From: Emir
You think you'll have a free sched this weekend? Let's eat somewhere nice.
I couldn't help but nimble on my thumb's fingertips as I read her text message. Iniisip kung may schedule ba ako sa darating na Sabado o Linggo.
"You'll have another schedule this 16th. Iyong sports brand. Be sure to stick to your diet and work-outs, Selene. Are you listening to me?!" Agad kong pinatay ang phone nang marinig ang inis na sigaw ni Ivah. Her dark eyes look at me with irritation at unti-unti iyong bumaba sa phone ko. I immediately throw my phone on my hand bag sa takot na baka kunin niya iyon.
Nang ilipat ang tingin kay George ay agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin. Tila takot na madamay sa inis ni Ivah.
"I'm listening, Ivah! Why are you so on edge this past few days?" Pag-iiba ko ng topic na ikinairap lang ng mata niya. She looks back at the series of contract in front of here. Alam ko ay tumanggap siya ng iilang projects dahil mas gumaan ang schedule ko this next months. After the run-way show in Paris as parang kalahati ng trabaho ko ang natapos.
"I want you to check all this projects, Selene. Tell me if ayos sayo na tanggapin ang mga ito. I already review some of the projects and I'm good with it." Tuloy-tuloy niyang saad at isinara na ang mga folders sa harapan niya.
"Oh! I'm good with any projects, Ivah but is my schedule this weekend free? I want to unwind lang, you know?" I said sweetly at her with a smile on my face. Sinuklian niya lang iyon ng kunot niyang noo at nanliliit na mga mata nang muli siyang bumaling sa gawi ko. She looks at George na bahagyang napatalon sa kinatatayuan sa gulat at agad na pinag-pipindot ang iPad na hawak para tignan ang schedule ko.
"M-May morning meeting lang po sa company sa Saturday morning, Ms. Ivah." Natatarantang saad ni George.
Ivah looks back at me with her still questioning eyes at tila nag-aantay ng explanation sa akin kung saan ako pupunta. I just shrug at her at muling kinuha ang phone ko para mag-reply na kay Emir.
To: Emir
I have an early sched on Saturday. Where are we going to eat? I have a shoot on the 16th. I can't gain weight.
I didn't even think twice as I hit send. Nang ibaba ang phone at nakita ko ang patuloy na pagtitig sa akin ni Ivah na agad kong ikinairap. She shake her head as if finally realizing what is happening. Hindi ko naman na iyon pinansin at hinayaan na siyang bumalik sa iilan pang paalala sa mga susunod kong schedules.
After that encounter on the beach and the 'talk' on my bedroom ay halos araw-araw na ngang nagte-text sa akin si Emir. On my empty days, she would always pester me to have coffee or eat somewhere. Kung puno naman ang schedule ko ay pumupunta siya sa bahay (even past midnight as she insist) para paglutuan ako at siguraduhing hindi ako matutulog ng gutom.
Para na nga niyang kwarto ang isang guest room ko dahil doon siya lagi natutulog. Even with all the banats that she would sleep beside me, ay isinasantabi ko lamang iyon. I couldn't even function properly in her arms, makakatulog kaya ako ng katabi siya? I doubt!
Regarding her last question that night, if she's going to court me or are we in a sort of a relationship already. Matapos kong manahimik ng halos ilang minuto, siya na mismo ang nag-urong ng tanong.
"Let's answer that for some other time." Exactly her words.
Bago niya ako tuluyang pakawalan at hayaan ng makapagpahinga. Though, I didn't really get an ounce of sleep that night kakaisip sa nangyari buong gabi. While she slept so soundly on my guest room na tila walang nangyari!
That girl and her nerve of steel, indeed!
"That's all for today. Let's have dinner outside." Ivah said as she concluded the short meeting that we had.
"Or do you have some plans?" I immediately shake my head nang marinig ang sinabi niya. She then look down on my phone before letting out a heavy sigh. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang uunahin! Ang pag-init ng mukha dahil sa iniisip niya o ang panlalamig ng sikmura dahil baka nakakahalata na siya.
"Whatever you say." Tila may inis niya pang saad bago tuluyang umalis sa harapan ko at dumiretso sa comfort room ng office niya. I look at George who stood still on the side of my couch na inilingan lang 'din ako.
I gave her a look as if asking what happened ngunit sinuklian niya lang iyon ng isang buntong hininga.
