Stolen Kisses

Chapter No. 1 - The Troublesome Member

J E R E M Y

“Good evening, beautiful viewers! We are back in A Night with Mr. A! Alright. Alright! Look who's with us tonight! It’s the four handsome and talented men of the entertainment industry. Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome Titan!”

Nagsusumigaw ang mga kababaihan sa audience na kanina pa gustong sumabog ng sa wakas ay inanunsyo na kami. Their red faces caused by stifled smiles and screams got finally free after they let go of their loud voices.

At kagaya ng inaasahan, they are screaming none other than our names.

“AAAAH! Keith!”

“Jeremiah! Aaah! Jeremiah!”

“Young master Dale! Aaah!”

“Marry me, Zack! Aaah!”

“Flying high in the sky! Keith. Brilliant like diamonds! Jermiah. Voices like angels! Dale. We are always the winners! Zack. Gigantic, so bright! Let's go Titan!”

Oh. So, may bagong fan chant na naman ba kami? Kung hindi namin sila fans baka kanina ko pa sila pinahinto. Who came up with such a lousy fan chant? If their voice isn't loud enough, anyone who would hear this might think they are only screaming out names for the sake of it being a fan chant. At ang baduy ng mga word selection, ha.

They just kept going with the fan chant. Mga sobrang tatlong beses ata, until the host raised his hand to halt their screams.

“The studio is going wild with you here, boys! How are you today? Thank you so much sa pagpapaunlak niyo sa imbitasyon namin. It's a late-night show and you are all busy these days. Yet, you're still here!”

Kagaya ng nakagawian ay nauna nang nagsalita si Keith.

“Of course, Mr. A. It's an honor for us to be your guest also.”

I agree. Who doesn't want to be invited by the famous talk show legend, Mr. Antoin Van? Also known as, Mr. A!

“Naku. Naku. Bolero kang bata ka. Osya! Without any further ado, tell us more about your new single, Tears.”

Sinenyasan ako ni Keith. Hudyat na ako naman ang magsalita. “Tears. As just the word suggests, it is about a man who cries in the sorrow he felt about his lost lover. But, of course, the song is written in a way that the fans could relate to. They can actually uh, feel the same sorrow to many other situations and things also. It doesn’t have to be a person. We simply made sure that this one will be another relatable music for our lovely fans.” Pagkatapos kong bitawan ang huling salita sa dulo ay humarap ako sa camerang naka-focus sa mukha ko at ngumiti ng pagkatamis-tamis… And the next thing I heard was the loud squeal of the audience.

Woah. Nagustuhan ata nila ang ngiting ‘yun.

“Wow. What a well written song. Sa totoo lang ay narinig ko na ‘yung single niyo sa radio. I was surprised because it was just released yesterday night and now I can already listen to it on the radio. Don’t you think your song hits too fast this time again?”

Ibinigay ko naman sa member na nasa tabi ko ang microphone. Tumikhim muna si Zack bago itinapat sa bibig niya ang mic at sumagot. “Ah, yes. Palagi nga kaming nagugulat sa tuwing naririnig namin ang bagong kanta namin sa radyo. Even nung kanina. Nasa salon ako, nag-rerelax tapos, ‘yun. Nag-play ‘yung new single namin.”

“Kahapon lang ‘yun na release, eh,” Dale uttered even though the audience couldn’t hear him because he didn’t have a mic.

“Oo nga. Oo nga. Kahapon lang na release. Hindi po ito magiging posible kung hindi dahil sa mga fans namin na patuloy ang suporta sa amin.”

This man is always the humblest one among us four. The happy, cutie, and sociable type that every older woman likes… Well, at least that’s how he appears in front of the camera. Hindi naman sa iyan talaga ang totoo niyang personalidad, he just has to act the cutesy one as that’s what his image is supposed to be.

“Hm, nabanggit kanina ni Jeremiah that the song is about a man. A sorrowful man. Pwede bang paki-paliwanag kung ano, saan, o paano kayo naghanap ng paghuhugutan sa kanta na ‘to? Uh—who wrote the song?”

Tsk. I hate how this guy is so attentive. Pati pala ‘yun ay napansin niya? Sinabi ko lang naman ‘yun as a starter kasi abrupt ang pagsagot ko.

Sa pagkakataon na ito ay si Dale naman ang nagsalita. Mr. Leal told us that at least once, each of us should answer the host’s questions. Hindi na lang parating si Keith. Siya kasi ang madalas na nagsasalita, at dahil dito siya rin ang madalas na na-hohot seat.

Lumingon muna si Dale kay Keith bago nagsimulang magsalita. Nakita ko naman mula sa peripheral vision ko ang sikreto na pagtango ni Keith sa kanya.

Dale must be nervous again.

“Si Keith ang nagsulat. Syempre man ang nabanggit ni Jeremy since Keith wrote it. Relax lang. Walang ibang nakatagong kahulugan sa likod ng kanta,” he replied using his deep voice.

The host laughed, but it didn’t appear like he was having fun. If I have to describe it, it’s more like a mocking one.

