Seulgi

"Bakit sila nasa iisang tent at dressing room? Bakit may sarili silang kwartong dalawa?" rinig kong tanong ni Sunmi sa isa sa mga staff. Napadaan ako at hindi sinsadyang narinig ko sila.

"Ms. Sunmi yon po ang utos ni Ma'am Cess, para daw ma-internalize ng dalawa ang role nila sa movie at hindi sila maging awkward sa isa't isa. Kung may kailangan ka sa kanila andiyan naman si Ms. Shin, hindi rin kasi basta bastang makakapasok sa kwarto nila sabi ni Ma'am Cess." sagot ng staff. Bahagya akong nangiti, mula ng pinagtapat ko kay Cess ang tungkol sa amin ni Irene ay naging kakampi namin siya sa bawat galaw namin set at sa lahat ng lugar ng shooting. Nandoon ang kanyang suporta.

Halos hindi magkamayaw ang tuwa ni Irene ng nalaman niyang pinagtapat ko na kay Cess ang tungkol sa amin. At nang bumalik kami ay makikita ang suporta ni Cess sa aming dalawa, siya pa ang unang nagtanong ng makita niya ang singsing na suot ni Irene.

"Wow it doesn't look like an engagement ring but more like a wedding ring na." naalala kong sabi niya ng makita ang singsing. Natawa na lang kami ni Irene. Ilang araw pa lang matapos ang pagtatapat ko kay Irene ay may nakapansin na sa kanyang singsing, ngunit ang tanging isinasagot lamang niya sa bawat tanong ay sa pagkakataon daw na ito sana hayaan na siya sa personal niyang buhay. Naging maugong din na maaari daw ay kasal na siya, ngunit tanging ngiti lang ang isinasagot niya. At ngayon nga ay nagsisimula na kami sa aming bagong pelikula na magkasama. Ganito pala ang malaking production, magara, sagana sa lahat at maraming tauhan.

"What Cess did is not a good idea." tinig ni Sunmi na nagpabalik sa akin sa kasalukuyan. Hindi ko siya napansin na nakalapit na pala sa akin.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" seryoso kong tanong.

"People might suspect... alam nila na you're---"

"---I don't care..." tinig mula sa tagiliran namin at pareho kaming napalingon sa ngayon ay nakalapit ng si Irene.

"You know very well that I'm ready Sunmi. But for the sake of my career and unfinished projects and contracts I need to keep it secret." tuluyan na niyang sinabi sabay dikit sa akin at nakangiti na parang casual lang ang nangyayaring usapan upang hindi makakuha ng atensiyon sa paligid. "But if you want to let the whole world to know, by all means. I won't stop you." hamon niya sa ngayon ay mukhang nag ngingitngit ng si Sunmi. 

"Mk..." mahina kong tawag kay Irene at nginitian niya rin ako.

"Ayos ba sweetheart? Did I deliver my line well?" sabay niyang sabi sa mataas ng boses at akbay sa akin.

"Perfect! That's how you should deliver the line, Irene. Intense." rinig namin sabi ni Cess habang pumalakpak. "Parang totoo. I hope to see that kind of intensity, ok guys?" sabi na niya ng makalapit sa amin. Walang nakaimik sa aming tatlo at saglit na napatingin ang mga tao sa paligid. "Oh I'm sorry, mukha na ba akong director?" natatawang sabi ni Cess. "Be ready, we'll start to shoot the next scenes in a few." sabi niya habang papalayo muli sa amin at nagsibalikan na rin ang mga staff sa kanilang mga gawain.

"I'll just get ready Love..." mahinang paalam ni Irene sa akin.

"Don't be too obvious..." habol ni Sunmi. Lumingon si Irene at humakbang pabalik. "...that you're in love." dugtong niya.

"Then don't be too obvious too..." balik ni Irene kay Sunmi "...that you're bitter." saka muling tumalikod at humakbang ng palayo.

"Pakiusap Sunmi, andito tayo para magtrabaho." mahina kong sabi kay Sunmi.

"Then do your job well, Seulgi. Hindi yong hanggang dito naglalandian kayo." inis niyang sabi. 

