Chapter 70

It was one of those days where we had to prepare for a new commercial shoot. Usually, isa lang naman ang director na kaylangan with every project tapos the rest are just part of the creative team. Sama mo na ang lights and camera team at ang mga floor assistants na nagkalat to manage the talents needs. It was one of those days that I actually look forward to dahil it means I can add something new sa portfolio ko. Tatlo kaming part ng creative team that works with directors in every ad project. Today, was for a fabric conditioner brand.

I’ve been telling Joohyun about it dahil siya lang naman ang taong kilala kong may ridiculous obsession sa fabric conditioners. I told her how it’d be best if siya yung magiging model ng ad because of her undying love for it. We actually got to a point where I was convincing her to audition for the role. I don’t think marereject siya because she’s beautiful and mas lalong magiging convincing yung campaign because of her. Of course hindi naman natuloy.

She said she doesn’t know how to act and baka masigawan lang siya ng director. We were laughing like idiots when she pretended to act kasi it was awkward as hell. She wasn’t lying when she said she couldn’t act and I couldn’t help but laugh at how adorable she was. I got her a visitors pass para makanood ng shoot. Usually, private naman talaga yung mga gantong campaign kasi we didn’t want people posting images about it on social media. But since she’s with me, everything has it’s perks.

Saktong sakto naman, half day lang siya that day kaya makakapunta siya sa shoot. Everything was actually going great until I found out who the talent was. It was none other than Chou Tzuyu. I actually never knew she did gigs like this. In fact, I never really knew a lot about her to begin with. Nakakahiya. She knew so much about me when I never had the chance to get to know her as much as I’d like to. It was always because of the circumstances around us that made it impossible to get to know her.

I wonder though if galit siya sakin. I remembered that time when Joohyun and I saw her sa mall when we were shopping for curtains. She looked as if she was a deer caught in headlights and I was absolutely sure, iniiwasan niya ko. Why wouldn’t she diba? I wasn’t actually good to her. She always became the almost but never happened. It’s not like I planned any of it, It’s not like sinadya ko naman gawin yun sakanya. It’s just… siguro, I’m really that stupid.

When she walked in sa set, nag tama ang mga mata namin. It was clear, she never knew na part ako ng production para sa ad na to. There was a hint of uneasiness but it was gone the moment the camera rolled. She’s easy to work with. She delivered. We only had a few takes para sa first part but there was still seven to go. It’s going to be a long day.

I momentarily forgot na dadating nga pala si Joohyun sa set to watch and visit. Hindi ko naman pwede sabihin sakanya na wag na pumunta because I didn’t want to hide anything from her pero knowing her at yung nangyari sa mall before, I’m pretty sure, she’s not going to be okay with this. It’s not like pinili ko naman din kasi tong project na to at yung talent because that’s not part of my job.  

The team was on break when Joohyun texted that she’s here already. I went out to pick her up sa entrance para na din hindi magkaroon ng problem sa security if ever. She brought lunch with her and sabay na din kaming kumain sa lounge. “Bat now ka lang? Traffic ba?” I asked. “Medyo but I had to get food, gutom na ko saka baka hindi ka nanaman kumain.” She said and I smiled and kissed her nose. “Thank you mahal. Sabi ko kasi sayo, Ikaw nalang dapat yung talent, wala namang lines, smile smile ka lang, aamuyin mo lang yung damit kunwari mabango.” I said while laughing. “Kulit mo, di nga ko marunong umarte. Pano kung di ko gusto yung amoy, di naman lavender yan.” She said and scrunched up her nose.

“Edi kunwari ako nalang inaamoy mo.” Sabi ko naman sakanya and she let out a laugh that I actually have grown fond of. Kung anong ikinaganda niya, ganun naman ang ikina bulgar ng tawa niya. It was funny and it was adorable. Minsan though, I couldn’t help but think kung anong mangyayari ngayon if things were different. Kung sila padin ni Seulgi, would I have gotten the chance to get to know this wonderful woman in front of me? I got really lucky sa kabila ng mga terrible decisions that I’ve made for the past year.