We proceeded with dinner that night. Nag-aya si Ivah sa isang deck view restaurant around BGC. Though George couldn't join us for some reasons kaya naman kami lang ni Ivah ang narito. Hinayaan ko na lang 'rin siyang um-order dahil busy ako sa pagtingin sa phone ko.
From: Emir
I'll just hit the gym, be back in a while. Be sure to have your dinner.
Pagkatapos ng mensaheng iyon ay nag-send 'din siya ng isang mirror shot. She's wearing this huge headphones, a muscle tee and a fitted sports shorts. She's sitting on her cream bed habang ang phone ay bahagyang tinatakpan ang mukha niya. Kitang-kita ang toned niyang braso sa suot niyang shirt at habang nakataas at hawak ang phone.
I couldn't help but bit the side of my cheeks as I stare at her photos for a couple of seconds. She really knows too well how damn hot she is! Bakit kaya hindi siya nag-model!?
To: Emir
I'll be having dinner with Ivah. She seems kinda edgy this past few days.
"Who's that?" Agad ko namang pinatay ang phone ko ng marinig ang mataray na boses ni Ivah. When I look back at her ay ang nagsasalubong na niyang kilay ang agad bumungad sa akin.
"Wala. Did you order na?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan. She couldn't help but shake her heads at me bago marahang inilapit ang mukha sa akin.
"What's the real score between you too?" Hindi ko napigilan ang panlalaki ng mata ko nang marinig ang tanong niya. My cheeks immediately flush when I realize that she already know at ang bahagyang takot sa akin na baka nahahalata na 'rin ng iba!
"W-What are you talking about?" I utter nervously at pakunwaring sumsim sa inumin para iwasan ang titig ni Ivah.
"I know you, Selene. You don't spend that much time in your phone!"
"I'm not spending so much time on my phone!" Balik ko sa kanya na ikinangisi niya lamang,
"Kanina ka pa tipa ng tipa diyan na akala mo highschool ka at nakikipaglandian sa crush mo!"
"Ivah Genevieve!" I hissed under my breathe because of her comment. Hindi naman niya napigilan ang isang mapang-uyam na halakhak at iilang iling bago muling tumitig sa akin.
"You know how dirty this industry can be, Selene." I felt a little shiver comes down on me because of her warning tone. I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from asking and telling her too much.
She already has the general idea of what's really between me and Emir. Though I would rather not name this kind of thing that we had dahil mas kinakailangan kong harapin ang bigat na kasama noon. I want to take it slow, very very slow and discreet.
"So how far did you go?" Nang marinig iyon ay halos masamid ako sa sarili kong laway. Ivah smirks at me with a victorious smile. I crumple a piece of tissue at ibinato iyon sa gawi niya. She just laugh it off na nasaktuhang dating 'rin ng order namin.
Ivah didn't open the topic again the whole night. She just kinda told a lot of her stories when it comes to those kinds of relationship. Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya niya iyon or she's just silently hinting me how this whole stuff works. HIndi ko na lang iyon masyadong pinansin at inusisa dahil alam kong mabubuko na talaga ako ni Ivah sa kung anong nanyari.
I guess she's everything and only one I can call a friend at the moment kaya naman alam na alam niya ang bawat kilos ko. I know she doesn't approve of it fully dahil sa dami ng reservations niya with my career but I'm also kinda happy she didn't push me all in the corner and make me tell her everything.
Kung hindi lang siguro ikinakama ni Ivah ang lahat ng babaeng matitipuhan niya, she would be a nice partner. But her commitment issues is a lot of thing for someone I guess.
Though Ivah tried to pry implicitly towards what Emir and I have ay hindi rin naman niya ipinilit nang hindi ko siya sagutin ng diretso sa kahit anong tanong niya. She took me home that night with these parting words.
"I want you to be happy, Selene. I really do. But I also know that you love this job as much as how this new thing excites you." Nang ibulong niya iyon sa hangin at diretso ang tingin. I know Ivah already knew.
Gaya ng sabi ni Emir, Ivah will know.
At mukhang alam 'din ni Ivah na hindi pa ako handang sabihin ang kahit ano sa kanya.
After she said those words ay sinegundahan din naman niya ng biro bago tuluyang nagpaalam sa akin. Kaya naman the whole moment that I was in my tub ay nakatulala lamang ako. Really weighing down what Ivah said.
