Erina's Curse (FILIPINO)

Chapter 11

"Ba't ang kulit?"

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses ko nang sinabi sakanyang 'wag na akong hintayin. Hindi ako informed na may pagka-childish din pala 'tong taong 'to.

"Fine," he sighed then finally let me get out of the car. 

I was about to open the gate when I remembered something. Bumalik ako sa may sasakyan at kumatok sa bintana ng passenger seat. He rolled the window down then arched his brow. 

"Ingat," I waved my hand while smiling widely.

He nod his head and smiled back. I turn my back at nang makapasok na sa gate, he drove away.

Tahimik ang buong bahay. Malamang nasa kumpanya na sila Kesha because it's almost 12 noon.

Soo Hyun and I were having breakfast this morning when I received a call from Sir Leo. We'll be having an emergency meeting and they need me in the company asap kaya agad naman akong nagpahatid dito sa bahay kasi kailangan kong magpalit ng damit. 

Soo Hyun was insisting to wait for me para sabay na kaming pumunta sa kumpanya but I refuse kasi baka makahalata yung mga empleyado. And besides, late na sya at sinabi naman ni Sir Leo na ipapasundo niya ako sa company driver. 

My left ankle is a little bit better already kaya hindi ko na kailangan ng alalay. I finished taking a bath at dumiretso na sa walk-in closet para mamili ng isusuot. 

I decided to wear a lavender sweatshirt, a maong short shorts and my Nike lavender rubber shoes and white socks. Pwede na akong magsuot ng mga closed shoes dahil hindi na namamaga ang mga paa ko. Konti nalang. 

I checked myself in the mirror and noticed that the shorts was too short that my butt cheeks are almost showing. Hinubad ko ulit at nagsuot muna ng black cycling saka pinatong ulit ang shorts. I'm aware that it's my right to wear whatever I want but there's also nothing wrong in being cautious. 

I just finished applying make-up when I heard the vehicle outside. Nandyan na yung sundo ko kaya nagmadali na akong lumabas ng bahay. 

Dumiretso ako sa office ni Sir Hades dahil yun ang sabi ni Sir Leo. Kumatok ako ng tatlong beses bago napagdesisyonang buksan ang pinto. 

The big bosses, some producers and Sir Leo were inside. I walked towards them then bowed my head before sitting in the sofa.

"How's your ankle?" Sir Leo asked with eyes full of worry. I smiled at him and said that it was getting better.

I can now walk without feeling any pain but running is different. Hindi din ako pwedeng basta bastang magbuhat ng mabigat. Sudden movements were also prohibited as well as dancing. I told them all my limitations because of my ankle. Tumango-tango naman sila habang nag-iisip. 

"You can't dance but you can still sing, right? One of the producers ask in which I answered by nodding my head. 

Of course I can still sing. I actually like singing more than dancing. Pero hindi naman nila ako hinahayaang maglabas ng mga kantang sinusulat ko. Ang labo din ng mga matatandang 'to eh. 

"We have no choice. We have to let her sing solo," Sir Leo said habang nakatingin sa mga boss naming kalbo. 

Sir Hades and Sir Haze are brothers. Parehong pareho sila. Kalbo. Malaki ang tyan. Magaling sa negosyo. Masama ang ugali. No wonder wala pa rin silang asawa hanggang ngayon. I don't care about looks because attitude is what makes me hooked. Pero kung pangit ka na nga tapos ang sama pa ng ugali mo, aba ibang usapan na 'yon. Unless desperada na ako, hinding hindi kita papatulan.  

"When can you make a song ready?" Sir Haze ask one of the producers. 

"It might ta---"

"I can make a song in three days," the producer was supposed to answer but I cut him off. 

I have a lot of songs hidden in my notebook. Pero alam kong hindi nila ia-approve 'yon kaya kailangan kong magsulat ng bago. 

"I can make a song about love if you want," I said with pleading eyes, begging them to let me write my first solo song. The producers and song writers are great but I want my very first solo to come out of my heart. 

