FALSE GOD Series: Phillip Warren (COMPLETE) Series #1

Chapter Six

OH my god! Oh my god!!! I think I won't lose my job after all!!! I need to call my manager and tell him about the interview. I can already see his reaction.

Matapos namin mag-usap at kumain sa kwarto ni Phillip, nagpaalam ako saglit sa kanila para magpahangin kuno sa labas. But the truth is, tatawagan ko lang yung manager ko.

Agad ko dinial number niya. As usual, isang ring lang ay sinagot niya agad ang tawag ko. Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay inunahan niya ako. "I was about to call you so I'm glad you called me first." Aniya. Di ko alam kung galit ba siya o ano. "Where did you say you are again?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Binigay ko dito ang address kung saan ako nagste-stay. "Is there a problem?"

I heard him took a deep breath. "You're probably enjoying the sun and the sea right now but here, we're all hectic. Hindi ka ba nanunuod ng news? You're a journalist." Aniyang may pagkasarkastiko ang boses. "Phillip Warren was attacked in his vacation house not far from where you're staying. It's all over the news! I want you to go the hospital right now and get some information. Maybe, camp outside the police station. Find who the suspects are. I want you to find all the details about this case!! No one knows any detail about the case yet so if we get it first, we might hit it big time. Do you understand me??"

Right. Of course, narinig na niya ang tungkol dito. It's Phillip Warren we're talking about afterall. The whole nation is probably concern and curious about what happened.

Sumandal ako sa wall na nasa gilid ko. Chill lang. Let's see his reaction after I tell him my good news. "Is that all?" Relax kong tanong.

I heard him laugh sarcastically. "You sound confident. May impormasyon ka na ba?"

"Hmmm... Well, actually, the reason why I called is because I want to tell you some great news."

"Great news? Really? What could be better than Phillip Warren's case?"

Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti. "An exclusive interview with Phillip Warren?"

Hindi ito agad nakapagsalita. Nai-imagine ko na sa isip ko kung anong reaksyon niya ngayon. Pinipigilan kong matawa. I'm just really happy, okey?

"Walang panahon para magbiro ngayon, Shantal." Aniya matapos ang ilang segundong katahimikan. "Do you really think makakakuha ka ng exclusive interview with Phillip Warren? He avoided you for years! That's how confident you sounded too when you told me you will get an interview with him three years ago. So just stop your absurd ideas and get us information--"

"I'm not bluffing, okey? He already agreed! I will interview him right now. I just want to tell you first so you all could stop cleaning up my desk. I am coming back tomorrow, Tom... With his f*****g interview."

I ended the call after that. Okey, I think I went too far. But after what I said, he won't get mad. As long as I give him that interview, he'll be in cloud nine. I can't believe it!! This is the best time of my life! Finally, I think I'm getting my own show next month.

"ARE you ready?" I asked Phillip.

I didn't bring any camera kaya phone ko na lang gagamitin ko para kunan siya ng video. He agreed to everything I want to do which is good. I also told him na may karapatan siyang magdesisyon kung anong dapat tanggalin sa editing process just in case I get too personal. Just common reassurance para komportable siya the whole interview.

"You're allowed not to answer my question if you don't want to." Paalala ko ulit sa kanya.

He nodded. "I'm ready."

I borrowed one of my friend's phone para makakuha rin ako ng audio recording just in case hindi maganda ang audio ng video. I have already prepared questions earlier para dire-diretso lang yung interview. I have showed it to him and he agreed to all the questions. But I also told him na baka may itanong ako na wala sa script. Kaya nga sinabi ko na okey lang kung ayaw niyang sagutin ang tanong. Anyway, we should start now before he changes his mind.

"So, how are you, Mr. Warren?" Panimula ko.

Ngumiti siya. "I'm feeling better." He answered.

"Para sa mga taong nanunuod ngayon na hindi familiar sayo, can you please introduce yourself?"

Tumikhim siya. Mukhang hindi komportableng ipakilala ang sarili niya. "My name's Phillip Warren. I do sorts of things. I'm a car racer. I also have my own online channel, Phillip Warren. I'm a brand model. I have couple business under my name. And I almost got murdered." Aniyang may bahid ng pagbibiro sa boses.

