Chapter 2: Editor
I'm completely pissed off by that asshole. Buong araw ng sira ang mood ko. Is it really my fault na gano'n siya kalandi para pumatol sa isang babae?
In public place pa talaga ha. It isn't my fault whether I photoshopped it or not, whether I took that photo or not. Kasalanan niya 'yon and I'm out of the picture.
Hindi lang dahil sa kumag na 'yun kung bakit ako naiinis ngayon kundi mismo kay Jian. Nalaman ko kasing totoo ngang naninigarilyo siya. It's a bad habit to smoke lalo na't teenager pa lang kami. I know that he's already eighteen and is qualified to do that but I'm just too bothered by the thought that my bestfriend is smoking. Feel ko kasi hindi ako mabuting impluwensya sa kaniya.
"Bakit ka ba nakipag-away? And you know what's worse? You're fucking smoking Jian!" I said at ibinato sa kanya ang ice bag, tumama ito sa kanyang mukha at dumiretso sa kanyang pasa.
"Aray! Sorry na?" Magsosorry din sana ako pero natawa na lang ako. Kinuha niya ang ice bag at inilapat sa kanang pisngi. "Shhh. Wag kang maingay ha, atin-atin lang 'yon at baka tuluyan na akong palitan ng Principal."
Tarantado. Inirapan ko na lang siya. Wala na ata siyang balak na magbago. I don't know how this jerk managed to manipulate people in the election. To be honest, hindi ko siya binoto dahil panay ang pagyayabang niya sa akin dahil kapag daw nanalo siya dahil 'yon sa kagwapuhan niya.
"Atsaka pwede ba namang hayaan ko lang 'yung mokong na 'yon na insultuhin ka?" Sabi niya at ginaya ang paraan ng pag-irap ko.
"I just want to protect you, just like how you always did to protect me when we were still a child," Saad niya. "Remember?" He looked at me with the same way I saw when we're still little.
"Definitely Jian, but you can't deny the fact that you were once a cry baby." I said and laugh.
I used to protect Jian from bullies before. He was such a weakling back there and no one was there to help him. And I'm always the hero to protect him. I was way taller than him and his bullies thats why making his bullies flee has been easy for me.
Perks of being tall.
"I'm not! Atsaka cute kasi ako noon kaya laging pinupuntirya." I rolled my eyes and slightly punch him. Sa totoo lang, gusto ko laksan eh.
"But Jian, you don't have to protect me like that." I said at kinuha sa kanya ang ice bag at ako na ang naglapat nito sa pisngi niya.
"Ayokong masaktan ka ng ganito, iyakin ka pa naman." Dagdag ko. We both laugh at pinisil niya ang pisngi ko. Geez, one of the things I hate that he always does.
"Dont worry, kaibigan mo ko 'di ba? Para sa'n pa ba 'ko?" He hugged me around the neck but I know that deep down he is slowly choking me.
"Para lampasuhin?" I said and grin.
Hinampas ko naman ang mga braso niya na bumabalot sa leeg ko. Pasimple pa siya, eh hindi na nga ako makahinga. He released his arms around me and sighed.
"Malaki ang tiwala ko sayo Marzia. Alam kong 'di mo kayang gawin 'yon." He said and I looked away. Napalunok naman ako sa nasabi niya.
"Am I right?" Ibinaba ko ang ice bag and I notice that he is distracting me from his sin.
"If you're still playing with me, cut the fuck off. This is not an exception of you who's freaking smoking at the back of our school."
"I said sorry," sabi niya at nagpa-cute amputa. "don't you worry about me, okay? This guy is tough." Then, he flex his muscles. I want to slap him so bad.
"Ito na po ang order niyo." sabi ng waitress at inilapag na ang mga pagkain. Syempre, di mawawala ang favorite kong Chicken Teriyaki.
We're currently in a Japanese Restaurant. Madalas nandito kami ni Jian para manood ng Anime kaso dahil bad mood kami, kakain na lang. How ironic, right? Wala lang, trip lang namin. Feel na feel namin 'yung pagka-Japanese 'e.
Nagsimula na akong sumubo at kumain na. Grabe, gutom na gutom na ako. Hindi ko pa naman nakain kanina ang cup noodles kaya inilagay ko na lang sa bag para mamayang mid-night snack.
