Chapter 55
Designer
I became busy with the upcoming fashion week. Halos araw-araw ay overtime kaming lahat sa opisina. Tatlong linggo na lang kasi bago ang show.
Hindi ko alam kung paano ko nakakayang pagsabay-sabayin ang lahat. I was busy firming up the guest list and at the same time, my goal per week is to make at least six samples. Pakiramdam ko ay tumanda ako ng sampung taon sa loob lamang ng ilang linggo.
"I'm not yet done!" agaran kong sabi nang nakitang pumasok si Travis sa kusina.
Wala pa yatang limang minutong nandito ako ay nandito na rin siya!
Ngumuso siya at umamba pang lalapit sa akin.
"Travis!"
He raised both his hands. "What?"
I frowned at him. "Doon ka muna!" tinuro ko ang pinanggalingan niyang sala.
"I wanna watch you cook," he licked his lip.
Ngumiwi ako. "Huwag na! You'll just get bored here,"
Ang totoo niyan ay nahihiya akong pinapanood niyang nagluluto. He's a good cook noon pa man while I just learned this damn skill years ago. Paniguradong sobrang layo ng agwat namin pagdating sa pagluluto. At isa pa, I don't think I can cook properly when he's around! Baka pumalpak ako!
He arched his brow. "I won't. Let me watch you," he put his hands in his pockets.
Bigo ko siyang tiningnan. "Please?" my voice was extra sweet.
Mas lalong umarko ang kanyang kilay. Kinain niya ang distansya sa pagitan namin at nawalan na ako ng pag-asa. Especially when he snaked his arms around my waist, hugging me from the back. Napasinghap na lang ako. Ang rupok, Yani!
For tonight, instead of eating outside, we decided to just eat here in the unit.
He requested that I cook for him so...
"Why don't you want me to watch you? Hmm?" he kissed my nape.
I bit my lip. Buti na lang naligo muna ako pagdating at bago bumaba para magluto. The hell?
"Let me guess... You're shy?" malambing ulit niyang sabi.
Uminit ang pisngi ko at kumalas sa yakap niya.
"Tss..." bumalik na ako sa mga hinihiwa kong rekado.
He chuckled behind me. Naramdaman ko siya sa aking likod at ilang sandali pa ay nasa magkabilang gilid ko na ang mga kamay niya. Sinikap kong umastang normal kahit sobra sobra na ang paghuhuramentado ng aking puso.
"Don't be..." he whispered on my ear then bit it softly.
Napapikit ako nang mariin. My body suddenly feels so hot. Talaga naman, Travis!
I pushed his chest using my weak hands to avoid any more temptations.
"Y-You should sit there, then," it's supposed to be a shout but it came out of my mouth softly.
He tilted his head, trying to catch my eyes.
"Travis..." reklamo ko.
Humalakhak siya at umatras na. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang maupo siya sa upuan sa may countertop.
"I'll wait here. Or do you want me to help you?"
Umiling ako. "Hindi na,"
"Alright." then he leaned on the countertop, so ready to watch me.
Ngumuso ako at ibinaling na ang tingin sa aking ginagawa. Damn, Travis.
So the whole time I was cooking, I feel like I'm in a competition. With Travis watching my every move intensely, halos kalkulado ang mga galaw ko sa takot na magkamali o may mapuna siya. Pakiramdam ko ay pinapanood ako ng isang judge!
I stilled when I felt his arm snake on my waist again. He kissed and sniffed on my neck. Nanghina ang kamay kong may hawak na sandok.
"Travis," I half-heartedly struggled.
While his manly scent is making my senses go crazy, pawis na pawis na ako dahil sa pagluluto. I'm not sure how do I smell like. Ang lagkit ng pakiramdam ko at magulo na ang bun ko. I don't like him near me but at the same time, I like it. Geez.
"Hmm?" he kissed my neck again.
Kinagat ko ang labi ko at tuluyan nang naibaba ang sandok. Napakapit ako sa braso niya para sa suporta. I gave my full weight on him. Pinanood ko na lang ang niluluto ko sa harap sa panghihina.
