Chapter 43: His Side  

***

/KENNETH'S PERSPECTIVE  

I guess people in the Philippines are now curious of my whereabouts now. I'm sorry Kathy. I just cannot decline my producer's threat. He said that if I don't come back in L.A he will announce that death had caught me. How rude is that?! Psh.  

I asked manager Louie for help but he's out of L.A and he guessed that he couldn't change the decision of that hypocrite producer of mine. He knew that I'd gone for Phil because of Tricia. Ugh! She did something that I could never forgive. Never even when the night stars fall.  

So leaving for Los Angeles was the finality. I was with my cousin Max. And to my surprise, he didn't even want to go back either. I guess I've got one on my side. 

When we got home, I immediately called Louie and forgot about the awful jet lag.  

"Can't you do something about this?!" I half-yelled. I just want to go back.  

"Sorry Jake. I... I—"  

"I don't want to hear that Jake Flynn anymore! It svcks alright!"  

I really am was born as Kenneth Verge. Jake Flynn is just my screen name. Why Jake? Because my real full name is Kenneth Jake Verge.  

But since I got involved in this chaotic society, I forced my parents to permanently remove Jake in my real name. Just in case.  

"Calm down. I'm on my way back."  

"Just when?!"  

"I'm on my way to the airport to check out date flights. I'll send you a message as soon as I know. I'll hung up."  

"Alright."  

"Wait Jake!" that stopped me from hanging up. "Don't talk to anyone just yet. Be careful with your moves, especially with Tricia. Right, got to go."  

And it was him who ended the call.  

"Just bllsh.t!" I cussed loudly. I'm really furious this time. The second time I cussed this hard. Memories came flashing by. I remembered when Kathy got bumped by a car, and that psycho. I even cooked that time just for her. I miss her.  

"Hey man! What's up?" Max  

I just rolled my eyes and sat beside him on the couch. Mom and dad aren't here. And my brother is probably hanging out with his friends.  

"Dude talk."  

But I still ignored him.  

"Fine!" he ignored me as well in return and faced himself on his iPad.  

Really, I want to go back! What if that WEIRD GUY had already made a move to Kathy? So what's my chance now? Ugh.  

I really am Unlucky. Could I use some help Cupid? Tsk. Gay thing! I never knew I believed in that. Surely I'm desperately depressed.  

"Pffft~!" Max. He's trying to conceal his laughter.  

I smacked his shoulder hard. "What're you doing?!"  

"Hah—Nothing." then he grinned.  

"Yeah. Right. Spit!"  

He acted really as if he'll going to spit on me. I pushed his head away by my index finger at his forehead.  

"Shut up! Dude. If you're playing your own self-proclaimed stupid love game spiel, stop it. Okay? A brotherly advice."  

"More like a shitty one." he rolled his eyes heavenwards. "Don't you want someone's happiness? Tss. Mind your own business!"  

And then he glued his eyes once more to what he was doing previously.  

***

After about three days, Louie came back. I couldn't control myself that I constantly yelled at him. He was quiet and calm that time so I felt suspicious and uneasy.  

"Do you know something or what?!"  

"Don't yell. Was that your Filipino friends had taught you? Man, you're more than wrong staying back there."  

I felt my face heated up. "No! Tch. This is what most of my haters think of right? A piece of crap under the hood and behind the flashes of cameras, right?! Well I'll give them their thoughts!"  

"Calm down." he tapped my shoulder. "I already have a plan. Let's talk when you're mild. Get yourself a rest first."  

I did what I was told. I just trust him so much. I slept early and woke up at six. Family bonding was the first thing I did. I missed them. We ate at the backyard and chatted for so long. I was drinking water when I chocked because of my dad's question.  

"Any girls you're interested with in the Phil, son?"  

"Oo nga naman. You should invite her here some time." that's my mom. She speaks to us in that language to help us not to forget it. But still, I don't know how to speak it fluently.  

"Here? Don't you think it's kind of far and tiresome?"  

"So you really do have a girlfriend?!" my brother excitedly asked.  

"What?!" I coughed, embarrassed of my high tone. "Sorry but, I... Uhm. Did I say that?"  

"Yes po, anak. Who's the lucky girl?" mom asked with a bright smile on her face.  

"No!" I said as I swallowed my lasagna. "Besides. She, uhm, likes another," I coughed, "boy. So I don't stand a chance."  

"Psssh!" my brother playfully hissed. "My international superstar brother was declined by an average teenage girl. Wuuhooo! An interesting headline, don't you think Kuya?" Kith wiggled his eyebrows.  

"Oh shut up!" I took another spoon before talking again. "She really doesn't know that I'm Jake Flynn. I got home as my real self."  

"And you didn't tell us?" Mom  

"Sorry."  

"Ang ibig sabihin ba niyan ay hindi mo nabisita ang family and friends natin back there?" It was Dad.  

"Sorry." I kept on repeating. Ugh. "I'm sorry okay? I don't want to get the same treatment. That was another different place for me now, so I wanted different way of living. I just want to be normal alright?"  

"You're abnormal, anyway. No changing that fact." Kith stuck his tongue out.  

