SALIGIA SERIES #1: SUPERVIA

XI

Gaya na lamang ng biglang hindi pag-contact sa akin ng babaeng iyon. I don't even have attachment issues!!!

I sigh heavily before looking at myself infront of the full-length mirror. My black dress with an asymmetrical neckline hugged my body with the right amount of fit. It has some accent buttons from my right under boob down to the right slit. It was just an ankle length dress kaya naman tinernohan ko na lamang iyon ng black mid-length boots. I also put a black trench coat on my shoulder and pull my hair into a low messy bun before putting some silver accessories to complete my look.

And like my usual post-event meetings and after-parties, we did have a grand celebration along the team. Kasama ang iilan pang co-models at mga organizers ng event, we enjoyed a classy nighttime with an over-looking view of the Eiffel Tower. A lot of my co-models' flocks to me to say their congratulatory messages, converse and ask a lot of things about my life.

The whole fashion week was a bliss. I can admit that I was really enjoying the time where I get to enjoy fashion, Paris and modeling in times like this. A part of a dream that I used to mumble to myself as a child, literally materializing in front of me every year of my life.

Humihikad akong bumaba ng van nang makarating kami sa contract signing event na meron ako ngayon. It was my last stop for the day kahit pa kalapag ko lamang ng bansa ngayong araw. I sip on my cup of iced coffee habang pasakay kami ng elevator. George is explaining the summary of the project na pipirmahan sa araw na ito. Hindi ko naman siya nagawang sagutin dahil kahit ano pang paliwanag ang gawin niya ay kinakain na ako ng antok at pagod.

I really want to swim in my king size bed and sleep for 48 hours. Hindi ko na alam kung anong uunahin. Ang jetlag, ang antok, ang pagod o ang trabaho. Sasabunutan ko talaga si Ivah dahil hindi man lang niya nagawang iurong ang contract signing na ito kahit pa ngayong araw ang flight ko mula Paris pabalik ng Pinas.

Now, I'm here. Hiding my eyebags under a thick tinted sunglass.

George opened the glass door of the conference room for me kaya I took that time to take off the beige trench coat that I'm wearing. Staying for Paris for over a month makes me want to curse over the weather here in the Philippines. Ang init-init!

"Selene!" Narinig kong tawag ni Ivah kaya naman kahit pa natatakpan ng salamin ang mga mata ko ay sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

Pero hindi pa lumilipas ang iilang segundo ay para akong nabato sa kinatatayuan ko. On the adjacent seat from Ivah ay nakita ko agad si Emir. The eagerness on her face makes me feel indifferent. Pakiramdam ko ay bumuhos ulit sa akin ang halo-halong nararamdaman over the past weeks of... waiting... I can't fucking admit it! No way!

In here white fitted shirt, leather jacket, a camera on her hand and her long jet-black hair on a loose bun. Hindi ko napigilan ang umirap at maramdaman na mas lalong bumigat ang pakiramdam ko nang makitang nagpatuloy ang paninitig niya sa akin.

I fix my glasses before finally taking a step towards Ivah. Mukhang wala naman akong choice kundi ang maupo sa harapan ni Emir because Ivah is sitting on the edge of the table already. Nang iikot ang mata sa buong conference room ay doon ko lamang napansin ang iilan pang staff. They were all looking at me, a bit hesitant to greet me kaya naman marahan akong tumungo as a sign of greeting. They all said their greetings afterwards na hindi ko na binigyan ng pansin.

"How's your flight? I'm guessing I'll have to cook for you with those protruded lips." Bulong sa akin ni Ivah nang makaupo na ako. Agad ko siyang binalingan ng tingin dahil sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko napigilan ang paglipat ng tingin kay Emir at nakitang nakatitig 'din siya sa aming dalawa ni Ivah.

"Do I look like I'm fine to you? I want to rest." Mahina ngunit may diin kong bulong, Ivah on the other hand just chuckles. Mukhang napansin na hindi niya ako makukuha ng kahit anong i-offer niya sa akin ngayon.