AT KARAOKE BAR
We arrived at the karaoke bar, hoping that the change of scenery and some music would lighten the mood. As we settled into our private room, I mustered the courage to ask Sir Mark and Ate Sab a question that had been on my mind.
"Pwede po ba akong magtanong?" I hesitated before addressing them.
They exchanged glances, clearly intrigued. "What is it?" Sir Mark replied.
"Well, why did Laarni and Sir Jackson break up?" I asked, my tone laced with shyness.
"Wait, how did you find out about that?" Sir Mark inquired.
"Ah, through a friend," I responded honestly.
"Your friend?" Ate Sab raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, yes, po, my friend is a fan of Jackson, just like me," I admitted, my cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment.
"What? You're a fan of Jackson?" Ate Sab asked, clearly surprised.
I managed a shy smile and looked down, feeling a bit exposed. They didn't know that I was a fan of Jackson, and their reactions were exactly what I had expected.
"Well, that's unexpected," Sir Mark chuckled, breaking the momentary tension. "But to answer your question, it's a bit of a long story, but for your information, Jackson wasn't famous back then, and he was with Laarni."
"But he was already in the music industry, although he was more focused on painting at that time since he wasn't well-known yet," Ate Sab added, grabbing the food we had ordered.
I nodded, absorbing their explanations. It made sense to me now why the breakup between Jackson and Laarni had garnered so much attention. Relationships in the public eye could be challenging, especially when both partners were in the entertainment industry.
"Eh, bakit po sila nag-break?" I asked, my tone serious, even though it was a bit noisy around us.
"Because Laarni Ortega was extremely famous at that time, being a fashion model and all. As far as we know, Laarni was the one who initiated the breakup. That's all we can tell you for now," Ate Sab explained.
"Basta ‘wag mong sasabihin kay Jackson that we shared this about Laarni," added Sir Mark.
I smiled and nodded. "Yes, sir. Cross my heart," I said, raising my left hand as a sign of my promise.
"By the way, bakit pala hindi mo sinabi sa amin na fan ka ni Jackson?" pagtatakang tanong ni sir
Sir Mark's curiosity about my being a fan of Jackson caught me off guard. I hadn't expected him to inquire about it, and it made me feel somewhat self-conscious.
I cleared my throat before responding, "Well, you see, sir, I overheard my friends talking about Jackson, and I happened to spot him at the mall once. I got curious about him, and that's when I started following his career."
Sir Mark chuckled, clearly amused by my explanation. "I see. Well, it's a pleasant surprise to have a fan on the team. Just remember, as his personal assistant, you're going to see a lot more of him."
I nodded, feeling more at ease. "Yes, sir. I'll do my best to assist him in any way I can."
Ate Sab joined in on the conversation, her tone teasing. "So, Zaniyah, are you secretly hoping for a fan-meets-idol romance?"
I blushed at the suggestion and shook my head. "Oh, no, it's not like that at all. I'm here to work and support Jackson in his career."
Ate Sab and Sir Mark shared a knowing look, but they didn't press the matter further. It was evident that they valued professionalism above all else.
As we continued our conversation, I couldn't help but smile inwardly. Being a fan had led me to this incredible opportunity, and I was determined to make the most of it. My role as Jackson's personal assistant was a responsibility I took seriously, and I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
I sat on my sofa, my thoughts consumed by the relationship between Laarni and Jackson. It seemed that the story I had heard from Alex and Athena about Laarni being the one to break up was true. After a few minutes of pondering, I decided to search for Laarni Ortega on Google. It was astonishing how famous she was.
As I scrolled through the search results, I found countless articles and images showcasing Laarni's stunning beauty and her rise to fame as a fashion model. There were even articles discussing her previous relationships and her contributions to the fashion industry. It was evident that she had made a significant impact in her field.
I clicked on one of the articles and read about Laarni's journey from being a small-town girl to an international sensation. Her story was inspiring, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her accomplishments.
However, my admiration quickly turned into curiosity as I delved deeper into the articles. I wondered about the dynamics of her past relationship with Jackson. What had caused their breakup? What had drawn them together in the first place? It was a puzzle I couldn't resist trying to solve.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize how much time had passed. Suddenly, my phone rang, startling me. I checked the caller ID and saw that it was Jackson calling. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should answer or call him back later.
In the end, I decided to answer, pressing the phone to my ear. "Hello?"