"Kid!" I murmured irritatedly.  

***

"So what's the plan now?"  

"Record another of your unreleased songs and we'll do something about it." Manager Louie  

"What do you mean?"  

"I'm already planning your mall tour around Asia. Be sure to do your own. I'm helping you my way, so let's just cooperate. Alright? No time for stubbornness." he responded as he typed something on his phone.  

"I'll go at the studio now. If I record, what will be the next?"  

"Shoot a music video of it. It's anywhere you want. And please, talk to me later? I'm clarifying something. Get out."  

I just laughed. "Fine. I'll evaporate. I'm on my way to start these."

Wuhoooo! Of course it'll be Philippines. I'm going go confess, this man really own this game. I'm lucky to have him.  

I rode my own convertible and drove to the studio. I'm of course a VIP there, so I didn't bother bringing any company because there'll be a lot of them there. While I was driving I notice something. My hair! It's not blonde! Oh boy! What should I do? I'm doomed.  

I parked in front and did not go outside yet. I'm computing this equation on how to solve a Kenneth's hair back to Jake's hair.  

I'm doomed. I'm doomed. I'm doomed. I chanted.

I'm doom—

"Hi Jake!"  

I nearly jumped off my seat. "What the hell are you doing here, Tricia?!"  

"Ohhh." she pouted. "Don't you want me beside you?" from the passenger seat, she leaned on me and cupped my face. I struggled to push her away from me.  

"Get away!"  

"Where have you been? Huh, Jake?"  

"None of your business."  

"You're my fame business. We're on-screen couple so we should date in public, you know."  

I rolled my eyes and stared outside.  

"But what did you do?! You ran away! Where to? Sht Jake! I'm left with no one. They've been asking me where you are and how are you doing. They didn't even dare to ask if I'm fine or something. That's rude!" she scoffed.  

I just nodded and pretended to listen. Hahahaha!  

"And the worst part? They were asking if you and I broke up. That made me irritated for days!"  

"Yeah, me too." I said, and I saw her face lightened. "Saying that we're really dating and steady makes me want to puke. That's more than annoying! Quit bugging me, please."  

"Your hair's black." she segued.  

I looked away in guilt. "Get out! I'm wearing wig."  

"For what?"  

Sht. Why does she have to be so inquisitive! "Privacy cops." My self-proclaimed term for paparazzi's.  

"I get you." she sighed. "So what're you recording today?"  

"Untitled." she doesn't have the right to know it first.  

"Cool. Sing a line." she clapped out of excitement. As if.  

I snubbed her and got out of the car. She followed me from behind. I walked in not-so-obvious manner so that I can lose track of her. Thankfully, I managed to do it.  

I recorded How Do You Sleep with bunch of music junkies in the studio and music directors. They're planning my music video this instance. Woah they're fast.  

"So Jake, you'll work again with Tricia." the director says as he browse along his papers. "Does that sound great?"  

"Change it." I ordered.  

"What? We have planned this all day. And there's no way we could revise it!" he argued.  

Other staffs remained silent, and the others were busy with their businesses.  

"I'll do it."  

"What?! Impossible!"  

"Give me that." I grabbed the papers from him and read it carefully for a minute or two. "This should be easy. I'll email it to you tonight. I'll leave first." I stood up.  

"This night? You're really compulsive, eh? Let's see what you got."  

And with that I left.  

***

A boy was lost in the middle of nowhere. He was forced to inhibit a place's ambiance to fit in everyone's lifestyle. He is not used to their culture and living, but then he met this girl who came along with him and his adventures.

He fell in love. But what hurt him more is that he's not sure about the girl's feelings towards him.

Being truly in love, he took that out of sight and remembered only his feelings for her. He tried everything to own her heart. Seemed like another boy entered her life. He would fight, but then his guardians had found him.

He refused to go with them but there are lots of barricade in between. He left without an explanation.

Ever since he moved, he can't sleep thinking about the girl and if she ended up with another boy.

It's been about a year. And he really wanted to go back and find her.

Some things happened and that made his way back to her an ease. He still doesn't know where she is and if she's already with someone else.

But what he planned to do is to stay strong in all this insomniac love.

***

That's how I revised it. I know it's a bit far from the lyrics. But hey, look at Lady Gaga. Okay?  

Got from personal daze.  

 I emailed it to director and he said it'll be considered though the plans are still tentative. Oh c'mon. There's no way I'm going to act in a play or movies. I don't do my music videos. Artists are tasked for that, and my role is just to sing in act, that's all.  

Louie announced something that made me extremely glad. But Tricia is so... What's the Filipino slang for that again? Uhm. That!  

Tricia is so 'epal'  

She discovered something. I'm almost into slapping her but of course I controlled myself. She's still a girl. And they need to be respected. But if she crossed the line then I'll not hesitate to do it.  

"So you're hiding that's why you ain't blonde. Huh?!" Tricia  

"How can you say that?!"  

"I've got proofs. And that needs to be published on press!"  

"What?! Are you nuts!"  

"No. I'm gorgeous." she smirked. "I'll not do that in two conditions."  

My heart thudded. She's dangerous, seriously.  

