Stockholm Syndrome (Mature Content)

Calm Down, They're Just Acting

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

G r e y

"Three, two, one... action!" One of the best-known Filipino directors, Patch Navasca, shouts to start another scene. But before they began shooting, this man asked me if I would allow this part to be recorded, and if I want him to revise it along with the writer. I, being considerate and shy, told him that it is okay. Although it's not. I'm jealous.

"Shiloh, did they really, um, ah, almost did it?" Kumunot ang noo nito. Hindi niya alam kung sasagutin ba niya ito o hindi. Out of the blue lang kasi yung katanungan ko. "Sorry. I really just wanna know who I'm dealing with. Iba kasi yung mga tinginan nitong Ross sa akin kanina, parang nandidiring nanlalait. Sasabihin ko sana kay Quinn, pero baka umatras siya sa pelikulang 'to. By popular demand pa naman dahil bagay silang dalawa on-screen."

"Iba pa din yung off-screen, Grey."

"I know, but-"

"What did the douchebag do to you?" Nakahalata siguro si Shiloh'ng may gusto pa akong sabihin maliban sa mga binanggit ko kanina. "He can really be an asshole, Grey. Malaki nga ang katawan nyan, pero ang laman ng utak, katiting. Kaya nga iniwan 'yan ni Quinn. He's really not worth her time, sinabi ko 'yan sa kanya, kaso bago-bago pa kasi nun sa ganitong business si Quinn, kaya naman pinatulan niya yang lalakeng 'yan."

"Ah, ganun ba?"

"But to answer your question, yes, muntik nang may mangyari."

"Oh." Going back to the scene, biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang makita kong sakmalin ng bunganga ni Ross ang mga labi ng aking kasintahan. Gumawa rin ito ng unnecessary movements kaya naman ipinaulit sa kanila ang eksenang ito. "Do they really have to repeat it? Does he have to kiss my girl again?"

"I'm sorry, Grey, but he needs to."

"Ah, okay."

"Hindi kasi niya makuha yung tamang emosyon na gustong makita ni Patch kaya naman kailangan nila itong ulitin."

Matapos ang ilang take, nakalima na yata, hindi pa rin makuha ng tama ng tarantadong 'to ang ipinapagawa ng direktor. "Putang ina," Napamura na lang ako, nang ako'y kanyang tignan. Parang sinasabi kasi niyang ganun dapat halikan si Quinn.

Nakita ito ni Quinn kaya naman niya ito pinagsalitaan ng masama. Nakarinig pa ako ng banta. "Letse kang hayop ka, kapag ito hindi mo pa makuha, maghanap ka na ng ibang leading lady mo, gago." She looks over to me, apologizing with her eyes. "Nanonood yung girlfriend ko, baka naman gusto mong ayus-ayusin, hah? Kung 'di mo aayusin, lulukutin ko yang mukha mo, para 'yan na lang ang ibalik mo sa ayos."

"Woah, easy ka lang. Masyado ka namang hot," Naririnig naming lahat ang kanilang sagutan. "Oo na, sige na, aayusin ko na. Nakakahiya naman sa inyo ng girlfriend mo," Yung pagkasabi niya, nakakapunyeta. Idiin niya ang kanyang sinabi bago tumawa ng malakas. Nang-iinsulto nga ang gago. "O, Grey, hmm, is that her name? Ha-ha! Watch and learn."

"Hey!" Tinapik ni Quinn ng medyo malakas ang pisngi ng lalake atsaka ito dinuro. It was barely audible but I know she said, "One more of your shit and I'm outta here."

-

A month after being officially acquainted with Quinn, she decided to let it spread out to the public. Talk shows after talk shows, being a guest nearly became a hobby, the movie offers increased rapidly. Quinn Ilustre's big comeback was successful.