"Subuan mo ko, please." Tiningnan ko si Jian, geez he looks like a rat.
"Fine!" I said at biglang isinubo sa kanya ang chicken and rice.
"Aray! Dahan-dahan naman." Sabi niya sabay inom ng tubig.
Bigla niyang kinuha ang kutsara ko at sumubo. Tangina, di ako papatalo. Kinuha ko ang dumplings niya atsaka kinain.
"Gutom na gutom?"
"Duh, I'm fucking tired." I said at ginulo niya ang buhok ko.
"It's okay, I'm here." Sabi niya habang ngiting-ngiti sa akin ngunit inirapan ko na lamang siya.
Still the same Jian I know. A bit childish but always serious at the same time.
Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at tiningnan kung ma'y bago akong message requests sa Page. Ma'y nadagdag na namang lima, hundreds na kasi ang naka-stock sa aking message requests, 'yung iba kasi alam kong hindi mapagkikitaan ng malaki kaya hindi ko na tinatanggap.
Bigla namang nag-notify ang message sa akin ni Mrs. Trono.
[Ija, nasaan ka na?]
Shoot! I totally forgot all about it.
[Malapit na po Tita]
I replied back.
"Goodbye bitch." sabi ko at tumayo na.
"Sabay na tayo!" Geez, sabi ko na nga ba 'e.
"Umuwi ka mag-isa!"
"Kaya ko mag-isa! Pero alam kong di mo kaya!" Ito na naman siya, minamaliit ang kakayahan ko. "Atsaka delikado na. Ang lampa mo pa naman! Baka ako pa masisi ni Tita kapag nagahasa ka." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at nakasisiguro akong wala akong takas sa kanya.
"Fine!"
_______________
Hinatid ako ni Jian dito sa ma'y kanto na medyo malayo sa bahay nina Mrs. Trono. Ayoko kasing malaman niya na kina Felix ako pupunta, baka kung ano-ano pa ang isipin niya.
*Ding*Dong*
Tunog ng doorbell na kanina ko pa pinipindot. Time is gold, duh. Kanina pa kaya akong naghihintay dito sa harap ng bahay ni Mrs. Trono! I have better things to do than just to wait here and stand looking like an idiot and literally waiting for nothing! Geez. This family is getting on my nerves.
"Pinapapasok na po kayo ni Mrs. Trono." Sabi ng guard na kakarating lang. Binuksan na niya ang gate at pumasok na ako.
I'll admit it, their house is fantastic as fuck. Their fountain is even bigger than our house. The guards opened the door and the chandelier caught my attention. It is made up of diamond for goodness sake! They literally have everything I ever wanted. Life is just so unfair.
"Ija, nandyan ka na pala!" Mrs. Trono said at niyakap ako. Hindi ko siya niyakap pabalik dahil naiilang ako. Hindi ako sanay ng niyayakap. Bumitaw na siya at nginitian ko na lamang siya.
"Pagpasenyahan mo na sana ang mga guwardya. Nagkaroon pa kasi ng security check"
"Okay lang po Mrs. Trono."
"Tita Francine na lang."
"Sige po. Tita, ito po ang documentary ng kasal niyo atsaka 'yung Wedding Video" Ibinigay ko na ang flashdrive at album pictures ng kasal nila.
Kitang-kita ko ang ngiti sa labi niya, sino ba namang hindi sasaya kapag kinasal diba?
"May we watch it first before you leave?" She said at nag-set na ng TV nila. I better say no, bukod sa gusto ko ng matulog ay marami pa akong dapat gawin.
"Tita---" Magsasalita na sana ako ng tawagin niya ang kanilang katulong.
"Manang Esther, paki tawag si Felix" Are you telling me that we'll going to watch it together? Geez. I really want to go home now. I can't afford to look at his damn fucking face! Literally!
"Sige po maam." Sabi ng maid at naglakad na paalis.
"Pero Tita gagabihin na po ako." Palusot ko. Ayaw ko talagang makita ang hayop na 'yon.
"Ako na ang bahala sayo Ija. Kausap ko na ang mama mo kanina at pumayag naman siya." She said with a smile and I just smiled back.
