my clothes na hawak niya at tumayo. "Let's go po."
Itinaas ko ang kamay ko and it made her stop moving. "I mean, alone. Ako lang ang lalabas."
"Maam magagalit si Sir Morty," aniya and I could see her coming stress because of her crumpled forehead.
"Oh. So it's okay for you na ako ang magalit?" taas kilay na sabi ko.
Hindi naman talaga ako magagalit. I just want a peace of mind, alone, before I go to the dinner party that the resort prepared.
"Lalong hindi po maam," sagot niya.
Tumango ako. "Tell Morty I went out but please don't create a fuss and look for me because I'll be back."
Lumabas ako at agad akong binati ng mga staffs na na-daanan ko. They are so welcoming and they got that home-y vibe.
"Maam do you need anything?" tanong sa akin ng isang staff.
I politely smiled at umiling. "It's okay. I'll just see myself around."
Kumaway ako at lumakad pa layo.
The simple pleasantry that I exchange with people goes a long way especially that I am a public personality. At this age, it is easy for them to spread what was my attitude and their experience interacting with me so kahit I am having a really bad day, ngiti lang palagi.
As much as I hate this, the more that I have to protect this image and job.
Because of just continuously walking, nakarating ako sa mismong beach. Hapon na and the sun is almost setting so it's not that intense.
And then, one thing caught my eye. It's on a huge rock formation just beside the hotel and there is a small hole in it like it's an entrance to something that could actually fit a person.
I bent on it and I don't care if nababasa na yung laylayan ng dress ko. Para akong hinahalina ng entrance to go inside it.
"Hanggang dito, hindi ka talaga marunong mag basa ng karatula 'no?"
I immediately placed my arms on my chest to calm my heart from beating loudly and then twisted to my body to the human being who spoke sa likod ko at hindi lang puso ko ang halos malaglag kundi pati na rin ang panga ko sa kung sino ang nasa harapan ko.
Naka kunot ang noo niya at itinuro ang karatula na parang plywood and painted with words na naka sabit right above the entrance.
'Perlas Hotel's property. DO NOT ENTER' is what it says.
"If the signage says 'Do not' in capital, bold, and red please refrain from doing it. That is placed there for a reason," dagdag niya at and slid his hand inside his pocket.
I am getting déjà vu.
Nararamdaman ko na ang pag taas ng balahibo ko sa kamay while looking at he guy.
He's the lollipop guy.
I have met and I meet a lot of people because of my work. Different faces, characters, and personalities and that's the constant thing in my life.
People.
And because they constantly come, they also constantly go too at sa sobrang dami ng nakaka salamuha ko araw- araw, half of it only lasted for a few minutes. So, I forget people so I could make room for others in my brain
Except him.
For some strange reason, I never forgot him.
"You..." ang tanging nasabi ko.
"Welcome to Isla Mercedes, Alanis." Binigyan nya ako ng isang ngiti.
That's the same smile that he gave me while handing me that lollipop.
I cleared my throat at tumayo. Ngayon ko lang ininda ang pagka basa ng laylayan ng dress ko so I gathered it and inangat so it won't dip on the water.
Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko. "You know me?" tanong ko.
He's looking at me like he really recognizes me and I am positive that he remembers that short but impactful meeting months ago.
Kumunot ang noo niya. "Oo. Sino ba ang hindi nakaka kilala sa'yo?"
Then why did he pretend that he doesn't know me back to that park? Or he doesn't know me at that time? If that's so, why doesn't he know me?
Seriously, Carat Ent.'s PR team needs to step up their game. There's a person who doesn't know who I am.
"Next time, tumingin ka sa mga karatula ha? Baka mapahamak ka o baka ikaw ang maka pahamak."
Tumalas ang tingin ko sa kaniya and I raissed my eyebrow. "You're not gonna let this go, aren't you? You're still the same person that I met a few months ago who doesn't mind their own business."
"At ikaw pa rin 'yung pasaway," he said, smirking.
"In my defense, I didn't see the sign." Tinaas niya ang kilay niya like he doesn’t believe what I'm saying.
"Why do you always not see the sign?" aniya. "You always do what you want. You know, you'll just end up getting hurt if you ignore it."
I sarcastically laughed. "Wow! Thank you. I needed that. How do you know?"
He just really has a say to everything.
"Why are you even here?" tanong ko.
"I work here," sagot niya.
Paagkaka-taon nga naman.
Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin from head to toe and he's wearing a white plain polo long sleeve and navy-blue shorts.
"Oh... what position are you? Perhaps... sa front desk?"
He looks clean and well put together so I think and I am sure that the front desk is what suits him.
Kumunot ang noo niya pero bahagyang na- tawa rin. "What? No. It's higher than that."
"Ah. Front desk manager?"
Right. That suits him more.
Napa lingon ako sa malayo because I think I saw Morty on a far distance when I clearly said na huwag akong sundan eh.
"No-" he answered but I cut him off.
"Well anyway, I hope that we don't bump into each other again. Bye!" I forcefully laughed saka tumakbo ako pa layo sa kanya.
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