He chuckled. Ngumuso na lang ako, gustong depensahan ang sarili pero masyado talagang nanghihina.
"How's the wedding gown I told you to design?" he said after a few moments of silence.
I stilled. I remembered that very moment. Hindi ko ito maamin-amin sa sarili ko noon pero ngayon, kaya ko na. Sobrang sama ng loob ko noon dahil sa akin pa talaga niya ipapagawa ang gown ng bride niya! Sa akin!
Muling lumukob ang pait sa aking sistema. Nawaglit sa isipan ko iyon noon dahil sa dami ng nangyari nitong mga nakaraang linggo. At kalaunan ay inakala kong wala lang iyon at hindi iyon seryoso dahil sa takbo ng relasyon namin. And now he's bringing it up again. Damn.
"Hindi ko pa nasisimulan." I tried to sound casual but the coldness in my tone still dripped.
"Hmm. Why?"
I gritted my teeth. Is he seriously asking me that?
"First of all, you just told me to design a gown for your bride. You did not specify the kind of design she wants. And I need her measures." hindi ko na napigilan!
Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. Umiwas naman ako ng tingin dahil hindi na yata maitsura ang ekspresyon ko.
He held my chin softly to make me look at him pero suplada ko lang na iniiwas ang aking tingin. Gosh. Calm down, Yani!
He chuckled. Mas lalo lang kumulo ang dugo ko. My brows furrowed.
Dinilaan niya ang kanyang labi. "My... My baby is in a bad mood now. How moody," he teased.
I glared at him then looked away again. Itinuon ko ang talim ng tingin ko sa aking niluluto.
He twisted his lips playfully. Mas lalong hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap sa akin.
"Ano ba, Travis," singhal ko at sinubukang itulak siya palayo pero tila bakal ang braso niya.
He ruined my mood!
Pinatakan niya ng halik ang aking balikat. Halos rumupok ako pero hindi ako nagpatinag.
"You didn't change. Still the same naive Yani..."
"What?"
Ngayon ay nakuha na niya ang buo kong atensyon. Hinarap ko siya. Hinayaan naman niya ako. He placed his hands on my sides, jailing me in his arms.
Nagtaas siya ng kilay. "Why? Sino bang iniisip mong gagawan ng disenyo?"
Sino pa ba? E 'di si Elaine! But I won't tell him that. Hell, no!
He chuckled and tousled my hair. "You little naive girl. I only wanted to be married to someone," he whispered the last sentence then stared at me darkly.
Napakurap-kurap ako. The violent beating of my heart began. What...
His lips protruded. "Stop thinking about other girls and start designing your wedding gown. I'm gonna marry you soon," he kissed my temple.
Nahigit ko ang aking hininga. Pero bago pa ako makapag-react o makapagsabi ng kung ano ay nakarinig na ako ng malisyosong tikhim galing kung saan.
"B-Brent!"
Taranta kong itinulak palayo sa akin si Travis. Nasa bukana ng kusina si Brent, nakahalukipkip, at malamang sa malamang ay naabutan niya kami sa ganoong ayos! Nakakahiya!
"K-Kanina ka pa?" inabala ko ang sarili ko sa niluluto para kunwari ay walang nangyari.
Nang hindi siya sumagot ay nilingon ko siya, only to look back at the stove again. Nakataas ang isa niyang kilay sa paraang nang-uuyam at halos nag-aamok. Pakiramdam ko ay uusok na ang tainga ko sa kahihiyan. I turned to Travis and saw that his expression reflected my cousin's. What the hell?
"Good evening, Travis. I'm sorry, hindi sinabi ng pinsan ko na nandito ka. Nakaistorbo pa yata ako,"
I turned to Brent and glared at him. Mas lalo lang umarko ang kilay niya. Ngumuso na lang ako.
"We're cooking dinner. Kumain ka na?"
Halos maghapon kasing wala si Brent sa opisina. I don't know where he went. Just like what I said, the fashion week is nearing, reason why he's here in Manila.
"Hmm, not yet,"
I nodded. "Sakto. Patapos na ako. Sabay ka na sa amin. Or you're having dinner outside?"