Well, wala na rin akong magagawa. It's my mother whom she talked to. Hindi na rin ako makakagawa ng palusot.
"What do you want?" I heard a voice coming from upstairs. It's Felix, he seems annoyed. Normal na sa kanya 'yon, he exaggerate much anyway!
Nakita ko siyang bumaba at nagtama ang tingin namin. Pansin kong nagdilim ang paningin niya ng makita ako. Ofcourse, hindi ako nagpatalo kaya tinitigan ko siya na para bang walang pakielam.
"It's you," He said in a very deep tone. Nilapitan niya ako at tinitigan ng masama. "are you finally here to beg for my forgiveness?" I was about to speak when Tita Francine spoke.
"Felix anak, siya nga pala si Marzia. Siya ang nag-edit ng Wedding Video namin ng Daddy mo pati na rin ang Album picture."
"Oh, the one who photoshopped your pictures to make it look realistic?" Sabi niya at nairita ako sa pagkakasambit niya. He really knows how to annoy me.
"Anak, hindi ito photoshopped, highlights lang ito at tunay ang mga litratong nakikita mo." Tita Francine said. "Kung hindi ka maniwala ay itanong mo pa kay Marzia at hindi talaga Photoshopped ang mga yan. Ang galing nga niya mag-edit."
"Oo nga, ang galing niya mag-edit. Nasobrahan sa galing." He said sarcastically while browsing through the pictures. Nagkasalubong naman ang kilay ko dahil sa inis.
"But, is it true na hindi photoshopped ang pictures?" He asked, making this annoying expression in his damn face.
"Y-yes." I answered.
"I mean, hindi talaga kasi kapanipaniwala eh. You know, ang hirap na kasi maniwala ngayon lalo na't andaming ng paraan para manloko. Parang andali pa namang manloko kapag sa picture lang. Right?" I knew it, he's referring this to the viral photo of him. I did not answer him, I know what he's trying to do.
"Anggaling mo nga mag-edit. Are you sure na hindi photoshopped 'to?" Tsk, he is truly getting on my nerves.
"Ofcourse." Tinitigan niya ako ng masama ngunit di ko na lamang siya pinansin.
"Dapat lang." He said at ibinagsak ang Album pictures. Lumayo siya sa akin at umupo sa couch.
Tangina. Sa tingin niya ba nakakatuwa 'yon? Kasalanan ko bang masyado siyang malandi para maging siya 'yung nasa litrato? It's not my fault anyway. Why can't he believe it?
"So what are you still doing here?" He said referring to me. He really can't shut his mouth off and just ignore my presence huh? Pathetic.
"Kasama natin siyang manonood ng Wedding namin ng Daddy mo. Gusto ko rin ipakita sayo ang talent niya sa pag-eedit." Sabi ni Tita Francine but Felix doesn't seemed to care at all.
"Talent? Talent like great at manipulating images? I see." He said and my eyebrows met again. I can feel myself heating up, but for now I tried calming myself down. I can't afford to lose my reputation just for this idiotic mammal.
"Come and have a sit ija." Lumapit ako sa couch at umupo sa tabi ni Tita Francine. Siya ang pumagitan sa aming dalawa ni Felix.
Sinimulan ng i-play ni Tita ang Video and it gave me chills to see my master piece.
--
"You never failed to impress me Ija!" Sabi ni Tita Francine at hinawakan ang dalawa kong kamay. "Sobrang ganda ng mga gawa mo!"
Ako pa ba? Tsk, Basic lang po.
"Salamat po." From a distance I can see Felix staring at me. Masama na naman ang tingin sa'kin ng mammal na 'to.
"Ija, can I ask you a small favor?"
"Ano po 'yun?"
"Can you be my son's editor?" Tanong niya. At parehong nagkasalubong ang kilay namin ni Felix.
Small favor?! Wtf.
--
Kakauwi ko pa lang at hindi pa din ako maka-get over sa inaalok ni Tita Francine. Iniisip ko pa lang na editor ako ni Felix alam ko ng hindi kami magkakasundo. Animo'y isa siyang toro sa tuwing tumitingin siya sa'kin. Mukha ba akong regla sa kanya? Haha. Very funny.
