Chapter XI : A Locket and an IQ of a Thirteen Years Old

John Lloyd called her. Once. He asked how she was. Her health. No mention about his question and her decision. Then he said, “Take care.” and he was gone. Like a bubble.

One month. No calls. No visits. It was just her and the time given to her to decide.

One more week. They were going home. Her doctor said she was okay. There were still the medicines she was required to regularly take but those were just supplements. She was advised to take it easy and not overwork, but it was safe now to go back to her career.

Her manager came. He talked to her parents. They were still worried about her despite what the doctor said. But they let Sarah decide. They knew she wanted to go back. Sarah missed performing again. She missed the industry that had been her world for several years. She missed the people. She missed him. More than ever.

The night before they left China, Sarah mustered her courage to talk to her parents. She now understood. She knew what she wanted. Her choice had always been that. He had always been her choice.

“Mommy, Daddy. I wanna say thank you for taking care of me. You’re the best blessings God has given me. I love you both.” She hugged them.

They knew she was just starting. They had noticed how sad and restless she became since John Lloyd left. They also found it strange that each time he called, he asked them to keep it secret. He would just ask about her health, then he would hang up. Not talking to her.

“Thank you for letting me pursue my dreams and now letting me go back to them.” Sarah continued.

She looked at them, and looked away. She took a deep breath before speaking again.

“I love him.” A whisper.

Her mother started to speak but her dad held her hand to stop her.

“What do you want to do?” Her father asked.

She looked at her parents.

“I want to choose him. “

“You’re not ready yet.” Her mother protested.

“You do what you have to do. We’ll just be here to support you. Your mother and I. Right?” Her dad was holding her mother’s hand more tightly now.

“But—“

“Mommy, I know your fears. I know that you just want to protect me. You and dad. I admit, with this choice I’m making, I’m taking a risk. I might get hurt. But this is also the very same thing that will make me happy... If you’re against it though, I’ll do what you want.” Sarah spoke from her heart. Her hands on her lap were shaking.

“Sarah, we just want you to be happy. So whatever makes you happy.” Her dad’s hand left her mother’s hand to touch hers.

Her mother did not say anything. She went to Sarah and hugged her.

***

11.2

“Hi Luis!” She saw his surprised look.

They had been in the Philippines already but they chose to keep it quiet for a week so she could still rest. Today was her first day back in her home station. She was scheduled to have a meeting, a contract signing and a presscon in the afternoon. Sarah purposely came early so she would still have time to catch up with her friends and look for a certain someone.

“ I missed you! I’m glad you’re back and you’re better.” Luis couldn’t contain his happiness. She was one of his most favorite people.

“I was hurt when you just quit and left without telling me. You sure you’re okay?” He asked. He remembered how worried he was when he found out from John Lloyd about her health.

“I’m sorry. My parents panicked. I also thought that it was already goodbye then. But I’m good now. Never been better.” Her bright smile was back.

“You look happy.”

“I am.”

They talked about a lot of things. How he was. His new show. Her plans. Their friends.

“Have you seen Lloydy?” Out of nowhere she asked. She was fidgeting with a piece of paper.

Luis gave her a teasing look.

“Weh? He’s a friend too you know?”

“Sarah, Sarah. It’s me Luis, remember? I’m like the biggest fan of your loveteam, official or unofficial.”

She hit him in his arm playfully.

“How are you guys?” His tone was serious. She knew what he meant.

“I’m not sure. He’s your friend, why don’t you tell me... He hadn’t called me for more than a month now...so, I’m not sure.” Her hand automatically went to the locket she was wearing.

“Why don’t you call him this time.”

“I did! I tried calling him several times today but i think his cellphone is off.”

“He must have a very stupid cellphone. Very very stupid. To be off at this time. Tsk tsk.”

They were laughing when her PA called her. It was almost time for her meeting with the big bosses. She left Luis.

***

11.3

“Luis, any plans for tonight?”

