Nang mapagod mula sa paglalangoy ay umahon mula sa may kalaparang swimming pool na nasa harapan ng kanilang bahay si Arrian. Swimming was part of her regular exercises to maintain her slim, but curvaceous and flabbergasting body. Aside from her bewitching visage, her body was her investment for her job as a renowned ramp model.
She was just a newbie in the business, but she was already starting to make a name for herself. Her family’s business connections helped her in her career, but it was her determination to make her dream come true that catapulted her as one of the promising models in the country.
After disembarking from the pool, dumiretso siya sa mesang napapatungan ng kristal at dinampot ang tuwalyang nakapatong doon. Pinunasan niya ang basang katawan at inabot ang baso na may lamang fresh orange juice. She sipped the juice using a straw.
She was knocked for a loop when her eyes caught a bouquet of fresh pink tulips na nakapatong sa isa pang upuang naroroon. Maraming beses na siyang nakakatanggap ng mga bulaklak na ganoon ang hitsura kaya hindi niya mapigilan ang sariling mahiwagaan. Hindi niya napansin kanina nang inilapag iyon doon ng kanyang yaya.
So to feed her curiosity, she returned the glass on the table, then, bellied up to the flowers. She saw a pocket-sized card. She opened the card and read its content.
She scanned the short note with her eyes.
To the most beautiful model I’ve ever known.
I hope you like the flowers!
From,
your admirer
Sumilay ang isang matamis sa ngiti mula sa kanyang mapupulang mga labi pagkatapos basahin ang note na iyon.
Hmmnn... who was this secret admirer of hers? Ang sweet niya naman at nagpadala pa ng flowers.
Pagkatapos mabasa ang note ay itiniklop niyang muli ang card at ibinalik sa kinalalagyan nito. She brought the bouquet of flowers inside their three-storey mansion and looked for her nanny. She saw the woman in the kitchen.
“Yaya Crising, kayo po ba ang naglagay nitong bulaklak sa lounging chair na nasa pool?” she inquired while showing up the flowers to the woman who was in her mid-forties.
“Oo, señorita. May delivery boy na pumunta rito kanina upang ihatid iyan. Nagsu-swimming kasi kayo kaya ako na ang pumirma. Ang ganda, ‘di ba? Kanino nanggaling?” nakangiting tanong ng kanyang yaya na matagal na ring naninilbihan sa kanila.
“Well,” she shrugged her shoulders, “there’s no name written on the note. Sinabi lang niya na admirer ko raw siya.”
“Isa lang ang palatandaan niyan. May maraming fans na nagmamahal sa’yo, señorita. Ikaw pa? Kung hindi mo alam, napakaganda mo.”
“Naku salamat, yaya.” Tumaba ang kanyang puso sa narinig.
“Hindi dapat ikahiya ang tagumpay na nakamit lalo pa at pinaghirapan mo iyon. Saka bumabalik lang naman sa’yo ang lahat nang pagsisipag mo sa trabaho, anak.”
“Sana tuloy-tuloy na ang pag-usbong ng career ko, yaya,” tila nangangarap na sambit niya.
“Huwag kang mag-alala, Señorita Arrian. Mangyayari rin ang matagal mo nang minimithi. Magiging isa ka sa pinakasikat na modelo sa ating bansa. Malay mo, sisikat ka rin sa abroad.”
“Naku, yaya. Magdilang-anghel sana kayo. Ah, sige po, aakyat na muna ako sa kuwarto ko para makapagbihis. May lakad kasi ako mamaya.”
The woman only nodded her head, then, painted a sincere smile as a response. Saka itinuloy ang gawaing naudlot kanina nang lumapit siya.
Arrian then went to her bedroom situated on the third floor of their mansion.
Sa wakas ay natapos na ring ayusan si Arrian. She prepared herself to walk on the runway. She already mastered her own brand of catwalk, but even if she already did this for several times, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.
She was wearing a top-of-the-line bridal gown made of high-end and imported cloth, designed by the renowned Filipino designer Tanzy Tristan. Manipis at napakalambot ng belong tumatabing sa kanyang mukha. The scintillating beads and sequence that adorned the dress were imported from the other side of the globe. Her hair was styled in a vintage-inspired hairdo and was clobbered by a head dress made of fresh florets.