Nang makahiga sa kama ay doon ko lamang naisipan na i-check ang phone.
Emir's messages pop out immediately kaya naman dali-dali ko iyong binuksan.
From: Emir
Ivah's on edge late, huh? I don't really care, Selena
From: Emir
Done with the gym, you home already?
From: Emir
I have to finish a couple of edits today, are you home na?
I couldn't help but protrude my lips as I read through her messages.
Mukhang seryoso nga siya noong sinabi niyang lagi niya akong ite-text.
I muster myself to reply to her kahit pa halos isang oras na ang nakalipas noong huli niyang message. I bet she's so engrossed working her ass off already kaya naman matutulog na ako pagkatapos dito.
To: Emir
Kanina pa ako nakauwi. I just finished doing my night rituals. Goodluck on your work.
Ilang segundo pang tinitigan ang phone ko, overthinking if the message is too cold in tone but doubting if adding an emoji or anything will make me look immature. Kaya naman ni-send ko na iyon in the middle of my hyperfixation para hindi na magtagal kakaisip.
Wala pang isang minuto ay nag-ring agad ang phone ko. I always jump out of my bed when I saw Emir's name on the Facetime ID.
Unconsciously fixing my faded ginger hair ay marahan kong kinuha ang phone at pumwesto sa gitna ng kama ko.
When I hit the accept button ay agad bumungad ang mukha ni Emir. I couldn't help but bite the insides of my cheeks when I saw her on the other side of the screen.
In a messy updo hair, ang iilang takas ng buhok ay marahang nakapatong sa suot na salamin. She looks like she's in the middle of working dahil kita ang reflection ng isang monitor sa specs na suot while she on the other hand is leaning lazily on her white sleek office chair.
Nang mapansin ako ay doon lamang siya umayos ng upo at binalingan ako ng tingin. Hindi pinag-iisipan kong inilagay ang iilang hibla ng buhok sa likod ng tenga while also fighting the rumble on my stomach nang maramandamang umikot iyon ng makitang umilaw ang mata niyang tumingin sa akin.
Seriously, I feel like this girl had me bewitched!
"Hey." Paos na tinig niyang tawag at bahagyang iniaangat ang phone niya para mas makita ko siya.
Parang awtomatikong dinapuan ako ng hiya ng magtama na ang mga mata namin. There's always something in those ocean blue eyes that lights up whenever it met mine.
"Are you working?" Hindi sigurado kong tanong na agad niyang inilingan. Her eyes bore unto me na tila wala ng balak alisin iyon sa akin.
"Just finishing some edits, how's your day?" She utter nonchalantly and place down the phone back on the stand, mas mataas na ngayon kumpara kanina kaya naman halos kalebel ko na ang mukha nya.
I couldn't help but pout while thinking what I did the whole day, puro shoot at fitting lang naman plus the end of the day meetings with Ivah.
"Nothing much, just a short shoot for a skin care. I did a close fitting for a lingerie brand. I think it's similar to a corset top tapos meeting with Ivah dahil tumanggap siya ng mga panibagong offers -- what?!" I blurted out when I saw her raise a brow on me. Ang labi ay bahagyang nakalinya at parang nag-aantay sa paliwanag ko.
"Lingerie? What brand?"
"Eres! I've done a lot of endorsement for them." Pagpapaliwanag ko. I saw how she rolled her eyes and grab another phone from her side at nagtipa roon, mukhang may tinatawagan.
"You're being dramatic, Jess. It's just pass 11." Hindi napigilan ang pagsalubong ng kilay ng marinig ko ang pangalan ng assistant photographer niya. She's slightly spinning on her swivel chair habang buo ang atensyo sa kausap sa telepono.
"I was just wondering if we have a contract with Eres? You know the lingerie brand?" My pupils immediately dilated when I heard her. Balak ko na sanang magsalita nang makita siyang ilagay ang hintuturo sa mga labi, asking me to stay quite here.
"I did? I turned them down? That's bullshit, Jess." Hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagtaas ng kilay ng marinig ang sinabi ni Emir. She just plastered a playful smirk on her face habang umiiling-iling.
"You think we can reach out to them for another contract? I'll give them a discount."