"Ikakasal na ako, Sunmi. Alam kong alam mo yon dahil nandon ka." seryoso kong sabi.

"Hindi ako madaling sumuko, Seulgi. Pag nakilala mong tunay na pagkatao ng babaeng yan. Babalik ka rin sa akin." sabi niya sabay alis. Naiwan akong naiiling at napakamot ng kilay.

"Haba ng hair mo Ms. Seulgi." pabirong sabi ni Ms. Shin sa akin. "Hanap ka na ni Hitler, akala daw niya nakasunod ka na." natatawa niyang sabi at sabay na kaming naglakad papuntang waiting room namin ni Irene.

- - -

Irene

You can't avoid the tension between me and Sunmi, still I'm trying to be professional. Counting the days in the shoot is sometimes unbearable, we still have a very long weeks of staying together. I'm glad Seul told Cess about us and I'm thankful the way Cess handles the situation, It's like having a fairy godmother. Good thing, too that there are scenes without Sunmi. I could breath at least even for a few days. Like today, it's just me and Seul at our "date scene." The whole shoot is full of laughter and teasing from the staff and crew. Seul has learned to deal with them, she really has this charm that attracts people around her. They can also sense our closeness, especially Seul. She can be really transparent at times; sweet and caring.

"Miss Irene, natakot ata ang boyfriend mo sa'yo at niyaya ka ng pakasal." one of the staff commented and everyone looked at me.

"Ha? Bakit naman?" I asked.

"Kasi kung hindi wedding ring yan ay maaaring engagement ring." she answered and I can tell, they're waiting for my answer just like how they waited for my response from my previous interviews.

"Oo insecure kay Seul kasi baka mainlove si Irene sa kanya. O ako ng sumagot kasi hindi kayo sasagutin ni Irene. Give her privacy, back to work and Irene I need to ask you something." she said and faced Seul. "Hiramin ko muna ang girlfriend mo dahil may pag uusapan kami, you can rest in your tent Seulgi."

"Ma'am, kinikilig si Ms. Seulgi oh kasi sinabi niyong girlfriend niya si Ms. Irene." one of the younger staff said.

"Oo, kikiligin talaga siya kasi alam naman natin na crush niya si Irene." Cess said while she's assisting me away from the place. We went to her car and she gently held my hand as we settled at the back seat.

"Heard the news lately?" she asked.

"About?"

"You and your ex, Suho."

"What about him?"

"I guess you haven't heard yet. He confessed that he still loves you and will try to work things out between the two of you. They even asked him if the that ring came from him..."

"And?" I impatiently cut her.

"He didn't confirm nor denied."

"There's nothing to work out. Nothing to fix. We're done Cess, for more than a year now. We're over. Period." I stressed out.

"I know, Sweetie. Hindi ko nga alam kung nakikisakay lang siya dahil you and Seul have been the talk of the town since we started shooting this film." she said smiling. "You received good reviews and comments for accepting this film and dared to be paired to an out les. Your fans are very supportive and you're gaining supporters from LGBT community, too. Hindi pa lang naipapalabas ang pelikula ay gumagawa na kayo ng ingay ni Seul." she said proudly.

"And?"

"Reality is not what we show on screen, Irene. That's what most people know, including Suho, yet when he sense something different and real, he'll try to make you realize that you're still in the showbiz. That you have to act to remain in this biz." she said full of concern. 

"What do you mean, Cess?"

"He came out telling the whole world that you're still both in love with each other. He has no girlfriend and you have no boyfriend."

"I have a girlfriend, Cess."

"Sino ang nakakaalam?" she asked and I can't answer her. "Few people only knew about you and Seul. Suho is doing this maybe because to avoid controversies that you might encounter in working with Seulgi." she said full of concern.

"He only wants to save his face." I plainly said. "It wouldn't be a problem, Cess. Don't worry about me. I won't ride to his drama. I will just let him be as long as he keeps his distance from me. I had enough of him."

"I'm not worried about you, Irene. I'm worried about Seul." she said

"Why?"

"She's not used to this world, and she loves you so much not to get affected." she smiled.