She looked fabulous and a blushing bride in the elegant and gorgeous bridal gown. Kahit sinong babae ay hahangaring makapagsuot ng damit na iyon sa oras ng kanilang kasal.
It was the highlight of the fashion show, and she would be modelling it. Kaya ganun na lamang ang kabang nararamdaman niya. It was her first fashion show that she was the star of the runway. And it meant a lot to her.
“Lalabas na muna ako, Miss Arrian. Tawagin niyo na lang ako kung may kailangan kayo,” paalam ni Kim sa kanya, ang kanyang makeup artist.
“No worries, Kim. Thank you,” nginitian niya ito.
Ngiti lang ang itinugon ng baklang makeup artist sa kanya at pagkatapos ay lumabas na ito ng dressing room.
She looked at herself in the mirror. What she saw satisfied her. She saw a lady who was beaming with beauty and elegance. Then, she gave herself a smile of contentment.
Napapitlag siya nang marinig ang mahinang mga katok sa pinto. Lumingon siya. Bahagyang sumungaw ang ulo ng kanyang manager na si Mindavi. Hindi man lang ito nag-abalang pumasok.
“O, halika na sa labas, Arrian. Malapit na ang part mo.”
“Okay, Tito Mindz.” Inusog niya ang upuang nakaharang sa kanyang harapan upang bigyang-daan ang sarili.
“Paalala lang, ha. Galingan mo at huwag kang papalpak,” Mindavi simply whispered as they walked together in the hallway at the backstage. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagiging concern sa kanya.
“Tito Mindz naman. Kanina niyo pa ako pinaalalahanan niyan eh,” aniya saka bahagyang pinatulis ang nguso.
His reminders were no longer new to her. Madalas iyong ginagawa ng manager sa mga fashion shows niya. Ngunit kanina pa kasi siya pinaaalalahanan nito. At kung bibilangin niya, malamang ay lampas na iyon ng sampung beses. And it started to annoy her.
“Ayoko lang kasing pumalpak ka. Gusto kong ma-impress ang lahat sa’yo kahit na baguhan ka pa lang. Isa pa, ayokong mapahiya ka kay Tanzy knowing na napakametikuloso niyon pagdating sa kanyang mga obra. He had high expectations. You have to deliver what is expected of you. Basta galingan mo, ha?” mahabang saad nito sabay tapik sa kanyang braso.
“Yes, I understand, Tito. Of course, I will. I’ll give my best shot,” she assured her manager.
Natuwa naman ito sa narinig. “Good! That’s my baby,” anito na malapad na ang ngiti. Baby kasi ang tawag nito sa mga talents nito. “Sige, maiwan na kita rito. Babalik na ako sa upuan ko,” paalam nito saka bahagyang tumango sa kanya. Nakita niyang naglakad ito patungo sa table kung saan nakapuwesto ang mga manager ng iba pang mga modelo na naroroon.
She relaxed herself and waited for her turn. Pero gayun na lamang ang kabang naramdaman niya sa kanyang dibdib. She took a deep breath. Pati mga kamay niya yata ay nanlalamig din.
Kanina ay tumawag ang kanyang ama upang ipaalam sa kanya na hindi ito makakarating para manood ng kanyang first major walk on the runway. Nagkaroon daw kasi ng problema sa operations ng Alcantara Hotel. Kailangan daw muna nitong ayusin.
Though she wanted her father to see her success in her budding career, inunawa na lamang niya ito.
“Miss Arrian, malapit ka nang tawagin,” ilang sandali ay bungad sa kanya ng babaeng assistant ni Tanzy. Palakaibigan ito kaya kahit papaano ay naibsan ang kabang nararamdaman niya.
“H-ha?” aniya na animo’y hindi narinig ang sinabi nito.
“Come here, Miss. You’re next on the runway.”
She was pulled at the right wing of the stage. Naroroon din ang ibang mga modelong natapos nang rumampa.
“Butterflies in your stomach?”
