A/N:

Hello sa inyong lahat.

I am not feeling well today.

Woke up with the cold symptoms (which I thought was reflux)  but still tried to go to work.

That didn't last.

After an hour and a half, I called it in because I was feeling so bad.

I did the self-assessment for COVID-19 and I have to self-isolate for ten days.

Not to worry.

I'm doing everything I can to get better.

Taking medication like the good girl that I am (this one's debatable) ;)

But sick or not, writing helps me.

So, here it is.

The next chapter to Off-Script.

Take care always.

xoxo :)

****

The sudden news about Neri's mom was upsetting but I have to step up if I wanted Mintonette to become a reality.

Nang tumawag si Neri para sabihin sa akin na she had to fly to London as soon as possible, I thought I was dreaming.

Tulog pa kasi ako ng tumawag siya.

I was still straddling the line between sleep and waking up but when I heard her crying on the other line, I willed myself to focus on what she was telling me.

Kahit hindi pa ako totally gising, I heard myself saying yes when she asked if I could take over.

"This is your dream, Kyle. I think the universe is telling you to take the reins."

I wanted to tell her that it wasn't the case.

Surely her mom's sickness should never be a part of the universe's plan.

But I kept the thought to myself.

Instead, I told her to have a safe flight and to let me know once she landed in London.

After I hang up, I sat on the bed in a panic.

Unlike before when I accepted projects with confidence, taking over Mintonette made me nervous.

Naisip ko kaagad si Maria.

Papayag ba siya sa change of plans?

What if hindi?

Saan ako hahanap ng director at such short notice?

I have friends who may be willing but they are occupied with their movies at the moment.

Kung hihintayin ko sila, madedelay ang movie and it's not good if that will happen.

With every day that the shooting is delayed, we lose money.

I lose money.

I've contributed a big part of my savings to making this and I won't allow it to be derailed.

Before I got out of bed, I looked up to the heavens and did something I haven't done in a while.

I prayed.

When Maria agreed, I took it as a miracle, a sign that maybe Neri was right.

Maybe this was what the universe wanted.

When my staff told me that they have found a place for the location shooting, tinawagan ko agad si Maria.

It took four rings bago siya sumagot.

Nasa office pala siya at bawal pala ang magcellphone sa work nila.

"Are you free this afternoon?"

"Bakit? Idi-date mo ako?"

I laughed at her bluntness.

Hindi ako sanay sa mga ganitong biro dahil sabi nga ni Neri, people are afraid of me lalo na kung hindi nila ako kilala.

"I'm not sure if I can call it a date but I want to show you something."

"Bakit hindi mo na lang sabihin sa akin?"

"Where's the fun in that?" I found myself engaging in the lighthearted conversation.

It loosened the tension in my chest dahil mula ng umagang iyon, I was nothing but a big bundle of nerves.

"Basta ba susunduin mo ako eh."

"Of course. I'll even take you out to dinner after."

"Eh di date nga?"

"Call it what you want. I'll pick you up at five?"

"Four-thirty."

"Cool."

I said goodbye and hang up.

Since the truce, I noticed that Maria was less acerbic.

Ang totoo nga, she relaxed a bit.

Or better yet, she's showing her true colors.

Palabiro siya and I realized I like that about her.

I timed the making of Mintonette closer to the end of the school year.

Dahil kailangan ng isang school, ayokong makaistorbo sa klase.

Isa pa, baka mahirapan kaming kumuha ng permit kung ongoing pa ang klase.

When my staff told me that everything is in place, lalo akong naexcite.

All the actors and actresses have signed the contract.

Alex and Gabby will play the lead.

My close friends from the industry have pledged support at iyong iba even agreed to do the supporting roles for free.

Labor of love daw lalo na at alam nila na matagal ko ng gustong gawin ang movie na ito.

When we finally got the permit for the location, I knew that all systems are go.

I was excited to share the news with Maria.

As part of staying true to the material, I chose to do it in the place where it happened—sa Cavite.

It may not be the exact place but it's a close second.

I parked the black Range Rover in front of a gray building.

Grabbing my phone from the dashboard, I checked the silver blocked letters to make sure na ito nga ang pangalan ng electronics company na binigay ni Maria.

Digitex Electronics.

I glanced at the security guard who was holding a shotgun.

There were two of them and one was wearing a Barong.

Napatingin siya ng pumarada ako.

Gusto ko sanang magtanong kung dito nagwowork si Maria but I hesitated.

I was ten minutes early.

I think I'll survive by staying in the car.

Pulling the visor down to shield my eyes from the setting sun, I watched the palette of orange and white clouds.

The sun was hidden behind it ready to take off for the night.

When I was still signed to RGF, I never had to do any of these things.

Kung ano ang napili nilang location, I just go there driven in the vehicle paid for by the company.

I don't feel obliged to show the location to whoever wrote the script.

But this movie is different.

This is my baby so to speak.

If I feel this way, I want to share it with Maria.

This was her very first script.

I'm sure she could understand the joy and the jitters that came from doing something new.

My reflection was broken by a ping on my phone.

Palabas na daw siya.

I craned my neck to the right side of the gate.

Isa-isa kong nakitang lumabas ang mga empleyado.

They were wearing navy blue polo shirts and dark pants.

I saw a group of women who wore different outfits—white short-sleeved button down shirts with navy blue piping with at dark din ang pantalon.

One of them was Maria.

She was smiling while talking to an older woman with short hair and thick round glasses.

I've seen her up close but never really had the chance to look at her dahil galit siya sa akin and the last thing I want was to be caught staring.

But from afar, I noticed that she's actually pretty.

Her sun-kissed skin glowed in the afternoon light and she has a pretty smile.

Hindi siya mahilig magmake-up and it made her beauty stand out even more.

My eyes moved downwards towards her ample breasts, the curves of which was outlined in the fabric.

Oh god!

I looked away as fast as I can.

Why am I having these thoughts right now?

Is it because it's been a long time since I had a girlfriend?

I didn't have time to reflect on that question dahil there was a knock on the window.

I unlocked the door to let her in.

Nasa likuran niya pala ang tatlong babae.

Sumilip sila sa loob and I waved.

"Si Direk Kyle Obregon ang ka-date mo?" Tanong ng babae na kausap niya kanina.

Nanlaki ang mata niya sa gulat.

"Hindi po kami magdidate." Maria climbed up on the passenger seat.

"Direk, balik ka ha? Papicture tayo." The other lady, a skinny one, said to me.

"Sige po." Sagot ko.

Napatingin sa akin si Maria.

She said goodbye to them and I drove off.