Chapter 12

/ LEOX ACHERON SOLACE/

When the night came, we started preparing our beds after we had taken our dinner. The food was delicious, and everyone enjoyed it. The wine tasted so sweet, especially because I was sharing it with them. Before entering our tents, Jig showed his guitar, and the girls immediately came to him and requested a song.

"Yeeey! Ako pili ha!" Excited na hiyaw ni Fae. Tumabi ito kay Jig at bumulong. Hindi ko naman narinig dahil medyo malayo ako sa kanila.

Sinimulan nang kalabitin ni Jig ang kwerdas ng gitara niya at tumingin sa lahat. Nakapaskil sa labi nito ang isang ngiti.

"Ahemm... this is Jig, your vocalist this evening. I'd like to sing a song for everyone, and I hope you enjoy it. To those who know this song... don't hesitate to duet with me! So, ready?" Introduction nito na animo'y nasa isang restobar.

"Yeessss!" Sigaw nina Fae and Acia.

Nakatingin lang ako sa kanila habang nagkakantahan at halatang alam din nina Kim at Jeric ang kanta. Jig was singing an Oh! Caraga song entitled Ayaw Nag Hilak. Ito ang requested song ni Fae at halata rin na gamay na gamay nito ang kanta dahil nakikisabay siya kay Jig.

On the other side, there was Dal who silently listening to the song. He was smiling while watching the kids dance and have fun in front of the fire.

"Kalimti na tanan mong pagsubo
Kung gusto ka
Kuyug na lang tang duha palayo ning tanan
Didto ta ibabaw sa hamugaway nga buwan
Ayaw kahadlok tikang
Nganhi sa akong tupad
Ug di na ka mohilak usab
Tambalan ko tanan mong kasuko
Ug pagsakit didto sa may bungtod nga dapit
Tabangan tikag singgit sa tanang gibati mo
Ayaw na'g kabalaka naa ko"

As I was listening to the lyrics, it hit me. The song lingered along with Dal's name in my mind. It felt like a promise to myself.

I continued listening until Kim came to me while holding her phone. When she handed me the phone, I saw the worry in her eyes. I tapped her shoulder to calm her down and gave her a nod before talking to the person on the other line.

Naglakad ako papalayo bago sagutin ang tawag.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Leox, the public is demanding a statement from you. They want a press conference. They want your presence."

His voice wasn't calm. I know he cared about my reputation, which is why he sounded so frustrated right now. Crown Entertainment is a huge company. Their products are top-notch, especially the "princes" they created, and I am one of them.

They will do everything to fix this problem because of my position. I am one of the in-demand public figures, and if they lose me, some other company will come to me. Ayaw nila ng nalalamangan ng mga kalaban.

When I tried to resign, one of the board members approached me, telling me things about my career, efforts, and the talents that I have being put in the trash if I leave the industry.

But that was before, when I was still feeling lonely and thought it was the only thing I could do.

"How about you just release a statement from me? It's just the same."

"No, it's not. Your presence is highly needed. The public requested you in the flesh."

"I'm too far from Quintessa," I said, deliberately trying to sound like I had a reason not to show up.

"You know that is not a problem, Leox. Send us your location; one of the team will get you there via chopper."

Tsk! They're really eager to bring me back. Pero ayoko munang bumalik. They already posted a statement about the issue, and it was clearly stated there that I am not available at the moment. I love my fans. I treasure them, but I hope they also remember that I am also a human. I need time. I need to relax my mind.

Kailangan ko rin ng pahinga dahil napapagod din naman  ako.

Some of them actually respected my decision, and I appreciated it.

"No need. I'll show up after I clear my schedule."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll finish my itinerary first before coming back. This is more important."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at pinatay ang tawag. Ayoko munang umalis ng Lindenvale. Gusto ko munang manatili rito, lalo na at may rason akong manatili talaga. Tinignan ko si Dal na nakatingin din pala sa akin. Siguro kanina pa niya ako pinapanood dahil halata sa mukha niyang nagtatanong.

I gave the phone back to Kim.

"Babalik ka ba sa Quintessa?" she asked.

"Hmm... probably next week."

I heard Kim take a deep breath, and when I looked at her, her face was painted with worry.

