Serenity In The Wild

Chapter 2

"You will fly to the Philippines, ASAP. That's the best option you have right now for you to survive this shit."

Hindi agad ako nakaimik at ilang segundong prinoseso ng utak ko ang sinabi ni Jaden. Napasinghap sina Yael, Alex at Bridgette, pinanliitan ko siya ng mata.

"What? You want me to go home? And what? Escape this, and let people think I'm a coward for hiding? Or even guilty so I'm hiding? No way!"

"Reign Leigh, makinig ka sa'kin. Ito lang ang paraan para maprotektahan ka namin. Kami na ang bahalang maglinis ng pangalan mo at umayos ng lahat ng 'to."

"No way, Jaden Kim. Hindi ko tatakbuhan ang problema ko at hayaan kayong gawin ang lahat."

If ever I will flee to the Philippines, then my enemies will think I'm such a loser and that I'm really guilty and a bitter ex girlfriend of my asshole ex. I will not give them any satisfaction so no.

"Ano namang magagawa mo rito? Mas lalo mo lang palalalain ang gulo tulad ng ginawa mo kanina sa bar. Kaya umuwi ka na muna."

"Wait, you're not throwing me away, are you, Jaden?" I squinted my eyes on him, his eyes widened.

"What? Of course not, Reign Leigh! We're childhood friends, we all go through thick and thin for this. Ngayon ka pa ba namin aabandonahin?"

"Oo nga naman, Leigh. Talikuran ka man ng lahat, hindi kami," dugtong ni Yael.

Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga, tama sila, hindi ko lang sila basta manager, assistants at secretary. We were together from the very start, we're like families now.

"Kaya umuwi ka na muna hanggang matapos itong issue, magbakasyon ka, magpakasaya ka at enjoy mo ang pagiging free. You love freedom, right?" Saad ni Jaden at nginitian ako. "Kami na ang bahala rito, aayusin namin ang image mo. For now, live a simple and low key life in the Philippines."

Napatingin ako sa sahig at nag-iisip.

"H'wag ka munang magpakita sa fans mo roon at baka kumalat na umuwi ka. We will not release any statement about your well-being and real time location. Just stay there in the Philippines, and as much as possible, live in an isolated area or place or house. Don't stay in your condos, the paparazzis will find you there. Neither in your house, bumili ka muna ng bahay sa isang village or subdivision na hindi sikat at hindi gaanong crowded."

Oh my gosh, that would be my death. Ibig ba niyang sabihin na hindi ako pwedeng gumala roon sa Pinas at kailangan ko pang manirahan sa obscure na lugar? How will I enjoy my vacation like that?

"Spare me with that boring tactic of yours please, Jaden. Pwede naman akong mag-stay sa isang rest house namin sa Batangas. Bakit kailangan ko pang bumili ng bahay?"

"To keep you safe from the paparazzi, are you even aware that they'll dig on your background and find you just for a statement? Your scandal is the hottest topic and most trending right now. Kahit nga hindi legit na balita magsusulat ang mga pesting 'yon makabenta lang. Kahit sa newspaper at tabloids siguro sikat ka na."

"H'wag ka mag-alala, tutulungan ka naming maghanap ng isolated place sa mga subdivision at villages sa Manila. Hindi ka rin dapat palaging lumabas, as much as possible, stay in your house kahit mga tatlong buwan lang," ani ni Alex.

"How about my social life?"

"Iyan pa ba ang iisipin mo!?" Singhal ni Jaden. "Basta, decided na. You're going home and you will live the simplest life you never ever lived. For once, shut off the world you dreamt so much!"

"Oh my gosh! Can't I just flee to Maldives and enjoy their beautiful beaches there? Or in Japan, hindi naman siguro ako kilala roon."

"Are you serious? Trending ka sa international news kaya malamang na kilala ka na ngayon ng lahat. Kahit saan yata. Kaya sundin mo kami kung gusto mong ayusin 'to, 'wag matigas ang ulo, Reign Leigh!" Bulyaw ni Jaden sa iritadong boses.

Napasalampak ako sa sofa. I can't imagine myself staying in one boring house for the span of three months and without posting anything remarkable shot in my socials. Why in such an obscure village? We have rest houses!

But no matter what I do, even how much I'm against the idea, I can't do anything. They're doing it for my career and for me, for us. I understand but I just can't accept this. If I'm really going home then I should never ever let anyone find out about this. Otherwise, I'll satisfy my haters so much.

Hindi ko alam paanong natakasan ko ang nakaabang na reporters sa labas pero limang araw na ang nakalipas nang makauwi akong Pinas galing sa US. Hindi ko na napuntahan ang pageant na dapat magju-judge ako. Sumakay ako sa mga nakaparadang taxi sa labas ng airport.

Nag-disguise rin ako at tama lang pala 'yon dahil may na-spot-an akong reporters na nakaabang sa airport. Mukhang naisip na rin nila na baka umuwi ako. Hindi ako nagsabing uuwi ako, mas okay na siguro 'yon para hindi na mag-alala sina mama sa'kin kung saan man ako mamamalagi. Alam na rin nila ang tungkol sa issues ko at hindi rin sila makapaniwala.

"Dito na po ako, manong."

Huminto ang taxi sa labas ng bahay na nabili ko, agad akong bumaba at tumingala sa bahay. Hindi gaanong malaki pero hindi rin maliit, maganda at mukhang comfy. Honestly, I don't like small houses. They suffocate me. But this time I guess, my patience will be tested so badly. Binuksan ko ang gate at diritsong binuksan ang main door.

Napairap ako nang makita ang loob, halos wala pang gamit maliban sa sofa set at dining table. Ipinasok ko ang dalawang maleta at tatlong duffle bags bago umupo sa sofa para magpahinga mula sa nakakapagod na beyahe. Si Jaden mismo ang pumili sa bahay na 'to, parang may hinanakit naman siya kung makapili ng bahay. Siniguradong magtitiis ako. Nang makabawi ng lakas inabot ko ang purse at kinuha ang cellphone, agad kong tinawagan si Jaden.

"Yes, napatawag ka? Ano pang kailangan mo?"

"Why is the house so dull? And really? Wala man lang masyadong neighbors."

"What do you expect? You need to keep your identity hidden so stay put. Pasalamat ka nga pinagbili 'yan ng may-ari, ngayon ang gawin mo, umayos ka riyan at mag-adjust sa simpling pamumuhay kahit tatlong buwan lang o higit pa."

"What? Then at least, give me something to play with."

"What do you mean? Something to play? Oh come on, just behave in there. And also, don't call us for the meantime. Lahat ng kailangan mo i-text mo sa'kin at ng mailakad ko na bago natin putulin ang ugnayan natin sa isa't-isa."

"What!?" Napatayo ako. "Bakit puputulin? Is that really needed."

"Yes, tingin ko kasi may binabalak talaga itong si Blaire para makaganti. Kaya mag-lie low ka muna para hindi ka ma-trace. This week, lahat ng kailangan mo ibibigay ko. And remember, no party, no outing, no shopping, no hiking and no to anything adventurous that could endanger you. Understood?"