The Diva and Her Rockstars

Three

Naghintay ako sa conference ng ilang oras para sa meeting namin with the record execs. Katabi ko ang aking manager na mas interesado pa sa pag-scroll ng kanyang phone. Habang ako ay kinakabahan, na may halong inis at parang sasabog na. One month after that scandal, may bago na namang kalokohan na ginawa ang aking boyfriend. This time he has been seen smooching with two guys! His agent dealt with the last one, saying that it’s only rumors. Now, hindi ko alam kung anong palusot ang kanilang gagawin pa. It’s all in social media, taken in a gay club!

Nanginginig ako sa galit at naiiyak na rin. I have been grinding these last few weeks. Showing to the people na parang walang nangyari, na okay lang ako. Smiling in front of the camera is getting kind of difficult. Sa tuwing may magpapa-sign sa akin na fan and tells me that they love me, gusto ko na lang umiyak sa saya dahil sila ang nagpapalakas sa akin. Lahat ng natatamo ko ngayon ay dahil sa kanila and I know I am letting them down. Alam kong disappointed din sila because I am involved with a man like Cole Beaumont. Pero hindi na ako magpapa-kontrol sa kanila. I am going to get what I deserve.

“Huwagn a huwag kang gagawa ng kalokohan, Allura. Parang alam ko na yang iniisip mo. I told you na mag-focus ka na lang sa album mo at sa mga future shows na gagawin mo.” Sabi ng aking manager at matalim ko siyang tiningnan.

“Ako pa talaga ang gagawa ng kalokohan? Tingnan mo nga ang pinaggagagawa ng Cole na ‘yon! Wala naman akong problema sa personal life niya, I just wished na mag-ingat siya! Lalo na at pinapalabas ng management na may relasyon kaming dalawa!”

“Kaya nga mag-uusap tayo ngayon with the execs to fix the problem. Siguradong may naisip na silang plano kaya tayo nandito.” Napahalukipkip ako ng aking mga kamay.

“I just hope so.” Mahina kong sabi.

After waiting for so long, dumating na rin ang mga execs ng record label at kasunod nila ang aking fake boyfriend. He was smiling na parang walang siyang nagawang mali for the past few months. I hate him and I want to ruin his handsome face! Why do I even out up with this guy? Dahil kailangan ko siya para i-boost ang career ko. That’s what I was thinking nang pumayag ako sa sitwasyon na ito. Besides, they would hold half of my prize money pag hindi ko pinirmahan ang contract.

“Hello, Allura… You are looking as fine as usual.” Bati sa akin ni Cole, giving me his charming smile that makes women swoon. But it does not work on me! Actually, gusto ko siyang suntukin and make him bleed. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at hindi ko siya sinagot.

“Damn it, Allura, hind mo yata alam ilugar ang sarili mo.” Sabi ng isang exec na si Ben at galit ang mukha nito na nakatingin sa akin. “Sino ka to demand from us, hmmm?”

“I am one of your artists, baka nakakalimutan mo. You assured me of a promising career at wala pang isang taon, you guys are ruining it all for me.” Matigas kong sabi. Napa-tsk ang aking manager at hindi ko siya pinansin.

“I’m sorry, Ben, wala lang sa mood si Allura dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon. I mean, Cole, I am not blaming you, pero konting discreet lang naman. Huwag mo rin kalimutan na may girlfriend ka kahit fake lang ‘yon.” Sabi ng aking manager. “We are losing some sponsors here.”

“Well, it’s not my fault. Allura here is just not as talented as I am.”

“Talented at what? Sucking d1cks?!” Nawala ang ngiti ng aking fake boyfriend at napangisi naman ako.

“What the hell, Voss?!” sabi pa ng isang exec partner at inirapan ko siya. “Akala mo may napatunayan ka na. People would not have even known you kung hindi ka nakadikit sa pangalan ni Cole.” Napatawa ako sandali.

“Allura, stop talking.” Awat sa kanya ng kanyang manager pero hindi ako nagpapigil.

“Yeah, I am known as the pathetic girlfriend tolerating that spoiled brat country singer of yours!” sigaw ko.

“Ano pa bang inirereklamo mo?” sabi ni Cole na prenteng nakaupo sa leather seat. “You are getting a lot of attention. Make advantage of it habang napapansin ka pa. I know you’re just jealous because I am still big and you’re still not.” Pinaningkitan ko siya ng aking mga mata. Tingnan lang natin kung may career pa siyang babalikan after ng lahat ng scandal na kinasangkutan niya.

“I don’t think you know what is going on here, Cole. Dahil sa mga ginagawa mo, bumabagsak ang career ko.” Confident kong tiningnan ang dalawang execs na lagi na lang kumakampi sa lalakeng ito. “That is not good for business.” Nagkatinginan ang mga ito.

“Nagsisimula ka pa lang naman, sweetheart. Being here is the best thing that ever happened to you. You go to your shows. You are making your album. What more can you ask for? Maybe I can be more discreet.” At tumingin ito kay Ben na tumango.

“Narinig mo? Good. Now we are done here.” Sabi ng isa nilang boss. Hindi naman ako makapaniwala. Gano’n na lang ‘yon? I don’t think so! Nagulat silang lahat nang binagsak ko ang aking mga kamay sa table.

“No! We are not done here! Sawang-sawa na akong magtiis sa lahat ng kagaguhan na ginagawa mo, Cole! I will not babysit this overly confident and dumb superstar who can’t keep it in his pants! I don’t care if you love men. I just want this fake relationship to be over para magawa mo na ang gusto mo!” napatawa si Cole.

“Are you sure about that? Ako ang dahilan kung bakit nakikilala ka ng mga tao. Without me, you are nothing!”

“Actually, without you, I would have made something myself!”

“Hey! Tumigil ka na! Huwag mo kong subukan, Voss. We can take away all that we have given you!” Banta ni Ben. My lips trembled at wala na akong nasabi. Nakita ko ang pagngisi ng aking manager at gusto ko siyang batukan ng mga oras na ‘yon.

“We should all calm down. Meron na kaming ginawang plano just to make this all go away. Pumayag na si Cole and it would benefit you too, Allura. Hindi ka namin pababayaan.” Ngumiti sa akin ang exec partner but I was not relieved at all. “So, malapit na ang Valentines and we are going to announce your engagement.” Napatawa ulit si Cole. Para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa sinabi nito. “It would be perfect since you are both participating in the Valentine’s concert. Cole can propose to Allura there. It will be epic!”

“WHAT?!!!” I screech, and it might break the glass around us. “No! No way in hell! I will not be engaged to a man like him!”

“God, Voss! Will you fvcking calm down? It’s not like there’s going to be a marriage between you two. You will just pretend for a few months, or longer depending on how things will go.” Natulala ako at parang nanghina ang aking katawan. A few months or longer? I can’t have that.

“THIS IS INSANE! Wala sa contract ang ganitong usapan!” Tumingin ako sa aking manager.

“I think it’s a good idea.” Sabi nito at napaawang ang aking bibig.

“Voss, either you agree to this or tuluyan ng masisira ang career mo.” Banta na namn ni Ben. Hindi na ako makapagsalita. There was too much pressure and I feel like something is stuck in my throat, making it hard to breathe.

“She will not agree to anything!”