January 26, 2013 – Naka-meet and greet ko si Xian. Plus nakapasok pa kami sa backstage. Thanks to Ate Joan Camile, the President of Xianatics Philippines for helping me na makalapit kay Xian. Grabe guys, nakaka-starstruck si Xian! Ang gwapo, ang bango, ang laking lalake and ang bait-bait pa! I feel so lucky, pakiramdam ko tuloy, ako si Kim Chiu. Lels. Picture po sa gilid. Haha.
By the way, I’d like to dedicate this chapter to: @kay1912. Request granted.
Oh, basa na. ‘Wag naman niyong awayin si Xian sa story ko. Tiwala lang, magiging okay lang din ang lahat.
-Mia
KIM’S POV
Zeke proved to me that he really is worth the chance that I gave him. Kung todo effort siya araw-araw. First hour in the morning, nandyan na agad siya. It’s either dadalhan niya kami ni Ate Sandra ng breakfast or siya mismo ang magluluto. This was the reason why I can’t seem to avoid Ate Sandra’s teasing. Zeke would often send me flowers, or even random stuffs like scarf, perfume, signature bags or limited collection shoes. Alam din niyang nami-miss ko ang pamilya ko in the Philippines, kaya siya na mismo ‘yung gumagawa ng paraan para makapag-video call kami. There are times naman na parang gusto atang ubusin ang tinda sa mga clothing line. Lahat ng items, halos pakyawin para raw sa akin. Though he knows that I can afford it, he still opts to pay for it. Minsan nga, nahihiya na ako.
3 days from now, kailangan na naming bumalik sa Pilipinas. I swear I miss the country, the weather and the people. A part of me is a bit sad kasi few days from now, I’ll be back to the world where problems and heartbreaks exist. Tonight is our grand fashion event and I can’t afford to put myself into shame. Malaki ang tiwala sa akin ng Dior, ng mga Trinidad and ng buong bansa. Kaba, saya and excitement ang nararamdaman ko. Ako na naman ang magfa-final walk. It’s a great opportunity to do this for an international event. Overwhelming at nakaka-inspire na mas pagbutihin ko pa ang chosen field ko.
Hours left and I will be reining the fashion world for a night. I’m at the backstage with my makeup artist and hair stylist as they try to make me glamorous yet sophisticated at the same time. With my earphones on and Usher singing, I feel like I’m a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Pakanta-kanta pa ako. It’s my only way to handle stress.
“Nervous?” Somebody grabbed my earphones away.
“Ay anak ng kabayo!” Nagulat ako du’n ah. Eto namang kasing si Zeke, parang kabuteng biglang susulpot-sulpot!
“Oh, masyado ka atang tensed!” He half-smiled. He really looks elegantly gorgeous.
“Kinakabahan kasi ako eh. Do I look pale?”
“No, thanks to your very thick lipstick, no one would ever notice that you’re pale. Kinakabahan? Don’t be. You look more beautiful tonight.” I could feel that I am blushing.
“Yeah, right. I’m pretty lucky to have splendid hair and make-up team.” I smiled to the 2 females who are currently fixing me for the show. “Ine-etchos mo na naman ako eh. Hello, ‘di pa kaya ako tapos ayusan!” Inaayos pa kasi ang buhok ko.
“Yun na nga, ‘di ka pa tapos ayusan, ang ganda-ganda mo na. Paano na lang kaya kapag natapos na?” Heto na naman ‘tong si Zeke eh, lakas makapag-banat.
“Oh God, Zele. Stop humiliating me! Nakakahiya sa kanila.” Tumawa-tawa kasi ang mga babaeng nag-aayos sa akin. Nakisabay rin sa tawa si Zeke. “Now, get a life. Umalis ka na nga rito. Nakakagulo ka eh!” Tinutulak ko siya palayo. Nahihiya na kasi ako. “Sige na, shoo shoo! Go away.”
“Ang sama nito, pinapalayas agad ako. Pero sige na nga! Ikaw talaga, buti na lang, malakas ka sa akin.” Sabay pingot sa ilong ko. “Oh sige, uupo na ako sa patron seat. Text me if you need something, whatever it is. Okay? Have a good show!” I nod like an innocent kid. Magsasalita na sana ako nang…
Bigla niyang halikan ang kanang pisngi ko. I’m still in the state of shock habang siya, patuloy na naglakad papalayo. I absent-mindedly touched my cheek. Lokong Zeke ‘yun ah! Naisahan ako! Lihim akong napangiti sa weirdness ni Zeke. ‘Yung lalakeng ‘yun talaga, napaka-sweet.
