The Spaces In Between

[6] What's In A Name

“Okay lang yan, Zades,” Kuya Lean tried to cheer me up. “Next time pa ang time to shine mo. Magaling ang pagkakagawa nila!”

I ignored his ramblings as I watched the credits closely. I’m sure kasama ako di—

What the hell. Wala ako sa credits.

Wala ang pangalan ko.

Nandun lahat ng pangalan ng mga ininterview nila: sina Nana Tinang, Mang Nestor, Mayor Pablo, mga babae sa tinapahan, yung mangbabalot.. pati nga mga pangalan nina Butchoy nandun eh! Pero bakit yung pangalan ko, ako na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng paperworks para magawa nila yang docu na ‘yan.. wala?

I’m beyond mad. I know, this is so irrational of me but.. damn it! I just bared a part of my soul to Andreau Cortez, a complete stranger. Hindi ko basta-basta kinukwento sa mga kakilala ang buhay ko yet I trusted him that information. Okay lang naman sa’kin na hindi niya gamitin yung interview niya sa’kin.. but not acknowledging my name? Ibang kwento na yun.

I angrily stormed off the auditorium, leaving Kuya Lean behind, confused. Nakakainis, pati ba naman ‘to iiyakan ko. Pahamak pa ‘tong backpack ko, ang bigat! Sa may gilid ng stairs ako pumunta, thank god walang tao. May Q&A portion pa naman, mamaya lalabas ang mga tao.

Why in the hell am I crying? Ayan kasi Zade, ang hilig mong umasa. Hindi ka na natuto!

“Zades!” I heard Kuya Lean shouted from a distance. I have no energy to answer so pumulot na lang ako ng mineral water bottle sa may paanan ng stairs at binato sa hallway. He appeared seconds later, looking so worried. “Tangina anong nangyari?”

“W-wala naman Kuya,” sagot ko. I gingerly wiped the tears off my face. Damn Andreau Cortez! Dati acting lang niya iniiyakan ko, ngayon siya na mismo!

“Bakit k—“

“Lee!”

GREAT. JUST GREAT.

Andreau suddenly appeared behind Kuya Lean, and he was surprised to see me there. “Za—“

Kasama ba sa pagiging sanguine ang prone to rage blackouts? Hindi ata, pero yun ang nangyari sa’kin. Forget his attractive looks and sexy stance, Zade. He’s an enemy right now. It all happened so fast that it even shocked me. Kanina alam kong nasa stairs ako, umiiyak at nagdadrama.. tapos ngayon..

Nasa harapan na ako ni Andreau Cortez..

And with all my might, hinampas ko sa kanya ang backpack ko.

Wala akong pakialam kung saan siya tinamaan o kung nasaktan man siya. Boy, I am really really relieved! Seeing him crouching in front of me is definitely worth it. Kelan pa ako naging sadista? Kay Andreau lang.

“What the hell!?” he whimpered, hands massaging his belly. Hah, wala palang sinabi yang abs mo eh! Weak! “What was that for!?”

“May Gantt chart Gantt chart ka pang nalalaman!” I shouted at him angrily. “What the hell, Andreau? Do you think you can toy me around because you’re so freaking popular? Excuse me, kung hindi dahil sa’kin..” huminga muna ako ng malalim. Naiiyak na ulit ako leche. “Kundi sa’kin.. hindi mo magagawa yang docu mo, which is by the way, beautiful BUT!!! What the hell, Andreau?” Hahampasin ko sana siya ulit ng backpack kaso pinigilan ako ni Kuya Lean. “Damn it kuya isa na lang! Pagbigyan mo na ako!”

“Zades tama na,” natatawang sabi sa’kin ni Kuya Lean. Hinila niya ako palayo kay Andreau. “Kalma ka—“

“Hindi ako kakalma hanggang di nagsosorry yang epal na yan!”