Ilang araw ang lumipas ay dumating na rin yung araw na kinahihintay ko— the Red Carpet Maybelline. Natapos na rin yung last final exam ko for the first semester of my second year the last couple of days and kaninang umaga lang 'yong panghuli.
Tsaka today's also the UP Lantern Parade pero Juan and I agreed na hindi muna kami pumunta kasi this red carpet event is a one in a lifetime opportunity experience samantala ang Lantern Parade ay kada-taon 'yon dinidiwang.
Pero I told Juan naman na if he wants to participate sa UP Lantern Parade, okay lang sa'kin, naiintindihan ko 'yon pero he wants to come with me. Gusto niya rin dumalo sa isang red carpet event at masamahan ako.
Pero actually, if only hindi pareho ng araw etong event na ito at ang parade, talagang dadalo ako kasi balita ko andoon daw mamaya sila Liza Soberano at Enrique Gil sa school namin. May movie-taping daw sila ginagawa. Syempre, I want to see them because gurl, they're one of the most popular and beautiful human beings dito sa Earth.
But then what can I do? Siguro sa susunod na lang. Red Carpet nalang muna talaga.
Later in the afternoon, around 3pm, pumunta na kami ni Mommy at Ate ko sa Nobu, City of the Dreams, a hotel, where my makeup artists and hairstylists would meet.
"Kailan nga ulit mags-start yung red carpet niyo Eva?" my mother asked who's in the passenger's seat habang si Ate naman 'yung nagd-drive.
"6:30 Ma." I said at pansin kong papasok na kami sa malaking compound ng City of Dreams.
When we reach in front of the lobby, hininto na ni Ate yung sasakyan and when all of us got out, sinalubong naman kami kagad ng mga bell boys. Pinagbuksan nila kami ng pinto and this is really what I like sa City of Dreams, their staffs are really disciplined and professional sa mga kanilang ginagawa na feeling mo, anak ka ng heiress but no. Ganyan lang talaga sila tinrain.
Though City of Dreams might be expensive pero worth it naman yung mas-spend mong money. They really have world-class facilities and services.
My mom and I opened the compartment at 'yong mga bellboys na ang kumuha sa dalawang maleta which has my things inside na susuotin ko. I then saw Ate passed the car keys to one of the bellboys at sila na bahala sa pagpark ng sasakyan namin.
We took a few stairs up going inside the lobby and dumaan muna kami sa isang security scanner same to our things. After that, we went to the way sa check in area para kunin na lang yung key card namin and also the assigned room since Mom already reserved a suite room for us the other day para hindi na raw kami matatagalan sa pagcheck in.
After Mom's inquire on the check in counter, another staff guided us to our room. We took the elevator at nakita kong pinress ng babae yung 5th floor. Music played inside the elevator habang paakyat na kami and it always make me mentally laugh pagmay music yung elevator. I don't really know. Nakakatawa lang.
Tumunog ang elevator, a sign that we have reach to our floor. Lumabas na kami at followed the lady para sa magiging kwarto namin.
Nang huminto yung babae sa isang pinto na nakalagay N.S 197 sa harap, she inserted the key card and opened the door wider for us para makapasok.
"This will be your room Ma'am." Salita ng babae who was standing straight at us na may ngiti sa kanyang labi.
"Thank you." All of us said simultaneously to her.
"If you need anything po, there's a telephone inside and you can ring on us anytime" the lady said again. Nagpasalamat naman uli kami bago siya nagpaalam para umalis.
I looked around the room and it was beautiful like always. It has a distinct modern Japanese interior design theme na may origami-inspired carpeting and sakura wall paneling. It looked like a condo unit minus the kitchen and dining area. It has a separate livingroom and bedroom siya with bathroom na rin.
Everything is air conditioned maging sa livingroom. And additionally, on the bedroom may malaking window glass ito that you can see the view of the city and resort.
"Eva, maligo ka na kasi on the way na yung mga stylists mo.." Mom commanded me and I did as what she told me.
Pumasok na'ko sa bathroom at na amazed naman uli ako when their toilet bowl is hi-tech like pagpasok mo roon sa separate section where toilet bowl is located, o-open kagad ito and magc-close naman after you leave.
Hindi ko na inaksaya ang oras doon kasi para akong tanga dito na naglalaro ng toilet bowl. Naligo na'ko and it took me 20 minutes to finish my shower, and pagkatapos ko naman maligo, sinuot ko 'yong bathrobe para kumuha ng damit which was nasa maleta pa.
Nang makalabas na'ko ng banyo, there were a couple of people inside the bedroom, sa powder area and narealize ko, andito na pala yung mga mag-aayos sa'kin.
"Anak, eto na damit mo, magbihis ka na." Sabi ni Mama sakin and I nodded naman grabbing it from her at bumalik sa banyo para makapagbihis.
Isinuot ko yung kulay black na tube top because tube tops are the best way to wear pagmagpapa-ayos ka. It's easy to take off nang hindi nagagalaw or kaya nasisira yung makeup at buhok. And then nagsuot na rin ako ng kulay black din na shorts.