"Don't worry, it's just a press conference."

"It's not about the press conference why I'm so worried, Leox. Someone from the studio called me just now. They said that one of your houses in San Demartino almost burned down. Tapos no'ng binuksan ko ang website mo, puno ito ng mga death threats. Even your phone has a lot of text messages."

Now get to taste the kind of hate most public figures are afraid to experience. Pero inaasahan ko na mangyari ito.

"The're calling you names like "Satanic", "Maniac", "Bakla", "Hypocrite", "Hitad", and even worse ones I don't want to say."

Being hated by almost all the people is the worst, especially if you really put in effort climbing to the top. In my case, I don't care if they hate me. I don't need a lot of fans. A few is enough. Few but real.

I am the type of person who knows my real fans very well. These types of people? The ones who throw so much hate are just random individuals trying to sync their platform into my issue to get people's attention.

"May nadamay ba?" I asked calmly.

"Walang tao nang mangyari ang insidente, but some of the fans got hate as well for defending you."

They are even dragging other people into it. Wow! How toxic these can be. Hindi ba sila kontento sa buhay nila para pakialaman ang buhay ng ibang tao?

"Who are these attackers?"

"Well, the entertainment is working their ass off to save your reputation. Actually, kayong dalawa ang palaging laman ng balita. Seems like the reporters are very updated about your issues."

I know she's referring to Dal. When I looked at him again, he was now watching the kids singing.

"How about the one I've told you, Kim?" I asked while I was still staring at the man from afar.

"May lawyer si Mister Lubomir at sa ngayon ay pinalabas nila ang clear copy ng CCTV footage na nakuha. It turned out na hindi siya ang lalaki sa footage dahil wala itong tattoo sa kamay. The girl's dating issues were brought up as well, and now she's being targeted by Mister Lubomir's fans."

Why the hell would she frame her friend? Did Dal do something to her to make her do this kind of act? Pero kahit na. She could have talked to her friend to clear things out and not frame him.

"Maraming kaibigan si Mister Lubomir na handang tumulong sa kanya."

I see. It is good to know that he has someone he can trust too.

"Leox."

When Kim called my name, I immediately looked at her side because she sounded serious.

"What?"

"May gusto ka ba talaga kay Mister Lubomir?" she asked seriously.

"I like him." There's no point in lying.

Kim nodded like she actually expected my answer. When she looked at me again, there was already a smile plastered on her face.

"Alam ko wala kang hiya, pero tone it down kung maaari dahil marami kaming nakakakita," she said and then walked away.

I laughed a bit. So she saw what I did a while ago?

Bumalik na ako sa pwesto ko kanina. The kids were still singing, but now it was a different song from the same band. I saw from my peripheral view that Dal stood up and went to my side.

"Hey!" he softly called me. "May problema ba?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya na may pagtataka sa mukha. Hindi ko balak sabihin sa kanya ang sitwasyon ko. At isa pa, hindi ko rin alam kung interesado siya.

"Nakita ko na may kausap ka sa phone at nag-usap din kayo ni Kim. Mukha kayong seryoso dalawa kaya tinatanong ko kung may problema ba," he explained when I didn't respond.

"Ahh. Iyon ba? No, it's not a problem. It was my secretary updating me. Why? Nag-aalala ka ba sa akin?" I teased.

I heard him scoff. "I am just wondering why you look so calm. You're one of the public's enemies right now and yet you're here-enjoying," he sounded sarcastic but there was a bit of hesitation in the way he said it.

"So therefore, I conclude that Dal's worrying about Acheron... yes?" I wiggled my brows up and down, trying to tease him more.

"Tsk! Be serious, Acheron!" there was firmness in his voice and it took me by surprise. "You're receiving death threats, am I right?"

I turned to face him and sighed. "Are you receiving one?" balik kong tanong sa kanya.

"That's given, knowing how toxic people are nowadays! I'm planning to hold a press conference to clear my name, but my lawyer told me to stay quiet and wait."

A lawyer... hmmm. I know he's quite famous, but having a lawyer is a different level. I doubt it if Dal is just a mere photographer.

"You can't force people to see the truth if they refuse to. Some choose ignorance, and no amount of reasoning will change their mind," I explained.

