I didn't proofread this. Thank you.

#NewClassicNRO

Chapter 23
Work

For the whole ride to the shooting location, we were accompanied by silence. Jirro blocked me out and avoided having another conversation with me by wearing his earpods. He adjusted his seat and closed his eyes to rest properly.

Jirro was breathing heavily. His body seemed a bit tensed. But after a few minutes, he relaxed as he had fallen asleep.

I took that opportunity to watch him sleep. Whenever he was awake, I was keeping myself from looking at him because I was afraid that our eyes would meet. But since he was unaware and unconscious, I let myself indulge and be tempted.

I tried to recall his face from that night. It was the last time I saw him before I left. Considering that we were separated for three years only, he matured a lot. I didn't know if it was because of the aura and vibe I was getting from him or it must also be the fact that he really aged. But there was one thing I was sure―he wasn't the same guy from back then. He had grown into a fine man.

As I was drawn to his face, my hand unconsciously tried to reach his face. Fortunately, before I got in contact with him, I managed to stop myself and forced my hand to keep still on my lap.

When we escaped from the busy roads in the Metro, I slowly drifted to sleep while watching the landscapes we were passing by. Hindi ko napigilan ang antok ko lalo na't wala pa ako masyadong tulog. Dahil nagpapahinga rin naman si Jirro ay naisip kong ayos lang din na hayaan ko ang sarili kong magpahinga.

I didn't know how long I was asleep. Nagising na lamang ako nang maramdaman ang medyo pag-alog ng sasakyan. I was a bit sensitive to my surroundings because I knew at the back of my mind that I was at work, even when I was sleeping.

Idinilat ko ang aking mga mata. Agad bumungad sa akin ang medyo matalahib na lugar na aming dinadaanan. The road was also rough because we were out of the pavement.

Kukuhanin ko sana ang aking cellphone mula sa loob ng backpack, but then I saw that there was a throw blanket draped over me. No wonder I didn't feel cold even when the air condition was right in front of me.

My lips parted as I realized something. Napalingon ako kay Jirro. Gising na siya at nakatingin lamang sa labas ng bintana. He wasn't wearing his earpods anymore.

Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. I didn't want to assume but he was the only one capable of putting the blanket on me.

I cleared my throat, hoping that it would get his attention. Kaya nga lang ay parang walang nadinig si Jirro. Ngumuso ako at naisip na bahala na.

"Salamat sa paglagay ng kumot sa akin," tahimik kong sabi sa kanya.

That time, he finally turned to me and said, "I only did what I had to do. Don't get any ideas."

Bahagyang nanlaki ang aking mga mata. Umiling-iling agad ako. "Hindi naman ako nag-iisip ng kahit ano," sabi ko kahit na mayroong parte sa akin na medyo umasa. "Gusto ko lang magpasalamat."

"Good," he replied.

"At pasensya na rin kung nakatulog ako," pahabol ko.

Nakakahiya na kanina pa siya gising.

"No problem."

It was obvious that Jirro wanted to end the conversation right away. Ayaw na niyang makipag-usap sa akin kaya itinikom ko na lang ang aking mga labi at hindi na nagsalita pa.

Shortly after, we finally arrived at the location. As soon as we got out of the van, I felt nostalgic. The clean air and the smell of the vegetation was so familiar to me, making me feel like I was back to Talavera.

The wheatgrass covered the ground and stretched as far as the eye could see. The area looked secluded, but the town was actually just two kilometers away.

The production staffs were already starting to prepare the equipment needed for the shoot. Jirro and I were escorted to the air conditioned tent.

Once we were inside, he was briefed by the director. I couldn't help but engrossed, listening to their conversation. The director amazed me by having a clear vision of what he wanted Jirro to portray. Madaling makatrabaho ang mga direktor na kagaya niya. Kita iyon kay Jirro dahil madali niyang naintindihan ang gusto nitong iparating at ipagawa.

"I'm counting on you, Jirro," the director casually tapped Jirro's shoulder.

Nakangiting tumango na lamang si Jirro bago umalis ang direktor sa tent.

