34
DOMINIQUE
OCTOBER 2018
"Dominique, we both know that the rumor isn't true." Daniel tried to soothe Dominique, who'd been in a bad mood for few days now. "Vanessa is a star on the rise. Maraming tao ang maninira sa kanya at hihilain sya pababa."
Vanessa was Anastacia's opening act on her last week's concert at the Araneta Coliseum. The concert was a sold out and Vanessa was able to captivate the audience with her golden voice. Maraming humanga rito kaya naging matunog ang pangalan nito, idagdag pang sinusuportahan sya ni Anastacia at si Elizabeth San Victores mismo ang mentor nito.
Pagkatapos ng concert, hinarang ito ng mga reporter para interviewhin. Nagpaunlak naman ang dalaga at isa sa mga ibinatong tanong ay kung totoo ba ang tsismis na may relasyon sila ni Pris San Victores? Na kaya sya nabigyan ng shot to stardom ay dahil nakipagrelasyon sya sa proud lesbian na si Pris?
Nabigla si Vanessa sa mga itinanong sa kanya. When Vanessa was able to recover, she bravely answered the questions. Sinabi nitong sa kabila ng kahirapan sa buhay, her skill was hone through joining a lot of singing contests. She worked hard for it and was lucky that someone like Pris gave her an opportunity to do what she loved. She was thankful to Pris for seeing her worth and that she will be forever grateful.
Vanessa told them there was no problem with Pris being a lesbian because she's a wonderful person and it doesn't define her as an individual, which earned her support and approval from the LGBTQ++ community, but she made herself clear they were not in a relationship. Nakiusap na lang itong huwag intrigahin ang pagkakaibigan nila.
"Of course, I know it's not true," Dominique said. However she couldn't help herself feeling jealous. Lagi kasing nagtatawagan sina Pris at Vanessa. Alam nyang walang relasyon ang mga ito, that Pris was only supporting the singer. Habang kay Pris naman kampante si Vanessa kaya kapag kinakabahan ito o kailangan ng kausap, si Pris ang tine-text at tinatawagan nito.
"Yun naman pala eh. Bakit grumpy ka pa din?" Curious na tanong ni Daniel at uminom ng Mocha latte nito. Nasa Starbucks sila overlooking Taal lake. Niyaya sya ni Daniel for a quick weekend getaway dahil ilang araw na daw syang nakasimangot. "Unless, there's something you are not telling me."
Dominique sighed. Yes, there's something else. Aside from pinagseselosan nya si Vanessa, mas naiinis sya sa sarili nya dahil hindi nya magawang ipagsigawan si Pris sa buong mundo. Hindi naman sya nito pine-pressure. In fact, Pris was very understanding. Ni hindi ito nagtatampo kahit hindi nito mahawakan ang kamay nya kapag naglalakad sila sa mall. Ni hindi ito nagagalit kahit minsan ayaw nyang magdate sila in public. Lagi lang sila nitong nagdi-dinner sa penthouse nito. Ni hindi rin nya ito nakitaan ng sama ng loob kahit sinabihan nya itong huwag syang puntahan sa opisina para hindi sila pag-usapan.
She was happy being in a relationship with Pris. Their sudden getaway was a bliss. Gustong-gusto ni Dominique na magkaholding hands sila habang namamasyal. Sinusubuan pa nya ito kapag kumakain sila. She could even give her a quick kiss on the lips. Dominique was carefree. Maybe because they were somewhere no one knew them. But it was different when they got back to reality. Hindi pa pala nya kayang sabihin sa mundo na mahal nya ito.
Pris assured her that it was fine. Na natural lang ang mga nararamdaman nya. She was willing to be Dominique's secret forever. Alam nyang unfair yun para kay Pris at hindi rin pwedeng ganito na lang sila habam-buhay. "Habam-buhay?" Tukso ng isip nya. "So you're considering forever with Pris?"
"Kelan kaya babalik si Pris?" Daniel wondered. "Sana dumating na sya para hindi ka na mukhang Grinch."
There's also that. Sobrang miss na nya si Pris, who's currently in London for photo shoot. Isang linggo na ito roon at hindi nito masabi kung kailan makakauwi dahil abala din ito sa Studio 11.
"Hindi ko rin alam eh," walang ganang sagot ni Dominique. "Two days na syang hindi tumatawag. She must be busy." Hindi rin kasi ito nagc-chat or nagpapadala ng email.
"Halloween Party na next week. Makakapunta kaya sya?" Daniel asked.