"Ma, How come na pumayag ka?"
"Akala ko ba gusto mo ng stable na part-time job? Bakit ba hindi mo na lang tanggapin?! Ang arte mong bata ka, tinutulungan na nga kita!" Sabi ni Mama habang nagluluto. "Atsaka kilala ko si Mrs. Trono, napakabait niyang tao at sapol na sapol magpasweldo 'yon. Napaka swerte mo pa ngang nilalang para makuha bilang editor ng isang donya tapos ikaw pa itong umaangal ngayon? Nagsasayang ka ng grasya Marzia!"
Baka disgrasya ang tinutukoy ni Mama. Disgrasya sa anak ni Tita Francine, pfft. Kung hindi ko lang kailangan ng pera ngayon ay hindi ko tatanggapin ang alok ng Mama ni Felix. Pasalamat siya taghirap kami ngayon, ma'y maganda na siyang editor, ma'y professional Photographer pa. Masyado kang sineswerte ngayon Felix.
"Pero hindi ba sobra naman yung five hours? Nakakatamad naman ata yon, Ma." Angal ko.
"Five hours sobra? Hindi ba pwedeng magtiis ka naman kahit para lang sa Papa mo?!" Sigaw niya. Napuno namand ng takot at kaba ang damdamin ko. "Hindi madali ang lahat ng ito para sa'kin kaya sana naman tulungan niyo din ako!"
"Sorry." I mumbled. Yumuko na lang ako.
My Dad has a severe disease. And we need money to pay for our Hospital Bills. Its okay na magmukha akong pera sa iba, matustusan ko lang lahat ng pangangailangan ni Dad. Just like how he gave everything I need and wants before this happened. Now, were facing financial crisis for gaddamn sake.
Bakit ba kailangang mangyari toh? Did I do something wrong before to deserve this? Kung meron man, I want to fix it.
"Kumain ka na muna. Wala ka pa ngang sahod 'e ang daldal mo na." She said at inilapag ang niluto niya.
It seems that this is the most decent meal I ever tasted over this week. I haven't eat any real food yet until now. My definition of real food is somewhat homemade and not bought from any store. Malay ko ba kung ma'y artificial ingredients ang mga yon.
"Tandaan mo kahit anong mangyari, ginagawa natin ito para sa Daddy mo, kaya matuto kang magtiis!" Matigas na saad niya.
My hands and knees begun to tremble as soon as she glared at me again. Bakit ba kailangan mong maging ganito kahigpit?
--
I locked the door and open the lights in my bedroom. I look at my messy work table and sight. It's full of crap, geez. It's time to fix this all up. I walked towards the table and pick up the things I no longer needed and threw it to the trash can.
Tinapon ko na din ang mga pahabol na request ng mga suki ko sa Facebook. Sorry, I no longer need the company of your moneys. Even I get tired of accepting requests, napipilitan na lang ako dahil sa pera.
But I think my job with the son of Mrs. Trono will be quite interesting. With that arrogant jerk, maybe my day will bloom a little. Seeing him annoyed with my presence will just put a smile on my face.
Now that I have a stable part-time job, I no longer need to accept offers. From now on, I have to focus on editing Videos. Actually, it's really not my thing to edit Videos, I'm into Photoshopping. Photoshopping my damn picture is where this all started. And from that day, a legend was born.
Felix Trono, wait till you see how a legend works.
My phone vibrates and because I'm bored, I picked it up. I always ignore messages, it's full of costumer request anyway. Sino ba namang hindi mababagot don? I look at my phone and I saw an unknown number out of several requests, I bet this is a chain mail.
From: Unknown
'It's me, Felix. This is my no. Don't spread it to the world, especially to the girls out there to make some money, or to even make a call and flirt with me, Just dont Marzia.'
Definitely a chain mail, pfft.
Just ew, him? Thinking of me flirting with him? He must be dreaming. Dream well you jerk head.
'As if, you jerk' I replied back.
'Hey, Im just saying.' He replied abruptly, he must be bored or something pfft.
'Whatever'
'May nightmares hunt you, Marzia Cruz' He replied and I turned off my phone immediately.