She grinned. “Yep, and a whole lot more.”
“Stay focused. Just look straight ahead and do your best catwalk,” the woman uttered as she plastered a friendly smile on her face.
“Thank you for the tips, Nerissa.”
She inhaled deeply. This was it! But butterflies in her stomach persisted.
A lot of models were literally flying on the runway. They were all pokerfaced, but still exuded elegance and sophistication. They definitely gave justice to Tanzy’s collection.
Pumikit siya upang kahit papaano ay maibsan ang kanyang nararamdamang kaba.
“Miss Arrian, ikaw na. Good luck sa’yo!” tawag ni Nerissa sa kanya.
“Thank you.” Idinaan na lang niya sa ngiti ang kanyang kaba.
She emerged from the backstage and stopped at the base of the stage, just enough for people to see her. She struck her best pose, as she pouted her lips, and pulled her fiercest look.
“For our finale, dear ladies and gentlemen! This is the best of the best creations of our very own Tanzy Tristan. Presented by the gorgeous Arrian Alcantara. This is the bridal gown of the year!” malakas na wika ng lalaking host. Kahit ito ay kakikitaan ng paghanga habang nakatingin sa kanya.
Sukat sa anunsiyong iyon ay nagsitayuan ang lahat ng mga manonood at pumailanlang ang masigabong palakpakan. All eyes were focused on her. Kabilang sa mga taong iyon ang kanyang inang si Victoria at Yaya Crising. Pawang nakaguhit sa mukha ng mga ito ang malapad na ngiti. Ngiti na naglalarawan ng saya para sa tinamong tagumpay niya sa kanyang napiling karera. Kung sana ay naroroon din ang kanyang ama, kumpleto sana ang kanyang pamilya.
She strutted her stuff on the runway in the tune of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She gave her best modelling the finale piece of the event, and she turned a lot of heads.
Pakiramdam niya ay nakalutang siya sa ulap ng mga oras na iyon. Aral na aral ang kanyang pagkilos na tila hindi sumasayad ang mga paa sa rampang nalalatagan ng pulang alpombra. Bitbit niya rin ang pumpon ng white tulips. She looked every inch a dashing bride minus a groom.
Nang makarating siya sa pinakaharap na bahagi ng stage ay bahagya siyang umikot at huminto. Saka itinaas ang suot na belo upang ihantad ang kanyang mukha.
“Gosh! She’s a real beauty! And she looked smashing in her beautiful bridal gown. I want to look like her when I get married.”
Hindi nakaligtas sa kanyang pandinig ang kumentong iyon mula sa isa sa mga audience na nasa front row kaya sumilay ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. She teased the crowd with a to die for smize, and turned her back at them to head to the backstage.
Her first ever major fashion show was a success! She was very happy and fulfilled.
Nakahiga na si Brian sa malapad at malambot niyang kama upang sana ay matulog na. He was in his own condo unit located in Roxas Boulevard when the telephone situated at the center table next to his bed suddenly rang.
It was already late in the night and he was preparing to go to sleep, but he knew that the call must be an emergency. Malimit iyong nangyayari sa klase ng kanyang trabaho.
He picked up the phone. “Hello?” kunot-noong sagot niya sa tumawag.
“Tenyente Monterossa, nasaan ka ngayon?”
Kaagad niyang nahulaan ang boses ni Comodorre Amado Garcia. Kaya bumangon siya mula sa pagkakahiga sa kama. “Kayo po pala, sir. Good evening po. Nasa bahay lang ako.”
“Good! I need you to be here in the headquarters as soon as possible kasi may natanggap kaming report. I’ll tell you all the details when you arrive, tenyente.”
“S-sige po, sir. Dadaanan ko lang si Verna para sabay na kaming pumunta riyan. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Sige, Tenyente. Bilisan ninyo.”
“Yes, sir!”
Nang mawala sa kabilang linya ang kanilang hepe ay nagmamadaling nagbihis siya ng kanyang military uniform. Pagkatapos ay tinawagan si Verna upang ipaalam dito ang pangyayari.
The fashion show ended with a smash and Arrian was on her way home. She was comfortably riding in her expensive, pink Mercedes Benz limousine, her personal driver on the steering wheel.