"Oh c'mon, Jess. This is nothing personal, I swear on my life. I just realized how beneficial it will be on our part." Nang sabihin niya ang huling linya ay bahagya pa siyang naglaan ng iilang titig sa akin. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when I realized what's this is all about.
Alam ko namang hinahabol-habol si Emir ng mga kumpanya to do their shoot, but she's just very boastful at times like this. Hindi ko naman 'rin siya masisi. Gaya nga ng sabi ko, the only thing I can see that we have in common is our precious pride.
I continue to watch her settle the phone call silently. Kahit pa out of whim lang naman nag request na iyon sa gitna ng gabi ay propesyonal niya pa'ring binigyan ng instruction iyong assistant niya.
"It's a 50-50 chance but there's nothing I can get, you know." Mahangin niyang saad na nagpaawang sa mga labi ko. Her laughs echoed back to me kaya naman agad ko siyang inirapan.
"I have shoot a lot of revealing endorsements, Emir." Pagpaparinig ko. Her eyes gave away daring look before leaning closer to the table at ipinatong ang baba sa isang palad. As if getting ready to interrogate the hell out of me.
"Yeah, I saw those endorsements, Selena." She said in a low voice, as if hinting a different intention in her tone. My cheeks instantly heats up nang ma-realize ang sinabi niya.
Jesus? Is she serious?! I mean those endorsements are accessible but shit!
Parang dali-daling kinalkal ng utak ko ang mga photos na naalala mula sa mga shoot na iyon. At kung dati ay confident akong sabihing maganda ang mga iyon, ngayon at parang nagdadalawang isip na ako! This woman and her ways really mess the shit out of me!
"Oh, don't get shy on me right now, Selena."
"I'm not shut up!"
"I'll get that endorsement, huwag kang mag-alala."
"Hindi ko sinabing kunin mo iyon! You don't even have a contract with them!"
"I'll fucking get that contract." She said jokingly with a smug look on her face, oozing with confidence.
"What's in it for you? Nag-hihirap ka na ba?" Patay-malisya kong tanong. She laugh at my question before looking intently back on me.
"Talaga bang tinatanong mo sa akin iyan?"
"What? It's just a question, Emir. Ginulo mo iyong assistant mo just to run after a deal you already turned down." Pag-aamok ko sa kanya. A loop side grin forms on her lips na parang nag-paaurong ng confidence na meron ako.
"O, the things I'll be wiling to run after just to see you on that lingerie." Nang rumihistro sa akin ang sinabi niya ay parang umusok ang buong mukha ko. I couldn't help but bite the side of my cheeks just to control my facial expression, habang siya ay parang wiling-wili na panoorin akong mangapa sa mga banat niya.
"Shut up! I'll be going to sleep na!" I said and utter another curse para lang bawiin ang sarili sa pinaghalong kalabog ng dibdib at hiyag gumagapang sa akin.
I know she's a smooth talker pero minsan parang ginagawa na lamang niya iyon para makita akong nagkakaganito! Unfair!
"What's your sched tomorrow? Do you think I can pick you up after?" I was slightly taken back by her suggestion na ipinagkibit balikat lang niya.
"I thought sa weekend pa tayo magkikita? I have a long hour shoot tomorrow so it's probably late na kapag natapos kami."
"Yeah, makikita tayo sa weekend but if I can squeeze to that very high demanding schedule of yours, I would. Shoot huh? Saan loc niyo?"
"It's just a studio shoot somewhere in Makati. I'll ask George tomorrow. Tsaka I already told Ivah I'm taking the weekends off, you don't have to wait for me to finish up tomorrow." pagdadahilan ko pero mukhang hindi naman 'din siya na convince sa sinabi.
"Whatever you say, Selena. Go to sleep now, mahaba pala ang araw mo bukas." I pouted my lips when I heard her words kaya naman wala na akong nagawa kung ang magpaalam at ibaba ang tawag.
I don't want her to go see me after a long hour shoot dahil for sure, I'm so sure that I'll be so haggard and messy afterwards! Nakakahiya na makita niya ako sa ganoong ayos!
Because of that thought, my sleep was as light as a feather. Pagdating sa location ay pinagagalitan ako ng make-up artist ko dahil nangingitim daw ang under eye ko. I couldn't help but just roll my eyes dahil alam kong hindi ko naman maipapaliwanag sa kanya ang rason kung bakit.
Just another episode of Emir taking my breathe away for the most profound reason!