I could sense the melancholy in Jackson's voice as he spoke. Concern washed over me as I realized that something might be bothering him.
"Zaniyah?" he said, his voice tinged with sadness.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked, my worry growing.
"Ah, wala lang, gusto ko lang ng kausap," he replied, but I could still hear the melancholy in his tone.
I knew Jackson well enough to understand that he wasn't the type to open up easily about his feelings. However, I also knew that sometimes a friendly ear could make all the difference.
"Jackson, if something's bothering you, you can talk to me," I said gently. "I'm here for you, not just as your assistant but as your friend."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in Jackson's mind. Finally, he let out a sigh.
"I guess I've just been thinking about some things," he admitted. "You know, the past, the choices I've made, and how they've affected my life."
Listening carefully, I could tell that this was a rare moment of vulnerability for Jackson. I knew I needed to be a good listener and offer him the support he needed.
"Sometimes, reflecting on our past can be a way to grow and move forward," I replied. "We all make choices, some good and some not so good, but they shape us into who we are today."
"Wait, ano bang gusto mo?" dagdag ko.
"Gusto?" pagtatakang tanong niya sa kabilang linya.
"I mean, wish mo? tanong ko, nagpapatuloy sa aming usapan. "Kasi, hindi ka masyadong nago-open sa ibang tao kaya curious ako."
"To be honest, gusto kong manalo sa Musical Kingdom Award," sagot ni Jackson. "Pangarap kasi ni Mama na makita niya akong tumanggap ng award sa Musical Kingdom."
Naramdaman ko ang halong pangarap at emosyon sa mga salitang binitiwan ni Jackson. Sa mga pagkakataong iyon, lumalim ang aking pag-unawa sa kanya at sa mga bagay na mahalaga sa kanyang puso.
"Musical Kingdom Award," binalik ko ang pangalan ng parangal, isinasalaysay ang mga detalye ng kanyang pangarap. "You mean the highest honor in the music industry?"
"Oo," pagsang-ayon ni Jackson. "Kaya ito ang isa sa mga pangarap ko sa industriya ng musika."
Hindi ko maiwasang mapabilib sa kanyang determinasyon. Alam kong hindi madali ang magtagumpay sa industriya ng musika, ngunit sa bawat salita ni Jackson, nadarama ko ang kanyang pagsusumikap at dedikasyon.
"Do you also want your mama to be with you when your dream comes true?" I asked, seeking a deeper understanding.
Jackson was quiet for a moment before he answered, "Yes, Zaniyah. I want Mama to witness all my successes in life, including receiving this award."
I couldn't help but be moved by what he said. "I'm sure that wherever she is right now, she's proud of you, Jackson. I'm also sure that she's by your side at every step of your career."
Jackson laughed, and it seemed like the heaviness in his heart was slowly fading away. "Thank you, Zaniyah. Sometimes, conversations like this help to chase away the sadness."
"You don't have to go through those times alone," I said, full of support. "I'm here for you; hindi lang bilang personal assistant mo, pwede taga sigaw mo," I added jokingly.
I could hear his laughter on the other end of the line, a sound that warmed my heart. It was good to know that, even in the midst of his busy and often demanding life, he could still find moments of laughter and connection.
"Thank you, Zaniyah," he said genuinely. "It means a lot to me to have you by my side. And I promise, I won't just use you as my designated 'screaming wall.'"
I chuckled at his words. "I appreciate that, Jackson. But remember, I'm also here to remind you of your schedule and make sure you don't get lost in your own world."
He laughed again. "You're right, I need someone like you to keep me grounded. Sometimes, I can get lost in my music and forget about everything else."
"Well, I'm here to keep you on track," I replied with a smile in my voice. "But don't hesitate to share your thoughts and dreams with me. It's nice to get to know the real Jackson."
We continued chatting for a while longer, discussing lighter topics and sharing stories about our lives outside of work. It was a pleasant conversation, and I found myself enjoying our connection more and more.
As our conversation drew to a close, Jackson thanked me again for being there for him, and I assured him that I would always be just a phone call away. It was a simple promise, but one that held great significance for both of us.
After hanging up, I couldn't help but smile. Jackson and I were becoming more than just a personal assistant and an artist. We were becoming friends who could rely on each other, share our dreams, and find support in each other. It was a bond I cherished, and I looked forward to the adventures and challenges it would bring in the future.