He is getting on my nerves again. Nakakapikon siya na nakakainis. Dapat ako 'yung tuwang-tuwang nang-iinis eh, hintayin mo lang Felix. Tingnan natin kung di ka maiyamot sakin sa personal.
I decided to go to the kitchen. Oo, gutom parin ako. Besides, ayoko pang tumulog. Di ako sanay ng natutulog ng maaga eh. It's just 11PM. Mind as well have a cup of coffee.
Let's palpitate together sis.
I sat down while enjoying my cup of coffee. It give me chills, lol. How am I able to sleep later?
I heard footsteps coming from upstairs, it must be Marco. Rinig ko namang palapit siya rito that's why I look down at my coffee. I dont want to have any eye contact with him. It would be better this way.
"Nasa kwarto mo na ang laptop mo." Probably Spencer gave it to him. Tsk, tropa pala sila ng mokong na 'yon.
"Who told you to come in?" I said while taking a sip from my coffee.
"Kinuha ko na rin ang laptop ni Spencer, Salamat."
"You're welcome." I said and smirked.
"You probably switch our chargers again didn't you?" He always does this. Mas mabilis kasi ang charger ko kesa sa kanya, 'yan tuloy gumagawa siya ng paraan para makapasok sa kwarto ko.
"So what?" He said, I said it right. Napairap na lang ako, kabanas 'yung ugali niya. "Anyways, You'll be working with Felix?"
"Oh, you heard it right." Sabi ko at umirap. He must have been listening to our conversation back there.
"Sinabi sakin ni Mama, h'wag ka ngang ano. Hindi ako chismosa tulad mo."
That backfired fast.
"Whatever. Atleast I'm working every other day, unlike you whom I've only seen work once a week. You ditched your job and now your job ditched you." I said.
He used to have a decent part-time job at a 5-star restaurant. Nahiya siguro sa kaklase niyang mayayaman, pathetic. Hindi ko alam kung kuya ko ba siya or what. He acts so childish. He only cares for what he loves to do! Basketball.
"The only asset you have right now is your pen. For how long you'll keep drawing without an improvement?" I added which made him irritated. I've been wanting to talk about this for so long.
He used to draw and make money out of it but he lost sight of his true passion. I dont really think that basketball is for him.
"You know nothing Marzia. I've been mistreated at that Restaurant, okay?" He said and gave me a death glare.
Kaya ba siya palaging umuuwing ma'y pasa?
Unti-unti na siyang naluluha. "And FYI, I know how you judge my works! Akala ko pa naman ikaw ang susuporta kay Kuya, but you're the first one to downgrade my works."
"I didn't mean to----"
"I always look up to you, Marzia. But it seems that you haven't further notice it." He said and it made my tears fell.
Before, I always check his art works. He always post it in social media, specifically Facebook. And because he said that he accepts criticisms I have done him a favor. I did criticize his works but I didn't know that it was too much. It's more like too harsh for him. Atleast I gave honest reviews. He never did talk about this until just now.
"And as for your new job, be careful with Felix."
He walked away from me.
Why should I? Doesn't he trust his buddy? Oh well, lalaki sila, I don't know how compatible they are.
But still... I can't ignore the fact that...
I was such a bad little sister to him. I thought.
But whateve, who cares anyways! It's not like he does his part as an elder brother to me! He does nothing but to make my life a living hell.
Tumaas na ako sa kwarto at pinunasan ang mga luha ko. Ayokong mag-aksaya ng luha sayo, Marco.
I opened my laptop and logged in at my page. Something is really strange about this.
I tried to accept requests but my concept about Marco kept crashing in!
I was about to log out of my page when a thought comes to my mind.
I never log out of my page.
Why did I logged in at the first place?
I can't think well at this condition. My hypothalamus still ached.
How can my brother affects me much after all what he did to me?!
He treated me as if I was a rag!
That's how harsh my brother could be. He didn't even know that I was hurting. He deserves more than what I had done with his page!
I can't handle this absurd feeling of mine. I need someone to talk to.
I was about to call Jian when I receive a text from a girl I barely know.
From: Tina
'You really did a great work out there, thumbs up sis'
I really hate it when a devil gets what she wants.
_____