They have their own truth even though they don't know the whole thing. They would create scenarios that aren't even real and build theories that are full of shits. When you speak your truth, they will listen but eventually mock you.

What's the point of having a press conference?
Whatever truth you'll say on national television, only a few would understand and accept you wholeheartedly.

"So you choose silence? They are ruining your reputation and even threatening you. Is that what you want? You'll never feel safe!"

Why does he sound like he experienced the same thing?

"They'll get bored when they realize that you didn't pay any attention to them. Also, you can use any means to get them and put them behind bars. These types of people are just attention seekers."

"Aren't you afraid for your life?"

Actually, I know how to handle myself from harm. I took classes for any type of self-defense for future purposes. Well, honestly, I was forced to take these studies by Mom.

"Not for my life. I'm afraid for the people around me to be attacked instead."

It is one of the reasons why I decided to have a press conference. I want them to move freely.

I know these types of people. If they can't harm their target, they will harm those people close to their target.

"How about the awarding?"

Hmmm... he really is worried about my well-being. It's a good sign. I mean, he's showing more emotions to me.

"Hindi nila basta-basta matatanggal ang pangalan ko sa mga nominado. I can still win even if my issue would ruin my reputation as an artist."

My issue is about my personal life, not about me being an artist. If it was an issue about harming fellow artists, there would be a higher possibility that my name, as well as the movie, would be eliminated.

"You really know what you're doing..." I heard Dal mumbling. "Was it unfair?" he suddenly asked.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, full of wonder.

"There were two people in the picture, but you... you got all the hate," unti-unting humihina ang boses nito na parang ayaw iparinig ang huling sinabi.

I heard it loud and clear though. I only laughed a bit at what he said. Dal was watching the kids again while I was watching his side profile. I really don't know when I realized it, but I think this issue made me free from suppressing my real self.

I should probably thank that guy at the bar.

"Thank you."

"Ha? Bakit ka nagpapasalamat?" nagtatanong niyang sabi, nagtataka dahil sa bigla kong pagpapasalamat.

Before answering him, I held his hand and gave it a soft massage. I looked around and sighed a little before looking him in the eye.

"My stay here in Lindenvale became memorable because of you. I was just hiding from the people, but when I met you, I decided to explore the beauty of this place."

I guess everything really happens for a reason. Kung hindi dahil sa isyu ko, hindi ako babalik dito at hindi ko makikilala si Dal. I would probably never meet someone as wonderful as him.

"I hate your sweetness, by the way."

Dal looked at me with disgust, but instead of being hurt, I was amazed. He really looked cool whenever he showed emotions on his face.

"I have a lot of versions... which one do you like?" I teasingly asked him.

"Ehh? I prefer that person I met for the first time."

Oh! If I'm not mistaken, when I first met him, I already wanted to kiss him so badly just to wipe the sadness in his eyes. So I giggled when I realized that he likes the bold me. Of course, he didn't know this because I was just stopping myself.

"Hey! Why are you laughing?" he asked when he saw I couldn't hold my laugh after realizing things.

I was having a hard time calming myself, but I managed eventually after a few attempts.

"Ahem..." I cleared my throat, also stopping myself from laughing again.

"You're getting worse each day. Wow! So weird!" he mumbled again and turned his back at me.

"Hey! Saan ka?"

"Matutulog na! Goodnight!"

Before he went too far from me, I shouted...

"Goodnight and sweet dreams!"

I didn't get a response, but he gave me a middle finger instead while walking towards his tent.

"Huh! So adorable!"

- B M -

"Kalimutan mo na ang lahat ng iyong kalungkutan
Kung gusto mo,
Sabay na tayong lumayo sa lahat ng ito.
Doon tayo sa ilalim ng malamig na buwan.
Huwag kang matakot lumakad
Papunta sa aking tabi.
At hindi ka na muling iiyak.
Gagamutin ko ang lahat ng iyong galit
At sakit doon sa may burol.
Tutulungan kitang isigaw ang lahat ng nararamdaman mo.
Huwag ka nang mag-alala, nandito ako."

This is the part of the song na kinanta ni Jig sa scene sa itaas.