11/23

Hashtag 03

#AWriterFairyTale

"A writer can do magic: write harsh realities into fairy tales."

-x-

It's all in her mind. Plus, that guy's medyo-chinito eyes, tall and lean built with a boy-next door type aura and goofy face? Very common. As in.

Malamang sa malamang, kahawig lang.

Yep.

Sure na.

But that imagination of hers became the reason for the uneasy feeling. A day after that imagination occurrence, natapunan niya ng kape, thank goodness it was cold coffee, ang co-worker na nakasalubong sa hallway.

She was jumpy! And conscious.

Hawig kasi ng buhok!

The other night, kung hindi niya nahawakan ang street lamp, first kiss niya ang semento for being klutzy. Turns out, the guy whom she thought was going to talk to her, just has the same built. And that peck on the lips with the other guy walking behind told her one thing:

Maraming tatandang dalaga sa katotohanang mas nagmamahalan na ang mga lalaki. Literal.

Sa isang linggong nakalipas, pinapatay siya ng kaba sa bawat bukas ng elevator. Her eyes would scan the unfamiliar faces, and her breathing will only return to normal when the 'coast is clear.'

"Masyado ka na atang nagkakape," said July. Nangangarag kasi si Jhing, hindi mapakali at patingin-tingin sa paligid. "Tapos na ba novella mo?"

Thoughts aside, Jhing tried to smile. "Hindi pa, eh."

"Four days na lang deadline na."

Thinking about the deadline made her want to hurl. Sumasakit ang ulo niya, sa dami ba namang iniisip at sa imagination pa niyang abot ceiling kung gumana – kailangan niya ng pahinga.

"I know. Baka mag-leave ako after deadline."

"Ha? Bakit?"

Bago pumasok sa elevator, Jhing scanned the faces again before she entered. Nakasimangot pa ang isa nang magkatitigan sila.

"Magkakasakit ata ako."

July laughed as she pushed their floor's button. "Wow, ano 'to, scheduled 'yung sakit mo?"

When they went out of the elevator, akala nila nagkamali sila ng floor. Ang dami kasing tao sa lobby, mukhang nag-aabang.

July, being the nosy girl, asked the receptionist. "Anong mayroon?"

"Interview kay V.L. Tine," was the answer.

Kahit wala pang isang taon sa kumpanya, alam na ni Jhing that the Best-selling Romance Author V. L. Tine, is signed in their publishing company. Alam din niyang tanging sa big bosses lang ito nagpapakita, dahil kapag meetings, tanging skype call, without the video, ang nangyayari.

"Magpapakita na ba siya?" July's giddiness was all over her voice.

"Sabi nila. Kaya maraming nagpunta—"

"Kayong dalawa." Miss Zue walked towards Jhing and July as the receptionist smiled. "Anong ginagawa niyo d'yan? Tapos na ang break time, ah?"

"Miss Zue! Darating daw si V. L. Tine?"

Umiling si Zue. "Nako, ayan na naman mga nasasagap mong chismis, July. Hala sige, magtrabaho na at maraming unedited manuscripts."

Ilang protesta pa ang naganap mula kay July bago kinalabit ang receptionist at pabulong, ngunit malakas pa rin ang, "tawagan mo ako kapag dumating si V. L. Tine, ha!"