Mukhang ilang beses na nilang nakatrabaho ang isa't isa. Jirro seemed familiar and close to the director already. Mas lalo akong naniwala na magaling na direktor 'yon kung ilang proyekto na ng New Classic siya kinukuha.

Nang dumating naman sa loob ng tent ang stylist ni Jirro ay sinimulan na siyang ayusan. Nanatili ako sa loob kahit wala masyadong ginagawa dahil baka mayroong iutos sa kin si Jirro.

I watched Jirro through his reflection on the mirror, after he went out of the dressing area. He was wearing a white loose half-sleeve cotton shirt with a deep neckline and white jeans. His stylist purposely ruffled his hair to style it in a disheveled look. Wala masyadong make-up na inilagay sa kanya ang makeup artist dahil iyon ang naaayon sa konsepto.

Matapos ayusan si Jirro ay nagsimula na agad ang shooting. They took pictures of him first on different spots.

Jirro looked like a pro model. He did a lot of poses. Everything looked natural. He's already used to the cameras. The photographer kept praising him for doing a great job.

Mabilis lumipas ang oras. Pagkatapos ng photoshoot ay nagdesisyon muna ang production na maglunch para tuloy-tuloy ang pagfi-film sa teaser video. Sa tent kami kumain ni Jirro. Kasama rin namin sa loob ang direktor na kanyang kausap kaya hindi rin kami nagpansinan.

I admired Jirro for wanting to be super involved with everything. Since we were still in high school, I was aware of how passionate he is as a person. Natutuwa akong hindi iyon nawala sa kanya. Rather his passion only ignited even more. Just by watching him do his job, I knew he already found the right place where he belongs.

While watching them shoot the scene, I fell into a thought of the dream that I had lost my touch with. From Jirro, my eyes transferred to the director and the cameramen assisting him.

I could be in the same position as them, only if I didn't have to let go of it. And if I'd be honest, from time to time, I would find myself regretting my decisions. But every time I see that my family is in a better place, I couldn't ask for more. I'm always comforted to see that my family is satisfied and contented with the life we have right now.

Those comforting thoughts would lead me into forgiving myself from making such decisions. It stopped me from blaming our pitiful situation. I tried to live my life without drowning myself in regrets.

I blew a deep breath to release the heavy feeling inside me. To prevent myself from throwing another pity party, I decided to look for other things to do. Naisip kong wala pa akong masyadong nagagawang trabaho bukod sa pag-aayos ng pagkain ni Jirro kaninang tanghalian.

Tumingala ako sa langit. Hindi na ganoon katirik ang araw. Medyo lumamig na rin ang ihip ng hangin. Napagdesisyunan kong ibili si Jirro ng meryenda dahil alam kong may mahabang break sila kapag natapos ang tatlong scenes. The final scene needed to be filmed at night kaya aabutin kami ng gabi. There were snacks inside the tent, but I knew it wouldn't suffice Jirro.

"Gladys, pupunta lang ako sa bayan saglit. Bibili lang ako ng meryenda ni Jirro," paalam ko sa kanya.

"Ha? Oh, sige," sabi niya na lang sa akin kahit na ang atensyon ay nasa kanyang tinatrabaho.

I didn't know if she really understood what I said, but since I had to be quick, I immediately left started walking out the area. Mga limang minuto rin akong naglakad bago ako nakalabas sa looban. And then, I waited for almost ten minutes before a tricycle arrived. May sakay ito ngunit mabuti na lang at mayroon pang espasyo sa likuran kaya sumakay na ako.

Ang sakay ng tricycle ay sa bayan lamang din bumaba. I paid fifty pesos for the fare and thanked the tricycle driver. And since I was a stranger to the town, I couldn't help but got sidetracked to admire the establishments. I felt like a tourist even though I was clearly there for work.

Pinilit kong hilahin ang sarili ko papasok sa local café na nadaanan malapit sa plaza. Once I reached the counter, I looked up to check the chalkboard. My eyes brightened up when I saw Jirro's favorite pasta on the menu. Wala na akong pagdadalawang-isip na ginawa. I placed my order for Jirro and paid the bill.