Kaya kahit pa nagsisimula na akong ayusin ng make-up artist at iilang stylist ko ay hindi pa 'rin ako mapakali kakatingin sa phone ko.
Even though I don't really want her to come ay para akong tangang nag-aabang sa mga messages niya. She didn't message me this morning! She usually does now, kaya bakit ngayon ay wala!
Today's shoot was for a collection launch of a perfumery brand that I have long endorsed since then. Kaya sobrang on-hands 'din si Ivah outside. It's one of the brand that helped me make names in the modeling industry.
Nang matapos ayusin ay agad 'din akong nagpalit sa unang set ng damit na nakalinya para sa shoot. It's just a plain black jumpsuit with a square neck-line, accentuated by a thick white border on the chest and straps.
My hair was down and was straightened so well I can't see a damn strand from it. My make-up was just a fresh look, more like korean-inspired. Tanging ang red lipstick lang ang agad pansin sa buong mukha. The stylist added a black leather chocker just to elevate the look.
I have three more set of outfit for the whole duration of the shoot kaya naman nararamdaman ko na ang bigat at pagod na mararamdaman ko pagkatapos.
The shoot started with a couple of instructions and orientation from the head photographer at iilang staff ng marketing department ng perfume brand. They we're all excited for the shoot kaya naman hindi sila mapakali sa pag-aasikaso sa akin.
"You look good." Banat ni Ivah nang tabihan niya ako. We're just waiting for them to finish setting up the whole red background for the shoot.
"I always look good, Ivah." Balik ko sa kanya sabay ikot ng mga mata. She just chuckles at me bago ipakita sa akin ang phone niya.
I can feel my eyes widen when I saw what it was!
Emir message Ivah!!!
From: Emir Sicilia (Photographer)
Selena mentioned that she'll have a long day shoot today. Do you mind if I can pick her up pagkatapos?
"What-"
"I know. Bold of this girl to really ask me, huh?" Pakiramdam ko ay kumalabog ang dibdib ko ng marinig ko ang tila inis sa tono ni Ivah. She looks so conflicted nang mulang balingan ang phone, mukhang nag-iisip kung ano ang isasagot sa message ni Emir!
That girl and her ways! She's that confident to really ask Ivah?! Gosh!
"Miss Selene, start na po tayo!" I was about to talk to Ivah once more pero marahan niya na akong itinulak papunta sa tumawag sa aking staff.
I look at her as if pleading her to hush down and control herself. I know her so well that whenever she feels like she's being challenged ay papatulan talaga niya!
Kaya naman buong shoot ay parang nalipad ang utak ko sa hangin kada nabibigyan ako ng pagkakataon na tumulala. Even though the staffs still praises me for a lot of good shots, alam kong wala sa shoot na ito ang buong atensyon ko.
Nang mag-announce ng break after the first three hours nang tuloy-tuloy na shoot ay nagmadali akong kunin ang phone ko mula kay George.
Walang pag-iisip na binuksan ang messages ko and the first message there was from Emir. It was sent hours ago!
From: Emir
Gonna pick you up later. Tapusin ko lang ang meetings ko for today then I'll go there na.
I couldn't help but gasp as I read her message. Wala ba talaga siyang kinatatakutan?! Where does she get all that confidence in her?! Ako ang aatakihin sa puso dahil sa ginagawa niya!
To: Emir
Why did you text Ivah? You could have texted me first!
Wala pang isang minuto ay nakatanggap na agad ako ng reply mula sa kanya.
From: Emir
What's wrong with that? Nagpapaalam ako sa manager mo. Besides, Ivah knew it all along. Her gay-dar won't miss.
I frowned upon reading her last message. Magre-reply pa sana ako ngunit tinawag na ako ng make-up artist upang i-retouch ang make-up ko!
Why do I feel like Emir and Ivah connects in some mysterious ways na hinding-hindi ko mage-gets?! Really? What's a gay-dar?
Even with a lot in mind, sinubukan kong mag-focus ng buo sa shoot. I even saw Ivah came back a few hours before the shoot ends kaya naman ng matapos na kami ng tuluyan at halos lumulutang na ang isip ko sa sobrang pagod, siya na ang kausap ng mga staff para magpasalamat.