"And I love her, too. So I'm prepared for this. Suho must have been scared to know na babae ang minahal ko after him. If the news about me and Seul comes out. He can shout out to the whole world that I've been hurt so much to love a girl this time, but I don't care a bit. He can say what he want, I know the truth."

"Alright then. That's what I want to hear. The real Irene." she said smilingly while holding my hand.

"Thank you for supporting us, Cess. This wouldn't be easy if not for your help."

"I'm your fairy godmother." she said laughing as we got out from her car. We're still laughing and talking about random stuff on our way to our tent when a guy with a bouquet of flowers approached us.

"Miss Irene Bae?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"Paki receive na lang po Ma'am, flowers po para sa inyo."

"From?"

"Nasa loob po ang card, Ma'am" he just simply answered and Cess looked at me as we both gave each other a questioning look.

"Tanggapin mo na, para sa'yo naman eh." she then said. I signed the paper and received the bouquet of flowers. I looked into the card inside and read the note:

'Hope you like it. We're still friends, aren't we?'

Suho

"Speaking..." i almost whispered.

"You can handle that." Cess said as she bid to walk back to her staff. I was thinking of what will I do to this flowers as I entered our tent.

"Manliligaw o tagahanga?" I heard Seul while looking at what I'm holding.

"Galing sa Ex." I said without emotion and placed the bouquet on top of the table.

"Nakikipagbalikan?"

"He asked if we're still friends."

"Sa tingin mo magiging magkaibigan kayo?"

"As long as he can accept that we can only be friends, why not." I said as if not interested in our topic. She didn't say a word anymore. 

"Are you jealous?" I asked her.

"Ex mo siya eh."

"Ex mo rin si Sunmi."

"Malapit siya sa'yo dahil pareho kayong nasa showbiz."

"Mas malapit si Sunmi. Kasama nga lang natin siya eh."

"Mk... Lalaki siya, pakiramdam ko wala akong laban sa kanya."

"Love, babae si Sunmi pero pakiramdam ko mas wala akong laban sa kanya."

"Mk, seryoso ako."

"Love, akala mo ba nagbibiro ako?" She didn't respond.

"Natatakot lang ako sa biglang pag sulpot ng ex mo."

"Natakot din ako ng biglang dumating ang ex mo."

"Wala kang dapat ikatakot Mk. mahal kita."

"Same here Love. Mahal kita kaya wala ka rin dapat ikatakot."

"Ngayon alam ko na pakiramdam ng nasa paligid lang ang pinagseselosan." she said next and I smiled while I slowly walked towards her and sit on her lap. She looked surprised.

"Mk, baka biglang may pumasok." she worriedly said.

"Ms. Shin's outside, don't worry Love." I said and gave her one sweet and deep kiss. "What's our next scene?"

"Mamaya, sa condo sasagutin mo na ako kaya magkakaro'n tayo ng unang halik natin." she said

"Really? Mamaya na pala yon? Can we practice, then?" I said sounding excited.

"Practice Mk?" she repeated.

"Yes practice Love, we need to practice without being too obvious or you might get carried away with our kiss" I teasingly said.

"Mk naman." she said shyly and started to turn red again.

"Just kidding, Love. Ok now try kissing me." I dared her. She just looked at me as if asking if I'm really serious. I raised an eyebrow and she got what it means. She slowly closed the gap between us and gave me a peck on my lips. "Love naman para ka namang takot niyan." I said smiling. "Try again." I said. Then she gave me a soft but short kiss. "Again" I said and she did kiss me again but still I felt her uneasiness. "Longer Love." I suggested and she followed kissing me longer. "Deeper Love." I whispered between our kisses and she obliged as we're kissing deeper and longer. Then I felt her hands are slowly caressing my back and my arms are now resting on her shoulders. I can feel we're silently but I don't want to stop.

"Ms. Irene, Ms. Seulgi prepare na daw po kayo sa next scene." we heard Ms. Shin said outside the tent, as if we're suddenly awoke from a beautiful dream. We both got lost at the moment.

"I think I prefer the first kiss, yong para kang takot at kinakabahan Love." I said as I gave her one quick kiss on the lips before getting up. "Let's go and retouch ourselves." She didn't say a word. Speechless from what just happened.