I removed the towel na nakabalot sa buhok ko at lumabas na'ko ng banyo which I was told na umupo na sa high chair.
"Ay—ang tangkad mo pala. Yung regular chair nalang gamitin natin." turo ng isang bading sa isang regular na upuan at pinalitan yung high chair saka naman ako umupo uli.
"Prom ba yung anak mo aattendan ng anak niyo Mada'am?" tanong niya habang pinagsusuklay niya ang basa kong buhok using his fingers.
What? Prom? Do I really look that young na pinagkalman na a-attend ng prom?
Tumawa si Mama. "Hindi, dadalo 'yan sa Red Carpet ng Maybelline mamaya."
His eyes widened and his mouth formed 'o' upon hearing what Mama said. "Talaga ho? Sabi na nga ba e na hindi prom yung sasalihan niya kasi ang mature na niya para doon.."
Nalusutan.
"Modelo ka pala ng Maybelline?" he asks me and umiling ako. "Hindi po. Naimbitahan lang."
"Pero nagmomodelo ka?"
"Yes po.."
"Ang ganda mo naman kasi... saan ka nagmomodel?"
"Sa Apartment 8 Clothing pero part-time lang po.."
"Ahh..."
Sinimulan na'ko ayusan nila, one was doing hair, yung isa nagmamakeup and the other was naga-assistant sa kanilang dalawa. It didn't bore the hell out of me habang inaayusan ako nila because they were really funny. Nagjojoke kasi sila while they were working and a smile really didn't leave a second on my face because of their effortlessly jokes.
"Ang ganda talaga ng anak niyo Madam. Manang-mana sa inyo." sabi ni Kuya Chad, the one who's putting my makeup. "feeling ko tuloy maglalake na'ko pero feeling lang naman."
"Syempre naman." Sang-ayon naman ni Mama sa kanya habang tumatawa. "manang-mana talaga sa'kin."
"May jowa ka ba baby girl?" si Kuya Eric naman yung nagtanong, the hairstylist.
Bago pa man ako makasagot, inunahan na'ko ni Mama.
"May manliligaw na 'yan." she announced at napangiti na lamang ako.
"Edi doon nalang po kami sa manliligaw niya!" The assistant this time, was the one who speaks at mas lalo lamang ako natawa ngayon. Gay people are really the funniest people. Hindi ko alam pero lahat ata ng bakla, inborn talent na sa kanila 'yong magpatawa.
"Ay— bet ko 'yan sizt!" Kuya Chad told the assistant. "Feeling ko pogi 'tong manliligaw mo kasi napakadyosa mo e."
Oh God. You don't know hot and handsome Juan is mga Kuya. I'm sure ya'll will head over heels to him pagnakita niyo siya.
"Pupunta ba siya dito?" tanong ni Kuya Eric, looking so giddy. Ey, someone's excited to see my man ? Hmm. Jk.
"Yes po. He's my date tonight." I answered and I heard someone's phone ringing.
"'Nak, cellphone mo." Mom told me as I saw my cellphone on the mirror, placed on the bed beside Mama.
"Can you answer it for me Ma?" I asked at tumango naman siya.
"Si Juan tumatawag.." she then says at bumilis ng saglit ang tibok ng puso ko. Every time Juan calls talaga, my heart is happy. Hindi lang sa tawag but anything that involves Juan, it makes me happy in an instant.
"Hello Juan? This is Tita Eileen. Andito si Eva, inaayusan. —Sure! And okay lang kami dito Juan, kakakain lang namin, si Eva lang yung hindi pa. Wait tanungin ko si Eva.."
"Nak, papunta na si Juan dito. And diba hindi ka pa kumakain? Ano raw gusto mong dalhin ni Juan?" Tanong ni Mama and a smile formed in my lips. "I'm not hungry pa naman Ma. But pasabi nalang po na I want Batchoy o kaya siomai.."
"Siomai o Batchoy nalang daw sa anak ko Juan.. sige.."
"And kayo Chad, baka nagugutom na ka'yo ano raw gusto niyo? Sabi sa manliligaw ng anak ko" Mom asks them at napatawa ako when Mom mentioned talaga na sabi sa manliligaw ng anak ko.
"Siya po Madaam!" Kuya Chad squealed and I can't help but laugh again. "Charot lang po.Huwag na po Madaam pasabi sa kanya, siya lang sapat na!"
And they all squealed again. Hay nako. Hindi pa nga nila nakikita ni si Juan ng personal, kilig na kilig na, how much more if pag andito na 'yon? Napailing ako habang nangingiti.
"Dejoke lang po talaga Madaam. Kahit ano nalang po.."
"Kahit ano nalang kuno sa kanila Juan. Okay sige, salamat 'nak. Take care sa pagdrive. And sya nga pala, yung room namin nasa 5th floor, NS 197. Sige, bye."