He gave himself a good (fake) laugh then said, “Oh, akala ko kasi one of you is starting to date. I’m sure you guys are aware that there are some rumors saying that a member of Titan is often caught hanging out with a woman or better say… women.”

Ah. He is obviously talking about me.

Pero hindi ako nag-pahalata at diretso pa rin na tumingin sa kanya.

“It must be our assistant,” mabilis na tugon ni Keith.

“Ah, yes. Yes. Your manager claims that you have a lot of female staff.” It’s too subtle, yet I can hear the mocking tone in his voice.

“Perhaps you wanna be a staff, sir,” alok ko.

Keith is quick to nudge me with his elbow while hiding it with his ever-professional business smile. “Oh, Mr. A. This kid is such a jester.”

Mr. A laughed again. “He sure is,” he agreed as his eyes curved into the shape of a half-moon because of how exaggerated his smile had become. Pero live pa rin kami, and the show must go on kahit na harap-harapan na naming pinapainit ang ulo ng isa’t isa.

In the end, Mr. A announced, “Anyway! I am sad to say that these gentlemen are in demand these days. That's why we have to end the interview here for them to rest. But! There’s a but because on Saturday. Yes, the day after tomorrow – the Fund-Raising Festival, with the benefit of homeless children, the all mighty and all talented Titan will perform on stage. Live!”

Nag-palakpakan ang audience, sa hudyat na rin ng floor director na kanina pa nagpapaalala na malapit nang mag-over time.

“Now, Titan, please invite our viewers to join the Fund-Raising Festival that will happen at…”

“The Purple Colosseum po. To our fans, Orions, we invite you to join and have a fun music festival with us to help the homeless street children,” Keith.

Keith is just basically reading the text on the screen. And of course, ako ulit ang sumunod sa kanya. “Yes, for tickets and reservation, visit www.tickgets.com or scan the QR code you can find on your TV screens.”

Then, Zack followed, “For those who will miss the chance to join live, you can watch the festival on iWantWatch app. It’s available on Doodle Fun and Pineapple Store.”

“Don’t miss out the fun as we will also perform with various talented artists that you will surely love to sing along with,” Dale.

“Oh, yes. Yes. Yes! Thank you so much, Titan!” Humarap ang host sa camera para muling ianunsyo na, “Again, ladies and gentlemen, Titan!”

At isa na namang schedule ang natapos namin. Actually, this is the last activity that we have today. Agad na kaming tumungo sa van namin para bumalik sa dorm.

I really wanted to rest. I was hoping to take my time and snuggle on my bed when my manager suddenly called me out while we were on our way.

“Jeremy, the Madam wants you in her office now.”

“What? But it’s almost past twelve o’ clock?” I grumbled.

I can't believe that they are treating me like this. Balak ba nila akong abusuhin by giving me overtime?

“Stop that, Jeremy. I'm sure Madam has her reasons to call you to her office at the last minute.”

Yeah, right. As if I have another choice.

Aangal pa sana ako nang pinaalala sa akin ni Mr. Leal ang nangyari kanina.

“Hindi niya sinabi sa akin kung bakit ka niya pinapatawag, pero may pakiramdam ako na may kinalaman ‘to kay Zara,” banggit niya.

“Come on, huwag mo na ipaalala sa akin ang maingay na babae na ‘yun.”

“Huh? I don't think Zara is the noisy type,” Dale wondered.

“Maybe she's not. Yet, things are different in bed.”

Napatakip ng bibig niya si Dale. I'm sure he already got what I meant.

“Augh, you naughty guy,” Dale.

“Agree,” sambit ni Zack na nasa harapan naming dalawa, tapos ay lumingon sa amin. “You really bring out the worst of every showbiz woman you had made out with, Jeremy.”

I know. I know. At ang ilan sa kanila ay napaka-disappointing. They are all fakes in front of the audience. Ganun din naman ako… but not totally.

“They are all fakes,” I said, uttering what just crossed my mind.

“Tayo rin naman, Jeremy. Huwag na natin pag-usapan ang personalidad, the only thing na tunay sa atin ay ang talent natin,” Keith said in bored manner. He must be tired telling us the same thing every time our true characters slip out.

“Jeremy, we're here,” tawag sa akin ni Mr. Leal.

“Good luck, man,” sabi ng mga kasama ko nung palabas na ako ng van.

They might make it sound like a major problem but it’s nothing for me who has always found himself in a situation like this.

Walang duda na tungkol na naman ito sa kapilyohan ko. Yet, what else can I do? It’s the only way for me to let go of some steam.

“Hindi ka man lang ba kakabahan?” tanong sa akin ni Mr. Leal.

Mukhang sa aming dalawa siya itong kinakabahan lalo na papalapit na kami sa pinto ng opisina ni Madam.

“You get nervous for me, Mr. Leal.”

“Ugh~ naku naman, Jeremy. Sumasakit ulo ko sa’yo.”

I chuckled as I saw him pressing his temples.

What's new anyway?

Kumatok ng tatlong beses si Mr. Leal. Hating gabi na kaya nakakabingi ang katahimikan sa buong building. Umalingawngaw ang kanyang pagkatok. Hindi man lang inabot ng ilang segundo at bumukas na ang pinto.

