This Is Not a Movie. Because their lives are not writtten by another being. They're the author themselves, the actors, the director, the producer. They're the ones who will solve all the shits that come their way.

This Is Not a Movie. Because everything that happened to them is entirely their choice.

This Is Not a Movie. Because their lives don't stick to one or two genres.

And This Is Not a Movie. Because they are not expecting for a happy ending.

  "Bebe, nandiyan ka na ba sa airport?" That's Michelle, she's my friend.

            "Oo. Bilisan mo na kasi."

       "Medyo traffic pa, bebe. By the way, thank you nga pala sa pag-yes sa project ko," pagpapasalamat niya. "You saved me again. I could kiss you right now if you want," sabi niya atsinabayan ng malakas na tawa. 

             Isa lang naman ang reason kung bakit nandito ako sa Pilipinas -- para tulungan si Michelle sa movie niyang gagawin. Hindi siya 'yong artista, ha. Siya kasi ang direktor at producer. Gagawin niya akong stylist at costume designer ng cast niya. Argh!! I'm a world-renowned fashion designer. For the sake ng friendship namin ni Michelle, umuwi ako ng Pilipinas para tulungan siya sa kanyang big break.

              Hindi pa talaga akoready na umuwi rito, eh. Ayaw ko pa. Hindi ko naman iniiwasan ang sobrang init ng klima dito. In fact, parang na miss ko rin 'yon. May iniiwasan lang akong isang tao. At hindi pa ako ready na makita siya after so many years.

                "Okay. You're welcome, bebe. Susuportahan kita sa pangarap mo." sabi ko sa kanya.

          "Siyempre, I'm sure bebe na mano-nominate kami sa Oscars. I'll make a history in the Philippines' showbiz industry," sabi ni Michelle na may confidence.

                 "Kahit noon pa lang, may pagka-ambisyosa ka na talaga. No offense meant ha."

                 "Wow! Look who's talking. Ikaw nga ang mas ambisyosa sa ating dalawa eh," at tumawa siya ng napakalakas.

                  "Bebe, nakakabingi na 'yong pagtawa mo. Baka masira pa ang eardrums ko nito,"sabi ko. "At parang may pagaka-witch ang sound ng boses mo," biro ko sa kanya.

                "Haha. Kahit kailan corny ka pa rin. Don't worry, bebe. Ipapahiram ko sa 'yo ang joke book ko.'

                 "Bye na nga lang. Just hurry up. I can't wait forever."

                 "Your wish is my command, your highness. Bye"

                 Ini-off ko ang phone ko pagkatapos. Ganyan na kaming mag-usap noon pa man. Minsan, iniinsulto na namin ang isa't isa pero 'di pa rin kami nao-offend. We're more than bestfriends. We're like sisters. Since nursery pa kami magkaibigan at hanggang ngayon na successful na kami sa aming career.

                  Then I heard na nagkakagulo ang mga tao. Ang iba ay tumatakbo. Meron ding sumisigaw. Akala ko ay may away or something worse. Nang lumingon ako, sa isang direksyon silang lahat pumunta. At nagsilabasan ang kanilang cameras at cellphones.

                  I really don't get it why people act like a lunatic everytime they see a celebrity, I said to myself.

                  May mga security guards na nagsulputan. Grabe talaga ang pagdumog ng mga tao sa artistang 'to. Sikat siguro 'to.

                 Suudenly, someone called my name. Parang familiar ang boses niya. At natigilan ako bigla. Silence enveloped the place. Sa unang pakakataon, nakita ko muli siya. He's trying to get away from those people at nilapitan niya ako.

                     "Hope, it's good to see you here again. We miss you."

                     Tama ba ang pagkakarinig ko? Na-miss daw niya ako. Hindi ko ini-expect na makikita ko muli si Quen...dito pa.

                 Na- speechless ako. Pinagpawisan ako bigla. At ang puso ko ay biglang bumilis  ang tibok.

                     Time froze. And then I remembered everything when I saw his face....including all the reasons why I left Philippines some years ago.

“Hope, it’s good to see you here again. We miss you.”

We miss you.

We miss you.

His last words echoed in my head. Yeah, he missed me. And also his friends and my friends missed me, too.  I didn’t know how to react. My mouth must be gaping open when he suddenly appeared. But I would never lose my composure in front of him. Never.

“Hi, Quen!” I beamed. “Good to see you. How are you?” I asked even though I obviously knew his  answer.

“I’m okay, Hope. Medyo busy nga lang ako ngayon. But I’m enjoying the hyped of my life right now,” sabi niya sabay taas ng kilay sa huli niyang sinabi.

He’s still the same; quite arrogant, playful, and heartless. Maybe, I’m just misjudging him again. Or maybe he’s just trying to project that attitude so I would never see his true feelings. His eyes told me otherwise, I could see the longing in them. Or maybe those were just the cameras’ flashes. Then reality hit me...

“Quen, I should go.” Nagmamadali kong sabi.

“ No, Hope. I know kadadating mo lang.  We should hang out pretty soon.” He emphasized the word pretty. “Not now, for sure. Ako na ang hahatid sa’yo,” he quickly added.

I tried to protest. But he immediately signalled to his bodyguards to accompany us to his car that’s waiting behind those reporters (papz, more likely). Those big camera lenses followed us on our way to Quen’s car. Baka magpakamalan pa kong girlfriend niya. I felt my cheeks flushed.

Quen went to the driver’s seat hurriedly. One of his bodyguards opened the door for me. Then, he started the engine. My heart was racing.

“Wait, pa’no na ‘yong mga bodyguards mo?” I raised my voice slightly trying to hide a hint of panic.

“Do’n sila sa isang car. Kayang ko namang mag-drive, Hope. I’m not a reckless driver,” he said defensively.

Oh no... oh no.. What should I do? I must get away from this car, sabi ko sa sarili ko. And also away from his life.