Habang hinihintay ang akig order ay naupo ako malapit sa may bintana kung saan kita pa rin ang plaza. I got entertained watching some of the kids playing traditional Filipino games. Sa may court ay mayroon ding naglalaro ng basketball. I didn't know why but it was heartwarming to see place so lively.

Nagsisi tuloy ako na hindi ko pa dinala ang buong backpack ko para magamit ang camera. I only brought my wallet with me. Kung sana man lang ay dala ko kahit ang aking cellphone, para makuhanan ng litrato o bidyo ang lugar at ang mga tao na nagsasaya.

"Cloe!"

The staff on the counter called for my name once my order was ready. Dala-dala ang resibo ay lumapit ako sa harap. Ipinakita ko 'yon sa staff bago niya ibinigay sa akin ang brown paper bag kung saan nakalagay ang pasta habang ang iced coffee ay pinahawakan lang sa akin.

"Thank you," sabi ko na lang nang makuha ang inorder.

Inayos ko ang aking pagkakahawak sa inumin at pagkain. Saktong pagkalabas ko sa café ay ang tumama agad ang mata ko kay Jirro. His eyes widened when he saw me, but then he suddenly looked furious and frustrated as he marched towards me.

My lips parted in shock. I couldn't believe that he was right in front of me. I thought I was hallucinating at first. Kaya nga lang ay nang inagaw niya sa akin ang mga dala ko ay natauhan na ako.

He didn't say anything. He just walked back to the van parked in front. Noong una ay nag-aalangan akong sumunod, ngunit nagmadali na rin ako nang maisip kong baka kanina pa ako hinahanap dahil may trabahong ipapagawa sa akin.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na ang nakalipas mula nang umalis ako sa site. Sa tingin ko naman ay halos isang oras pa lang ang nakakalipas.

As soon as I was inside the van, I got chills. It was cold inside because of the air condition, but I felt like it got colder because of Jirro's aura.

"Balik na po tayo," tipid na sabi ni Jirro sa driver pagkalapag niya ng inumin at pagkain sa lalagyanan nito sa loob ng van.

Mabilis na umarangkada ang sasakyan pabalik sa daanan na tinahak ko kanina patungo sa bayan. My lips were quivering in fear as I turned my head to Jirro.

I swallowed hard, braving myself to apologize. But before I could even say a word, Jirro already exploded.

"What do you think you're doing, Cloe?" His voice was strained as he tried to calm himself, though his eyes made me see an erupting volcano in them.

"S-sorry," I stuttered apologizing. "Bumili lang naman ako ng meryenda mo. May kailangan ka bang ipagawa―"

"Bakit hindi ka nagpasama sa driver?" he asked me, his voice was cold. "Hindi ka rin nagsabi sa akin."

"Nasa gitna ka kasi ng filming at nagsabi naman ako kay Gladys―"

"You are in an unfamiliar place, Cloe! Wala ka man lang kasama!" Mas lalo lamang siyang sumabog. "You also didn't bring your phone with you."

I stopped from talking back when I saw his eyes flickered in anger. I clammed up. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung namamalikta lang ba ako nang nakita kong may humalong takot at sakit doon.

"You... You..." Jirro couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence. He closed his eyes firmly.

I lost all my reasonable reasons why I left. It was my fault. It was all on me. I was completely wrong for leaving without telling him and bringing my phone or asking someone to accompany me. I felt guilty even though I was only trying to do my job and serve him.

"What if you get lost?" Though he calmed a bit, his voice slightly cracked, reminding me of how he sounded that night when he asked me to reconsider my decisions. "What if someone takes advantage of you? What if something bad happens to you?"

My chest wrenched as pain slowly crept into my heart. Hot tears stung me at the corners of my eye.

"I'm sorry..." I was out of breath as I sincerely let those words out of my mouth.

Like looking at me tormented him each and every second, he hastily looked away. He clenched his jaw. His shoulders rose and fell quickly.

"Once we're back, you're going to stay inside the tent and you won't leave until I tell you so," he said with finality.

My lips parted once again. "What about my job?" I couldn't help but complain.

"Your job is to do whatever I ask you to do," he made things clear. "And now, I want you stay inside the tent―that's what I asked of you."