It Started with a McFLOAT

CHAPTER 31

"Uhm, by the way, Joan, Cee, this is my cousin Mike from LA," pagpapakilala niya sa amin sa isa't isa.

"Hi, Mike!" simpleng sabi ko at ngumiti sa kanya.

"Nice meeting you, pre," sabi naman ni Cee at lahad ng kamay sa kanya.

"Nice meeting you, guys," sagot ni Mike at ngumiti siya sa akin, kasabay noon ang pagtanggap din sa kamay na in-offer ni Cee.

"Ikaw ba 'yong ikinasal noon?" tanong ko out of nowhere para lang may mapag-usapan.

Nagkatinginan sila ni Philip na para bang kailangan ay parehas sila nang isasagot.

"Nah, the wedding was canceled," sagot naman ni Mike.

"Bakit naman?" tanong ko pero binawi ko agad kasi nakaramdam ako ng tension sa hangin na wari ba ay ayaw nila iyong pag-usapan.

"Naku, sorry," bawi ko at napatakip ang kamay sa malaki kong bibig. Nahawa na ako sa'yo, Cee! Nakakainis, nakahihiya kay Mike.

"It's a long story, Joan," sabi ni Philip para isalba ako sa kahihiyan.

"Teka lang, 'yan ba 'yong itinawag mo sa akin noon, p're?" tanong ni Cee kay Philip.

"Yes, dude, it is," simpleng sagot ni Philip.

"Everybody! The photoshoot will start in five minutes! All models, please proceed in the pool area!" sigaw ng isang staff ni Phoebe kaya naman naputol na ang aming kuwentuhan.

Pumunta kami lahat sa may pool area kasama ang hair and make-up artists, pati na rin ang stylists. Summer ang theme ng photo shoot kaya talagang tugma sa panahon. Naka-shorts ako at heels, naka-tank top at may bonggang necklace. 'Yong buhok ko ay nakalugay lang pero kinulot ang dulo tapos light lang ang make-up.

Isa-isa na kaming kinuhanan ng photographer at nauna ako, tapos si Cee at huli si Philip. Sinamahan din kami ng ibang mga models na halatang sanay na mga ganitong trabaho. Hindi naman ako marunong mag-pose na ganyan kaya tinuruan lang din ako no'ng staff at pati 'yong mismong photographer namin.

Nanood na rin sa amin si Mike kaya nakaka-conscious. Ewan ko ba, may  aura siya na naka-i-intimidate.

PHILIP

"Man, you see that girl over there?" I asked Mike.

"Yeah, that Joan?" he asked me.

"Yeah, I'm courting her right now," I told him.

"Really? Ah I see, she's pretty," he replied after a quick look at the girl, but I knew that already.

"But the thing is, Cee is her suitor, too," I knew he sensed the irritation in my voice.

"That's awful man," he said in support of my rant.

"Not really, 'cause Cee is a good guy, everything will be based on Joan in the end," I told him the truth, at the back of my mind, I hope that time won't come just yet because my heart couldn't take it if she didn't choose me.

"May the best man win, is that so?" he asked. I loved that he got it so quickly. He was smart and sensitive after all.

"Exactly, man!" sabi ko sa kanya.

"I hope Joan will choose me over him because I really like her man, I really do," I muttered with all sincerity. Mike is like the brother I never had.

"She will, man, I know, she will," he said as if assuring me about the outcome.

"Thanks, man! That means a lot to me," he didn't know this, but his belief in me boosted my confidence. .