WILDFLOWERS series 1: A Liar's Kiss

CHAPTER 2

Four years later

“SIX MONTHS from now, you will be celebrating your fifth anniversary as an international artist. We want to produce an anniversary album for your band. But we want it to be something different from your past albums. We want this to make a huge bang!” excited na paliwanag ng producer ng Wildflowers na si Peter Gallante kina Stephanie, Yu, Ginny, Anje at Carli.

Nasa conference room sila ng Warner Music USA sa Rockefeller Plaza, New York dahil ipinatawag sila ng producer. Kagagaling lamang nila sa isang concert sa Dublin at doon sila dumeretso pagkagaling sa airport. Hindi pa sila nagpapahinga ay trabaho na agad ang kanilang ginagawa.

Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo sila. Sa katunayan ay malaki ang pasalamat nila kay Mr. Gallante dahil kahit na maglilimang taon na sila sa international scene ay hindi pa rin nababawasan ang mga gigs nila. Nakailang albums na rin sila na lahat ay bumebenta. They even performed at The Grammys last year. They were all filthy rich now. Hindi gaya noon na lahat sila ay may part-time jobs magkaroon lang ng panrenta ng practice studios. Iyon lang sa loob din ng apat na taon ay hindi pa sila nagkakaroon ng mahabang bakasyon.

And Stephanie was dying to go on a vacation. Kahit isang linggo lang. Kahit kasi makulay at masaya ang music industry sa Hollywood ay nakakabingi rin minsan ang sobrang ingay at nakakasilaw rin ang sobrang ningning niyon. May mga pagkakataon na nami-miss niya ang simpleng buhay nila noon sa Pilipinas.

“In three months’ time, I want each of you to produce at least one song. But I want you all to take a different approach. I want you to change your image. Let’s veer away from your sweet attitude. I want spice, heat, and excitement. I want your songs to be sensual yet emotional. I want to feel your passion in your songs. I want you to get wild!” bulalas pa rin ni Mr. Gallante.

Tumikhim si Yu. “Ah, Mr. Gallante, are you asking us to do something the Pussycat Dolls might do? We are a band you know, and we can’t dance.”

Tumawa si Mr. Gallante at umiling. “No, no. That’s not what I meant. I just want all of you to write sensual, passionate, and emotional love songs. You don’t have to dance or show some skin. I’m telling you to show it in your songs, like you always do. And I believe Carli’s voice will suit these kinds of songs. Believe me, there will be mega hits. I already have a title for this album. Wildflowers: Good Girls Gone Wild. Isn’t that great?” patuloy nito.

Napangiwi na lang si Stephanie. Paano sila gagawa ng kantang sensuwal at passionate kung ni isa sa kanila ay wala namang karanasan sa ganoon?

Kompara sa ibang musicians sa Amerika, hindi sila nai-involve sa kung sino-sinong lalaki. May mga nag-aalok sa kanila ng indecent proposals at party invitations ngunit pure-blooded Filipina pa rin sila kaya hindi sila umaabot sa puntong nagiging wild na sila. In fact, may isang magazine pa nga ang nagsabing ang grupo nila ang may pinakamalinis na record pagdating sa mga eskandalo dahil hindi pa sila nabalita sa gossip columns na may ginagawa silang kalokohan.

“So, how is it? Are you all ready to do this?”

Muli ay nagkatinginan silang magkakaibigan. “Ah, I guess,” tanging nasabi niya.

Ngumiti si Mr. Gallante. “Don’t worry, girls. Because I want you to create fantastic songs I already asked Rob to clear all your schedules for at least a month, until the publicity department is done with the planning. You can all go on a vacation while you compose your songs. Where do you want to go?”

Nabuhay ang dugo ni Stephanie sa sinabi nito. Bigla siyang na-excite. Bakasyon nang isang buwan. Ang sarap! Napatingin siya kina Yu. Nang magtama ang mga mata nila ay nagkaintindihan sila kahit walang nagsasalita sa kanila.

“The Philippines!” sabay-sabay na sagot nila.

Tumawa ang producer nila. “Really, you girls, I thought you might want to go to the Caribbean and have a love affair there so that you would be inspired or something. But oh well, the Philippines it is. But I have rules that you must comply with. You are forbidden to do any interviews while you are there. No one must know what you are doing because we’re still planning now your album and anniversary concert will be promoted. If the media asks why you are there just tell them you’re on a vacation. You should be quiet as possible while you are all there. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir!” masayang bulalas nila.

“Great. Now go and pack your things. Do your work and have fun.”

Tumayo na sila at lumabas ng conference room. Nang nasa lobby na sila ay nagkatinginan silang magkakaibigan at sabay-sabay na tumili.

“Sa wakas bakasyon!” bulalas ni Ginny na ikinatawa nila.

“Tatawagan ko si Cham para sabihing uuwi tayo,” excited na sabi ni Yu.

“Do that. Tiyak matutuwa `yon. Although hindi ko alam kung paano ako makakagawa ng kantang gusto ni Mr. Gallante,” komento niya.

“Sa Pilipinas na natin isipin `yan, Steph. After all, we have at least a month,” sabi ni Anje.

Napangiti na lang siya at tumango-tango. Excited na siyang umuwi sa Pilipinas.