Habang sinasabi ko iyon ay naramdaman ko ang pagpulupot muli ng isang braso ni Travis sa aking baywang. Sinundan iyon ng tingin ni Brent. Tumikhim ako. Damn it, Travis.
"Brent," I called because his eyes remained on my waist.
He smoothly turned his gaze on my face. "Sure. But... am I allowed to join you, though?" inilipat niya ang kanyang tingin kay Travis at ngumisi.
Kumunot ang noo ko. Of course he is! This is his place!
Travis smirked darkly. "Of course,"
Nalaglag ang panga ko. Oh, this brute! Exercising his power and authority even outside his territory!
Brent chuckled. "Okay, then. I'll join you. Magbibihis lang ako saglit," then he left for his room.
Inayos na namin ni Travis ang dining table habang naghihintay kay Brent. At nang makabalik sa dining area ay agad na kaming nagsimula sa pagkain.
Travis was busy putting rice on my plate. Naiilang ako lalo na't nanonood sa amin si Brent na nasa aming harapan. Talagang tumigil pa siya sa paglalagay ng ulam sa kanyang plato para lang panoorin kami.
Nagtama ang tingin namin. He arched his brow mockingly. Ngumuso na lang ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. I think this is the first time ever that Brent gets to see us this way. Kaya naman sobrang naiilang talaga ako. At hindi rin naman lingid sa kanya na nawalan kami ng komunikasyon ni Travis ng ilang taon. And now he's seeing us this way. I feel awkward. Hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kanya na nagkaayos na kami ni Travis but for sure, nabalitaan niya na iyon.
"Tama na. Ang dami na," awat ko kay Travis sa maliit na tinig.
Kunot-noo siyang tumigil sa paglalagay ng ulam sa aking plato.
"What's too much in that? You need to eat a lot. You're getting thin,"
Ako naman ngayon ang nangunot ang noo. Bago pa ako makapag-react ay narinig ko na namang tumikhim nang malakas si Brent. Napabaling kaming dalawa sa kanya. Umayos siya ng upo.
"So... are you going to attend the Fashion Week, Travis? For sure you know that Yani will be there," he smirked.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at uminit ang aking pisngi. Talaga naman, oh, Brent!
Travis turned to me darkly. My forehead creased. His lips protruded then he turned back to Brent.
"She did not invite me,"
Umawang ang labi ko.
"Seriously?"
Brent looked at me in utter disbelief. Mas lalong lumalim ang gitla sa aking noo.
"Why did you not invite him? What kind of girlfriend are you?" he shook his head in a disappointed manner. "How cruel,"
Napakurap-kurap ako't nalaglag ang panga. He made it sound like I have no compassion at all. And... girlfriend?
"I know," Travis seconded.
Nilingon ko siya. He leaned on the backrest of his seat arrogantly and shot his brows up at me. My lips parted. Wow. Kanina pa ako pinagkakaisahan ng dalawang 'to, ah.
"Invite him over, Yani. This is your first ever fashion event in the country!"
Binalingan ko si Brent. "He'd just get bored there, Brent,"
Hindi ko yata kayang isipin na nanonood ng ganoong mga palabas si Travis. With his calibre, I don't think he fit in there.
Travis shifted on his seat. "I won't. Send me the invites,"
Nilingon ko siya at sinimangutan. "I swear, you will be bored to death if you'll watch... Those are not your interests," maliit ang tinig ko sa mga huling sinabi.
He raised his brow. "You'll be there. How would I be bored?"
Madramang suminghap ang kaharap namin. I glared at Travis. He just smirked. Damn it!
"Damn, lovebirds. Tama na nga 'yan!" Brent turned to me. "Send him the invites tomorrow."
Umawang ang labi ko para magprotesta pero inunahan ako ni Brent.
"I'm the CEO here. You do what I tell you,"
Bumagsak ang balikat ko at tuluyan nang sumuko. Travis beside me looked victorious. I pouted.
"Anyways," Brent changed the topic. "Hindi na yata kayo masyadong nagkikita-kita nila Jared, Travis?"
