Chapter 02: Captain
"Hay nako, Avon. Kanina ka pa tingin ng tingin diyan, nakakain mo ba 'yang hawak-hawak mong picture nung sundalong nakita mo sa fashion show?" pang-aasar sa akin ni Sharla na dahilan para lumawak ang ngiti ko habang pinag-mamasdan ang litrato ni Gustavo o Archielle.
Ano kayang puwedeng itawag sa kanya? Gustavo, Archi or baby?
Panay ang kuyakoy ko habang naka-dapa sa kama, mabuti nalang at may nakuhang litrato yung mga pumuntang photographers sa fashion show last month. Tama, isang buwan na ang naka-lipas simula nung makita ko ang lalaking 'yun at nakaka-lungkot nga na hindi ko man lang naka-usap.
"It's been a month since you locked eyes with that man and yet, you're being crazy over his picture for almost a month." Sharla is folding my clothes to put it in the luggage, I have a hectic schedule for today and the last one is a company gathering at the Lazaro Hall.
As I know it's not only a company gathering but also they will do some bidding there, I'm not even interested in the bidding because I know some businessmen will waste money on stupid things.
"Why ba? This man is the reason why that fashion show is the best, he even glared at me with his serious eyes and I think that's sexy." this smile won't stop while I'm looking at Captain Gustavo's picture that the photographer took on the fashion show.
"Kung gusto mong makita 'yang sundalo na 'yan ay ipahanap mo sa tatay mo, hindi yung nagiging baliw ka diyan sa picture niya." ang pananaway sa akin ni Sharla na dahilan para mapalitan ng pagka-busangot ang mukha ko, sa lahat na nga lang ng lalaking natipuhan ko ay hindi ko pa makita-kita.
"Hindi naman ganon kadali 'yun Sharla, I have the sources but I want the destiny to do the work." I pouted the reason why Sharla looked at me as if she's getting cringe on what I'm saying, I automatically rolled my eyes because of that cringe look. Am I being too cheesy?
Binalik ko ulit ang tingin ko sa litrato ng sundalong ito at hindi nanaman maiwasan ang mapa-ngiti, para akong isang bata na panay ang pagiging malikot dahil sa isang bagay na nakuha niya.
I tilted my head and already in awe because of how perfect this man is. Even though he doesn't have an idea that someone took a photo of him, he still looks perfect on this stolen photo. Argh! I keep looking at this picture for almost one month, and yet I'm still in awe looking at it.
Tinamaan, amporkchop.
"Anong destiny? Tinamaan ka na ba talaga diyan sa lalaking 'yan? Saglit lang naman kayong nag-katitigan atsaka may gana ka pang lumandi habang rumarampa ka?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong sa akin na dahilan para mariin kong maipikit ang mga mata ko, sinisira niya naman ang mood ko e!
"Can you just please shut up? I'm looking at this masterpiece so--"
"You're only looking at his ass for almost one month already." she cut me out the reason why my eyes widened, what the hell is she talking about? I mean, that soldier has a big ass, but it doesn't mean that I'm not amazed at his visuals.
Damn you, Sharla!
"That is not true!" ramdam ko ang biglang pag-init ng pisngi ko ng sumagi sa isipan ko ang slacks niyang kulay itim na dahilan para makita ko ang pang-upo niyang parang mas tinalo pa ata ang akin.
"Whatever, just stop looking at that picture for now because we need to go already. Hindi ka naman mapapakain niyang picture na 'yan." ang sabi niya na dahilan para umangat ang sulok ng labi ko.
"Busong na busog kaya ako," pang-aasar ko pa na dahilan para manlaki ang mga mata ni Sharla, kaagad niyang binato sa akin ang bestida na punong-puno ng sequence na dahilan para malakas akong tumawa.
