Siobhán’s Wrath

Unknown man

“Vawn, are you sure you do not want to take the opportunity?” Nanlulumo kong tiningnan si Mickey. He has been asking me to reconsider my decision because I refused the voice lesson offered by TalentFuse to further pursue singing. Kung alam lang nila…

The thing is, my first ever guesting went wild not only because people found it funny but because they were also amazed by the way I sang a song that time.

“Mem, I’m focusing on acting.” Ayan ang paulit-ulit kong nirarason. Totoo naman, and besides– mas makasasagabal lang sa akin ang pagkanta.

“Okay…nanghihinayang lang talaga ako.” He sighed.

I’m sorry pero mapapabagal lang niyan ang goal ko.

“What the–” I almost cursed when someone grabbed me into the storage room.

“It’s all your fault!”

Rein?

“You disgust me, pretender!” She angrily roared.

“What do you want?” I asked coldly.

“Ha…so this is the real you, huh? Ang plastik mo!”

“I don’t know what your issues are with me, but I must go.” Humakbang ako ngunit hinila niya ulit ang kanang kamay ko kaya buong lakas kong binawi iyon.

Saktong bumukas ang pinto.

“Dito po, sir Dwayne!”

“Kuya…” I heard Rein sniffs.

I looked at her strangely, she was on the ground– looking pitiful.

Kumunot ang noo ni Dwayne. “What’s happening?” He asked.

“Nakita po namin na hinila ni Vawn si Rein papasok sa storage,”

Wait, a trap?

Teka, CCTV– tama! CCTV!

“I did not, you can check the CCTV,” inis kong sabi.

Tinulungan ni Dwayne makatayo si Rein, “There is no CCTV around this area.”

Ha…kaya pala ang lakas ng loob. Talagang kinutsaba pa niya ang ibang ka-member niya? Are they fools?

“Uulitin ko, ano ba ang nangyari?” Hindi ako sumagot.

“Hindi ko po alam kuya, she just suddenly dragged me here! Maybe she was upset with me. Because she might have thought I was the one spreading the rumor about you and her.” Pagdadahilan ni Rein. This kid…

“Settle with my manager,” I said as I walked out of that d*mn room. I’m tired at marami pa akong dapat pagtuunan ng pansin.

May shooting pa ako mamaya kasama si Heather. That would be my last appearance sa teleserye na pinagbibidahan niya.

“Tsk, ang yabang,” and you know what’s interesting? I found someone that I could use to get information about Heather. Si Madge– for some reason, she hated Heather to the core.

I just stayed silent habang nasa upuan ko. We are now here on the set.

“Mag-iingat ka sa kagaya niya, beb. Ahas ‘yan,” I looked around, kaming dalawa lang naman ang nandito. So, ako ang kausap niya?

“No offense but why do you seem to hate her po? She’s…kind naman?” Obviously, I’m just fishing out.

“Mabait? Kung alam mo lang. Si Azzura nga na pinahalagahan siya ay tinalikuran niya.” I froze…she really knew something?

“Tinalikuran?”

“Oo, sumikat lang din naman ‘yang si Heather dahil nadikit sya kay Azzura. Nung tumagal na grabe ang tubo ng sungay niya. Kawawang, Azzura… and the management did not even do anything about it. She may rest in peace,” hindi ko maiwasan na mag-init ang ulo dahil sa narinig ko.

“Totoo po pala ang dahilan na nagpakamatay sya dahil depressed siya?” I bravely asked.

“Hindi siya clinically diagnosed dahil wala siyang time. But technically, parang ganoon na nga. Despite her success she was just a lonely soul.”

Lonely?

“Vawn, nakapag pahinga ka na? Let’s go.” Napatingin ako kay Mickey na kararating lang. Marami pa sana akong gustong itanong kay Madge.

“Bye po, ate Madge.”

“Ingat, Vawn.” She winked.

While we were on our way to my next project, I scrolled on my i********: muna. I saw a poster of The Dreamer, may panibago silang music video na ilalabas soon. Nakita ko rin sa feed ko ang upcoming fan meeting ng Xscape sa Cebu, come to think of it– I followed Xscape and all the members but not The Dreamer…

Following…

There, I clicked it! Automatic naman na nag-suggest ang members kaya I followed them too. After all this time– ngayon lang ako nagkalakas ng loob na i-follow sila sa social media.

I sighed, kumusta na kaya sila? Pinapanood ko naman ang variety show kung saan sila nag-appear at mga clips nila sa t****k– but it’s different from hearing something about them in person.

“What’s this ate?” I asked Eliza. May iniabot kasi siyang box sa akin.

“Cake yata, may nagpadala.” Sagot niya.

Tapos na akong make-upan, I’m just waiting for them to call me. Kinuha kasi akong endorser ng Philippine Airlines, kaya nakapang-FA ako ngayon na damit.

“Okay,”

When Eliza left, I opened the box. Sisilipin ko lang, and it’s really a cake– with a small envelope. I picked up the envelope, it was sealed. Pero hindi naman ako nahirapang buksan ito.