- - -

Seulgi

Nakaisang buwan na rin kami sa shooting. Ngayon gagawin ang eksena namin ni Sunmi kung saan ay hahalikan niya ako, saglit lang yon pero parang hindi pa rin ako komportable. Hindi ko alam bakit may ganito pang eksena, kanina pa ako hindi mapakali dahil iniisip ko ang magiging reaction ni Irene. Siguradong usok ang tenga at ilong niya sa galit pag nakita niya ang eksenang to. No'ng nakaraang dalawang linggo ay maayos ang aming pag uusap tungkol sa aming nakaraan, siya kay Suho at ako kay Sunmi. Kailangan naming maging matatag sa isat isa, nangako kami na anumang gusot ay kailangan ayusin at pag usapan. Kagabi ay napag usapan namin ang eksenang kukunan ngayon, gaya ng dati tahimik lang si Irene. Sabi niya ay ayos lang, ngunit ramdam ko hindi siya makatulog. Pagkatapos ng eksena ngayon iniisip ko na kung paano ko siya susuyuin. 

"Miss Seulgi, take na daw." paalala ng staff. Matapos ang isang mahabang buntong hininga ay tumayo na ako. Wala pa si Irene, pinauna na niya akong pumunta ngayon sa location dahil kami pa ang kailangan ni Sunmi at para hindi rin sila makahalata na halos sabay kaming dumarating sa location.

Dumating na ang sandali ng eksenang ayaw ko sanang gawin, ngunit sabi nga ni Irene, professional kami kaya kailangan gawin ng maayos at makatotohanan. Napansin ko na ang pagdating ni Irene,  nakaharap ako sa kanya habang si Sunmi ay nakatalikod kaya hindi niya pansin ang pgdating nito. Kanina pa niya tinatanong kung darating si Irene, talagang pinipikon ni Sunmi ang mahal ko.

"Action!" sigaw ni Direk at nag umpisa na kami ng aming linya.

: Mahal ko si Joohyun, hindi niya ako lolokohin.

; Bulag ka ba? nakita ng dalawa mong mata kung paano niya kausapin si Bogum.

: Naguusap lang sila, masyadong madumi ang utak mo.

; Nag uusap? ganito kalapit? 

Sabay lapit niya sa akin na halos magkalapit na ang aming mga mukha.

: Maling anggulo ang tingin mo. At bakit ikaw ang apektado?

; I'm just concern.

: Thanks but no thanks Sumin. Problema na namin ni Joohyun ito kung meron man. 

Habang humakbang na ako palayo sa kanya, siya naman ay humakbang palapit sa akin.

; How does it feel to kiss you, Seungri.

: What?

; I just want to taste your lips.

: Lasing ka ba?

; Why Joohyun?

: Don't tell me may gusto ka sa akin Sumin?

; Hindi pa ba obvious, Seungri? Ganyan ka ba kahumaling sa Joohyun na yon at hindi mo na napapansin ang paligid mo. 

Palapit ng palapit na siya sa akin hanggang naramdaman ko na lang na napasandal na ako sa pader.

: Mahal ko si Joohyun kaya hindi ko na kailangan tumingin pa sa paligid. And what are you doing Sumin, nagbibiro ka ba? If this is one of your jokes then stop. Hindi tayo talo, magagalit sa akin ang boyfriend mo.

; Just one kiss Seungri, I just want to know how it feels to kiss a girl?

: Stop it Sumin. 

Iyon na ang hudyat para halikan niya ako, hindi na ako makahinga dahil palapit na siya ng palapit.

"Cut!" sigaw ni Direk. "That's good one, now we have to shot the side angle for the kiss." sabi niya muli.

"I believe that angle would be enough."

"Cess?" tanong na tawag ni Direk.

"Yes, I think you have shot the right angle Direk na parang hinalikan na siya ni Sunmi... especially with Seulgi's expression parang nahalikan na siya oh!" wika ni Cess na nagpatigil sa aming lahat. "What do you think, Direk? Do we need a close up shot for the kiss, though that one is close enough." 

"We will just fake it?" tanong ni Direk.