"You're already crazy over that man, gusto kong ipaalala sa'yo na sundalo 'yang kinababaliwan mo." paalala niya na dahilan para mapa-iling ako, wala namang masama kung nagwagwapuhan ako sa lalaking 'to at nangangahulugan lang naman iyon ng pag-hanga.
Love at first sight my ass but I like this man.
Unang tama ng mga mata namin ay nakuha niya na kaagad ako, hindi ko nga alam kung bakit pero alam mo yung pakiramdam na para kang kinilabutan nung nag-tama ang tingin niyo?
Maybe, I just like this man because I locked eyes with him and how attractive he is. For almost one month, I've been staring at this photo all over again, and I can't help but smile.
Litrato lang naman ang hawak ko pero ang laki na ng ngiti ko, paano pa kaya kapag nag-kita kami ulit?
"Tumayo ka na diyan at kailangan na nating umalis, may photoshoot ka pa ngayon." muli nanamang bumalik ang pag-kanguso ng labi ko dahil biglang kinuha sa akin ni Sharla ang litrato, lagi niya namang ginagawa 'yan kapag mas lalo ng lumalalim ang pag-tingin ko sa litrato ni Archielle.
"Akin na muna ito dahil kailangan mong mag-focus sa photoshoot,"
She also took a glimpse of that photo and I saw her holding a smile the reason why I chuckled. See? I'm not the only one who can make Archielle smile, even my manager is in awe because of his look.
"See? Hindi lang ako ang puwedeng mapa-ngiti sa litrato na 'yan," suminghap ako at binaon ang sarili ko sa unan na katabi ko, doon nanaman sumagi sa isip ko ang pag-tatama ng mata namin ni Archielle na dahilan para kumuyakoy ako na para bang nabudburan ako ng asin.
"Ang gwapo!" ang sigaw ko habang naka-baon ang mukha sa unan, hindi ko ba alam kung anong klaseng itsura ang mayroon ang sundalong 'yun pero hindi ko talaga maiwasang paulit-ulit na sabihin na ang gwapo niya talaga.
Am I being a fan of him? Ew, fan lang? Hindi pa puwedeng girlfriend?
Sharla slapped my ass the reason why I glared at her, our eyes met and she raised her brow on me because of this obsession I have on that soldier. I will let destiny do the work, if I will meet him then I will not lose the chance to talk to him.
Nakasimangot naman akong tumayo at nag-tungo sa isang malaking salamin para naman ayusin ang sarili ko ng kaunti, kapag nasa trabaho na ako ay mawawala naman siguro itong kalokohan ko.
Sinampal ko naman ng mahina ang pisngi ko para bumalik sa diwa ko at para malaman na kailangan ko ng mag-trabaho, yung pupuntahan ko naman photoshoot e' para sa clothing line ni Vien Grayson.
She's also my friend that I met in college, but we still keep in touch even though she flew away. I heard that when she left the Philippines that's the time she broke up with her boyfriend which is Alyster Monreal.
She's already here and started her clothing line, and I'm the model she wants to endorse her clothes, I'm thankful that she picked me because I also love her clothing line that almost got in New York. That's how powerful my friend is. Even though she had this innocent face, she can still slay.
"Let's go," I ordered the reason why Sharla pulled the luggage so that we can go already. When I walked on the stairs, I saw my mom talking to my sister while caressing her hair. I pressed my lips as I saw the love and care she's showing on my sister, she doesn't even do that to me.
Naputol lang ang pag-haplos niya sa buhok ng naka-babatang kapatid kong si Chez, nag-tama ang tingin namin ng nanay ko at nakita kong nawala ang saya sa kanyang mukha at napalitan ito ng pagiging malamig.
I gulped when she looked different on me, she's always doing this to me as if I'm not part of her world. I don't even know why she can't do the things she's showing to my little sister on me, I didn't even do anything wrong on her but to just love her.
Napunta sa akin ang tingin ni Chez na pitong taon ang agwat sa akin, ngumiti ako kaagad para naman hindi niya mapansin ang pag-kakailang ko kay mama.