“Lloydy, you have the best timing in the planet! Where have you been?! And what’s the use of your cellphone?”

“Why? I came from a photoshoot, I just dropped by here for something.”

“For something or for someone?”

“What do you mean?” He tried to look like he didn’t know what Luis was saying.

“You’re kidding me right? Sarah was just here. She was looking for you. And please don’t give me that bull that you didn’t know that she’d be here today. That’s the reason you’re here.”

“She was looking for me?” He came in. It was Luis’ dressing room for his show. Luis normally studied his lines here before he headed home. John Lloyd knew Luis would be one of the first people Sarah would come looking for. That was why he was there.

“What did she tell you?”

“She said she was calling you but unfortunately you don’t know how to use a cellphone.”

“She called---“ John Lloyd forgot what he was about to say.

He was now face to face with a piece of paper which looked familiar to him. Suddenly, he could not breathe. When he tried to speak, his voice sounded flat. Lifeless. A voice of a stranger.

“She left this?”

“What? Oh, that paper? That must be hers. I saw her holding that.”

With trembling hands, John Lloyd unfolded the torn paper. Even before he saw what was written there, he knew what he would see. He wrote it. A short word.

NO

This was her answer?

His heart hurt like hell.

***

11.4

Two weeks. Still no calls.

Just when I’m ready --- you are being an idiot. Sarah was worried at first. Now she was angry.

She knew she had to make things happen. It’s her turn now to initiate and confront him. After all, he was patient with her for a long time.

She said yes to an MMK episode. With John Lloyd. This time, there was no way he could avoid her.

Hah! You be ready Mr. John Lloyd Cruz! She fumed. And she bumped into someone’s back.

“Oh! Sorry! I wasn’t looking----“ Her apology was cut short.

There, John Lloyd was.

Time ceased. The surroundings became distant from where they were standing. The noise became an echo from a far distance.

“How are you?” She studied his face.

“I’m okay. You seem to be really better now, I’m glad.” He moved his lips and mimicked a movie scene that he suddenly remembered.

“Why haven’t you called me?” She asked. I missed you.

“I’ve been very busy.” He lied. I missed you a lot.

“We need to talk.” She knew her heart. I love you too.

“I’m not sure ---Let me check my schedule first.” He became a coward. I’m not ready yet to hear you say “No”.

“Listen, I’m running late. I’ll see you in the shoot. Let’s see if we can talk there.” And he was gone.

It became more clear to Sarah that he was avoiding her. But why?

I’m gonna talk to you and kill you afterwards. You just wait! Grrr.

***

11.5

“Have you seen Sarah?”

John Lloyd was in Billy’s condominium. It was one of Billy’s rare visits to the Philippines. He became busy again with his career in Europe.

“Yeah.”

“And?”

“And nothing.”

“What do you mean nothing?” Billy probed. He knew something was wrong when John Lloyd called him for a drink. He just insisted that they drink at his place. With John Lloyd not being okay, he knew the drinking would not be good if done outside.

“That’s it. No. Nothing. None.” It was his fifth glass now.

“So, you two have talked already?”

“No. I don’t want to talk to her.”

“If you haven’t talked, then how did you know ---“ Billy was really confused now. He was just talking to Luis the other day and he mentioned something about the future of these two looking good.

“I know what her answer will be and I don’t want to hear it.” John Lloyd poured himself another drink.

“How will you know for sure? You don’t think it’s better that you ask her?”

“You don’t understand. Askng her, and hearing it from her will just make it real. I’m not ready for that yet. I don’t think my heart is ready for that pain.” He drank from his glass straight.

Billy just watched him. He felt he was missing a part of a puzzle here. He had to talk to Sarah.

***

11.6

First day of their shoot. It was like her first time years ago, when she also faced the same cameras for her first MMK episode.

She felt nervous. She swore if anybody screamed her name now, she was going to faint.

Good thing nobody did. Everyone was excited to see her again.

She went to her tent. And waited. No John Lloyd came.