"Narinig nga namin yung nangyari. It must be traumatic for you, Mr. Warren."

"Hmm... I guess. But, it happened so fast I could barely remember it."

I looked at my notes. "Have you heard from the police, yet? Base sa mga nakalap kong impormasyon, natagpuan sa labas ng bahay mo yung weapon na ginamit ng suspek. May natagpuan silang DNA and fingerprint na maaaring pagmamay-ari nito. And from the evidence found in the crime scene, there were no signs of force entry. Do you know or do you have any idea who it might be?"

Umiling siya. "I have no idea who it was. Like I said, I could barely remember what happened. All I know is I went out 5 in the morning for a walk. I came back and took a shower. Pababa na dapat ako ng kwarto nang bigla na lang may umatake sa akin. After that, my memories are fuzzy. But I did see a silhouette before I blacked out. When I woke up, andito na ako sa hospital. They might have entered my house when I wasn't there. I always make sure to close the gate pero minsan nakakalimutan kong issra ang pinto ng bahay. That's just my guess."

Tumangu-tango ako. "So you don't know who it could be? Do you have enemies? O kaya mga taong may hinanakit sayo? Nothing was stolen from your house which means it wasn't a robbery went wrong. If we look at all the evidence, it's safe to say, someone sneaked in your house with murder in their mind."

Nag-isip siya saglit bago sumagot. "I mean, I had arguments with my friends and/or family like any other human beings. But I don't think that's enough for them to murder me. Isa pa, we're all in good terms. Enemies? I don't think so. I can't remember any specific person who might hold a grudge against me."

"How about your schedules? Do you have a tournament that you might have to postpone because of the incident? Siguradong malulungkot ang mga fans mo. Everyone's really upset about what happened to you. Do you have a message to your fans or to anyone in particular?"

Ngumiti siya sa camera. "I didn't mean to upset anyone so, first of all, I apologize for making you worry. I do have a tournament next month pero sabi ng doktor ay baka pwede na naman akong lumabas bago ang araw na yun. I checked all my emails and all my social media account last night and I read a lot of messages from a lot of people. I am really thankful sa inyong lahat. Those messages gave me strength." He paused for a while. I looked at him cluelessly when he suddenly stared at me. "And lastly, I want to thank the person who saved my life. You're my guardian angel. Malamang wala ako ngayon dito kung di dahil sayo. I talked about paying you back for saving me but let's be honest, after yesterday, I'm indebted to you my whole life. Thank you."

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. Nakakatunaw kasi yung mga ngiti at titig niya. God. Whole life talaga noh? Sa totoo lang, sapat na sa akin toh. I saved his life, in exchange, he saved my career.

"I'm glad you're better now, Mr. Warren. Malamang pati ang mga fans mo na nanunuod ngayon ay nabunutan na rin ng tinik sa dibdib seeing you speak right now." Sambit ko. "Thank you for agreeing to this interview. I hope you get better soon."

Matapos yun ay tinapos na namin ang interview. I think I got all the answers I needed from him. Now, the rest is up to my researching skills. I have to go back to the police station mamaya bago kami umalis para magtanong kung nakarating na ba yung DNA and fingerprint result. If hindi pa, I might ask my manager to give me one more day na manatili dito hanggang sa makuha ko lahat ng impormasyon na kailangan namin para sa kaso na toh. I feel really energized today. I feel like I'm on the right track.

"SALAMAT sa interview. Malaking bagay yun para sa akin." Wika ko kay Phillip.

"Glad to hear that." Aniya.

"And about what you said, you don't need to feel indebted your whole life just coz I saved you. You gave me an exclusive interview. Let's call it quits."

He groaned. "I don't think it's enough though. All I did is talk and answer your questions. Plus, I don't think my life's only worth that much." He said jokingly.

I chuckled. "Of course not. But the truth is, you didn't only agree to an interview. You also saved my whole career. So it's all fair and square."

Kumunot ang noo nito. "I saved your career by answering your questions?"