World Welfare Foundation was holding its annual Charity Ball/ Halloween Party next week to raise funds for wildlife conservations, environmental protection, peace & human rights, disaster relief and child sponsorship support. The country's movers and shakers would be there. Dominique's family was invited. Pati na rin ang pamilya nina Pris, Jessica at Kristine.
"I really don't know," nailing na sabi ni Dominique. Naalala na naman nya tuloy si Vincent, who was also invited to that party and asked her to be his date. She politely declined of course. Dominique could imagine Pris' face. She found her endearing when jealous. Napangiti tuloy sya. "I'll try to call her later. Ayoko sanang pumunta kung wala sya."
"Buti naman at bumigay ka na sa kanya. Pakipot pa kasi eh," tatawa-tawang tukso ni Daniel. Nangiting inirapan lang ito ni Dominique. "Paano na nga pala si Vincent? Nakausap mo na sya?"
Dominique nodded. "I talked to him yesterday. Sinabi ko na sa kanyang hanggang friendship lang ang kaya kong ibigay sa kanya."
"Alam nya ang tungkol sa inyo ni Pris?"
Umiling sya. "Hindi ko nasabi. I wanted to tell him I'm in love with someone else but that would raise more questions." But Dominique regretted not telling him because it didn't stop Vincent to keep pursuing her. He told her he's patient and will wait for the day she would love him too.
"Kaya pala kinukulit nya ako kung anong costume mo sa party? Para daw alam nya kung anong isusuot nya." Daniel rolled his eyes.
"Well, did you tell him?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Dominique.
"I told him, you'll go as Minnie Mouse." They both laughed. "Syempre hindi ko sinabi. Loyal ako kay Pris."
"Kay Pris talaga? Hindi sakin?" Kunwari nagtatampo nyang sabi.
"Oo naman!" Saka ito tumawa.
Dominique was about to glare at him when someone covered her eyes from behind. She caught a whiff of a very familiar perfume. Could it be...but it's impossible!
"Surprise," Pris whispered and her lips grazed Dominique's ears. Her heart automatically pounded fast.
"Pris?" Dominique whirled around and faced Pris, who was grinning from ear to ear. "You're...you're here!" She couldn't believed her eyes. "I thought you're still in London."
"I just arrived few hours ago. Daniel sent me a message that you are here. Dito ako dumiretso." Pris looked like she wanted to kiss Dominique but she just embraced her instead. "I miss you. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na makita ka."
"Ayan, hindi na sya grumpy." Natutuwang nakatingin sa kanila si Daniel, na bumeso kay Pris.
"So, alam mo palang darating sya at hindi mo man lang sinabi." Binalingan ni Dominique si Daniel, na tatawa-tawa. She turned next to Pris. "At ikaw naman, bakit sa kanya ka nagsasabi kung kelan ka uuwi? You are supposed to tell me. I'm your girlfriend."
"I wanted to surprise you. So I asked Daniel to take you here," Pris explained.
"Pinagtulungan nyo na naman ako," naiiling nyang komento but deep down, she was happy that Pris was back.
"They are also here." Pagharap nya, isa-isang bumeso sina Kristine, Mary at Jessica. Yumakap sa kanya si Athena. "Sinundo nila ako sa airport," Pris said. Tumingin ito sa wristwatch. "It's almost lunch. We have a reservation at Grand Riviera."
Agad din silang umalis sa Starbucks at dumiretso sa Grand Riviera Hotel Tagaytay para kumain ng Lunch. Palihim na hinawakan ni Pris ang kamay ni Dominique sa ilalim ng mesa. Their friends knew they were back together pero alam ni Pris na hindi sya kumportableng magpakita ng affection sa public. Just the touch of her hand was enough to sent shivers down Dominique's spine.
"So what's new?" Pris asked while they were waiting for the food.
"Someone was sent to the Principal's Office the other day," Jessica said and looked sternly at Athena, who was sitting beside her mother.
"Why?" Sabay na tanong nina Kristine at Pris sa bata.
Dominique saw defiance on Athena's angelic face. "I still think I did the right thing, Mom." She looked at Jessica stubbornly. "My bestfriend was being bullied by a boy in my class. He was pulling her hair and Jenna started crying." Athena turned to Pris and Kristine to explain her side. "I couldn't just stand there and watch. So, I kicked him and he cried."
"Really?!" Pris and Kristine exclaimed. Dominique had to suppress her smile because the two looked gleeful as if they approved.
"That is so grea..." Pris was amused.
"Pris!" Jessica warned.
"That...is soooo...bad, Athena." Pris tried to give Athena her most serious look. "Really...bad."