When the the director called for her, JohnLloyd was there. Ready for their first scene together. Sheena was there. His ex-girlfriend. She was one of the cast in that MMK episode.

Sarah kept her face bereft of any emotion. Inside, she was slowly dying of small heart attacks.

She went through the motions. The scenes they were shooting today required no acting. She just had to act that she was hurt seeing him with another girl. Easy.

“Direk, should I slap him in the face?” Sarah asked. Please say yes. I’m gonna sleep him so hard, he won’t feel his face for a whole week.

“No need Sarah,the slap will come later in the story.”

“Ok Direk. Just tell me when I have to, I’ll willingly do it.” She gritted her teeth and tried to smile.

***

11.7

Break.

She was alone in the tent.

He was outside flirting. With his ex-girlfriend.

Another take.

He just spoke a couple of words to her and paid his full attention to Sheena. Practising their lines.

Sarah walked and suddenly seemed out of balance, almost fell; stepping on his foot purposely.

“Direk, I’m ready to shoot.” She called out. I’m shooting you in the face John Lloyd Cruz once I get the chance.

Pack-up. All the scenes they needed for that day were shot.

Sarah decided she had enough. She went to the other tent. She saw John Lloyd was about to leave.

“Let’s talk.” She crossed her arms and planted herself in his way.

“I’m leaving now. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

“No, Let’s talk now.”

“Lloydy let’s go---Oh, Am I interrupting something?” Sheena appeared with her bag.

“No. Let’s---“

“Yes. So, please if you can spare us a few minutes or leave us.. “ Sarah insisted. She had not moved a fraction.

Sheena left.

“So, you’re leaving with her. I don’t care if you do, but let’s talk first.” Her voice was firm.

“Sarah—“

“Oh so you still remember my name? Surprise!” Sarcastic laugh.

She could feel her tears would fall any minute now. She squared her shoulders. She had to get this over and done with.

“Sarah, we will talk but not now.” John Lloyd continued.

“Why not?”

“Because any second now, this place will be crowded.”

“Then, let’s go some place else.”

“No. I can’t.”

“Why not.”

“Just that.”

“What are you, thirteen years old?” Frustration in her voice.

“ I can’t.” He repeated. He looked away, avoiding Sarah’s intent gaze.

Sarah did not speak for a full minute. She removed the small locket from her neck.

“If you’re not ready to talk to me, I am ready to give this to you.” She put the locket in his hand. Closed his hand around it. Lingered for awhile and left.

***

11.8

A lifetime had passed since Sarah left his tent. It was probably just 30 minutes to an hour but John Lloyd felt like he was sitting on his chair all his life. He felt ancient.

In his hand was the locket that he bought for Sarah when they went to an old market place in Macau. He remembered her looking at it as if she had seen a big diamond for the first time in her life. He teased her about it,and secretly bought the item.

He put his picture inside and gave it to her. It was more of a joke on his part, but when he saw her smile at his picture, he thanked all the gods he knew for making him smart enough to be able to come up with something like that.

Now, the locket was with him again. What was it that she said?

If you’re not ready to talk to me, I’m ready to give this back ---wait, did she say back? He was lost in his thoughts when his PA entered the tent.

“Idan—“

He dropped the locket. It fell open. A piece of paper fell. It was familiar to him.

With trembling hands and his heart lodged somewhere in his throat, he picked up the paper.

Even before he could unfold the paper, he already had an idea of what he would see written on it. Still his mind throbbed. His heart hoped.

He opened it and read.

One word.

JOHNLLOYD

He felt like the biggest heel in the planet. He wanted to punch his own face.

You just made the biggest boohoo in your whole lifetime and back.

------------

*Stupid love playing in the background LOL

Thank you my dear readers.

You inspire and push me to write. Without your words of encouragement and the increase of the number of views ( yun 5 loyal readers kong pabalik-balik hihi), I'd probably be just smiling to myself as I watch these scenes in my head. Thank you for giving me courage to put my dreams to words.

Leave your comments please. :)