I took a deep breath. "It's a long story. Plus, I don't think we're close enough para magkwento ako sayo tungkol doon." Wika ko. "Anyway, salamat. I hope mahanap na ng mga pulis ang gumawa nito sayo."

"Paalis ka na? Narinig ko kay tita na pabalik na kayo sa city ngayong hapon?"

Tumango ako. "I guess that's the plan. May mga naiwan kaming trabaho and responsibility back home so hindi pwedeng magtagal kami dito. Saka dalawang araw lang ang hiningi naming leave plus our day off. Pero mukhang babalik pa kami ulit dito dahil di natuloy ang house blessing nina tita. They refused to throw a party unless you're there, to which I agreed. So please, get well soon."

Mahina siyang tumawa. "I will try, as fast as I could."

"Anyway, I should go. Kailangan ko pang dumaan sa police station. Thank you ulit."

He nodded. "It's really nice to meet you, Shantal."

"Same here." Sagot ko pabalik. Paalis na dapat ako nang maramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa kamay ko. Nagtataka akong lumingon sa kanya. "May kailangan ka pa ba?"

"Well... Can I at least get your number?"

"My number?" Hindi ko siguradong tanong. Why would he ask my number?

"Sabi mo may karapatan akong magdesisyon sa final version nung video, right? Don't you need my number for that?"

Oh, right. "I'll just e-mail it to you. I'll ask it from your manager. I still have his contact number." Natatawa kong sambit. I don't delete people's number once they're registered on my phone, just in case kakailanganin ko sila sa articles na sinusulat ko.

"I want you to contact me directly though." Seryoso niyang sambit.

Hindi ako agad nakapagsalita. Well, I guess I'll just get his number then.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko mula sa bulsa at inabot yun sa kanya. "Give me your number. I'll make sure to call you once the editing is done."

Ngumiti siya bago niya kinuha ang phone ko at tinype doon ang number niya. Pagkatapos nun ay tinawagan niya ang sarili niyang number dahil tumunog yung phone niya sa gilid saka niya inabot yun. "I'll save your number so I know it's you." Aniya.

Tumango lang ako bago niya binalik muli sa akin ang phone ko. "I should go now."

He nodded. "Hope to hear from you soon."

Matapos yun ay tumalikod na ako. Nasilayan ko ang mga kaibigan ko na nakaupo lang sa gilid at pinapanuod lang kami simula kanina. To be honest, masyado akong excited tungkol sa interview na nakalimutan kong andito nga pala sila. They're so weird. Why didn't they say anything the whole time? Tsk.

"Are you guys staying?" I asked.

"Oh, no. We're coming with you." Ani Joey at tumayo na saka sinakbit niya yung braso niya a braso ko saka ako binigyan ng nanghihinalang tingin.

"Okey?" Nalilito ko na lamang sabi saka lumabas na kami ng kwarto.

Nang makarating na kami sa sasakyan, doon lang nila ako niratratan ng tanong at palo sa braso. Wala akong maintindihan sa sinasabi nila.

"Can you guys slowdown? Wala akong maintindihan."

Doon lang sila kumalma. "What was that all about?" Rina asked. "It looked like flirting to me."

"What???" Gulat kong wika. "What do you mean??"

"He asked for your number!! Oh my god, girl!!! Phillip Warren asked for your number!!" Tila magwawala na si Joey. Mukha siyang ewan.

"So? It was for the interview."

Sabay silang umiling-iling. "This is unbelievable. I think he likes you." Anah namang si Torre.

Muntik na akong mabulunan sa sinabi niya. "You guys are crazy. Mabuti pang umalis na tayo."

Like me?! Nababaliw na sila. How could he like me? Kakakilala lang namin. Hindi ba nila narinig ang pag-uusap namin kanina? It was all for work. I think Phillip's just thankful I saved his life, to be honest. And I'm just thankful he saved my career. That's all.

Anyway, hindi nila ako tinigilan. Para akong mabibingi sa lakas ng mga boses nila. Only Tiffany's silent the whole time. Well, she's always silent. Malamang naiinis na rin siya sa kaingayan ng mga toh. God. I hope they stop already.