#NewClassicPFL

Chapter 10
Future

Starting my day early for a commercial shoot with Sic for the same brand of carbonated drink we worked with last time, I sipped on my iced coffee to boost my energy while on the way to the filming set. I wasn't really used to waking up so early in the morning that I was feeling a bit cranky. On top of that, our work yesterday ended late. I slept so deeply because of exhaustion.

Hindi talaga sanay ang aking katawan sa dami ng trabaho. It was the first time in my life I had been so busy because of work. In just a month since our agreement started, I got a huge amount of work that I didn't get for the first four years of my career as a model. Dati ay focused lamang ako sa mga brand deals bilang isang influencer sa social media. I did all those influencer work at home. I didn't need to go out at all.

I always went to a lot of auditions but I rarely got chosen for the job. Madalas ay ang may mga mayroong koneksyon ang pinipili nila. Ang iba naman ay iyong mga subok na talaga. It was very frustrating but I already came into terms with it. That's just how the entertainment and modelling industry works.

My life completely and drastically changed after meeting Sic. It was like experiencing a long, heavy downpour after the drought. Different brands were fighting just to work with me because of my reputation as the superstar's girlfriend. Even though I have high confidence in myself, I knew Sic played a huge part in my rising career.

While in the middle of thoughts, my eyes caught a huge billboard which we were about to pass by. Umaliwas bigla ang aking pakiramdam nang makita 'yon. It was the shoot we did a month ago for the soda drink. They used the shot where we were so close together, smiling at each other, while holding the can of drink. Ang isang shot kung saang may indirect kiss kami ni Sic ay pinost sa social media bilang announcement ng aming collaboration project.

Everyone went wild because of it. We became the trending topic in an instant. Ang sabi pa sa amin ay ilalagay raw ang picture na 'yon bilang limited packaging ng soda drink. Sic's fans and our so called shippers were already planning to bulk buy.

Nang medyo nakalapit na kami sa billboard ay inilabas ko ang aking cellphone upang kuhanan iyon ng picture. I had no idea if Sic already saw the billboard but since it was my first time, I assumed that he had not seen in yet.

To: Sic
Passed by our billboard. I look good here.

After I read my drafted message a lot of times, I hit send and placed my phone on top of my lap. Within fifteen seconds, I felt my phone vibrate. Nagmadali kong binuksan ulit ang cellphone upang basahin ang kanyang reply.

From: Sic
We look good together, love.

From: Sic
*Lav

His flirty reply made me purse my lips to suppress a smile. Hindi na talaga siya nagsawa kakapanggap na nata-typo siya.

To: Sic
You know you should stop pretending already. Gasgas na 'yang palusot mo.

He would always deliberately get the word Lav wrong that it didn't bother me anymore. Alam na alam ko na kung paano siya kumilos. Instead of getting irritated, I just went along with his playful antics.

From: Sic
What are you talking about?

Napailing na lang ako sa pagkukunwari niyang inosente.

To: Sic
Whatever.

Sic didn't reply anymore but I received a notification on Instagram that he mentioned me in his new IG story. Agad kong pinindot ang notification upang makita ang kanyang minention sa akin. My forehead slightly creased to see that it was a picture of the same billboard I took a picture of earlier. However, the shot and angle seemed different.

To: Sic
Nakita mo na ang billboard natin?

He quickly replied like he was expecting me to text him.

From: Sic
Just saw it when we passed by earlier.

Mas lalong napakunot ang aking noo. Umayos ako ng upo at saka muling nagtipa ng mensahe para sa kanya.

To: Sic
We?

From: Sic
Yes. I figured your SUV is just right in front of us.

Pagkabasa ko no'n ay agad akong lumingon sa likuran. Napaawang ang aking mga labi nang makita ang itim na explorer van. My pulse quickened as well, feeling a sense of excitement. What a huge coincidence that he was just right behind us.

To: Sic
You're following me! Stalker!

From: Sic
Really?