“You're here,” sambit ng boses ng babae mula sa loob ng opisina.

As we entered the office, the familiar lady in a maroon office suit came into view. She wears slacks instead of skirts and she has her hair tied up in a bun neatly. Her makeup is fierce; dark shades of eyeshadow, long eyelashes that’s packed with thick mascara, and her lipstick in a bloody red color. Truly, an image of an alpha woman who has been in her prime for too long.

“Good… midnight, Madam Samantha,” bati ko sa kanya.

Pero mukhang naging sobrang presko ang dating ng pagbati kong ito dahil binigyan niya lang ako ng masamang tingin. Obviously, it did not help to calm her down even a bit.

“Huwag mo akong ngitian ng ganyan, Jeremy.”

“Magandang gabi, Madam Samantha.” Finally, Mr. Leal gave her his greetings. Kaso hindi rin ito nakatulong.

“Ano ang maganda sa gabi? Ano na naman itong naririnig ko na may dinala na naman si Jeremy na babae sa boarding house ng grupo, huh?”

Ah~ just as expected, nakarating na nga kay Madam ang balita.

“Sino itong babae, Mr. Leal?” pasigaw na tanong ni Madam.

Habang tumataas ang boses niya ay pababa naman nang pababa ang tingin ni Mr. Leal.

“Si Zara, po Madam.”

“Zara? ‘Yung Zara na kilala ko? ‘Yung babaeng artista na sikat ngayon sa mga mababait niyang roles? ‘Yung bida sa trending na palabas ngayon tuwing Sabado ng gabi?”

Tumango si Mr. Leal. Nakita ko naman ang nagtitimpi na ekspresyon ni Madam. Pumikit siya at sabay na huminga ng malalim. Tapos ay hinablot niya mula sa lamesa ang salamin niya sa mata at sinuot ito.

“You little bastard! Pati ba naman si Zara binahiran mo ng kababuyan mo?”

I raised my finger then pointed out, “Excuse me, Madam. Zara isn't as innocent as you k—”

“Wala akong pakialam kung inosente ba siya o hindi. Wala na rin namang totoo sa industriya na ito…” Bumuga si Madam ng hangin at binagsak ang sarili sa kanyang upuan. Sumenyas siya sa lalaking nakatayo sa kanya gilid. Tumango rin naman ito na para bang alam na nito ang gagawin at iniwan na kami sa opisina. “Pinapalinis ko na ang kalat mo, Jeremy. Oh gosh! Ano na lang kaya ang mangyayari sa’yo kung napunta ka sa mahirap na kompanya? Paano ka kaya mamahalin ng fans mo kung malaman nila kung gaano ka kapilyo.”

I'm sure they will still love me… probably?

“You,” tinuro ako ni Madam, “behave well. Kare-release lang ng single niyo kaya mainit ang mata ng media sa inyo ngayon. At may fund-raising festival pa kayong gagawin. Kaya please… Please, please, please! Please lang Jeremy huwag ka munang libug*n. Kahit anim na buwan lang maging low-key ka muna, okay?”

Hindi ako sumagot at ngumiti lang ng manipis. I don't want to say yes either because I am not sure if I can keep that promise.

“Okay… mukhang wala na akong magagawa kung isa kang malusog na binata.”

Mukhang nakuha rin naman ni Madam ang pahiwatig ng ngiti ko. Kaya naman ay dumako kay Mr. Leal ang tingin niya. This time, she begged him to look after me as if she was giving all her trust to him.

“Ikaw na lang ang pag-asa ko, Mr. Leal. Pagod na akong maglinis ng kalat ng batang ‘yan. CEO ako rito at hindi taga-linis. Aah! Ba’t ko ba ‘to ginagawa!?”

Well, she seems frustrated, and so as Mr. Leal. He also looks extra gloomy after hearing the madam’s immense expectation of him.

Umalis na kami ng entertainment building. Mr. Leal dropped me home and left immediately.

“Kumusta?” bungad sa akin ni Dale na gising pa.

May bitbit siya na tasa ng kape at may headphones sa kanyang leeg.

“It's the same as usual,” I nonchalantly replied then added, “You should go to bed, man. We’ll have to practice for our performances in the music festival.”

“Oo. I-se-save ko na lang ang music file.” Dale said after he disappeared in his dark room.

Pumasok na rin ako ng kwarto ko. I also have to rest for tomorrow. Another day of tiresome practices and guesting schedules. Isa pa, I also wanted to behave. I mean, I can behave if I try. Sadyang may mga sandali lang talaga na ang tukso mismo ang lumalapit sa akin. It’s actually no longer a secret to some people in this business that I sleep around. Hindi lang din naman ako ang artista na may ganitong habit.

May mga nalaos na nga dahil sa mga isyu nila. It just so happens that there are some (like me) who are lucky enough to land on a big company who can cover up the mess. And, I also have my parents. Hindi lang naman ako ang artista sa pamilya namin.

That’s why I did not promise anything to Madam. Baka kasi may dumating na magandang babae kung saan. Who knows? I might ask her out.