Nilingon ko si Travis. He nodded at Brent.
"I was busy the past weeks."
Ngumisi si Brent saka tumingin sa akin. "Busy pero laging na kay Yani after work hours?"
Sinimangutan ko ang aking pinsan. Travis only smirked back then placed his arm on the backrest of my chair, marking his territory.
Umiling si Brent. "I visited Thalia and my inaanak in their house this afternoon. Hinahanap rin kayong dalawa ni Trevor. Hindi na raw kayo bumibisita,"
Nilingon kong muli si Travis. He looked at me, too.
"We'll pay a visit there one of these days," he said without tearing his eyes off me.
Pagkatapos kumain ay tumambay kami sa veranda, tanaw ang city lights. Brent wanted to drink wine kaya sinamahan namin siya ni Travis. And speaking of Travis, he was hugging me the whole time. Buti at masyadong engaged sa pag-inom ng wine si Brent kaya hindi niya kami napupuna o baka hinahayaan niya na lang. Pasado alas nwebe na nang umuwi si Travis.
The next days were so hectic. Habang papalapit nang papalapit ang fashion week ay mas dumadami ang ginagawa namin.
Two weeks before the show and we are all hands-on in the castings. Gusto ni Brent na sa mga kukunin pa lang naming mga modelo para sa mga disenyo ay panalo na. Of course it should be like that because they would be the one to bring our collection into life. Kaya naman ay tulungan talaga kaming lahat.
A week before the show and we all couldn't describe what we're feeling. It's in between excitement and nervousness. We've already sent the invites and Brent was always busy talking to the press. Kami naman ay abala sa pagpapasa ng mga illustrations at pantone selections. Others were busy collaborating on looks with our models. It's really these days that is all about problem-solving and final touches.
I also became busy fitting the models and sewing my last bits. Halos wala akong panahon para kumain at matulog. Iaasa ko na lang talaga ang itsura ko sa mga makeup artists pagdating ng event. My self-care is my least priority as of the moment.
"Yani, may bisita ka,"
Lumingon ako sa aking likod at naabutan si Sadie na may makahulugang ngiti sa akin. Kumunot ang noo ko ngunit agad ding napagtanto kung bakit.
Walking towards us is Travis in his white longsleeves folded till his elbows and dark slacks. Sa kanyang kanang kamay ay isang brown paper bag which is surely food. My features relaxed. Ngumiti ako at sinalubong siya.
"Hi!"
Hinawi ko ang takas na buhok mula sa aking ponytail. I realized I've been working all out since this morning. Hindi ko pa nakikita ang repleksyon ko sa salamin pero alam kong masahol na ang itsura ko. While Travis here looks fresh with his newly clean cut hair. Damn it!
He went to me and snaked his arm around my waist. Pinatakan niya ako ng isang halik sa aking pisngi. Bahagya pa akong lumayo dahil pawisan ako kanina at natuyo lang dahil nasa airconditoned room na naman. Maingay na tumikhim si Sadie na pareho naming hindi pinansin ni Travis.
Sinuri niya ang kabuuan ng silid. His presence is always, always so imposing and intimidating. Parang tumigil ang oras para sa mga tao rito sa hall. Halos mabali ang leeg nila kakatingin sa amin... o sa kanya. Even the models' eyes were shamelessly lurking at him. While the snobbish Travis is again oblivious to the attention he's drawing. Ngumuso ako.
"You look so busy," he commented.
Iniligid ko ang aking tingin sa paligid.
"Yeah..." I sighed.
Nagsimula na noong lunes ang fashion week. At ngayong araw kami nakatakdang magpresinta. Kaya naman ay doble, triple ang pagiging abala namin. Nagkalat dito sa hall ang mga modelo't mga disenyo. Ganoon din ang mga accessory. Halos hindi mahulugang karayom ang sitwasyon. Lalo na't dadalhin na sa event's place ang mga ito maya-maya prior to the event later tonight.
He looked at the paperbag he's holding and showed it to me. "I brought you lunch," muli niyang iginala ang kanyang tingin. "Are you not allowed to eat yet? It's your lunch break already," he glanced at his watch.