I thanked the photographers and organizers briefly bago ako abutan ni George ng iced coffee na ni-request ko kanina. Aligaga naman ang make-up artist at stylist ko para tulungan akong makapagpalit na. I also thanked them for the great work that they had.
"You done changing?" Narinig kong tanong ni Ivah. I nod slightly and sip on my coffee bago inilagay sa isang low bun ang buhok.
"Saan ka galing? I was trying to find you awhile ago. Sabi ni George ay lumabas ka 'raw para sa isang emergency." I said as I gather my stuffs, George kindly volunteer to bring my bag dahil alam niyang pagod na pagod na 'rin ako.
"I ran into some emergency. Ang clingy, a!" Hindi ko na napigilang irapan siya kahit pa pagod na ang sistema ko. She chuckles because of my reponse bago lumapit sa akin at inakbayan ako.
"Ivah! Ang bigat mo!" Pag-iinarte ko habang isinusuot ang wayfayers na dala-dala. Kahit pa gabi na, I don't want people to see how haggard and tired I'm!
"So where should we eat?" Agad akong napatigil sa tanong niya. Nang balingan niya ako ng tingin ay nakataas na ang isang gilid ng labi at kitang-kita ang mapang-asar na tingin.
"I'm starting to hate you." maliit kong bulong, rolling my eyes under the tinted glass.
"I'm just joking! Kami na lang ni George ang kakain. George, let's eat somewhere! Iyong rotating samgyupsal sa QC! You're free for the night, right?"
"T-Tayo lang ho, Miss Ivah?"
"You're free then!"
"Stop harassing, George! She's my assistant!" Pagsita ko kay Ivah na tinawanan niya lamang habang papasok kami ng elevator.
"I'm not harassing her! I'm treating her to a nice dinner!" Nang balingan ko si George sa gilid ko ay nakatago na ang mukha niya sa iPad na hawak-hawak. I turned back to Ivah who's smiling so wide, I really want to wipe that smug look on her face!
Nang bumukas na ang pinto ng elevator, that's when I realized na nasa parking lot kami bumaba. I was about to ask Ivah pero laking gulat ko ng bigla na lamang niya ako suotan ng isang itim na baseball cap.
The mischievous look on her face was now nowhere to be found. Tanging ang seryoso niyang mga mata ang nakatitig sa akin.
When we step out of the elevator ay doon niya lamang ako pinihit upang harapin siya. She even let out a heavy sigh while fixing my glasses and cap bago tuluyang nagsalita.
"I'll let you off on this one time, Selena." I can't stop myself from biting my side cheeks when I heard those word. Nang silipin si George ay nakatalikod na siya sa amin, as if abstaining herself to know more of what she should know.
"Just... Just don't get caught." Mahina niyang bulong at marahang inilapit ang mukha sa akin. I nod at her like an obedient child na siyang ikinailing niya.
"Take care of her, a'right?" Hindi ko napigilan ang panlalaki ng mga mata ng marinig ang taong niya. I felt a defeaning silence dahil sa biglang ingay at kalabog ng dibdib ko.
Ang kanina'y seryosong mukha ni Ivah ay napalitan na naman ng isang mapang-asar na tingin. When she finally straighten her posture at marahang tumingin sa likod ko. I already knew who's she's looking at. There's no mistaking it.
TItig pa lang niya ay parang kinikilabutan na ang buong pagkatao ko. The sudden rush of unknown feelings in my systems makes me panicky at parang gusto ko ng itapon ang kapeng hawak-hawak.
When I finally had the courage to look at her, I knew... I knew my heart would skip a beat.
In a clean white v-neck shirt and denim pants partnered with a white low cut shoes na may malaking pink na check sa gitna. Ang buhok ay nakapusod habang may nakapatong na shades sa kanyang ulo. A smirk is written on her face while looking past me, mukhang tinatanggap ang hamon ni Ivah.
"Kelan ko ba siya pinabayaan?" Sagot niya nang makalapit sa amin.
I suddenly feel self-conscious ng bagsakan niya ako ng tingin. HIndi pinag-iisipang nagawi ang tingin sa suot na black tank top at leggings. This is my after shoot get-up for years ngunit parang ngayon ay gusto ko ng palitan!
"I'll have your words for it. Tignan natin kung kaya mo ang katigasan ng ulo nito." Saad ni Ivah sabay turo sa akin. Pabiro ko naman siyang hinampas bago niya ako tuluyang tawanan.
