ZEKIAH XYRIEL'S POV
"Everything's ready in the set, Zeriel. Hindi ka pa ba tapos d'yan? 'Wag mo kaming paghintayin."
I gave her a bored look. Kanina pa siya nagrereklamo sa'kin na magsisimula na pero hindi pa ako lumalabas ng dressing room dahil hinihintay ko pa ang reply ni Shael. Damn him! What makes him so busy that he couldn't even type for a reply?! Nabasa niya rin kaya ang mga messages ko?
"Fine. I'm going out! Stop yelling at me!" I shouted back from inside.
Inis kong binalik ang phone ko sa table at lumabas na. They were waiting for me just like what she'd said. Pinaghintay ko sila pero hindi ko naman problema 'yon. I'm just on time. Si Caroline lang naman talaga ang gustong madaliin ako para makapagsimula na.
When we get started, I was a bit uncomfortable in the photoshoot. Hindi naman kase nila sinabi na wedding gown pala ang susuotin ko. They chose me as a bride of the most famous designer in France.
And yes, I'm in France right now.
"Zeriel, ayusin mo naman. Isipin mong ikakasal ka na at eto ang dream gown mo." Here she is again, giving some demands.
"Eh, kung ikaw kaya ang magsuot nito? There are so many products that I can endorse. Why does it have to be a wedding gown?!" I complained.
She rolled her eyes on me."Pwede bang sumunod ka na lang? This was supposed to be done with a partner. Tingnan mo nga, wala kang groom kase nag-decline ka ng offer na magkaroon. Sayang nga! Guy models here in France were so good looking."
"Well, my boyfriend is more handsome than those guys you're talking about."
'Yon ang ginawa namin buong araw. It was really tiring. The first set was in their studio. In the afternoon, we moved to the beach for the next teme. And third, we stayed up late at night in the cruise ship which was given by the sponsor. Maganda raw kase ang view pag nag-pictorial kami sa gitna ng dagat tapos gabi.
Gosh! The dress was a bit revealing and its cold in here.
"Carol! Where's my phone? I want to check if there's a message from Shael." Bumaba muna ako saglit para magpahinga sa ilalim.
We already ate dinner and since my manager was with me, Caroline picked what should I eat. At nakakainis na ang pagiging demanding niya sa mga bagay. Mas mabuti sana kung siya na lang ang nag-model at hindi ako.
@casshael: Hey, mine. Sorry for the late reply. I'm working in the company since you left to ease my boredom. Hbu?
I immediately typed for a reply. Kaya pala busy ang line ng phone niya kanina at hindi nakapag-reply. Hope he's still there.
@jazzeriel : Still doing my photoshoots. I'm tired already.
Hindi pa naka-ilang segundo ay tumawag siya. Were in a video call right now. He's leaning on the swiveling chair while I'm on my bed, resting.
[You really look tired. Bakit hindi pa kayo natatapos? Gabi na ah. Mas mabuti kung hindi na kayo matulog]
Tinapunan ko siya ng masamang tingin."Wow! Thank you for your suggestion. Nakatulong talaga, sobra!"
Tumawa pa siya sa kabilang linya kaya kita ko ang dimples niya. Gosh. I badly want to hug him and mess up his hair like what I always do.
[Joke lang. Mine, kumain ka na? I haven't eaten dinner. Maybe I'll skip it for now.]
"Gusto mo bang hindi ako umuwi d'yan?! You always like pissing me off!" I hissed.
I know that he's making fun of me again. Palagi naman siyang ganyan. He knows that I will get mad if he won't take care of himself. Kaya nga inaasar niya ako lalo na kapag magkalayo kami.
[Just kidding, mine. Of course, you have to come back here. Ako ang bahay mo kaya babalik ka sa'kin]
I smirked when I think of an idea."Nah. Mas gusto ko pang magstay dito ng matagal. You know, a lot of guys here approached me earlier."
Gusto kong humalakhak sa naging pagbabago ng reaksyon niya. He's goddamn mad! Seloso kase talaga siya, sobra! Ni pagtingin nga ng mga lalaki ayaw niyang gawin ko kahit hindi ko naman talaga ginagawa. Now it's time for a revenge.
[Subukan mo lang, Xyriel! Kapag ako nagpunta d'yan, iuuwi kita kaagad]
I'm starting to love him calling me like that. His nickname for me was changed into Xyriel, my second name. Tinatawag niya ako nang ganyan kapag naiinis siya o galit. Kapag ako naman, Axcel ang tawag ko sa kanya kaso naiirita siya ro'n. Ang baduy daw kase.