Seek for the truth. Do not delay. She was not dead.

Tumayo ang balahibo ko sa katawan as I looked around. There is no one, only me. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito?

“Vawn, tawag ka na.” Sa sobrang gulat ko ay naipasok ko kaagad ang note sa pouch ko na nasa harapan ko.

“Y-yeah, coming.”

After my shoot, I couldn’t wait to reread the note again and again. Who could it be?

“Vawn, ayos ka lang ba?” Tanong ni Mickey. Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Kanina ka pa tulala,” oh…I did not notice.

“Ah…yes. Just tired.”

“You should rest then, drop ka na namin sa condo mo.” Hindi na ako tumanggi dahil wala rin talaga ako sa focus. Dapat ay may meeting pa kami ngayon kasama ako, but I think Mickey can handle.

Dire-diretso ako sa elevator nang mai-drop nila ako.

“Good afternoon ma’am,” I just smiled at the lady in the concierge.

“Aww–” My sunglasses dropped when I bump into someone, “I’m sorry,” I apologized, nilingon ko kasi yung babae para ngitian kaya kasalanan ko kung bakit kami nagkabanggaan ng taong ito.

He picked up my sunglasses for me, “Here,” this man is around in his late 40’s I think. He looked surprised when he saw me, maybe because he recognized me as a celebrity?

“Thank you, sir. I’m sorry again,” I was about to pass him but he grabbed my arm.

“Y-you exactly looked like her, h-how is your mother?” He asked in awe.

I looked at him, confused. I doubt he really knew my mother because he said I looked exactly like her. But the thing is– I don’t resemble my mother in any way, maybe I got my face from my father.

“I think you’ve mistaken me for someone, sir.” Binawi ko ang braso ko at lumakad na.

Speaking of mother…I’m wondering how my mother is doing these days. I should call the hospital for an update.

I just got in my condo when I received a call from Dwayne. Ano ang kailangan niya? Inilapag ko ang gamit ko, dumiretso ako sa kitchen area to get my water. I answered the phone without saying anything.

“Are you there?” He asked.

“I am,” I answered.

“I sent you the recorded video of the evaluation, please let me know what you think.” Oh, shoot. I have been so busy that I totally forgot.

“Oh…okay. Sorry, I forgot.”

“Understand, I know you are busy.”

“Dwayne…” I think it’s time, “about our deal, don’t make me the top priority of TalentFuse anymore. But I will still help you with the evaluation.” Giving so much work will lessen my time through my goal.

I heard him laugh, “As much as I want the management to prioritize you with some big projects– I didn’t have the chance to do so. It’s them who reached out to our company, not the other way around.”

“You did it on your own, Vawn.”

I was stunned.

I did not make the conversation longer, I soon bid my goodbye to Dwayne.

I freshen up before watching the monthly evaluation of this boy group. And all I could say is they improved a lot, there’s this boy who caught my attention. I thought he couldn’t make it to this round but he surprised me everytime. Every comment that I want him to improve, he always nailed it. I was making notes while watching the video kaya madali ko lang naipasa kaagad kay Dwayne ang comments ko.

I was woken up by a call. I checked who the caller was and it’s Mickey.

“Mem, good morning.” Pagsagot ko sa tawag niya.

“Well, hindi good ang morning mo dahil pinapipiyestahan ka ngayon!” I could sense that he was stressed.

“Ako? Anong ginawa ko po?” Napabalikwas ako, wala naman akong maalala na ginawang kalokohan?

“Ang mga dakilang chismosa sa social media ay pinagkakalat na binubully mo raw si Rein. Ayon kuno sa source nila, lintek na mga source nila na walang pruweba. Hay naku!”

“Mem, didn’t Dwa– I mean, sir Dwayne talked to you the other day?”

“Nope, bakit? Teka, may nangyari nga?!”

I closed my eyes as I sighed. I then told him what happened the other day.

“What?! Tapos ngayon mo lang sinabi sa akin?” Naiimagine ko na hinihilot niya ang sentido niya ngayon.

“I clearly told them to settle with you…?” Wala sa sarili kong sabi at isa pa, nakalimutan ko na rin ang nangyari. I took it lightly, I should be more mindful next time…

“Jusko kang bata ka. Get yourself ready and come to the company.”

Hindi naman ako nag sayang pa ng oras at gumayak na. While waiting for my driver and Eliza, I checked the discussion online and it was indeed in chaos. My fans are depending me, I felt bad sa mga nakipag trashtalkan pa.

Teka, Shanaia and Fiona in one frame? I happened to see a picture of them together, are they friends?

Naputol ang iniisip ko nang marinig kong may tumawag sa cellphone ko.

Paige?

Natanaw ko naman ang paparating na sasakyan kaya tumayo ako at lumakad na habang sinasagot ang tawag ni Paige.

“Hello, Paige?” I answered the phone, Eliza opened the door for me. I mouthed thanks to Eliza before going in.

“Kumusta ka na? People online are crazy!” Ramdam ko ang inis sa boses ni Paige.