Her limo was not just her means of transportation, it served as her dressing room as well. She had wardrobes and other stuff a model needs in it.
Nauna nang umuwi ang kanyang ina at yaya dahil dumaan muna siya sa victory party na ginanap sa bahay ni Tanzy Tristan.
Kasalukuyan nilang binabaybay ang kahabaan ng EDSA nang tumunog ang kanyang celphone. Mula sa dalang black satchel bag ay dinukot niya ang nag-iingay na aparato.
It was her mother. Pinindot niya ang answer button. “Hello, ‘Ma?”
“A-arrian anak, nasaan ka na n-ngayon?”
Hindi nakaligtas sa kanyang pandinig ang panginginig ng boses nito na animo’y takot na takot. Napasapo siya sa sariling dibdib nang bigla niyang maramdaman ang pagtahip niyon. Sa tono ng pananalita ng ina ay tila nakikinita na niya na may nangyaring hindi maganda.
“Pauwi na kami riyan sa bahay, ‘Ma. Bakit ba para kayong natataranta? What happened?” On the contrary to what she expected, she suddenly heard a weep from the other line. It made her feel very worried. “’Ma, what’s wrong? Ano po bang problema? Why are you crying?” Her voice raised a notch higher.
“Hija, ang Papa mo. Tinangay ng mga armadong kalalakihan. Nasa ospital ngayon si Fred at tumawag siya sa amin kanina at ipinaalam ang nangyari,” sagot ng kanyang ina sa gitna ng paghagulhol nito. Si Fred ay driver/bodyguard ng kanyang ama.
“Ano?! Paano nangyari iyon? Na-kidnap si Papa?” Shocked siya sa narinig. Oh my God!
“Arrian...” Muli na namang napahagulhol ang kanyang ina.
“Ma, please don’t panic. Malapit na ako, okay? Wait for me.” Labis siyang nag-aalala sa kalagayan ng kanyang ama, maging ng kanyang ina. She had to come home asap. She immediately instructed the driver to speed up the car and go straight home.
May dalawang patrol cars na naka-park sa loob ng bahay nila nang dumating siya. She immediately went out of her limo and looked for her mother.
“Magandang gabi po, Ma’am,” halos magkasabay na bati ng apat na pulis na nakatayo malapit sa main door ng kanilang bahay.
She just answered them with a casual nod. Tuloy-tuloy siyang pumasok sa loob ng kanilang mansion. May mga pulis din sa loob at kasalukuyang kausap ng kanyang ina.
“Mama!” Mabilis na lumapit siya sa kanyang ina at niyakap ito.
“Arrian...” Parang nakakita ng kakampi ang kanyang ina nang makita siya. Mahigpit silang nagyakapan.
“Ma, what happened?” kaagad na tanong niya.
“Your father was kidnapped. Hawak siya ngayon ng mga taong kumidnap sa kanya. And we’re waiting for the kidnappers to call.”
“Oh!” Malakas siyang napasinghap. Hindi makapaniwala sa nalaman. “Mama, sorry po. Nagawa ko pa talagang maki-party gayung may nangyayari na palang ‘di maganda.” She felt guilty for attending the victory party of Tanzy Tristan.
Mahigpit lamang siyang niyakap ng kanyang ina. “Labis akong nag-aalala sa kaligtasan ng iyong ama, Arrian. Baka kung ano na ang ginagawa nilang masama kay Felimon.”
Her mother was hysterical. Buti na lamang at nakauwi na siya. “Huwag kang mag-isip ng ganyan, Mama...” Hinagod niya sa likod ang tumatangis na ina.
“Huwag kang mag-alala, Victoria. Gagawin namin ang lahat para mailigtas si Felimon,” tiyak ang salitang saad ni Comodorre Amado Garcia. Kapatid ito ng kanyang ina.
“Tito Amado, you’re here,” binati niya ang kanyang tiyuhin. Sa kaalamang nandoon ito upang tulungan sila ay bahagyang napayapa ang kanyang kalooban.
She knew that her Tito Amado wouldn’t let her father get hurt.