*+639xxxxxxxxxx calling*
May tumatawag. This must have been a call from the Philippines, kitang-kita naman sa numbers oh. Ah, baka si Mommy ‘to, hindi kasi siya makakapunta rito kasi busy sila sa newest deal nila. May merging atang magaganap eh. Sa pagkakaalam ko, bibili sila ng shares kina Zeke. ‘Di ko alam kung gaano katotoo.
“Hello?” Agad kong sinagot.
(Hello Kim?) Isang pamilyar na boses. No, imposible! Bakit naman tatawag ‘yun? Epekto na ba ‘to ng sobrang kaba at stress? Nag-ha-hallucinate ata ako eh. (Kim? Nandyan ka pa ba?)
“S-sino ‘to?” I know it’s him, the guy who rejected me, who dumped me and shattered my heart in to pieces.
(Alam kong kilala mo ang boses na ‘to. At kung hindi mo naman matandaan, ‘di na ata importante ‘yun. I just called to send you my good luck wishes. I know you can do it.)
“Xi…”
(Oo, ako nga. I’m glad that you recognized my voice. Oh sige, ‘di na ako magtatagal. I’m spending way too much. Good luck. Have a good show and I mi…)
Biglang naputol ang linya. Hindi ko tuloy naintindihan ‘yung huling mga binanggit niya. After niyang tumawag, feeling ko, nabuhay ang katawang-lupa ko. Aaminin ko, I still love him. Mas lalo ko pa siyang minahal dahil malayo kami sa isa’t isa. “I miss you too, Xi.” I assumed na ‘yun ang sasabihin niya. Pabulong kong tinugon ang mga ito. Akala ko, makakalimutan ko siya but me being away from him is a lot harder than I thought. So, the quote ‘Distance makes love grow fonder’ starts to have its meaning to me.
“Ms. Chiu, you’re next in line.” Napatagal pa lang ang pagmumuni-muni ko, hindi ko namalayang ako na pala ang susunod. Tumayo ako at sinundan ang staff na sumundo sa akin. “Have a good show, Ms. Kim!” Isang pranses na babae ito. May kantangkaran at blonde ang buhok. I smiled back at her.
Pagkatapak na pagtapak ko sa entablado, I immediately saw the beautiful people with their eyes on me. I can see the different faces of fashion critiques, elite people and rich and famous ladies and men. Bright lights glimmered in my chinky eyes while I was pretty busy looking for the Zeke. There, I saw him. He’s smiling at me. He’s sitting right next to the CEO of the Dior. I just noticed how great looking he was with his signature tuxedo and classic silver bow tie on. His eyes were too expressive. By the way he looks at me; his eyes tell me that I look perfect for tonight.
Everyone showered me with a warm round of applause. I’m wearing the most expensive couture for this collection. I feel lucky for being chosen as the star model of the night. I just wish that my parents are here. I want them to witness how I shine.
As the night’s master of ceremony welcomes the designer for this collection, I’m feeling dizzy. I’ve been experiencing this for about 2 weeks now. There are times that I can’t even get up to bed. Or in worse-to-worst cases, I puke to the point that only water is coming out from my stomach down to my mouth. I thought, it was part of my diet and the new environment. So I didn’t mind.
Matapos ang palakpakan, agad kong tinahak ang backstage. Feeling ko kasi, babagsak ako anytime. Napahawak ako sa stante ng damit na nadaanan ko. But I still managed to take myself toward the powder room. I immediately run through the toilet and vomit. I could feel the pain within my stomach.
“Ms. Kim?” I heard a female’s voice calling out my name. “Ms. Kim, are you there?”
I really wanted to seek for help but I can’t seem to find the voice to speak. My system continued releasing vomit. “Bloody hell! Ms. Kim, open the door please!” Umiikot ang paningin ko. I tried to reach for the door hanggang sa tuluyan ng magdilim ang paningin ko.
