French Kiss in Paris

Chapter 27

"Can I take a picture with you?" she asked, her phone's already out and in her hand.

I glance at Victor and he nudges me off. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa babae. I smiled and nodded at her.

"Voulez-vous me prendre la photo?"

Umiling iyong babae kay Victor. "I'm sorry. I don't speak French. I'm a tourist—from the Philippines."

"Oh, wow," I muttered when she said that. Pero nahiya ako bigla dahil baka pangit na image ang binigay sa akin ng media sa Pilipinas. I know they will be showing some footage of my career there. Pero kahit na isang buwan na ang nakalipas, I'm still bothered by the fact that it's etched in my name. Like a carve on an old Narra tree.

"Yes! I was really hoping to see you around. I'm a fan!" she exclaimed.

Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. "You are?"

She nodded like a kid. "Yes! Since the moment you trended in every social media, I followed you since then. Nakakabilib ka. Isa ka lang extra o kaya naman alalay ng mga kontrabida sa mga serye o movie pero ngayon namamayagpag ang pangalan mo sa international media."

"Uh... would you still like to have a picture with Cosette?" Victor chided in.

"Of course!" she said, giving her phone to Victor. She sits next to me, extends her arms to hug me. Ang awkward naman ng ngiti ko dahil doon. Masyado siyang naging close sa akin bigla. And where's the private space with that? "Thank you much!"

Victor handed her phone back and when we thought she's going to leave us, she stayed next to my side. Victor sits next to me. Bantay sarado sa kung ano man ang mangyari.

"Uh... do you still need anything?" I asked, wondering off.

She shakes her head abruptly. "Nothing material pero gusto ko lang magtanong. Dahil magkababayan naman tayo, gusto ko lang din i-clarify ang naging relationship niyo ni Cashel. Alam mo ba na sobrang big deal sa Philippine media ang relationship niyong dalawa? Since mag-bloom ka online, they never stopped admiring you. And of course, Cashel too! Tapos no'ng lumabas na 'yong scandal, we were affected. Parang bagyong dinelubyo ang fandom. But we're happy to see you're thriving back again. And I'm so happy that I got to meet you personally!"

"Sure... thanks," I winced.

"So, ano nga?"

I creased my forehead. "Anong ano nga?"

"Kayo pa rin ba ni Cashel? Naka-secret relationship pa rin ba kayong dalawa?"

"I think I don't need to answer that anymore, I'm sorry. Napaliwanag ko na naman ang dapat kong sabihin on a press on the signing event. I can't give you any further details, I'm sorry."

Bumagsak ang balikat niya at nag-pout pa. Kailan ba kami lalayasan nito? Saang istasyon ba 'to bababa? Bakit feeling ko ang tagal kong marating ang destinasyon ko dahil sa kanya. She's freaking me out inside, kalmado pa lang ako ngayon.

"Okay lang... but I have a copy of your magazine! Naiwan ko lang sa apartment ko. I was never expecting naman kasi na makikita kita ngayon. I'm so happy! Ibang iba ka na ngayon. You really look pretty than before. Laki ng kinaganda mo. Saan ko ba makikita si Cashel? Gusto ko rin siya makita?"

Umiling ako. Bawal 'yon. Red flag ka girl. User ka rin pala. Masaya raw na nakita ako pero iba pala ang hanap. "No, I can't give any info. I'm really sorry. Please respect me and Cashel's privacy."

Napangisi naman siya sa akin. "Ang arte naman..." bulong nito at akala niya ay hindi ko siya narinig.

Nilingon ko si Victor sa tabi ko at nang huminto ang train sa isang istasyon, hinayaan ko na siyang gawin ang madalas niyang tactics sa mga ganitong klase ng tao.