Palpitation (noun)
A noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion, or illness.
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INT. SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, DAY
Alex T.
It's him.
"Hi! I'm Alexander Esteban. Not a student. But can I ask a question?" He smugged.
I nodded.
"I want to ask your opinion on the government's plan to ban Birth Control Pills in the Philippines. Any… thoughts?"
His question reeked of sarcasm. A mockery. Nothing but a revengeful ploy.
"Seriously? In front of them?" Get it, girl. Head up. Up. Chin up. Up. Keep it up.
"HA!. What's the difference if you ask someone in public, then someone… a random stranger will take a video of it and upload it on social media hence everyone could see it. Across all age. It's digital, right? So what's the difference."
I gulped. My right hand almost reached for my chest, attempting to punch it as my heart drummed faster than usual.
"Miss journalist. Any comment? No comment?" He smirked.
Okay. I got where he was coming from. Hana.
"Come on. Nothing personal, right?" He used my exact words. Different moments. Deeper, revengeful motive.
"Okay. Okay. Okay. Was this some kind of an R-18 event?" He winked. "Alright. Let me just change the question, Miss Journalist. What can you say about reporters who take advantage of their post and use it for their personal agenda? Because I know someone who did that before."
I choked. Few decades after and he never changed. His words were either targeted to my mom or to me. If it's for me, I bet he didn't forget about what happened in USG Election in 2007. I wrote a column to expose an alleged anomaly on his presidential run. Okay. I confessed to Marky that I only entertained that story so I could save him from the messy politics in school. Plus, USG and our student paper didn't get along pretty well. Most of the time, we policed them or criticized them for being the management's pet. But you know what's the most awful thought? Him as a political target that could fall as a victim of hazing or some sort. I was protective. Fine. But He won anyway. Why was it still a big deal?
Yeah, right. It would always be a big deal if it's me. Because his mental model about me concluded that I was just like my parents. And he believed that I did that column to avenge my parents. Fine. My dad Eric was bitter because Alex's celebrity mom Diane ditched him for her loveteam, Dave Esteban. Diane dropped my dad after everything that he did to make her the star of her generation. Well, that's a valid reason. But I didn't do that to avenge my parents. For the record. And why would I do that? My dad didn't even identify me as his own. Geez.
"So Miss Journalist. No comment?" He followed up.
"So, no comment?"
"Well, according to KBP Broadcast Code 2007 amended on 2011 Article 4 Section 1 states — "
" — that 1. Personal attacks, that is, attacks on the honesty, integrity, or personal qualities of an identified person, institution or group, on matters that have no bearing on the public interest are prohibited. Sec. 2. Programs intended to malign, unfairly criticize or attack a person, natural or juridical, are prohibited."
He just cut me off. He's really trying to embarrass me.
"I know that. I am a lawyer. I just hope that reporters like you will walk the talk. Set an example to the students, right?"
He circled and used his charm to make the students agree. The same old tactic of good-looking men.
"Of course," I said as I widened my eyes.
"Final answer?"
"Final answer."
I darted my eyes at him. He did this because of Hana? This was not just about our parents. It was that viral video that triggered him to embarrass me. He didn't even know where I was coming from. Gosh. Are you kidding me, girl? Why would he even bother? I wrapped up my session. Delivered my parting words, and exited gracefully.
I left the stage and immediately went inside the comfort room in our holding area. I packed my things and bade my goodbye to the organizers who hurriedly handed me a plaque of appreciation on my way out.
-
I was stumbling on my way to the parking area, getting out of that negative air that I didn't want to bring home. But this mocking game didn't end quickly.
"Tapang!"
That voice.
"What now?!!"
I faced him and folded my arms. My hand slowly crawled into my chest as I felt my heart racing. It's a mixed feeling of hatred and longingness. I hate him for staying mad at me for the longest time. I hate myself for making him still relevant in my life. That relevance that kept making my heart flutter. My cheekbone was struggling to pose a rightful expression.
"So you know the feeling?" He chided.
"What do you mean??? Owww. About what happened a while ago? Pfft! Don't bother. It's just the tip of the iceberg. Journalists are used to that. Not a problem."
Good answer, girl. Of course, I was playing it cool.
"You never change."
"So are you," I answered back. Surprisingly, I didn't stutter.
"Let's get to the bottom of this. Apologize to Hana."
Confirmed. The banter was really about his ex-lady love, or should I drop the word 'ex' cause clearly, he's still into her.
"Why would I? I guess that's a lesson for her to come prepared next time."
"So.. who paid you to do it?"
His sarcastic voice was getting on my nerves.
"Sorry...What did you just say?!"
He smirked.
"You're just like your mother. Power of words to ruin someone's name. Power of words to give you money. Like what you did to my mom. I can't believe that you're doing it again. History repeats itself, huh!"
Okay. This is too much. He just insulted my mother. I totally get it why he hated us. I get the cold treatment, the silent rift and all that. But I couldn't take this anymore. It's 2018! Think it's about time to fight back.
"Can you cut it out! Look how agitated you are?! Is that jet-lag? Can we get a time-out first? This issue is so high school. Do you come here to insult me? I get it. You're mad at my parents, so you're mad at me. But for the record, my mom didn't do it for the sake of money. She did it for love. Yes, it's shallow. But she's young and she's in love with my dad! What do we expect?!"
"So you're telling me, she's dumb?!"
"Yes, she's dumb! Yes, she's stubborn. Yes, it's bad-love. Call her names. Whatever! I am okay with that, but to say that she did it for money, I wouldn't let that slide. I know that I inherited the hate that you have on my parents. But she died already and my dad didn't even acknowledge me. I don't have a family! So what else do you want? Can we just move on?! It's 2018!"
"MOVE ON??! You really are something! You have no idea what we've been through for you to
have that guts to tell me to move on!!"
He threw his words like a bullet on my face. Next thing I knew, his face was right in front of me. So close, I can hear him breathe. We paused and stared at each other. This is hopeless. He's full of hate. I've long accepted the fact that my love is just my love. This unrequited love dropped dead in the ocean. I can't make him forgive me. And I can't even make him treat me as a human. And I can't live with that.
He stepped back and walked away.
That moment, I realized we were at the same spot nine years ago. USG Office. Front door.
Enough with the memories. This moment, I let go. I didn't want to share the same air with you again. Not anymore. Goodbye, Alex.
-
INT. ALEX'S CONDO, DAY
Alex T.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
My phone kept vibrating. It's 5 in the morning. Are these bashers still awake? Ugh.
68 Viber Messages
37 Missed Calls
53 Unread messages
98 Whatsapp messages
Pinky has been calling me since 2 AM. My eyes widened when I've read the breaking news on our page. It's Pinky who wrote it.
HEADLINES:
Son of late actor Dave Esteban in critical condition after Tagaytay car crash
NBI officer, Alex Esteban, in a coma after a horrific car accident
Oh no, Alex... This can't happen.
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