I bit my lip. "I'm not sure. Wala pang nakakaisip kumain sa amin, e. Nakakahiya naman kung..."
He nodded. "I'll just wait for you then."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Hindi ka pa kumakain din?"
Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "I was hoping to eat lunch with you,"
Nataranta ako. "Mauna ka na! Baka matagalan pa ako. Doon ka na sa office ko-"
He shook his head. "It's fine. I'm not yet hungry,"
Dadagdagan ko pa sana ang protesta ko nang marinig ko ang tawag sa kanya ni Brent na kakapasok lang sa hall.
Lumapit siya sa aming dalawa, his arms widely opened. Nakasuot ng puting coat ang aking pinsan. Katatapos lang siguro ng interview niya sa kanyang opisina.
"What brings you here- oh, I shouldn't be asking you that," he raised his brow at me.
Sinimangutan ko ang aking pinsan. Bumaling naman ulit siya kay Travis at saka bumaba ang tingin sa hawak niya na paperbag.
"Ohh. Lunch?"
"Yes, Brent. I'll wait for her," ani Travis.
Kunot-noong bumaling sa akin si Travis. "Isn't it your lunch break already?"
"Yup. Pero mamaya pa-"
"Anong mamaya pa? You don't make a Zendejas wait, Giuliani! Mag-out ka na!"
Napakurap-kurap ako. Wow. Just... wow.
"It's fine, Brent," muling pinadausdos ni Travis ang kanyang braso sa aking baywang.
"No, Travis," he turned to me again. "Sige na, Yani,"
"Brent, it would be unfair to my co-workers if I'll eat now."
"Oh! Don't worry, I'll tell them to take their lunch, too. Sige na,"
I smiled. Nagpaalam na kami ni Travis sa kanya at dumiretso na sa aking opisina para makakain.
Nag-uusap kami habang kumakain. It's always like this since the past weeks now. And even before. Only that these times, I feel more comfortable around him knowing that it's clear to me what I feel for him and he knows it, too.
Nag-usap lang kami tungkol sa event mamayang gabi. Gusto naming sabay na pumunta roon pero kailangang sobrang maaga ako sa venue kaya makikisabay na lang ako kay Sadie. He still has work at those times so sa pag-uwi na lang ako sasabay sa kanya.
After a few moments of resting in my office, nagpasya na siyang umalis at bumalik sa trabaho niya habang ako naman ay pumunta na sa hall para ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa kanina. We parted ways with a kiss.
Mag-aalas dos nang simulan naming
ilipat ang mga disenyo mula sa opisina patungo sa Crown Plaza Galleria kung saan gaganapin ang event. Maging ang mga modelo ay inihatid na roon para sa kanilang final briefing.
Kami namang mga staff ay sumunod na rin doon. Dala-dala na namin ang aming mga gamit dahil doon na rin kami magbibihis mamaya para sa event. For now ay nakablouse at pants lang muna ako para kumportableng makagalaw lalo na't marami pa kaming aasikasuhin pagdating doon.
"It's really a good decision na hindi muna magbuntis. Imagine kung buntis ako ngayon tapos ganito ka-hectic ang sched ko? Gosh! Makukunan talaga ako!"
Humagalpak ako sa tawa sa sinabi ni Sadie. Buong panahong nasa biyahe kami ay nagkwentuhan na lang kami.
Pagdating sa lugar ay abala agad kami. Ni hindi ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong punahin ang magagandang detalye ng venue. Diretso kami sa backstage. At pagdating doon ay hindi ko nahawakan pa ang phone ko sa dami ng ginagawa.
Pagdating sa backstage ay na-overwhelm ako sa dami ng tao. And it's not a bad thing for me because those people are the famous Filipino designers and models. I swear I even saw some British, American, and International Filipino supermodels. Oh, wow! This will surely be exciting!
Hindi ko namalayan ang oras. Sobrang bilis nitong lumipas. Namalayan ko na lang na nakaupo na ako sa makeup chair dahil turn ko na para ayusan. Our models are already dressed and it's our turn.