Magta-type pa lang akong reply nang napansin ko ang pag-oovertake sa amin ng kanyang explorer van. Kahit na medyo mahirap dahil medyo madaming sasakyan sa daan ay nagawa pa ring paraanan ng driver na unahan kami. In less than a minute, the van was already right in front of us. And at the same time, I received another message from Sic.

From: Sic
Who's the stalker now?

Hindi ko na napigilan ang matawa. I just cut my laughter short when I saw Ritchelle looking at me with a weirded out expression. Tipid na lamang akong ngumiti sa kanya bago nag-iwas ng tingin at muling nagreply kay Sic.

For the whole ride to the filming set, I just exchanged messages with Sic, teasing each other. Walang gustong magpatalo sa aming dalawa hanggang sa makarating na kami. Naunang pumarada ang kanyang sasakyan kaya naman sinalubong niya ako agad at siya na mismo ang nagbukas ng aking pintuan.

Like he was in a great mood, smiling up to his ears, Sic casually took my hand and clasped our fingers together. I just let him hold my hand while we walked on our way to the tents.

Although the staff seemed busy, they stopped whatever they were doing, the moment we entered the set. They couldn't take their eyes off us, especially our intertwined hands. Para bang noon pa lamang sila nakakita ng magkahawak-kamay. But I kind of understood where their fascination was coming from. I was holding hands with none other than the famous Sic Jaranilla.

Oblivious to their stares, among all four tents set up, Sic took me straight to the tent which had my name on the outside. The team who was in charge of styling me for the shoot was already waiting inside. Agad silang napatahimik nang pumasok kami sa loob ni Sic. They were obviously intimidated by our presence.

"Okay na ako." Nilingon ko si Sic at bumitiw sa kanyang kamay. "Let's just meet outside once we're ready."

He smiled and nodded. "Okay," he said, then turned to all the staff. "Please take care of my Lavi. Thank you."

Agad nagsitanguan ang mga staff sa bilin ni Sic. Bago siya tuluyang umalis ay mabilis niyang hinalikan ang aking ulo. I heard some of them express their adoration towards him.

Since we had to finish the shoot within the day, we didn't dare waste any more time. The stylist showed me all the five outfits she prepared for the commercial which incorporated the important colors of the brand: red and white. And for the first scene, I was asked to wear a white blouse, tucked in a red skirt which went past my knees.

A week before the shoot, we read and approved the storyboard for the commercial. We had to portray a college couple―Sic would be the studious and serious boyfriend while I was a bubbly and clingy girlfriend.

I first snorted when they told us our characters because it was the opposite of our real character and personality. Naalala kong sinipa pa ni Sic ang paa ko noon sa ilalim ng lamesa upang pigilan ang aking pagtawa. Kaya naman hindi na rin ako masyadong nakapagconcentrate. But fortunately, I picked up the important points and Ritchelle also took down notes for me.

Wala rin kami masyadong linya sa commercial. Parang dalawa o tatlong linya lang ang kailangan kong sabihin at ganoon na rin si Sic. They said they would use suitable background music in almost all the scenes, so we didn't have important dialogues.

After I got ready, I went out of the tent wearing the first outfit with a crossbody bag. Nakita ko si Sic na kausap ang director kaya agad akong lumapit dahil baka may importanteng sasabihin sa amin.

"Oh, nandyan na pala si Lavinia!" Ngiting-ngiti ang direktor nang makita akong papalapit sa kanila.

Sic laid out his hand for me to hold and pulled me closer. Once I was right beside him, he let go of my hand right away and his arm snaked around my waist instead.

"Bagay na bagay talaga kayong dalawa!" Natutuwang puri ng direktor sa aming dalawa. "I think I chose the perfect concept for the both of you. Mukha pa rin kayong mga teenagers."

I wasn't sure if that should be a compliment for me, but I didn't want to look like a teenager. My personal style always fell for something mature and grown-up. That's why I love wearing nude and red shades of lipstick instead of the pinkish ones like what they painted my lips for the shoot.

