as colorful as spring

chapter 33

Naramdaman siguro ni RJ ang tingin ko dahil lumingon din ito sa akin. His serious façade broke into a grin and he gave me a wink. I rolled my eyes, chuckling and looking back at the cameras in front of me.

After a long moment of being in front of the cameras, natapos na rin kami. RJ held my hand, assisting me as I walk in my dress. Sobrang ginalingan ng designer ko ang damit ngayong gabi. And Nadia supported her since nominee naman daw ako for best actress so its befitting that I wear something flashy.

Nang makahawak na muli ako sa braso ni RJ ay napabuntong hininga ako.

"Gusto ko na ring umuwi," bulong ko sa kanya.

Tumawa ito at tinignan ako. "Tignan mo, ikaw din pala."

"Bakit ba? I'm getting tired already."

He pulled me closer to him. "Magtiis tayo pareho."

"Ano pa nga bang magagawa natin?" biro ko.

When we got to the end of the red carpet, sumalubong naman sa'min ang host ng red carpet interviews. I took in a long breath as we approached her, preparing myself to pretend that I still want to be here.

"Hi, River! Hi, Paraluman!" bati sa amin ng host.

"Hello," bati ko pabalik. "Good evening."

"It's good to see you attending together." Nakangiti niya kaming tinignan ni RJ lalo na ang paghawak ko sa braso nito.

"Well, mas masaya kapag marami," I joked, giving RJ a look.

He returned the look, grinning as he shrugged. Natawa kami pareho and for a moment, even in the middle of a lot of people looking at us, we still have our own little world only we could understand.

Nang ibalik ko ang tingin sa host, nakita ko ang pagbalik-balik ng tingin niya sa amin ni RJ. A smile is playing on her lips, showing her amusement.

"Welcome sa inyong dalawa sa Stars Award," she said after a moment of just looking at me and RJ. "How do you feel?" tanong niya tapos bumaling kay RJ. "Ikaw, River, since first time mo. Anong pakiramdam?"

Sumagot naman agad si RJ habang nakatanaw sa host at sa camera na nakatapat sa amin. "This is the biggest awards night sa bansa so, of course, I feel great to be acknowledged and be invited," he replied. "And bonus nalang na may nominations 'yung movie namin."

"You've proven yourself sa mga nakaraang buwan at taon kaya siguro hindi nalang bonus and mga nominations," said the host. "You deserve it, lalo ang best supporting actor nomination mo."

RJ smiled at her words. "Siguro nga. Unbelievable lang since this is a big award and medyo bago palang ako."

I squeezed his hand gently, making him glance at me. I gave him an encouraging smile and he squeezed my hand back.