It Started with a McFLOAT

CHAPTER 29

Phoebe dropped something on the floor; she struggled to get it, so mom and I stared at her.

"Where did you buy that bracelet? It's Tiffany, right?" Mom asked.

Phoebe looked at the bracelet's back side, where the logo was embossed.

"Yes, mom, you are right; I just found this in Kuya's car. I think this is Joan's," she answered.

Mom knew her stuff just by one look.

"Hey, maybe you're right," I said.

It's hers because she was the only woman who rode my car besides my sister. I didn't know that she was into the kind of piece. Phoebe returned it to her bag when I didn't ask for it.

"By the way, Kuya, don't forget our photo shoot when we're back home."

No, I'll pretend I was busy to get pass  that modeling thing. I didn't even acknowledge what she said like I didn't hear a thing.

"By the way, I'll ask Joan to be the female model," She said.

"Seriously?" I asked.

Well, I could reconsider the idea of pretending that I was busy when that happened.

"Yes, you'll owe me big time, big brother," she teased me.

Hours of flying later, we arrived at the airport, and a driver picked us up. He drove us home. As soon as we were at the house, I went to see Joan, but it turned out that she wasn't home.

JOAN

No'ng malapit na kami sa unahan at do'n sa mga artista ay may nagsalita bigla sa mic.

"Pasensya na po sa mga natirang nakapila, kailangan na pong umalis ng mga artista dahil may iba pa silang commitments, pasens'ya na po, p'wede na po kayong umuwi, next time na lang po uli."

Naku! Siguradong malulungkot si Nika at nang tumingin ako sa kanya ay tama nga ako dahil bakas sa mukha niya ang kalungkutan at disappointment. Kaya naman lumapit ako agad sa lalaking nagsalita kanina sa mic.

"Kuya, baka naman p'wedeng last na kami o kaya 'yong kapatid ko na lang," pakiusap ko kanya.

"Naku! Miss, sorry kailangan na kasi talagang umalis, baka next time na lang," sabi niya.

"Sige na, kuya, kahit 1 minute lang," sabi ko at ginamit na ang convincing powers ko.

"Oo nga, kuya, sobrang bilis lang, kahit itong bata na lang ang papasukin mo," sabi ni Cee.

Tahimik lang si Nika sa tabi namin habang pinapaki-usapan itong lalaki na ito.

Nakikita ko, palabas na 'yong mga artista sa backstage... ano bang magagawa ko para pigilan sila?

"Yanyan!" sigaw ko. Lumingon 'yong sinasabi nilang Yani sa direksyon kung nasaan ako.

Ano ba 'yong ginawa ko? In fairness, bumalik naman siya.

"Yanyan, ikaw nga 'yan?" tanong ko. Tapos tinitigan niya ako at ngumiti.

"Joan? Ikaw ba 'yan?" balik na tanong niya sa akin.

Natahimik 'yong mga tao sa paligid namin pero nakikita ko ang patuloy na pag-flash ng mga camera. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, siya nga 'yon!

"Ako nga," sabi ko.

"Kumusta ka na?" tanong niya, hindi pa rin siya nagbabago, ang tamis pa rin niyang ngumiti. Kung hindi kami sobrang bata no'ng nag-propose siya, baka sumama ako sa kanya. Joke!