"Not necessarily fake it, Direk. Kasi halos maglapat na rin naman ang mga labi nila eh. Aba eh baka magselos na ng todo ang girlfriend ni Ms. Seulgi. May kissing scenes and bed scenes na siya kay Jisoo tapos kay Irene, ngayon may kiss pa siya kay Sunmi. Dalawang pelikula pa lang yan, ang swerte naman ni Seulgi." kantiyaw ni Cess sabay tingin sa akin. Tawanan ang ibang tao sa paligid.

"We're just trying to be professional here, Cess. I believe Seulgi's girlfriend is professional enough to understand that, too. Right Seulgi?" baling sa akin ni Sunmi saka tumingin kay Irene na napansin na rin pala niyang dumating na. Hindi ako makaimik at nabaling ang tingin ko kay Irene saka ako tumingin kay Cess. Saklolo?

"Selosa ba ang girlfriend mo, Ms. Seulgi?" birong tanong ni Direk at hindi agad ako nakaimik. Napakamot na lang ako ng batok.

"I think Sunmi has a point Seulgi, we're just being professional here. Kahit siguro gaano kaselosa ang girlfriend mo she would understand your job. If not she wouldn't allow you to take this project in the first place, hindi ba? Don't worry at the end of the day girlfriend ka pa rin niya." Sagot ni Irene na nakangiti. "I hope." dugtong naman niya. Hindi ko alam kong nabunutan ako ng tinik o nadagdagan ng tinik ang dibdib ko dahil sa huling sinabi niya. Ok na sana may I hope so pa.

"Ok then, let's take the smack shot. Sorry baka makalusot lang, selos na ako kay Seulgi eh." pabirong sagot ni Cess. Napansin kong pumasok na si Irene sa waiting room namin, iwas na rin sa kukunang eksena.

- - -

Irene

"Are you sure you're ok?" I heard Cess as she entered our waiting room.

"Hi Cess. Yes I'm good, thank you. Don't worry. I'll be fine." I half lied.

"Mas mahirap bang magka girlfriend kesa magka boyfriend?" she jokingly asked.

"I guess mas mahirap pag mahal na mahal mo regardless kung babae o lalaki. Haven't felt like this to anyone. Suho has his own kissing scenes and bed scenes but never felt this jealous." I confessed.

"Maybe it's because he was not paired to his exes." she said.

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Are you sure you can do the intimate scenes without being obvious?" she asked changing the mood.

"Ask Seulgi, not me. Just look at her earlier. Her expression says it all, she's hesitant to do the kiss, that's one reason too why it's alright for me to have that scene. I know that Sunmi will remain as her past." I truthfully said. "Though I can't avoid to feel jealous."

"Seulgi's your girl now Irene." Cess said as she gently hold my hands.

"And I intend to keep her my girl forever." I said with conviction.

"That's the spirit, then let me be your godmother not just during this filming."

"Really Cess?" i said full of excitement.

"Really really Irene..." she said smiling and we hugged.

"Wow we'll just look for your partner so we'll have a pair of sponsors"

"Don't look far. Andiyan si Direk." she said.

"Does he already know about us?"

"Hindi pa, pero ang alam ko number one fan niyo na siya ni Seulgi. Kayo na daw favorite love team niya." she said smiling. We had a good chat that we forgot about the shoot outside our room. Until someone opened the door. It's Seul, Cess and I just stared at her whose slowly making steps towards us with a gloomy look all over her face. I stood up.

"Hey, Seul is everything's ok?" I asked but she didn't say a word, instead she walked straight to me and hugged me tight. "Love..." I whispered and I felt her sighed.

"Salamat, yan lang ang gusto kong marinig, Mk." she whispered back. "Mahal na mahal kita, Irene." she then said.

"And I love you, too Seul..." I said worriedly. "What's wrong?" I asked again but she didn't respond instead we heard a knock at the door following Ms. Shin's words.

"Ms. Irene, may bisita ka." she said and immediately Seul loosened her hug and lazily walked towards the door again.

"Where are you going, Seul?"

"Labas lang ako saglit." she said.

"Why?" I asked but no answer again and then the door opened and in came the reason for Seul's changed of mood.

"Hi, Irene!"

"Suho?"

-