Picture Perfect (Damien Jovanni Cabriga & Kenna Naveen Cervantes)

Chapter 4

MAG-IISANG linggo na nang mailibing si John. Paulit ulit pa rin sa isipan niya ang sinabi nito.

"Can I ask you something, Kenna?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Why aren't you smiling at the pictures?"

"I don't know. Maybe it looks much more cooler if I don't smile."

"Really? Because I think you'll be cooler and prettier when you smile."

"I'll keep that in mind, John."

"You have a beautiful heart, Kenna. Thank you for everything. Be more beautiful.. smile at the photos for me, okay?"

"I promise, John."

Marahang tinapik ni Sofie ang balikat niya. "Are you okay?" inabutan siya nito ng bottled water.

She sighed. "Yeah."

"Is it John?" umupo ito sa tabi niya.

Tumango siya. "I have one promise to fulfill."

"And that is?"

"To smile at my pictures." malungkot na ngumiti siya. "I don't think I can do that now."

"Sa tingin mo ba magiging masaya si John kapag nakita ka niyang malungkot nang dahil sa kanya? Kenna.. she wants you to be happy."

"I know." mahinang sambit niya.

"This is your last photoshoot. You can rest now and be with your family. Alam ba nila na pauwi ka na?"

Umiling siya. "I want to be alone for a few days."

"Tawagan mo ako kapag ipapaalam ko na sa kanila na nasa Pinas ka na. Doon ka ba magse-stay sa pinatayo mong bahay sa Antipolo?"

"Yeah. That place is peaceful enough. I need to rest for awhile."

"Sinabi mo pa. Halos mamatay matay na nga ako sa schedule mo. Buti next month pa ang schedule mo. Ano bang sabi mo sa parents mo?"

"That I'll be free next week. I don't want them to see me in this state. I look so stressed. I don't want them to worry about me."

"Okay. Na-book na kita ng flight. Andun na rin ang sasakyan mo sa airport. Okay na ang lahat. Yung luggage mo nadala na ng Kuya Noah mo sa bahay mo."

Napatingin siya rito. "What? Kuya knows I have a house at the Philippines?"

Umiling ito. "Sabi ko bahay ko yun. At dun titira ang pamilya ko."

She sighed. "Kuya is not that stupid. My house is fully furnished, right?"

"Yeah. Naayos na last week ng interior designer na si Rosario."

"Good. I'll just have to buy stocks. I'll be staying there for a week."

"A week?! Kenna naman!" reklamo nito.

"I have to be okay again. I need to be alone to think things off."

Malalim na nagbuntung-hininga ito. "Just don't do anything stupid."

She rolled her eyes. "I won't commit suicide, bruha. I'm too beautiful for that."

Sofie laughed. "Sabi ko nga. Baka ipagtabuyan ka sa impyerno sa sobrang sama ng ugali mo eh."

Hinampas niya ito ng hawak na pamaypay. "Gaga! Let's go. My flight will be in an hour. I still haven't packed my luggage and things."

Agad naman na nataranta ito. "Anukabanaman, Kenna!"