Binaba na ni Mama ang cellphone ko and she announced again that dito na raw magbibihis si Juan. Napatingin ako sa sarili ko at malapit ng matapos ang makeup ko.
My makeup wasn't that heavy. More on nude-brown-glossy something yung itsura ko pati na rin yung lips ko. I love the look all in all kasi hindi rin ako naghe-heavy makeup.
Mayamaya natapos na rin yung makeup at yung buhok ko na lang ang hinihintay. A knock was heard outside of the door and si Mama na nagbukas doon.
I bet Juan's here na and lo behold, si Juan nga yung dumating and I saw him entered the bedroom with boxes of pizza from greenwhich and paper bags na hindi ko alam anong laman.
"Hey.." bati niya as he enters the room at kita ko ang pagtahimik nila Kuya Chad nang pumasok si Juan and I can totally see that they were gawking at him. Sabi ko na nga ba.
"Hi." I greeted back and look at him from the mirror as he placed the food on a small table sa likod namin.
Humarap naman siya after he had set down the food at nakita kong napatingin siya sa akin sa salamin. "Ganda.." he commented while giving me his boyish grin at uminit ang pisngi ko doon.
"Thanks.." I blush, preventing myself to not really smile too hard.
"By the way, I bought you Milktea... are you thirsty?" Juan asked me and I smiled at his thoughtfulness.
Tinaggap ko naman yung Milktea niya na binigay sa akin from Macau Imperial Tea, sabay na rin pasalamat. He bought me my all time favorite flavor which is yung Cheese Cookies and Cream Milktea.
"Si Eric daw, nauuhaw rin baby boy.... uhaw sa pagmamahal.." Sabat ni Kuya Chad at nagsitilian ang mga Kuya. Tumawa naman kami and bumitaw din ng mahina na tawa si Juan slightly shaking his head.
"Nah.. my heart is for her lang po.." replied Juan who's chuckling habang nakatingin sa akin and if yung pagcompliment niya sa akin kani-kanina lang ay napigilan ko pang hindi ngumiti nang malaki, eto hindi na talaga.
Nagkaroon naman ng hiyawan galing kila Kuya Chad na kinakantyawan si Kuya Eric sa sinabi ni Juan.
"Boom, Panes!" Natatawang asar nila.
"Pero, I brought food naman po para sa inyo, baka you guys are hungry .." Wika ni Juan kila Kuya Chad at sila Kuya Chad naman nakitang kong nagbabanggaan sila ng kanilang mga balikat.
"Ah... ehhh... shege... selemet..." sabi naman ni Kuya Eric sa isang pabebe na tono and tucked an imaginary strand of hair behind his ear which earned a laugh from us again.
"Charot, Sige, salamat. Tatapusin lang muna namin 'to.." Tawa ni Kuya Eric as he went back to his normal voice.
My hair was curled into big curls at feeling ko tuloy I looked like one of those Victoria's Secret Models. With this look, I feel like I'm about to ramp the hallway or kaya do a runway. When I was done with my hair and makeup, tumayo na ako sa upuan para makakain since I haven't eat lunch pa and konti lang din yung kinain ko sa breakfast.
"May batchoy ba?" tanong ko kay Juan as I sat down on a couch.
"Of course. Your favorite." sagot niya naman as he pulled out a bowl from a paper bag and meron ngang Batchoy. "...and siomai too."
Ngumiti ako nang malaki when Juan brought me my food and I start to dig in naman since I'm really really hungry na tsaka it's still a quarter to six so I've got time pa naman to eat. Kumain na rin sila Kuya Chad with their pizza and si Mommy nagtea lang. She said that she's not hungry daw.
"Wala ka talagang pinipili na panahon at lugar 'nak pagbatchoy!" Sabi sa akin ni Mama as I fed myself with soup.
"Ganyan talaga Ma 'pagfavorite.." Tawa ko naman ako areeing with her kasi wala talaga. Favorite ko e. Ansarap lang talaga.
"By the way, where's your tux?" tanong ko kay Juan who was sitting beside me sa couch and umiinom lang siya ng Milktea.
He nodded. "I hang it there." turo niya sa isang small closet thing na panghang ng damit.
Tumango naman ako at pagkatapos naman naming kumain, pinagretouch ako nila Kuya Chad then was told na magbihis na'ko.
I grab my dress which I'm excited to wear at pumunta na sa bathroom. My dress is just simple, a navy blue long tube dress that's fit to my upper body and pagpunta naman sa lower body, it's flowy that reach on my ankle and may mataas siyang slit that stops in the mid of my thigh. I got it from Apartment 8 Clothing of course.
Lumabas na'ko ng banyo and when I got out, I saw Juan who was dressed already with his navy blue tux too. Tangina. Why does he look so good at everything? This is a whole new different look of him na ngayon ko lang nakita compared to his usual outfits everyday or him on his training clothes.
On his formal attire, umaapaw ng sobra ang kagwapuhan ng lalakeng 'to than he already is right now. Hay. Thank you Lord for giving me this well-carved human being.