Shocked registered in their eyes. Gulat na gulat sila nang ako na mismo yung mag-suggest na love song ang isulat. Hindi naman kasi ako nagsusulat ng kantang tungkol sa pagmamahal. Nahihirapan kasi ako, naalala ko yung mga magulang ko. Most of my songs are about heartbreak and lost. That's why ayaw din ng kumpanya na ilabas kasi nga out of character daw. 

But now, I can confidently write a love song, because I now know how it feels. Soo Hyun made me into a romantic, I guess. 

Nagkatinginan naman silang lahat at parang nag-uusap usap sa mata. There was a deafening silence when Sir Haze opened his mouth to talk. 

"Your offer's tempting but I think the people would want to hear about your recovery. You know.....like standing up after your injury. What do you think?"

The producers and the managers agree. Even Sir Leo like the idea. And I think it's not so bad. For the first time, may sense na yung lumalabas sa bibig nila Sir Haze. 

The meeting resumed and my solo comeback was planned. They gave me a week to write a song and another week to record and polish it. We've also talk about the photo shoots para sa album cover but they've decided to talk about the theme pagkatapos kong ipasa ang kantang isusulat ko. 

The meeting was adjourned and Sir Leo led me to one of the music studios. Inabot ko naman ang gitarang nakapatong sa mesa malapit sa pinto at umupo na sa sahig.

I was strumming my guitar when someone barged in the room.

"Anong kakan---"

Kesha stopped on her tracks then looked at me. She was obviously shocked but she immediately averted her gaze. 

"Kesha......"

I tried to smile at her at ngumiti naman siya ng tipid pabalik. That's okay. It's still progress. No matter how slow or little it is.

"You didn't go home last night," she whispered pero narinig ko naman.

"I slept on Soo--" 

I was cut off because her assistant suddenly appeared. "Miss Kesha, sa kabilang studio daw po kayo."

She looked like she wanted to talk more but I smiled at her to assure her that she can go. We can talk later, we have plenty of time. 

Because of our short encounter, nagkaroon ako ng energy na magsulat. Alam ko namang hindi din ako matitiis ni Kesha. I've been in the music room for almost four hours when I heard someone knocked. 

"Come in," I uttered without looking because I'm busy finding melody for the second verse of my song. 

"Bruha...." 

I heard Leina's voice kay napalingon naman ako kaagad. She and Sassy were standing near the door. Hindi ko na napigilan kaya binitawan ko ang gitara at tumakbo para yakapin sila. I heard their sobs kaya napaiyak na din ako.

"Kadiri, ba't kayo umiiyak parang mga bata," I said while smiling. Bumitaw naman sila sa yakap saka ako hinampas. 

"Gaga ka, saan ka natulog ha?" Leina said while wiping her tears. Uhugin din to eh. 

"Tuluyan ka na bang tumira sa ilalim ng tulay kasi mukha ka namang pulubi?" Sassy added habang umiiyak tapos tumatawa. Baliw na ata.

"Boba hindi," kinwento ko naman sakanila na sa condo ako ni Soo Hyun nagpalipas ng gabi. Nagtilian sila nang matapos akong magkwento. 

"Gagu dapat pala lagi tayong mag-away para umariba naman ang lovelife mo!" Leina exclaimed habang sinasabunutan ako. Ang sadista talaga.

"Kamusta si Raqi at Kesha?"

"Hindi pa rin sila nag-uusap. But Kesha's reaching out, she kind of admitted that she went too far kaya ayun," Sassy explained. 

"Pwede na kaya akong bumalik?"

"No! Kay Soo Hyun ka muna hangga't hindi sila tuluyang nagkaka-ayos," Leina almost shouted at me.

"Why do I feel like pinapalayas nyo na ako?" nakasimangot kong sabi. 

"Boba, para rin sayo 'to. Kahit one week lang. Tutal nadadamay ka lang naman sa away nung dalawa kaya pahinga ka muna kay prince charming," hinampas nanaman ako ni Leina while speaking. 

"May point ka sis," I smilingly said. 

Umalis na rin sila kaagad dahil kailangan pa nilang mag-practice ng bagong choreography. Nagpahatid naman ako sa company driver papunta sa GreyHouse dahil kailangan kong kumuha ng mga gamit. 

