Sing Me a Song, Soleil

Chapter 22: Run

It was back to work as soon as they arrived in Manila. Agad umattend ng meeting si Soleil at Kathy kasama ang PR team ng isang festival sa Davao City. It was an offer to have her perform at the festival and Soleil accepted. Nang sumunod na mga araw, bukod sa TV shows, YouTube video features, at magazine interviews, may meet and greet events din siya para sa bagong skincare endorsement nya.

"Ready?" tanong ni Kathy nang sunduin niya si Soleil TS building.

"Yes," nakangiting sagot niya saka sumakay sa van.

Tanghali na at diretso sa airport ang biyahe nila. Bukod kay Kathy, may kasama din siyang tatlong staff bilang team niya para sa event; dalawang stylists, at isang publicist/photographer. Nag-update si Soleil sa Instagram bago mag-check in sa airport bilang promotion para sa festival. Nagreply si Jaden sa IG story niya at nagchat lang sila hanggang boarding time.

Soleil slept through the flight and when she woke up, they have arrived. Isang team ng festival staff ang nag-welcome sa kaniya sa airport at may mga fans ding nag-aabang. She greeted them kindly before being escorted to her hotel.

This is her first time in the city and Kadayawan Festival is ongoing, so the entire streets of the city are lively and colorful.

"Oh, ate Soleil! Ayun ka oh!"

Tinuro ni Ellen ang isang billboard ng festival concert. Nandoon ang pictures ng iba't-ibang singers at banda na kakanta para sa concert at kabilang na doon si Soleil. She smiled seeing her face up there and took out her phone to take a photo of it.

Pagdating sa hotel, nagpahinga si Soleil at nag-cellphone lang habang inaayos ng stylists ang kaniyang gagamitin sa concert mamayang gabi.

"Hindi pa pala na-finalize ang hairstyle mo mamaya Sol," sabi ng head stylist. "Nakapagdecide ka na ba?"

Soleil looked up and appeared to think. "Hindi ko rin alam eh. Ibagay na lang natin sa vibe ng event siguro."

"Let's keep your hair down na lang. No extensions since magiging mainit mamaya, sure ako."

"Okay," she smiled before shifting her focus back to her phone.

Nang sandali ring iyon, pumasok ang publicist niya kasama si Kathy.

"Sol, may interview ka in five minutes. Local magazine at isang newspaper. Makakapagprepare ka ba ng mabilisan?" tanong ng publicist na bumaling sa styling team.

"I think okay lang naman ayos nya. Konting touch-up lang," suhestiyon naman ni Kathy. Soleil nodded in agreement.

"Sige, baba ka after mag-ayos ha? Nasa lounge sila naghihintay. May photographers din for a few pictures."

"Oo. Thanks, Pim."

The interview was smooth and ended nicely. Basics lamang ang mga tanong at siniguro ng publicist ni Soleil na hindi sila magtatanong ng kahit anong kontrobersiyal na tanong na magha-hotseat sa dalaga. Pagkatapos nun ay kaunting photoshoot para sa magazine bago siya bumalik upang magpahinga.