"Thank you, Ivah. Mauna na kami. Selena?" When I heard her call my name ay parang binuhasan na ako ng hiya. I know Ivah is watching every damn move that I'll make. At alam ko 'rin na ipang-aasara niya sa akin iyon sa mga susunod na araw at mga buwan!
"You can go na, Ivah! Take care of George, okay?! Please lang! Huwag mong turuan ng kung anu-ano si Georgianna!" I said as I push Ivah away papunta kay George na hanggang ay nakatalikod pa'rin sa amin.
"Fine. Fine! Saan mo gustong kumain, George?" Ivah continuously said at ngayon si George naman ang inaakbayan. Hindi ko na napigilan ang mapabuntong hininga habang tinitignan sila papalayo mula sa kinatatayuan ko.
"Let's go?" I almost jump on my feet when I heard her low voice. Unconsciously tucking my hair behind my ear ay marahan akong tumango sa kanya.
I thought she will lead the way papunta sa kotse but she didn't. Instead, she matches my pace, as if steadily walking by my side. Nang silipin ko siya ay hindi naman siya sa akin nakatingin, at diretso lamang ang mga mata sa harap habang nakapamulsa ang mga kamay.
I couldn't help but protrude my lips hanggang sa makarating kami sa sasakyan niya. She did open the door for me but never let another word out of her mouth.
Bakit parang ang tahimik niya? Is something bothering her?
"Hey." Hindi ko na napigilang saad ng makapasok siya sa driver seat. She instantly look my way at tila binabasa kung ano ang susunod kong sasabihin.
"W-What the matter, Emir? Bakit ang tahimik mo?" I whisper under my breathe, tila tinatantya siya. She just shook her head at tila pinipigilan ang isang ngisi na pumorma sa labi niya. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagkunot ng noo ko nang makita iyon.
"What's so funny now, huh?!"
"You're worried that I'm in silence, that's a first."
"I'm not! Hindi lang ako sanay na tahimik ka. You're so loud and nosy."
"Iniisip ko lang ano pang pwede nating gawin for tonight. It's past 10 already. Should I just take you home? I could cook for you." Ako naman ngayon ang hindi nakapagpigil sa pagtataas ng kilay sa kanya.
"May gusto ka bang gawin? Bakit mo ko tinitignan ng ganyan?" Natataranta niyang dugtong. I couldn't help but bite my lower lips para pigilan ang isang ngiti na gumuhit sa mga labi ko. She gazed at me with her confuse look bago ko siya ilingan.
"I'm not sure if I could go for a very eventful night, Emir. Maybe we should just head home?" I suggested na agad niyang ikinatango. She looks so defeated when she heard my answers. Tila alam na iyon ang magiging sagot ko pero mukha pa 'rin siyang nalugi sa pag-nguso ng mga labi niya.
"So where going home? A'right." Tila pag kukumpirma niya pa sa sinabi ko.
"We're going home, Emir." Isa pang saad ko bago isinuot ang seatbelt niya.
"We're going to your house, Selena." Labag sa loob niyang saad, binubuhayy na ang makina ng sasakyan niya.
"We're not going to my house tonight, Emir." Natatawa kong saad sa kanya na agad na ikinakunot ng noo niya.
"Are you playing with me?" Bakas ang inis sa tono ng boses niya ng balingan ko.
"I'm serious, Emir. We're going home but not on my house."
"What kind of riddle is this, Selena?"
"Akala ko pa naman alam mo na ang ganitong mga bagay. You're such a smooth talker but really slow at some times. " Pang-aasar ko pakunwari pang humilig sa windshiled para pigilan ang sariling tumawa sa pagkalukot ng mukha niya.
"Iuuwi na kita, Selena. Stop playing with me." Marahan akong lumingin sa kanya ng may ngisi sa mga labi.
Her ocean blue eyes seems so irritated since I saw her a while ago. What is bothering her, really?
"What I mean is, I want to go to your house. Sa bahay mo naman ako iuwi, Emir." I whisper to her softly, really trying to stop myself from smiling so hard especially when I saw her jaw drop on my last line.
I thought she would still refuse me but I just heard a couple of curses underneath her breath.
"I'll remind you every now and then, that this... is all your fault, Selena." mariin niyang bulong sa sarili bago paandarin ang sasakyan.