"If you'll tease me again, I'm not going home. Alam mo namang kaya ko 'yong gawin."
Nagpaawa siya hanggang sa napilitan akong sabihing uuwi ako sa Friday, four days from now. Ilang araw pa rin kaming hindi magkikita dahil sa mga sunod sunod na shoots ko. Last na schedules kase ngayon na week kase next week magpapahinga na ako para sa pagbubukas ng school year. So I'll take it all and rest after.
In the morning, we went to the City of Marseille to visit Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde. Its a popular Catholic church so we roamed around to see the beautiful scenery. I took some pictures with myself and of course with our clients. May iilan ding tourists na kilala ako kaya natagalan ako sa pakikipag-picture sa kanila. Caroline didn't complained too. Gusto naman talaga niya na nag-eentertain ako ng iba para daw mas marami akong tagahanga. Whatever.
After that, we went directly to the Canebière where I'm going to continue my photoshoots. Its a busy main street since the 17th century but we occupied some space inside for our photoshoot. Maraming tao ro'n dahil hindi naman maipagkakaila ang kagandahan lugar. I'm also happy to be here because it has been a long time since my last break. Sa England kami napunta no'n.
"Qu'est-ce que vous voulez manger, senora?" Our tour guide asked me.
May translator kaming dala ni Caroline kaya siya ang kumausap sa guide namin. She even told me that I should learn how to speak French so I could talk to the the next time. Argh. That's hassle.
Our translator looked at me."He's asking what do you want to eat. Just point in the menu and they'll be the one to prepare it for you."
Hinayaan naman ako ni Carol kung anong gusto kong kainin. There were different kinds of dishes but I chose the American one. Palagi nila akong binibigyan ng pagkain habang nagto-tour kami kaya hindi ako masyadong gutom. Baka pagbalik ko sa Pilipinas ang taba ko na.
Lahat ng gusto ko, ino-offer nila sa'kin ng libre. At first, I thought that it was unfair since their foods and other stuffs here were expensive. 'Yon pala, may trade na ganapan bago pa lang kami lumipad dito. Our head gave them all of my service in exchange of our free tour in France. Lahat dito libre para sa'min kaya hindi na nila kami babayaran para sa mga photoshoots ko rito.
They will release my new album here namely 'La tournée de Zeriel en France' that was meant 'Zeriel's tour in France'. Pero syempre, bibigyan nila kami ng copy, only one box. Kapag may gusto ring kumuha ng copy sa kanila, ibebenta rin nila sa mas mataas na presyo. My album will be in limited edition. Baka nga pag-uwi namin pag-agawan ang isang box at magpa-bid pa ang entertainment namin 'pag nagkataon.
Ang huling spot na pupuntahan namin ay sa Mont Puget. It was one of the most visited mountains in Marseille because the mountains were built with limestones. Nag-uusap nga ang guide and 'yong translator namin habang nasa private van kami, even the driver. Shocks! I couldn't understand them all.
"Peut-elle faire de l'escalade ou de la randonnée ? Elle doit faire ça pour la séance photo," the guide asked and glanced at me.
Pinag-uusapan ba nila ako?
Our translator nodded."Je parie qu'elle peut. Elle fait toujours de la gymnastique pour que son corps soit souple. Zeriel aimerait ça."
Ngayon alam kong ako talaga dahil namention ang pangalan ko. They weren't backstabbing me right?! Porket hindi namin sila naiintindihan ni Caroline.
I secretly typed something on my phone without them knowing. I guess I have to use a translator to talk to them. Kung bakit pa kase hindi English speaker ang kinuha nilang guide namin.
"Pouvez-vous aller un peu plus vite ? Je m'ennuie ici," I said out of a sudden.
Bigla na lang huminto ang sasakyan at napatingin silang lahat sa'kin, nakaawang ang bibig. Are they surprised about my French sentence or I just said it wrong. Malay ko ba, binasa ko lang naman at hindi pinakinggan kung paano ba 'yon sabihin.
"You used a translator, didn't you?" Pinanliitan niya ako mata.
I rolled my eyes heavenwards."Ano pa ba sa tingin mo? Naririndi na ako sa boses niya at hindi man lang ipinaliwanag ng translator natin kung anong pinag-uusapan nila. I heard my name, Carol! They're talking about me!"
