French Kiss in Paris

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Victor was early at my apartment. He's the one who pulled me out of bed even though I don't have the energy to do anything. Gusto ko na lang matulog buong araw. Pakiramdam ko ayokong pumunta sa school, bigla na lang akong nawalan ng gana. There's just this moment na bigla na lamang umaatake sa akin out of nowhere. It makes me sad, it makes me think too many things I shouldn't even worry about. 

Somehow, I thought there's a problem in me that I couldn't or wouldn't ever find the answer. 

"It is a good day, Cosette," Victor encouraged. Siya pa mismo ang ang-aayos ng kama ko ngayon. "You have little young ones waiting for you at the school. They are the future of the country so don't disappoint them. They are leaning onto you now." 

Victor's trying to persuade me and I know it's my job to do so but I feel like I'm incapable of doing things right. It was just my second day and I feel exhausted already. Kakatapos ko lang din mag-shower. Maaga rin kasi siyang dumating kaya halos tulog pa ang diwa ko. Nagising din kasi ako kaninang madaling araw and I hated it. It was a nightmare.

"I don't really feel to do anything right now," I groaned and was about to fall back on the bed but he stopped me. Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ko sabay pagbagsak ng balikat ko. Hinarap ako ni Victor at inayos niya ang posture ko. "Don't push me to my limits, Victor. I'll be so damned all day."

"Mais non," he refused to accept my reason. "You'll go to school. You're going to do your job. You're going to teach those children and you'll be happy at the end of the day. There isn't an easy job, Cosette. Everything is hard, even though our hearts and mind possess us to do something. Be happy that you're in Paris, not all people could get a job here." (But no.)

"I know... merci," I muttered and my energy was still low. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko bubuhayin ang sarili ko. But because of his little encouragement, maybe I really deserve this life. "I'll just prepare, wait for me." (Thank you.)

"Bien sûr," his response looks like he won over my demon inside. There's a fulfillment in his tone so I'll give this to him. He sits on the chair and put his attention on his phone while I check my clothes and choose what to wear. (Of course.)

I really haven't had the time to fix all of my things. Kung ano lang nakakayanan kong ayusin, hanggang doon lang keri ng powers ko. I picked the casual shirt maroon dress that falls right on my knee. Sinuot ko na rin ang trench coat ko kasi malamig-lamig ang panahon ngayon. I wore my black flat shoes. Ayokong magkaroon ng muscle sa binti ko akyat-panaog at nakatayo rin ako buong time during my class so might as well wear something comfortable.

Muli kong chineck ang sarili ko sa salamin and get Victor's opinion. Obviously, he hates how I wear kaya pumapayag na lang siya in the end. Pinapagalitan niya pa ako minsan he knows that I shouldn't wear too much dress, nandito ako para mag-trabaho at hindi bilang maging model ng mga damit. I think a lesser outlook will be fine and everybody has their opinion, this is how I want to convey myself thru my appearance. Whether they like it or not, I am my own.

"Shall we, Victor?"

"Oui!" he responded enthusiastically and hopped his ass out of the chair. Ipinalibot naman niya ang kanyang kamay sa braso ko. I didn't shove his hands off of me. Nasasanay na rin ako sa kanya. His friend didn't really tell me about him, basta ang sinabi na lang niya sa akin ay mabait ito at ang kanyang physical features. I mean, Victor can be so mean but he's nice--sometimes. (Yes!)

Before we left the room, I took a quick glance at my room kung maayos ko na bang naisara ang mga dapat i-lock. When I'm sure that everything will be fine, tuuyan na kaming lumabas ng pinto.