I pack clothes na pang isang linggo then messaged Soo Hyun to come and pick me up. Nakaalis kami at hindi na nabutan ang girls kasi late na silang nakakauwi. We ate samgyupsal for dinner at pagkatapos kong maglinis ng katawan, dumiretso na ako sa kama at nag-strum nanaman ng gitara. 

Wala pa mang sampung minuto akong nagsusulat when Soo Hyun knocked and opened the door. 

"What are you doing?"

"Nagluluto."

He arched his brow kaya tumawa nalang ako at sinagot siya ng maayos.

"Parinig," he said then sat on the side of the bed.

"Ano ka sinuswerte? People pay to hear me sing!"

"Bayad mo nalang sa gas ko, kung saan-saan ka kaya nagpapahatid. Ano ka si Dora the Explorer?"

"Fine, but don't judge."

I started to strum my guitar habang nakatitig sakanya.

"I don't know my name

I don't play by the rules of the game

So you say I'm just trying

Just trying"

He was looking at me like I'm the prettiest woman on earth. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang ngumiti kahit na medyo malungkot yung kinakanta ko. 

"So I heard you are my sister's friend

You get along quite nicely

You ask me why I cut my hair

And changed myself completely"

I thought my life would suck forever. I thought I'd need to pretend forever para mahalin ng tao. Akala ko kailangan kong itago lahat ng kahinaan ko sa mundo. But he made me not hide my pain from him. He made me open my heart.

"I don't know my name

I don't play by the rules of the game

So you say I'm just trying

Just trying"

I really don't know who I am, or what my name is. I'm lost from the sea of people but he held out his hand and rescue me from drowning. Whenever he calls my name, para ulit akong nalulunod. Not from pain, but from the happiness knowing that he'd always be there to listen to my cries. 

"I now know my name!

I don't play by the rules of the game

So you say, I'm not trying

But I'm trying

To find my wa---"

I wasn't able to finish singing my song when he leaned forward and kissed my forehead. I smiled at him which he returned. We were staring at each others eyes when we suddenly burst out laughing. 

"Is it good?" I ask him habang natatawa pa rin.

"Yeah. It's the best," he answered.

Nagulat naman siya ng bigla ko siyang hinampas sa dibdib. "Maganda naman pala eh bakit sa noo mo 'ko hinalikan? Mukha ba akong lola ha?"

"W-What?" he was shocked and his ears turned red.

"Kiss mo 'ko sa lips, please....." I said while pouting and leaning towards him. 

Pinitik naman niya ako sa noo sabay tumayo na at naglakad palabas ng pinto. 

"Maganda ka sana kaso may sira," he said while smirking at me.

Binato ko naman siya ng unan but it was too late because he already closed the door. 

Pagkasara niya ng pinto, tumayo ako sa kama at nagtatalon-talon. Para akong masisiraan ng bait sa sobrang kilig. 

"Erina para kang tanga! Sa noo palang yun pero para ka nang mababaliw, pano kung sa lips na?" I shouted habang sinasabunutan ang sarili. Para akong tangang kinakausap ang sarili  sa full length mirror na nasa gilid ng kama. 

"Pano nalang kung nag-s*x na kayo, ha? Baka naman after ng honeymoon sa mental na ang diretso mo? Ano yun nakatikim ka lang ng sarap naba---"

I immediately sat on the bed and even placed my hands on top of my legs to look demure when the door suddenly opened. 

"Yes?" I said shyly said habang nilalagay ang takas na buhok sa likod ng tenga. 

He was biting his lower lip while trying hard not to laugh. Narinig ba niya? Pokpok ka Erina, nakakahiya yang bunganga mo!

"What?" masungit ko nang tanong kasi mukha na siyang matatae sa sobrang pagpigil ng tawa. 

"I just wanted to say good night. I didn't expect to hear you sa--"

"Hoy! Hoy! Hindi ako yung narinig mo!" I immediately cut him off. Nakakahiya. Ang sarap kong ilibing ng buhay.

"Hindi nga ako! Feeling mo lang ako pero hindi talaga. Tutal naman di ba feelingero ka?" he was still smiling while I'm trying hard to defend my last bit of pride. 

