Ms. Artista (Book 2)

Sixty

"How are you, Shiela?"

She was hesitant to respond. We haven't seen each other in a long time. We just returned from the Maldives, and the first thing I did was pay her a visit. She's in her mother's room at the hospital in Manila. Bea is also here, but she allows us to speak privately.

"Ayos na ako, Francine." she smiled at me.

I can read her eyes, even though she said she's fine. She is still there there. If that day still haunts me, Shiela is clearly more traumatized than I am.

"Are you sure?" I worriedly asked her, "I'm worried about you, Shiela."

"Huwag." umiling agad siya, "Ayos na talaga ako. Huwag ka mag-alala, magiging masaya din ako."

"I'll wait for that." I answered, "I'm sorry, Shiela. It's all my fault, if's all because of m—"

"Wala kang kasalanan, Francine. Hindi naman ikaw ang rason kung bakit na-baliw si Rose, huwag mo sisihin ang sarili mo."

I sighed when I've heard that. I don't want to talk about her, I'm trying to move on. God.

"Dapat nga ako magpa-salamat sa'yo. Kung hindi ka dumating, siguro..."

No. Umiling agad ako. "That will never happen, Shiela." I said while holding her hand, "You know, I should thank you." I pointed out.

"Bakit naman?" she asked. I really missed her old self, that bubbly and talkative Shiela.

"Do you remember? 3 years ago, you said something, right?" I asked while smiling. "You made every effort to convince me. You took away all my what if's in life."

Napangiti siya, "Naaalala mo pa 'yon?" she asked while smiling.

"Of course." I replied, "You said I should try every opportunity, which is the reason why I'm now a celebrity. I still can't believe it."

"Ako din, hindi pa din ako maka-paniwala. No'ng malaman ko na artista ka na, sobra akong natuwa. Sobrang proud ako sa'yo."

My heart softly melted because of her words.

"Sabi ko na sa'yo, eh. Pang-showbiz ka talaga. Sobrang ganda mo kaya, tapos ngayon, 'the gorgeous girl' ka na. Model kita dati, 'di ba?"

Aw, I've missed that sentence.

"Thank you, Shiela." I hugged her, "I've missed you." I whispered.

"Na-miss din kita, Francine." she said as she hugged me.

"Tama pa din ang hula ko, may gusto sa'yo si Zion."

I laughed, "Everything you said actually happened. You're unbelievable, Shiela."

"Baka naman pwede akong sumali?"

Napatingin kami sa pintuan nang biglang pumasok si Bea sa room. She's holding a paper bag, I think that's food.

"Sure, come here." I answered while smiling. Ngumiti naman siya at lumapit sa amin.

"Hindi pa din ako makapaniwala na kilala mo ang kapatid ko, Francine." Bea said while hugging us.

"Well, it's been 3 years." I answered as I looked at them. "You two looked alike, gosh. I didn't even noticed."

"Huy, hindi ah! Mas maganda ako." Bea answered that's why I laughed.

"Ang kapal ng mukha." Shiela answered, "Mas maganda pa din sa'yo si Francine."

"Ay, oo naman! Dyosa ko 'to, eh!" Bea smiled at me.

Shiela slightly smiled, "Francine, maraming salamat sa pag-tulong sa'min, ha? Tatanawin namin 'tong utang na loob sa"yo."

"No, please." umiling ako, "I'm happy to help." I said while looking at their mother. She's fine now, she's regaining her strength, thank God.