Wearing my red formal jumpsuit, pagkatapos ayusan ay dumiretso na ako sa aming mga modelo para tiyaking maayos na ang lahat. As much as I want to dress extravagantly tonight, my work, however, won't allow me to. I need a comfortable clothing because tonight will surely be an endless walking. Isa pa, hindi naman ako ang rarampa. But I know that I still need to look presentable so... yeah...
Nakapila na ang mga models dahil kami na ang susunod. All of them are wearing our gowns for the spring and summer collections. No bias but I super love our designs. Every detail is excellently made. You won't see a minimally designed gown. Every piece looks as though submerged in a continuous stream of curlicued weavings, incrustations of florals and pearls, and intarsia-ed ornate whirls. Tuwing natatamaan ng ilaw ay kumikinang ang mga ito. Oh, I can't wait for the crowd to see them!
Abot-abot ang tahip ng puso ko nang turn na namin. Our models started gracing the catwalk one by one. And because we were on the backstage, we couldn't watch them, we couldn't see the crowd's reactions. Mas lalo lang tuloy akong kinakabahan. Wala nga lang akong panahon para i-pamper ang nararamdaman dahil abala pa rin ako.
The background music while the models are walking on the U-shaped catwalk is making me carried away. Para bang pati ang kaluluwa ko ay nasasama. Ang mga kasama ko'y mas lalong ginaganahang magbanat ng buto.
Buong panahon ay alerto kaming lahat. Tuwing bumabalik ang mga modelo sa backstage ay agad at talagang tulungan namin silang binibihisan para sa susunod na paglabas nila at paglalakad sa catwalk suot naman ang ibang disenyo.
In the end, the models all went back to the stage for their final walk. Masigabong palakpakan ang umalingawngaw sa buong lugar. Especially when Brent appeared and walked on the aisle wearing his---. I was smiling so wide, feeling so proud of my cousin.
Sa kabuuan ay may 180 na gown kaming ipinakita ngayong gabi, worn by 50 models. We have 15 hairdresser and makeup artists and 12 dresser assistants. Our presentation lasted for 45 minutes.
My colleagues were already feasting backstage. Pagkatapos nito ay didiretso kaming lahat sa isang club sa malapit para sa aming victory party. We deserve to celebrate! It's done and it's a success!
I was helping the models change when my workmate told me that Travis is looking for me outside. Napatalon ako. Halos makalimutan kong nandito nga rin pala si Travis!
I immediately excused myself. Lumabas ako ng dressing room para hanapin si Travis sa backstage. Sasama siya mamaya sa after-party.
I immediately found him. Nagtama ang tingin namin. Wearing a black tuxedo, he is definitely an eye-catcher there without even trying (well, as usual). May hawak siyang bouquet ng sunflowers. Ngumuso ako para pigilan ang kilig. I went to him.
Agad niyang ipinulupot ang kanyang braso sa aking baywang nang makalapit ako. Kitang-kita ko kung paano nadismaya ang mga naglalaway sa kanya kanina. Some were even the supermodels I idolize. Especially when he planted a soft kiss on my forehead. Well...
"You're here," I said in a controlled tone because I swear, I feel so happy!
Hindi ko talaga aakalaing sineryoso niya ang panonood ng ganitong klase ng palabas! For sure he's bored to death a while ago. O baka hindi nanood ang isang 'to at ngayon na lang pumunta ngayong tapos na? Whatever.
"Of course," he smirked darkly.
I pouted. "Were you bored?"
"A little. I didn't see you the whole time so..."
I chuckled. "Sabi ko naman kasi sa'yo, e,"
"Tss. At least I got to support you..." he leaned closer to whisper to my ear. "Congratulations, baby. I'm so proud of you..." he gave me the flowers.
Nanindig ang mga balahibo sa aking batok. Nanghihina kong tinanggap ang mga iyon at namumungay ang mga mata nang tumingin sa kanya.
"Hindi naman ako ang main designer, e. Si Brent. Siya dapat ang binabati mo," my voice was too soft. Damn it!
He raised a brow. "You played a big role for tonight's event. I know that. And you're the best designer for me... My designer..."