"Whatever makes you sleep, Erina."

Ngumiti pa siya ng mapang-asar bago tuluyang isara ang pinto. Nakakainis! Baka naturn-off na yun. Bwisit kasi 'tong bibig ko parang armalite eh. Niligpit ko ang gitara at mga notes bago tuluyang nakatulog. 

Kinabukasan, maagang umalis si Soo Hyun at nag-iwan nalang ng notes sa lamesa. May mga nakahanda ng pagkain kaya sinimulan ko ng kumain. I was almost finished when Sir Leo called. Sinagot ko naman agad. 

"Sir yes sir?!" 

"Bruhang 'to! I'm not a soldier but I like soldiers," Malandi niya namang sagot. 

"Hoy Sir! Loyalty is the best policy. Sumbong kita kay Sir Steve dyan eh," sagot ko naman habang ngumunguya pa rin. Okay lang naman kay Sir Leo at alam naman niya kung gaano ako kabastos. 

"Akala ko matalino kang bruha ka. Anong loyalty is the best policy? Honesty yon! Sinong teacher mo?"

"Ay iba na, Sir?" nagtawanan naman kami at nagpatuloy sa kwentuhan.

He just informed me na hindi ko na kailangang pumunta sa kumpanya para hindi ako masyadong mabinat. Pumayag naman ako kaagad kasi gusto ko din namang mag-stay dito sa condo. We ended the call kasi may aaikasuhin pa daw sya. 

Nagligpit naman ako ng pinagkainan. At pagkatapos maligo, sinimulan na ulit ang pagsusulat ng kanta. 

Katulad ng binigay sa aking dedline, natapos ko naman yung kanta after a week. Buong linggo akong nagkulong lang sa condo. Nagkakasabay naman kaming kumain ni Soo Hyun ng dinner pero mostly wala siya sa umaga dahil sa kabi-kabilang shooting. Nakakausap ko din sa chat sila Kesha, its actually Raqi's birthday on Sunday and we plan to surprise her this Saturday bago siya umuwi sakanila. Idadagdag na din namin sa ice-celebrate yung comeback sana noong lunes. Hindi natuloy pero naging successful naman yung remix ng mga luma naming kanta kaya okay na rin.

I was headed to the company today para iparinig sa producers ang bago kong kanta. Sana lang ma-approve nila kahit na medyo cryptic and sad. Nakarating naman ako kaagad at sinalubong ako ni Sir Leo para samahan sa conference room. The big bosses, producers and the managers were already there kaya sinet-up ko na agad ang gitara ko. 

"But I'm trying....to find my way"

I finished performing the song and they all clapped which made me smile. 

"I'll bet my non-existent ovaries that this will be a hit song!" Sir Leo exclaimed which made us all laugh. 

The producers all agree and even the big bosses seem to like the song. Nag-schedule na din sila para sa recording ng kanta at pagkatapos ay nagsilabas na. Naiwan naman sa loob sina Sir Haze and Hades at si Sir Leo. 

"The creative directors are already coming up with the album cover, papagusapan na din ng mga musical directors ang music video ng bago mong kanta," Sir Hades said.

"Since its not a dance song, babawi tayo sa grandeur ng set at ng looks mo. We already hired a designer for your performance clothes at pati na rin sa music video," Sir Haze added.

"Really?" nagulat ako na talagang maglalabas sila ng malaking pera para saakin.

"Yes, its an international atelier. The owner and designer is actually here and you'll meet her maya maya lang," Sir Leo exclaimed. 

Na-excite naman ako kaagad dahil custom-made pa talaga ang mga isusuot ko. We were all just chatting about my comeback when the double doors of the conference room opened.

"Miss Soo! It's a pleasure to meet you," Sir Hades immediately stand up and kiss the woman on her cheeks. 

I know her.

"Erina, this is Miss Soo, the owner and designer of Soo's Atelier," Sir Haze added. Pinilit ko namang tumayo at naglakad palapit sakanya.

I've seen her before.

She extended her right hand and smiled.

"Hi, I'm Theiandra Soo. Nice meeting you Miss Lee."

Theia.

She's back.