"But Tita Pris..." tututol sana si Athena.
"I know you are defending your bestfriend. And I'm proud that you value friendship," Pris said kindly. "But it doesn't mean, its right to harm others. Be the better person. Treat people with kindness. Do you understand?" Athena, who have always treated Pris with high regard, nodded obediently. Dominique couldn't help but be amazed with Pris.
"The boy was also reprimanded. The school doesn't allow bullying," Jessica said.
"Mom, I'm gonna wash my hands," Athen excused herself. Sinamahan ito ni Mary.
"If it were me, I would have strangled that boy," Jessica said when Athena was out of ear shot.
"True," Kristine agreed. She turned to Dominique and Daniel. "Pumapatol kami sa bata." Everyone laughed.
"Saan mo naman nakuha yang mga pinagsasabi mo kay Athena?" Natatawang tanong ni Kristine kay Pris.
"Kay Harry Styles. Treat people with kindness," Pris proudly said and winked at Dominique, who shook her head with her craziness.
Pagkatapos kumain ng lunch, pumunta sila sa Sky Ranch because Jessica promised to take Athena there. Hindi na sumakay pa ng rides sina Pris at Dominique. Nagkasya na lang silang maglakad-lakad na lang sa loob ng amusement park. They took pictures and Dominique asked about Pris' trip to London.
It was cold. Good thing Dominique was wearing v-neck sweater and jeans. Kung pwede lang nyang yakapin si Pris and feel her warmth. Gusto na tuloy nyang bumalik ng Manila para masarili na ito.
Dominique crossed her arms and glared at Pris. "So, you came home because of Catriona?" May photo shoot daw ito two days from now with Catriona Gray. Dominique google searched her and had to admit Catriona was really beautiful. No wonder Pris had a huge crush on her.
"Of course not," Pris denied but Dominique could tell she's excited. Inirapan ito ni Dominique. "I came home as soon as I was done with my work because I miss you so much. Wala pa kaya akong tulog." Pris pouted. Inalis ni Dominique ang tingin sa mga labi nito dahil muntik na nya itong halikan.
"Wala ka palang tulog bakit hindi ka na lang muna umuwi at magpahinga kesa namamasyal tayo?" Halata na sa mga mata nito ang antok.
"That's a good idea." Hinila sya ni Pris palapit kay Jessica, na noo'y kabababa lang ng Sky Eye kasama ni Athena. "Jess, mauuna na kami. I'm tired."
"Okay," Jessica smiled knowingly. Tinapunan nya nang nanunuksong ngiti si Dominique, who blushed. "Everything has been arranged for you. Enjoy! I'll see you when you two get back. Mamaya pa kami uuwi. Nag-e-enjoy yung mga feeling bata." Nakapila sina Kristine, Mary at Daniel sa Mini Viking.
"Where are we going?" Dominique asked Pris suspiciously when they got into Jessica's car. "Don't tell me, it's a secret."
Pris laughed. Her warm brown eyes twinkled with mirth. "You'll see." Dominique glared but she felt excited.
They went back to Grand Riviera Hotel and checked in. Pris booked a room for them in advance. Natawa na lang si Dominique rito. She'd go anywhere with Pris anyway. Excited na syang magsolo sila. Inip na inip sya habang nasa elevator dahil medyo marami silang kasabay at humihinto ito sa bawat floor. They were staring at each other desperately.
When they reached their suite, Pris passionately kissed Dominique as soon as the door was locked. She wrapped her arms around Pris' neck as they shared demanding kisses, trying to make up for the days they weren't together. Moan escaped Dominique's lips when Pris playfully licked her ears and kissed her neck down to her cleavage. Naramdaman nyang lumapat ang likod nya sa kama. Dominique was suddenly on fire when Pris' hands entered her sweater and started caressing her stomach. She longed for her touch. But before Pris could lose herself, she kissed her lips gently and pulled Dominique into a hug.
They were both out of breath. Dominique buried her face against Pris' neck. Mahigpit syang yumakap dito habang pareho nilang pinapakalma ang mga sarili. She could hear the loud beating of Pris' heart. Hindi nya alam kung saan nito nakukuha ang lakas ng control sa sarili dahil kung hindi pa ito tumigil, hindi ito pipigilan ni Dominique. She bit her lower lip and smiled. Hindi nya aakalaing she'd feel strong desire for a woman. Just one woman.
"I miss you," Pris whispered. "I hate being away from you."
"I miss you too." Dominique snuggled closer. "I love you."
They fell asleep holding on to each other.