"And so? Why do you have to act like that? Baka naman may tinatanong lang tungkol sa'yo or what." Iniwan niya ako rito sa loob ng kotse na mag-isa dahil nakalabas na silang lahat.
Great! Just great! They abandoned the model they needed for their so-called project. Should I be grateful?
Gano'n nga ang ginawa namin pagdating. They just informed me that I'm going to do rock climbing or hiking. Gosh! May konting fear of heights ako. What if I'm not doing it right?
Ilang oras ko 'yong ginawa dahil masyado akong takot kapag mataas na ang akyat ko. I'm shouting like a crazy woman and asking for some help to put me back on the ground. The scenario was just going around the circle.
The thought of resting after that tiring activity faded when they called a fashionista to dress me up. Pinalitan nila ang suot ko ng pang-summer dress. Ilalagay daw nila ako sa tuktok kase maganda ang view. Gosh! It was already 5 PM yet they didn't want me to rest. Hindi pa rin daw kase nagdidilim kaya susulitin nila.
Yeah. Bakit ba kase ang tagal mag-sunset dito sa France?
"Everything's okay now. You can have your rest, Ms. Knoxville. The photoshoot tomorrow will depend on what time does you want to start." Our translator told me.
Tumango lang ako at tuluyan nang pumasok sa room ko. For the whole day, Caroline was holding my phone so I didn't know if Shael called or texted. Wala rin naman siyang sinabi na kung ano. Damn her! What if he really did but turned it off because it will disturb me? Malalagot talaga siya sa'kin 'pag nagkataon.
I texted him to call me if he's not busy. Maghihintay ako sa reply niya at kung wala siyang oras ay matutulog na lang ako. What should I wait for? Siya lang naman ang dahil kung bakit nagpapagabi akong matulog.
I decided to post two pictures of my photoshoot earlier. And isa ay nagro-rock climbing ako at ang isa naman ay 'yong naka-dress ako sa taas, wearing shades and summer hat. Kumbaga, sneak peak lang sa mga naging travel ko rito since hindi naman lahat makakakuha ng album ko pagbalik.
My photo was captioned 'Supposed to go hiking with him but he's not here'. I giggled after posting that. I wonder what would be his reaction.
@alitheloveliest: Ganyan talaga ang pag-ibig~~
@scarville: 'Wag sanang limutin mga pangako mo sa akin~~
@katiieprettyyy: Hirap siguro 'pag LDR 'no? Miss mo siya gabi²
Bigla akong namula pagkatapos basahin ang comment ni Katria. That brat! Hindi ko naman sinabi ro'n na miss ko siya. I didn't even mentioned a name. Gano'n ba kahalata?
@acohenyohh: Eto na ang hinihintay mo @casshael
@zerraizer: Your girlfriend isn't pertaining to you @casshael
@sweetakken: Eto na 'yong sign para lumipad ka papuntang France. Malay mo nakahanap na siya nang mas matino sa'yo @casshael
Napasapo na lang ako sa noo ko nang makisali rin ang mga kapatid niya na nag-iingay sa comment section. I stood up and left my phone in the bed for my night routine. Kapag hindi pa siya nag-online pagbalik ko, mag-iiwan na lang ako ng text message at matutulog na.
I hurriedly finished my skincare to see if he had responded my texts. Hindi naman ako nagkamali kase nag-react siya sa post ko 5 minutes ago. Sumabog nga ang notification ko dahil nag-comment din siya. Shocks! What did he say again? Palagi na lang akong kinakabahan sa t'wing may comment siya sa post ko.
@casshael: Para sa'kin ang caption na 'to, sure ako. Ako lang naman ang palagi niyang namimiss.
That made my night. Akala ko 'yon lang pero nag-reply siya sa mga texts ko. He even called me but did not see each other. Pagod daw siya kaya nahihiyang ipakita ang mukha niya. I admit that I really missed him. Gusto kong sabihin sa kanyang mag-switch na lang kami through video call kahit saglit lang at pinagbigyan niya naman ako. Just a little remembrance since we still haven't seen each other. Nangako naman siyang babawi siya pagbalik ko, isang linggo raw kami na aalis. Then during weekends, I'll stay with my family.
He planned it so well.
My photoshoot continued until tomorrow, just like what was planned. Hindi nga lang kagaya no'ng mga nakaraang araw na 'yong taga entertainment lang nila ang nakakasama namin. Today, there will be some partnerships with their collaboration team. Wanna know what's the worse? They all decided to partner me with some guys which was I disagreed in the first place.