"Looking good again, ate." she said the reason why I stopped in front of her with this forced smile, I'm trying not to look at her back because I know I will meet my mom's stare. It's kind of awkward that we don't have this kind of closure, she doesn't even talk to me sometimes but if she does, it will make me happy.
Chezerine Froxina is nineteen years old, she has this bright smile that can light up the mood, but it doesn't mean that she has no common denominator. She's the youngest that's why sometimes she's being spoiled by my parents, I'm okay with it as long as she knows her limitations.
"Next time, we should do a photoshoot too." pag-aaya niya sa akin na dahilan para mahina akong matawa, hindi naman pagiging modelo ang gusto niyang abutin dahil gusto niyang maging lawyer.
I thought she's going to handle our company but I guess I need to get the responsibility, one of us should take the place of the company, and looks like I'm the one who needs to handle it.
I'm okay with it as long as I have my professional secretary that can handle my schedule as a CEO and being a model.
"Sasayangin mo lang ang oras mo sa ganyan, Chezerine. Mas mabuting mag-aral ka muna sa ngayon," ang singit ni mama na dahilan para makagat ko ang ibabang labi ko dahil alam ko naman na ayaw niya sa trabahong kinuha ko.
She thinks that modeling is just a waste of time and not a preferred job for the family, I think that's why she distanced herself to me because I didn't fulfill her dream for me. She wants me to handle the company only, but I chose to go with modeling.
Kaya ko namang pag-sabayan ang dalawang 'yun.
Sinasabi na nga ng iba na binili ko raw ang career ko tapos ang nanay ko naman ay hindi gusto ang pagiging isang modelo ko, wala naman itong problema kay daddy pero sa kanya ay big-deal ang pagiging isang modelo ko.
Wala daw akong patutunguhan sa pagiging isang modelo, hindi ko alam kung bakit iyon ang tingin niya sa trabaho ko pero alam ko sa sarili ko na dito ako masaya.
"Pero ma, mag-kakaroon kami ng bonding ni Ate Avon." pangungulit ni Chez na dahilan para mapa-ngiwi nalang ako dahil alam kong pag-dating sa pagiging malapit ko kay Chez ay iniiwasan niya rin iyon.
Pakiramdam ko ay pati ang kapatid ko ay dinidistansya niya sa akin at hindi ko alam kung bakit, baka ayaw niyang mangyare ang ginawa kong pag-suway sa kanya.
Even though I'm the highest-paid model here in the Philippines, my mom doesn't support my career because she thinks that modeling is not a good job after all. She keeps on degrading my job because I'm allowing myself to walk in the runway with lingerie but I guess there's nothing wrong with that.
She's degrading me because I'm allowing my body to walk in the runway wearing lingerie or something ostentatious, how sad that doing what makes you happy has an exchange of judgment.
"Huwag mo ng istorbohin ang ate mo, marami siyang gagawin at ganon ka rin." hinaplos niya ang buhok ng bunso kong kapatid at doon ko nakita kung gaano ako kainggit sa bunso kong kapatid na nararamdaman niya ang pag-mamahal ni mama.
Sana lahat mahal 'di ba, tss.
Nakita ko ang pag-nguso ni Chez dahil hindi nasunod ang gusto niya, inangat ko naman ang baba nito para mag-tama ang tingin namin. Nag-pakita naman ako ng isang simpleng ngiti sa kanya para naman hindi na siya malungkot.
"Follow mama okay, she's doing this so you will be focus on your studies." I cheered her up but I also want to have some time with her, my mom is different when she's with Chez and all I can do is to endure the pain of being left out.
Tumango nalang sa akin bilang sagot si Chez pero alam ko sa loob niya ay gusto niyang mag-karoon ng oras kasama ako, si mama lang naman ang hadlang kaya hindi kami nag-kakasama at hindi ko ba mawari kung bakit sa kapatid ko ay nilalayo niya ako.