"What?!"  

"I heard that you are struggling to go back there. What's up?"  

"Dang! Continue already."  

"Fine! So, don't. Stay here."  

I glared at her. "No! What are you thinking! No not!"  

"Fine. Let's just see the reaction of your beloved Kathy." she smirked again.  

Oh shit. How could she!  

"No! I'll not do that. Proceed to the next. Maybe I'll agree to that!"  

            "Alright! Uhm. Be my official boyfriend."  

"You're kidding right?! You're kidding!" I argued.  

Her face gone serious. "You think so?"  

"Whatever. But no! Just please leave me alone! Get out!"  

She glanced a playful wicked smile before heading out.  

"Bye Jake. Just be careful, honey. You'll be mine soon." she winked.  

CRAP!

In several days, I lost contact of Tricia. That's good. Less of a trouble. I asked the Team Jake Flynn to favor of my ideas and conditions. Sure it was hard at first but I managed to force them in the end. 

/KATHERINE'S PERSPECTIVE  

Lalapitan ko na talaga siya. Kinakabahan nga lang ako, baka manigaw eh. Hehehe. De, joke.  

Lumapit ako sa may pwesto nya, pero may distance pa rin naman. As in.  

"Uhm," wala akong masabi kasi. Yan lang lumabas sa bibig ko para malaman nyang nasa tabi niya ako.  

"Oh. Kath. Sorry. I'll send you home." tatayo sana sya pero pinigilan ko muna.  

"No. I'm sorry. Let's stay?"  

"Sure." at ngumiti sya. Kaso nga lang, di ko sure kung natutuwa siya o ewan eh.  

"Ang ganda pala dito. Where's this? Your old school, or what?" tanong ko. May ma-topic lang. Pero nakaka-amuse talaga yung paligid. Ang ganda sa mata.  

"My parent's."  

"Ohh."  

Ang awkward. Hindi na naman siya nagsasalita. Siguro naoffend talaga siya. Shet! Nakaka-guilty lang eh.  

"Jake, I'm sorry." tsaka ako tumungo.  

Ginulo niya yung buhok ko tapos tumawa. Sa wakas. Ang saya palang marinig ng tawa niya. Napangiti naman ako, pero nakatungo pa rin.  

"You're smiling." pang-asar niya.  

"No. I'm not."  

Nagkatitigan kami. Tapos sabay natawa.  

"Am I forgiven?" tanung ko.  

"Huh? Why?"  

"Tsk. Yung nasabi ko sayo kanina. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to... It's just that--"  

"It's fine. My fault anyway." ngumiti ulit sya.  

"And one more thing." kinakabahan ako sa susunod kong sasabihin. Baka maoffend na naman. Pero wait, magtatanong muna ako.  

"Do you like me?"  

"What if I say..." he looked away and said, "Yes?" tumingin na siya sakin nang seryoso ang mukha. "Because I do, Kathy."  

"Uhm," how should I start?! Gaaah. "Look, Jake."  

I sighed.  

"Maybe you're just confused with your feelings. Hindi mo ako gusto. It's way too fast. Paulit ulit na, pero yun kasi ang totoo. And..."  

"I like someone else."  

"No!" bigla nyang sagot. "Can't you just explain to yourself that you like me even a little?! Tell yourself!"  

Ugh! Nainis ako doon ah! "Really, Jake! I like someone else. Stop bugging me!" napatayo ako sa sobrang inis.  

"Really?! Who?"  

"Kenneth!"  

DARN!

Nadulas. Sheeeet! Pwedi na. Di naman niya kilala eh. Hala! Ano na kaya reaction nya?  

"Hahahahaha! Okay, fine." tumawa lang siya. Sa pagkatingin ko, tunay yung tawa niya.  

Napaupo na ako. Wala na yung inis ko.  

"Yaaa! Why are you laughing?!"  

"You just confessed. Uhhh. Wait no." napakamot siya sa ulo niya. Cute. Halaaaa! Joke lang!  

"So will you stop?" tanong ko.  

"Stop what?"  

"You, liking me."  

"Well it depends. If you confess to that boy, I'll go." Nakangiti siya nang malapad.  

Yung ganito,  

^_____^  

"Wait. Bakit ganyan ka makangiti? Hindi ba dapat you should be more like, uhm, not so glad about it?" nahihiya kong sabi.  

"Because I'm..." napatigil na naman siya. "Hehehehe." defensive cute laugh.  

Hahahaha. Anu baaa! Bakit ba kasi nakikita ko sa kanya minsan si Kenneth?! Tsk.  

"Because maybe, just maybe he's better than me. But wait, does he already know?"  

"What?"  

"That you like him?"  

"Oh that. Well no."  

"Why?"  

"E hindi ko maamin eh. Mahirap."  

Tumahimik kami sandali. Then nagulat ako sa sinabi niya.  

"You know what, I have a sister. And that Kenneth might like her. I'll have them meet the both of them. So that, you'll be mine." he laughed.  

Kainesss!  

Akin si Kenneth eh!!!  

Wait!  

Joke lang yun. Hehehehe.

Pero basta! Hindi pwedi yun!

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