- ANDREI "REY" -
"Do you like him that much?" Napalingon ako sa biglaang tanong ni Ha Won. Kanina pa tapos ang pinanood naming movie at kaming dalawa na lang ang naandito sa bahay.
Pansin ko lang ha. Para kasing kanina pa siya seryoso at walang imik at hindi ko alam kung bakit.
"I said, do you like him that much? That feminine looking guy?" tanong niyang ulit at this time ay nilingon niya na ako habang nakatingin sa akin nang seryoso.
- JAMES ROBIN "JERO" -
Kagagaling ko lang kila Rey at naandito na ako ngayon sa loob ng condo ko na halos walang kalaman-laman. It does not really matter though dahil sanay na ako.
Growing up alone gave me the privilege to experience the tranquility of life but it also made me suffer deep inside. I always long for someone I can trust and someone I can talk to.
Since my father is an influential man, there are many cunning and conniving impostors hiding under the facade of righteousness. They keeps on lurking along with the shadows while waiting for an opportunity to attack my family, especially the innocent and naive child in me several years ago.
Maraming mga tao ang nanamantala sa kamusmusan ko noon, mga taong tinuring kong pamilya at kaibigan ngunit sila rin ang mga taong nagwasak sa mataas at malawak na pagtingin ko sa mundong ito.
But meeting Rey feels like I have found the sister I have never had. Nung araw na niligtas ko siya, parang nakita kong ulit ang sarili ko noong ako yung nangangailangan ng tulong. Because of that, my desire to save my younger self from the people who hurt me blossomed in my heart. Wala mang tumulong sa akin noon, I can be that person now. I can be that person who saves other people and I want to be that person who does not hesitate in a situation like that.
Kaya naman, I did everything to save Rey even if it means I need to sacrifice my career as a model. Rey might have not noticed but that situation left a scar in me.
"James, why are you so careless? Alam mo naman na ang katawan ang puhunan ng isang modelong tulad mo. Look at this scar." Iiling-iling siyang napahawak sa kanyang sentido. He squinted his eyes on me as he fished his phone out of his pocket.
"Hello, Doc. Nareceive mo ba ang sinend ko? May mairerecommend ka ba?"
"Okay sige. Magpapadala ako ng tao diyan." He ended the call and he looked at me in the eye as he heaved a sigh.
Nilapitan niya ako at saka hinawakan sa balikat. "There was a cleanser and cream na nirecommend si Dr. Hee sa iyo. Use it day and night nang sa gayon ay makabalik ka na sa runway. Sa ngayon, magbakasyon ka muna."
It all happened in a flash and I don't really care. It is not like it is my dream to become a model. I only do it as a pastime. Pampalipas oras, ganun lang.
Mas napabuti pa nga ang pagkakaroon ko ng bakasyon pansamantala dahil nalalayo ako sa hectic schedule ng modelling. I can finally relax anytime I want.
*Ding Dong*
...
*Ding Ding*
...
*Ding Dong*
I raised my eyebrow at non-stop ringing of my doorbell. Just who is this pokemon?
I raised my eyebrow at my sudden visitor as I opened the door. I cannot help but smirk at my visitor as she stormed her way in my condo. Isinara ko na ang pinto as I checked if there is anyone who is still outside but she is fortunately alone.
"Hindi naman halatang mas excited ka pa sa akin, no?" I cannot help but shake my head as she beam on the entirety of my condo.
"So what can you say? Maganda ba?" pagmamalaki ko sa kanya.
"Anong maganda? E wala namang kalaman-laman. Saka kung hindi pa ako pupunta, eh di ko pa makikita nang personal itong condo mo? Anong klaseng boyfriend ka?" Sige pa siya sa pagmamaktol but as if naman na gagana yun sa akin.
I made my way to the living room na may nag-iisang sofa sa gitna at may malaking flat screen sa unahan. Yes, ganun ka-empty ang sala ko dahil una sa lahat, kakalipat ko lang at wala rin naman talaga akong balak magdagdag pa ng ibang mga gamit besides the sofa, tv, bed, closet, and two stools plus the fixtures: the bar counter, kitchen cabinets and integrated refrigerator are enough for me to live with.
"Naku, di iyan pwede. Paano na lang kapag may dumating kang mga bisita? Saan mo sila pauupuin? Sa lapag?" Nag-krus pa siya ng kamay habang sinisipat ang bar counter ko.
"Ganun din naman sa Japan di ba? Nakaupo sa lapag?"
"Hay naku, ewan ko sa iyo Robin. But I hope you consider my suggestion. Samahan pa kita sa pamimili. Ano bang style gusto mo? I think, bagay sa iyo ang minimalist. What color do you prefer? Black, brown, grey and white palette?"
"Fine, Hani. I think I will just add two side chairs and a coffee table but no need for the hustle. Maybe, I will just order online for convenience."
"So kumain ka na ba? Naggrocery ako dahil for sure ay wala pang laman ang fridge mo." Itinaas pa niya ang hawak niyang grocery bags at saka ako nginitian nang abot tenga.
"Yeah, katatapos lang. Pero nagtira ako ng pasta. Ako mismo ang nagluto nun, want to have a taste?"
"What? Nagluluto ka? My goodness, you're really a husband material!" sabi niya pa habang nakathumbs up pa ang magkabilang kamay habang nasa ere pa rin ang mga supot ng groceries.
"Thanks for the compliment. I'll just reheat it para makain mo na." I head towards the microwave to reheat the pasta as she head towards my fridge para ilagay ang mga pinamili niya. Feel at home na fee at home siya kaya hindi ko maiwasang mapailing habang nakangiti.
Pambihira.
After a minute ay ipinagsalin ko na siya ng pasta sa isang pinggan.
"How do you like your coffee? Hot or cold?" I asked her as I reached for my coffee maker. It is actually one of my hobby, making coffee and tea.
Mukhang patapos na siya sa pagsasalansan ng mga pinamili niya.
"O? Ipaggagawa mo rin ako ng kape? My goodness Robin, another thumbs up!" she beamed as she started inhaling the aroma of her pasta. Inilingan ko siya at nagsimula ng sumandok ng mga coffee beans.
"I love this pasta. Anyway, I like it cold. Can you do some frappe? Gusto ko ng maraming whip cream at gusto ko creamier ang frappe ko," she grinned at me as she exclaimed, "Itadakimasu!"
Ever since I got to know Hani, I started to trust people again and she is now my best friend slash girlfriend.
I am happy to meet her.
07.19.2023
BINABASA MO ANG
Behind That Mask (Faces of Reality)
Mystery / ThrillerP A R T 2 - O N G O I N G - U N E D I T E D "A painful truth is better than a hidden lie." - anonymous *** Andrei has been living a life filled with fear and anxiety but she is just trying to mask it with a jolly smile, that is the only conclusion U...
