Heart of the Sunset (Heart Series #4)

O N E

Warning: R-18

I flew in on cloud-nine with Malibu sunshine
To the playground of my dreams
Made a new best friend, there wasn't a question
That everything would work out perfectly

Then boom, boom, spoke too soon
Worst in the room
Like a total crash landing
But I'm not gonna let that keep me down

“It's all about those good vibes
Every future looks bright
When you got those good, good, good vibes
Gotta catch those good, good, good vibes…” Pagkanta ko kasabay ng pinapakinggan kong musika.

I was head-banging as I listened carefully to the music and sang with it. It’s my favorite music just because it’s giving me good vibes.

Now take a look at me, so on pointe and savvy
The whole world at my feet
Spry and irreverent, didn't know what fear meant
I dance and leap to my own beat

Inayos ko ang eyeglasses na suot ko at inayos ang pagkakahawak sa sketchbook ko na nakapatong sa mga hita ko. I am sitting on my carpeted floor inside my condo, my sketchbook on my curved thighs, earphones on my ears, my favorite music playing and my head banging as I hummed.

“Then boom, boom, spoke too soon
Now I'm cocooned
In my own disappointment
Gotta spread my wings and get to higher ground!
It’s all about the good vibes—”

Biglang nag-ring ang cellphone ko kaya napairap ako at napabuntong-hininga.

“Sinong bwesit kaya ‘tong tumatawag?”

Pinulot ko ang cellphone ko na nasa itaas ng mesa. Agad ko itong sinagot nang hindi tinitingnan ang caller ID.

“Hello? Sino ‘to?”

“Madame, bonjour. It’s me.”

“Oh!” Ang secretary ko lang pala. “Hello, Diana. Any news for me?”

Inipit ko sa balikat ko at sa tenga ko ang cellphone ko saka nagpatuloy sa pag-s-sketch ng bagong design kong damit.

“I received an email inviting you to a masquerade ball at the Hamilton Orphanage House. It’s the owner of the orphanage and it's his birthday so he’s celebrating it with the kids. And he wanted you to design clothes for the children,” aniya.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. “Oh, sure. When?”

“This night, at six P.M.”

“Ha? Ano ‘to, gaguhan? Mamayang gabi na pala tapos ngayon pa nag-send ng email sa akin? Tapos inuutusan pa akong mag-design ng mga damit para sa mga bata? Aba, gago ang matandang ‘yan, ah!” Bulalas ko.

“What, Madame?” tanong ni Diana.

“Who’s that crazy old man and why the hell would he invite me in such a very late time?! And why would he order me around?! He’s not the boss of me!” Asik ko saka napatayo.

Napamaywang ako habang nagpabalik-balik ng lakad. Dumausdosdos pababa sa tuhod ko ang dulo ng suot kong malaking t-shirt.

“Ah… Madame, it was just urgent. That’s what he told me—”

“Oh really? And did that old man expect me to design hundred of clothes for a hundred children in a just—” Tumingin ako sa wristwatch ko. “—seven hours?!”

“Uhm… I do not know either, Madame. I already replied to him that you might not be able to be there. But he replied that he wants you to be there, immediately,” aniya.

“Hah! Ang kapal naman ng mukha ng matandang ‘yan. Siya, siya. Tell him that I’ll be there because I want to enjoy not because I will make a hundred of clothes. Good bye!” Saka pinatay ang tawag.