I remembered one of the praises I've heard from a professional stylist. She told me I could easily adapt any concept and look. I could look young and innocent or mature and sexy or cool and fierce any time I want to―and it's a great asset for a model like me.

"Thank you, direk. Madami nga pong nagsasabing bagay talaga kami," agad na pagsang-ayon ni Sic, tunog tuwang-tuwa sa nakuha naming puri.

The director chuckled. He looked so pleased. And so even though I was slightly embarrassed by Sic, I just laughed along with them.

"Anyway, alam kong alam ninyo na ang gagawin para sa first scene, right?" paalala niya sa amin at bahagyang sumeryoso na. "Nag-aaral ka kunwari, Sic, at nasa libro lang ang buong atensyon mo. While on the other hand, Lavinia will just look at you. Kapag kukuhanin mo na iyong can ng softdrink, uunahan ka ni Lavinia."

While the director was explaining the scene once again, I recalled the drawing from the storyboard to picture his directions. It's a cute and wholesome scene since the target market for the commercial is the adolescents and the young adults whose romantic fantasies are still kept burning.

"Pagkatapos ng linya mo, Lavinia, mag-adlib na lang kayo ni Sic," dagdag pa niya. "Kahit ano ang pag-usapan ninyong dalawa. Magkulitan o mag-inisan kayo, ayos lang. Just act like how you two usually are as a couple."

While nodding my head, I just forced a smile while thinking about his instruction. If Sic and I would act the way we usually do, we would surely get busted for being a fake couple. Baka magkapikunan pa kaming dalawa sa set. I'd say it's better if we would just keep on pretending.

"Okay! Everything's set! Let's start filming!"

Lumapit na kaming dalawa ni Sic sa may picnic bench sa ilalim ng mga puno. Nandoon na ang libro na kanyang kunwaring babasahin katabi ng can ng softdrink. Inilapag ko naman ang aking bag sa may lamesa bago naupo sa tabi niya.

Like a professional actor, he already seemed serious and in-character while flipping through the pages of the book. Hindi naman ako nagpatalo. Huminga ako nang malalim at inisip ang aking character na ginagampanan.

"Ready?" The director asked everyone inside the set. No one verbally answered, but it was a cue for the film to start rolling. "Okay, in three... two... one... Action!"

Inayos ko ang aking upo na nakaharap kay Sic. Pumangalumbaba ako habang titig na titig sa kanya. I took that time to observe him closely. Although I wasn't really a fan of his Casanova-like looks, I found myself liking his side profile. Maybe it was because of the way he was styled to look smart, innocent and mature. Or it could also be the fact that I was already getting used to him.

Pouting my lips and ignoring those thoughts, I proceeded to trace his sharp jawline and high-bridged nose with my eyes. But all of a sudden, his lips stole my attention when it twitched before he broke into a smile. My forehead creased because the director clearly told him to look serious but he smiled instead.

"Cut!" The director yelled. "Sic, huwag kang ngingiti. Seryoso ka lang dapat muna habang nag-aaral."

My shoulders fell as I looked at Sic in disappointment and he turned to me.

"Stop looking at me like that."

Feeling wronged, I frowned a litte. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Ginagawa ko lang ang sinabi ni direk."

"You're looking at me as if you're thinking if I can be your meal or something."

Naubo ako sa kanyang sinabi nang masamid ako sa hangin. Dahil mayroon kaming suot na lapel, nadinig ko ang mahinang tawa ng sound director at ilan pang nakadinig ng kanyang sinabi.

Blush crept on my cheeks because of embarrassment. Gusto ko siyang murahin ngunit hindi iyon puwedeng madinig ng iba. Kaya naman nahihiya akong ngumiti at saka kinurot na lamang ang kanyang braso. However, like it didn't hurt him even a bit, he just smiled and put his eyes back on the book.

