"Galing! Sikat ka na!" tuwang-tuwang wika ni Ellah habang tinitingnan ang nagkalat na pictures ko online.
I'm really pissed off. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang kumuha at nag-upload ng picture na 'yon. I asked Dad and Ate to help me take it down, pero dahil ang dami nang nag-repost, hindi na namin ma-track kung sino talaga ang original source. Hayaan na lang daw.
It's a picture of me-in a swimsuit.
Yeah, yun lang. Pero ewan ko ba sa mga tao, parang first time nilang makakita ng plus-size na naka-swimsuit. I'm not even that big. Chubby lang, 'ika nga. Normal lang naman 'yung body fats ko, pero mas malaki lang talaga 'yung thighs at legs ko.
Nag-start akong mag-gain ng weight noong college. Siguro dahil sa stress at pressure. Pagkain kasi lagi ang karamay ko. Hindi ko napansin, and now-eto na 'ko.
"Now you're as famous as your sister," dagdag pa ni Ellah, still grinning.
Pag hindi pa 'to tumigil, masasapak ko talaga. I'm not happy about this. I hate attention. I just want to stay lowkey for as long as possible. Complicated na nga ang college life ko, tapos dadagdagan pa ng ganito?
I mean, my sister was an actress. I've seen her struggle with fake news, baseless rumors, and people who acted like they knew her. She never cared what others said, pero I know it still hurt sometimes. Now here I am, caught in the same storm. Whatever I do, my life is no one else's business.
"Your body is to die for," dagdag niya. "Everyone's getting plastic surgery para lang magkaroon ng ganyan. You should be grateful you're born with it."
Binaba ko ang hawak kong libro. Nanlilisik ang mata ko habang hinarap siya.
"Can you please let me focus? Hindi ako makapag-aral ng maayos sa kakadaldal mo. We'll be graduating in two months. Our future depends on this."
She laughed. "Chill, Justine. I'm sure you won't fail. You'll probably graduate suma cum laude. Perfect ka kasi. Nasa'yo na lahat. I should mention that in the comments, too."
Kumunot ang noo ko. Inagaw ko ang phone niya para tingnan kung anong pinagsasabi niya. Lalo lang akong nainis nang mabasa ko 'yung mga comment niya sa kumakalat na picture ko.
I turned off my phone. Hindi na tumitigil ang notifications-IG, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok. Lahat. Ate said the attention would die down eventually, pero it's been two weeks. Instead of calming down, mas lalo pa yatang lumala. International websites even picked it up. I literally can't believe it.
"Mas dadami manliligaw mo niyan," tukso ni Ellah.
I rolled my eyes. Tumayo ako mula sa upuan. I need air. Parang sasabog na talaga ako sa inis. I want to sue whoever posted that picture.
Lumabas ako sa bahay. It's 10 a.m., Sunday. Supposedly, I planned to go shopping today. I need new clothes. But honestly, tinatamad ako. Maybe next week.
I'm currently living in Ate's unused house. Hindi niya 'to kailanman tinirhan so hindi ko alam kung bakit siya nagpatayo nito. Since walking distance lang 'to sa university, I asked her if I could stay here until I graduate. Of course pumayag siya. Kesa naman mabulok 'tong bahay.
Habang nag-i-inhale-exhale ako sa labas, biglang nag-doorbell sa gate. Napakunot ang noo ko. Wala naman akong inaasahang bisita. I called Ellah.
"Not me," sagot niya. "Baka kapitbahay?"
"Can you check it?" I asked. I don't usually open the gate for safety reasons. Like I said, my sister is an actress-and our dad? Well, he's the freakin' President of the Philippines. Yeah. Fame kinda runs in the family.
After a few seconds, bumalik si Ellah. "They're looking for you."
Napataas ang kilay ko. A woman and a man in formal wear stood behind her.
"Good morning, Ms. Felix," bati ng babae. "I'm Sunny Perez and this is my assistant, Christian Valdez. We're representatives of Pinch."
Napakunot ang noo ko habang tinatanggap ang business card na inabot niya. Alam ko ang Pinch. Sinuot ko nga ngayon.
"What can I do for you?" tanong ko, obviously confused.
"We're here to offer you a great deal. Can we take a seat to discuss?"
Tiningnan ko si Ellah. Nagkibit-balikat siya. Not to be rude, I led them to the living room and asked Ellah to prepare something to drink.
"We saw your photo online. I'm sure you're aware kung gaano ito sumikat overnight?"
"Well..." I didn't know what to say. Para saan ba ito?
Kinuha niya ang isang folder mula sa dala niyang suitcase. "We'd like to offer you a modeling contract. For Pinch. You're perfect for our next campaign."
My eyes widened a bit. Model? Me?
"We've been promoting our plus-size collection for years," patuloy niya. "But we never found the right person to represent it. Then you showed up. We noticed you-not just because you went viral, but because you're genuinely stunning. Strong features, confident body, natural presence."
Binasa ko ang kontrata. Was this really happening?
"I'm not really interested in modeling," sabi ko habang isinasara ang folder. "I think you're talking to the wrong person."
She gently placed her hand over mine to stop me from handing the papers back. "Why don't you read it first, Justine? Really read it-then decide."
"I'm really not-"
"We understand. But reconsider. You have my contact details. Think about it."
I sighed. I don't want this. Fame. Pressure. Public scrutiny. I just want to graduate, get a job, and live quietly.
She stood up and smiled. "Think about the opportunity. Not everyone gets this kind of offer. I know you don't need it, with your family background-but this isn't about that. This could be yours."
Ngumiti ako ng pilit. "I'll think about it," sabi ko.
Pero deep inside? I already made up my mind.
Hinantid ko sila palabas. They kept repeating, "Please reconsider." Tango lang ako ng tango. Nang tuluyan silang makaalis, saka lang ako nakahinga nang malalim.
Pahamak talaga yung picture na 'yon.
"So... what did they want from you?" tanong ni Ellah nang makabalik ako sa loob.
Inabot ko sa kanya ang kontrata. Nanlaki ang mata niya habang binabasa ito.
"Whoa, is this serious?" halos pasigaw niyang tanong.
I nodded. "But I'm not taking it-"
"Why?!" bulalas niya. "This is Pinch, Justine! Minsan lang 'to! Di ba naging model din nila ang ate mo? They only hire the best. Tapos ikaw? You didn't even audition! They came to you!"
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not interested, Ellah."
"Justine, this is your golden ticket. You said ayaw mong dumepende sa Daddy at Ate mo after graduation. This is your chance. Life after college is hard. This is the shortcut. At least try. If it's not for you, then let it go. But don't throw away something you haven't even tried."
Nagkibit-balikat ako at naglakad papunta sa kwarto ko. Naririnig ko pa rin siya habang nagsasalita, pero hindi ko na pinakinggan.
Peace of mind. 'Yun lang naman ang gusto ko.
Kung nasa kontrata 'yon, baka doon pa lang ako pumirma.