"Caroline! You fucking know why I don't want to be paired with anyone. Its okay if its another female model. But a guy?! Seriously?" I hissed.
Ilang beses na kaming nag-away tungkol dito, dahilan para hindi agad nagsimula ang photoshoot. How could we start if I still did not settle myself with any guy here? Ako pa ang pinapapili nila.
She sighed heavily."Isang beses lang naman 'to. Just this day, Zeriel. If you want, free to ask your boyfriend's opinion. I'm sure he'll be on our side too."
"Don't involve him here! Alam ko ring seloso siya kaya hindi siya papayag dito, pati ako. Tell them to find female models out there that could be partnered with me," pagmamatigas ko pa.
"A girl partnered with a girl also? Nahihibang ka ba? Come on! Let's just forgive them this time. Hindi ka naman nila pipilitin sa mga gagawin mo during sa shoots niyo. You can free to do any pose," she insisted.
"What's wrong with that?! You should've contacted Shael if you want me to be partnered." Hindi niya talaga maintindihan.
Humingi ng konting break si Carol dahil hindi pa rin kami nagkakasundo. It doesn't mean that I'm a but socializing to anyone in the social world, I will agree to be partnered with a guy. I made it clear for the nth time. Unless its my boyfriend, of course.
I tried to call Shael directly to tell him what's happening here. Alam kong pati siya tututol dito pero gusto ko pa ring marinig ang mga rants niya. But I've called him for already five times and still I couldn't reach him. Hindi rin naman sinabing busy ang linya niya kaya alam kong wala siyang kausap. Maybe he turned off his phone or he fell asleep.
"Fine. I'll do this. Pero sabihin mo sa kanila na half-day lang." I glared at her.
She slightly shook her head on me."No. I settled it with them and the agreement says whole day. So you don't have any choice but to obey."
Inis na inis ako no'n pero wala akong nagawa at sumunod na lang. Although, my photoshoot, my rules. Kapag nagdidikit kami ng konti ay sinasabi kong mag-adjust kase ayoko. Oo, gano'n ako kaarte. 'Wag na lang silang magreklamo dahil pinilit nila akong gawin 'to. No'ng dumating sa part na dapat naka-smile kami pareho, napipilitan pa rin ako.
Well, I'm just really forced to do this for the whole time.
"You don't want me to be your partner, right? That's why you look sulking during the photoshoot." He talked to me, with an English accent.
Hindi ko naman siya narinig na nag-English kanina. The hell, who cares?! Halata naman pala eh bakit pumayag pa rin siya. He didn't even protested. Siguro kase gusto niya ring maka-partner ako kahit na ayoko.
"Isn't it obvious?! Your entertainment didn't approved my request. You should've do it in my behalf." Tinapunan ko siya nang pinaka-masamang tingin na kaya kong ibigay.
But instead of getting annoyed or disappointed, he laughed at me. May pagka-ugali siya ni Shael. Though, they were different from each other. Malaking-malaki ang pagkakaiba nila sa isa't isa. He's not my type either.
He just shrugged off his shoulders."Why would I do that when I'm the one who requested you to be my partner? Besides, I'm the son of the manager who gave you guys a free tour in our place. You should be grateful."
"Passons à l'étape suivante." The manager clapped his hands to get our attention.
Umalis na siya at iniwan ako rito. I know what it means. Let's proceed to the next stage. Kanina pa nila 'yan sinasabi lalo na kapag natatapos kami sa isang set. And its kinda irritating!
Half-day na at naisipan naming mag-break na para sa lunch time. Ang akala ko ay kami lang ni Caroline pero kasama rin pala sila. Their manager and his son, Jecovire, who was my partner came with us. May kasama pa silang dalawang babae at 'yong translator namin na lagi namang nakabuntot sa'min.
"Gusto ko lang naman ng tahimik na buhay pero bakit ganito pa? Wala ba tayo ng word na 'privacy'?" I asked sarcastically.
Napatingin sila sa'min saglit na para bang nalilito sa sinabi ko. Buti nga sa kanila! They were being rude for talking in front of me using their language that only them could understand. Siguro naman hindi rin ako bastos kung magsasalita ako sa paraang hindi rin nila maintindihan.
Carol gave me a meaningful look."Nasa harapan natin sila kaya umayos ka! This is what we call as trading, Zeriel. Kasama 'to sa napag-usapan."