"Okay! Let's go for take two!" sigaw ulit ng direktor nang makitang nakaayos na ulit kami. "Action!"

That time, Sic was focused on doing it right. I just stared at him, like a lovesick girl, trying to steal his attention. I watched how his brows knitted while acting like he was trying to understand the words written in the book.

"Great! Now try to get the can..." the director directed behind the camera.

Sic flawlessly shifted to his sitting position, preparing for his next move. While his eyes were still on the book, he was about to reach for the drink but I playfully took it away from him. Following the script, that was the time he finally turned to me.

Acting like a bubbly girl, after I took a quick sip on his drink, I said my line, "Akin na 'to ngayon!" I stuck my tongue out and smiled wide like I was purposely teasing him.

Napailing naman siya at mahinang natawa. His hand reached for my cheek and gave that a light pinch. "Ang cute-cute mo talaga. Ang sarap mong mahalin."

Trying not to be fazed by his adlib, I did the same thing by pinching the tip of his nose. "Ang cute-cute mo rin. Ang sarap mong sapakin."

Muli kong nadinig ang mahinang tawa ng mga staff. Mukhang nagustuhan ng direktor ang aming naging pag-arte at pati na rin ang mga adlibs dahil hindi niya itigil ang film. But in order to avoid suspicion, I went on with my acting.

Ngumuso ako at inilapit sa labi niya ang can ng soft drink upang makainom din siya. "Joke lang."

Sic chuckled lightly before he took the can and drink as well.

"Cut! Okay, that's great!" The director sounded satisfied with our performance. "Let's run again, and then proceed to the next scene after changing outfits."

Nagpatuloy ang shoot namin ni Sic ng commercial hanggang gabi. Mabilis lang ang naging pagfi-film sa amin ngunit sa pagpapalit ng damit tumagal. Pagkatapos ay agad din kaming naghiwalay dahil may importante pa siyang pupuntahan.

It was around ten in the evening when I arrived home after working for a whole day. Gaya ng nakagawian, pagkauwi ay naligo ako para kahit papaano ay mawala ang pagod at bigat ng katawan. Para sa iba ay nakakapasma ang pagligo agad kapag pagod, but taking a hot shower or bath after a long day was therapeutic for me.

Sipping on an ice cold lemon water, I checked my phone and read a message I got from Sic while I was taking a bath.

From: Sic
Are you home now?

Napangiti ako sa simpleng tanong na 'yon. I was about to type my reply when an incoming call from my father suddenly popped out of the screen. My throat instantly went dry even though I was just drinking a few seconds ago. Ever since our last conversation last month, he didn't try to contact me again, and I also did the same thing.

Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi bago labag sa loob na sinagot ang tawag ng ama. "Dad..." maingat kong sabi.

My father removed his reading glasses when I answered his call. He brought his paper down on the table and turned to me.

"I see that you're not yet breaking up with that drummer boy." He tried to sound casual but I knew he was already trying to warn me for being disobedient. "Until when are you going to rebel against me, Lavi?"

"Dad, we already talked about this," I told him and sighed in frustration. "Just let me do things on my own―"

"And ruin your future?" he cut me off.

"My future, huh?" I didn't want to sound rude but I couldn't help but be sarcastic. "Can I still call it my future if you will make all the decisions for me?"

"Lavinia!" he growled.

Clenching my fist, I gritted my teeth and looked away. Ayaw ko nang magsalita pa ulit dahil baka kung ano ang masabi ko.

"Anyway..." he trailed and exhaled to control his temper. "I'll be home in a month. Please be a good girl while I'm still not home. I'll ask Neil to check on you again."

Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi nang mariin at hindi na sumagot. When he realized that I wasn't in the mood to speak with him already, he ended the call himself.

Napabuntonghininga ako at binitiwan ang cellphone. "Ask Neil, huh..." Mapait akong ngumiti pagkatapos ibulong 'yon sa sarili. And for the first time, I didn't feel excited about the thought of seeing him.