“I’m okay, I am on my way to TalentFuse now,” I answered without any trace of worry.

“Hays, ang gulo talaga ng showbiz. Why don’t you quit na lang?” Ayan nanaman siya.

“Paige naman…”

Hindi rin nagtagal ang usapan namin dahil kailangan na niyang bumalik sa readings niya, kinumusta niya lang daw talaga ako.

When I arrived at the company, ramdam ko ang mapanghusgang tingin ng iba. I even heard them saying na lumaki na kaagad daw ang ulo ko. Kailangan talaga naming masettle kaagad ang issue na ito dahil showing pa rin ang movie namin ni Damon, this issue might affect the movie.

Pagdating ko sa meeting room ay nagulat ko nang makita si Rein, not only her but her whole group, even Valentina is here.

“Alright, shall we?” The head of the PR asked, we nodded in unison.

The manager of Best Teas Girls (BTG) ay nandito. BTG ang pangalan ng grupo nila Valentina and supposedly ay 4 members lang ang magde-debut but they ended up having 5 members.

“Rein, is it true that you are the one who spread those rumors about Vawn and sir Dwayne? I know this has been settled but this needs to be discussed pa rin because this is connected to the recent issue.” Panimula ni Randell– the head of the PR.

“P-po? H-hindi po!” Pagtanggi ni Rein. I was just staring at the table, I did not make any eye contact kahit kanino.

“Inara, Valentina, Graia, and Ophira…kayo ang madalas kasama ni Rein, may narinig ba kayo mula sa kanya?” I heard Randell questioned the other members. I couldn’t help myself to look at them now.

“W-wala po!” Sabay-sabay na sagot ni Graia at Ophira.

How scripted.

“Valentina and Inara…?” Nagkatinginan si Valentina at Inara sabay tumingin sa akin.

“Kinuwento po ni Rein sa amin na tuluyang naghiwalay si sir Dwayne at ate niya dahil po kay Shiyo,” it was Valentina. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, she could be in trouble!

“Totoo po, nakwento niya habang nagpa-praktis kami noon,” si Inara.

“No, liar! Kaibigan mo si Vawn Valentina kaya ka sa kanya kumakampi.” Bato ni Rein kay Valentina, napahilot naman sa sentido niya ang manager nila.

“Habang nagpa-praktis? When was that? We can check the CCTV of the practice room. The CCTVs in all practice rooms can record audio.” I observed Rein, she looked troubled.

St*pid kiddo.

“Hindi ko po matandaan ang exact date pero around nung time na kumalat din po ang rumor.” Sagot ni Inara.

“Alright, I’ll have the CCT–” hindi natapos ni Randell ang sasabihin niya because Graia talked over him.

“S-sorry po!” Napayuko siya, “totoo po na nakwento ni Rein sa amin…” I raised my brows.

“O-opo…nakwento po ni Rein sa amin,” si Ophira. “Pero ako po, wala po akong pinagkwentuhan kahit isa, promise!” She even raised her right hand.

“Rein?” Hindi na nakapag salita si Rein.

“Yung sa bullying din po. Hindi ko po alam paano kumalat pero noong isang araw ay hinila ni Rein si Vawn papunta a storage room.” Pag-amin ni Ophira, nanginginig pa ang boses niya. She must be nervous.

“Ang sabi po ni Rein ay tuturuan niya ng leksyon si Vawn. She told us to purposely make sir Dwayne go sa storage room dahil nakita raw namin ni hinila siya ni Vawn. But the truth is it was the other way around.” Napakagat si Ophira sa labi nya.

“Nagsasabi po ng totoo si Ophira,” suporta ni Graia. “Pero dinismiss na po kami ni sir Dwayne, ang sabi niya ay huwag namin ipagkalat hanggat hindi napapatunayan dahil hindi niya alam ang totoong nangyari dahil walang CCTV around that area. Si sir Dwayne po ‘yon so I never dared to even utter a word. Kaya nagulat po ako nang mabalitaan na may kumakalat na balita na binully ni Vawn si Rein.” Mahabang paliwanag ni Graia.

Dwayne did that? Pero hindi niya pa rin diniscuss kaagad with Mickey.

“Ayan, clear naman pala na walang kinalaman ang alaga ko. Jusko,” nakahinga ng maluwag si Mickey. “How can you girls compensate for the loss because of what happened? Alam nating lahat na may showing pang movie si Vawn.” Inis na sabi ni Mickey.

“Felina, pakisabihan ‘yang alaga mo. Ang kade-dyesiotso pa lang ay nag-uutak kriminal na,” hindi maiwasan ni Mickey na pagsalitaan ang manager ng BTG.

Wala naman akong ginawa roon kundi ang makinig. Napilitan namang magsorry sa akin si Rein, not because she wanted to but because the PR made her so.

“Mem, okay na kaya ako mag fan meeting? I want to thank my fans in person for supporting me.” I suggested. We are now having lunch dito sa office niya, nagpadeliver na lang kami ng pagkain.

“Oo nga ‘no? Pwede ka na mag meet and greet. Alright, I will schedule.”