"Wala sa usapan natin ang maraming lalaking involve. Ano na lang ang mangyayari sa image ko? Na porket nagka-boyfriend na ako pwede na akong makihalubilo sa mga species nila?" I'm not yet done with this.
Gusto kong sabihin lahat ng rants ko about dito. May karapatan naman ako eh! If Shael will know, I'm sure he'd rush to come here and bring me back to the Philippines. But wait, had he responded my texts?
Nang kunin ko ang phone ko para tingnan ay wala naman akong missed calls galing sa kanya. Not even one message or dm. He haven't read my messages for sure. Masyado na yata siyang busy.
After lunch, we continued what we're doing ever since the morning. Dalawang oras lang naman pero parang sobrang tagal na para sa'kin. I want to end this all now. This guy looks gentleman and kind but I still don't trust him. Someone even told me that we suits each other but I winced and said I have a boyfriend.
Hindi ba kumalat dito na taken na ako? Gosh! They were stressing me out!
"Do you mind if I'll be the one to tour you? We're done in our photoshoots together so I think we can go out for a bit." He has still the guts to approach me like we're sort kind of friends.
Sorry siya! I don't make friends with guys.
"Do you really think I would do that? First, were not close. Second, I don't want you near me. And third, you're so annoying as fuck so stop talking to me!" Iniwan ko siya ro'n at walang pakialam sa sasabihin nila.
I'm here for business. Yeah, just business. Not flirting with any guys because I already have mine in my homeland. Hindi ba pwedeng bumilis na lang ang oras at nang makauwi na ako sa'min?!
The thought of escaping from his presence didn't really happen when he asked for Caroline's permission to be with me. Sa totoo lang, wala akong alam sa trip niya sa buhay at kung nawala na ba si Carol sa sarili niya para payagan siya. Hell, I don't wanna be with him!
"Why are you so irritated? Afraid that your boyfriend will find out that you're going out with another guy?" he smirked.
I swallowed hard, fighting the urge not to hit him in public."I don't mind if he finds out, that would be better anyways. So he could punch you hard for getting closer to me. I hate attention seekers, just so you know?"
"With that kind of attitude, I'm amazed how your boyfriend resists being with you. Is it just because to show off others that he got a model?"
Is he picking a fight with me? Sabihin niya lang at pagbibigyan ko siya. Kaya kong sipain siya at ihulog sa bridge na nilalakaran namin ngayon.
Instead of showing him how annoyed I am, I gave him a bittersweet smile."He managed to resist my attitude because he loves me that much. Besides, I'm not like this to him. This is a sneak peak of my demon side that people always see. The real me will only show up to him. Only him! And that's my boyfriend."
He shrugged off his shoulders and left me here just like what he did before. That's it. This is my chance to get away from here. Nakihalo ako sa ibang mga taong nandito at sinuot ko rin ang shades ko para hindi nila ako makilala. They will just make a scene here and that punk will catch me.
When I successfully get away from there, I sat on a bench near a fountain to rest. Nanakit na rin ang mga paa ko kakalakad dahil nakasuot ako ng boots. Caroline didn't bring my flat shoes too. Hindi rin magandang tingnan kapag naka-paa lang ako.
"Aish! Why isn't he replying?! Even just a dot or a question mark!" I whispered annoyingly.
I know that I'm desperate to talk to him right now so I messaged Kat through dm. But she says that Shael wasn't answering their call either. Simula pa kaninang umaga nang umalis siya. They even contacted his secretary, Olivia, but he just visited in the morning and left already.
Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari at hindi ako makapag-communicate sa kanya. Palagi na unavailable ang linya ng phone niya kaya hindi ko alam ang ginagawa niya. What in the world is he doing?! He's making me so damn worried!
I went home immediately after that because I don't feel like relaxing at all. Pinagalitan pa ako ni Carol kase iniwan ko raw si Jecovire sa labas nang mag-isa. The fuck I care about him! Iba ang iniisip ko ngayon kaya 'wag na 'wag siyang makikialam.
"He's not really replying to me! Its almost midnight!" inis na reklamo ko.
Caroline was awakened because of my shout."Pwede bang ipag-pabukas niyo na 'yang LQ niyo?! Dinadamay niyo 'ko!"
"Excuse me?! We're not having an LQ!" I shouted back at her.
Padabog akong umupo sa kama at nag-turn off ng phone ko. Bahala siya! Hindi siya nagparamdam sa'king buong araw kaya gano'n din ang gagawin ko sa kanya.
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