XIAN’S POV
I called her because I want her to know that I care. Para naman at least maiparamdam ko sa kanya na I’m still her friend despite of what happened. I may not admit it but I actually miss her kaso naduwag ako kanina kaya sinadya kong putulin ang linya. Na-miss ko ‘yung Kim na makulit, maingay at jolly. ‘Yung tipong ‘di mo aakalaing model kasi may pagka-isip bata. Since she went to Milan, I haven’t heard any news from her. Aside from the typical updates that columnists and reported provide in the newspaper and on Philippine television.
Since pumayag na si Daddy sa gusto ko, nakapagdesisyon akong hingiin na ang kamay niya sa mga magulang niya. I bravely faced the challenge of talking with Mr. and Mrs. William Chiu. Mabuti na lang at pumayag si Dad na samahan akong mamanhikan. I know, hindi right term ang salitang ‘mamanhikan’ wherein fact hindi naman alam ni Kim ang ginawa ko. Si Dad lang ang nakasama ko sa mansion ng mga Chiu. Naging mahaba ang diskusyon namin.
*flashback*
“Sir, with all due respect, I am asking for your daughter’s hand in marriage.” Tila nagulat ang ama ni Kim sa biglaan kong paghingi ng kamay ni Kim.
“What are you talking about, Mr. Lim?” Nakataas ang kilay ng ama ni Kim habang sinasabi sa akin. Lumapit ako sa kanya, dahan-dahang lumuhod at yumuko.
“I would like to take the responsibility of marrying your daughter after what happened to the both of us. Sir, I know, masyado ho itong biglaan, but believe me, gusto ko lang pong itama ang mga mali namin.”
I saw the anger in his eyes. Kung galit si Dad nu’ng ipaalam ko sa kanya, malayung-malayo ‘yun sa galit na nasa mata ni Mr. Chiu. Sa sobrang galit niya, ikinuwelyo niya ako.
“What made you think na papayag akong ipakasal ang anak ko with a bastard like you?! Ha?!”
“I deserve your daughter’s hand, Sir because I think I’m the right man for her. I am doing this because I respect her, because I care for her. I am willing to marry her because I know that it is the right thing to do. I believe that I am man enough to face you, to ask for your blessings to let me marry Kim. Gusto kong panagutan ang nagawa namin. I am not sure if I impregnated her but with or without having her pregnant, I am willing to be her husband with your consent.”
*end of flashback*
Sa huli’y napapayag ko rin ang parents ni Kim. Naawa nga ako sa Mommy niya dahil wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi umiyak na lang. There’s no easy way out but out of the tough choice, I know that my decision is the best among it.
I am here at the kitchen, finding something to drink. Saktong may wine. I’m about to pour some when I accidentally dropped my glass. Napanood ko na ‘to sa pelikula eh, ‘yun bang may mahuhulog na babasagin then may mangyayaring masama. The first thing na pumasok sa isip ko ay si Kim. I hope she’s okay. Lintek naman kasi ‘tong mga pinagpapapanood ko sa movies, napa-paranoid tuloy ako. Niligpit ko na lang ang mga bubog than waste my time of thinking ridiculous things.
Hours past, at naka-receive ako ng tawag from Kim’s dad.
(Hello, Xian. I just want to inform you na na-ospital si Kim dala ng pagka-hilo at pagsusuka. My wife and I are going to Milan to fetch our daughter.) What? But why?!
“How is she, Sir? What happened to her?” I can sense the concern in my voice.
(I don’t know yet. Nasa airport na kami ngayon. We’re waiting for our plane. I tried calling Mr. Trinidad but he’s not answering my calls.)
“I want to come with you, Sir” Fuck that Ezekiel Trinidad! I am the one who should be there! I should be the one who’s right by her side!
(Drop the formality, hijo. Call me, Dad. I don’t think it’s the right idea na sumama ka. Don’t worry, hindi kami magtatagal du’n. Iuuwi namin agad si Kim dito.) Gustuhin ko mang sumama, pero ang ama na mismo ni Kim ang nagsabi na huwag na.
“Okay Dad. Balitaan niyo na lang po ako. Mag-ingat po kayo.”
He hung up the phone. Wait, did he just say na nahila at nagsusu-suka si Kim kaya siya hinimatay? Could she be pregnant? Oh shit!
----Is Kim pregnant? Hmmn. Dapat bang sumunod si Xian sa Milan? Kamusta naman ‘yung naka-score si Zeke? Haha!
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-Mia