Akmang mag-lalakad na ako ng biglang mag-salita si mama na dahilan para balikan ko siya ng tingin, "Huwag mong kalimutan na may company party tayo mamaya, huwag kang mahuhuli." paalala niya sa akin na dahilan para ngumiti nalang ako bilang sagot.
Ganito lang ang laging usapan namin ni mama, hindi naman kasi kami malapit sa isa't-isa kaya ano pa bang magagawa ko? Kaysa naman sa magalit siya dahil sa pangungulit ko ay mas mabuti nalang sigurong ganito.
Am I not enough as her daughter?
Does my job make her feel embarrassed?
Tuluyan na nga kaming umalis ni Sharla, maging siya ay alam niya kung ano ang relasyon namin ni mama. Mahahalata naman iyon dahil sa kahit sa pag-uwi ko ay hindi ako kinakamusta ng nanay ko, pakiramdam ko tuloy ay hindi ako kasama sa pamilya nila.
I heard Sharla sighed the reason why I closed my eyes, "If we are going to talk about my mom, stop it." I warned her, and she cleared her throat because I know she will talk about my mom again, and I don't like that.
Even though I have this big name in the industry, my life is not perfect at all. I have the wealth but the support on my job, I don't have that.
Even though the only person who knew what you work hard for is yourself, some people will still point and judge you not knowing what you sacrificed just to do what makes you happy.
Ganon naman dito e' kapag nalaman nila ang trabaho mo, hindi pa rin nila maiiwasan na sabihan ka ng masama. Marami akong naranasan na pangungutya galing sa mga tao na parang ang pag-momodelo ay pag-bebenta na rin ng katawan mo pero hindi 'yun ganon.
I don't understand why people think that modeling is the job you can't be proud of, that's my happiness and degrading it means how stupid and narrow-minded you are.
The world will be my runway, and no one can stop me.
Hindi na nga nag-tagal ay nakarating na kami sa photoshoot area kung saan nakita ko rin ang isang babae na nakikipag-usap sa director, hindi ko naman maiwasan ang mapa-ngisi nalang dahil kahit likod palang ang nakikita ko ay kilala ko na ito.
"Hi there, sweetie." I greeted the reason why she stopped talking to the director and looked at me, I saw her eyes widened and it made me flashed a big smile. It's Henriette Viennie, the CEO of the Henriette clothing.
"My model is here," she squealed with this innocent face the reason why my forehead creased, she's still the same after years of being away. Vien is still innocent and cautious about her actions, nothing change, and just a beautiful lady.
She stepped forward and spread her arms to give me a hug, I also did the same and patted her back.
"Ang laki ng pinag-bago mo,"
Ewan ko ba, kahit yung sigaw niya ay parang mahinhin pa rin sa akin. Saglitan lang ang yakap namin na dahilan para mag-kangitian kami, para ngang isang diwata ang nasa harapan ko at hindi ko maiwasang mapa-mangha sa mata nitong tsokolate.
"Congrats on your clothing line, Vien." ang usal ko na dahilan para mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko, kamusta na kaya siya atsaka may boyfriend na ba siya?
"Thank you and I'm happy that you're free to be my model," masaya niyang sabi na dahilan para mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti ko, nakita ko naman ang isang maliit na closet kung saan nandoon ang mga isusuot kong mga damit.
"Promise, gagawin kong sold-out ang mga damit mo." mahina pa akong tumawa habang lumalapit sa mga clothing rack kung saan nakalagay ang mga damit na balak niyang ipasuot sa akin.
"Mangyayare ba 'yun?" nahihiya niya pang sabi na dahilan para matigilan ako sa pag-hahalungkat ng mga damit niya, tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay at nakita ko ang saglitan na pamumula ng pisngi niya.
"Of course, we will make it happen." I will make sure that her clothes will be sold-out again, I'm sure some people are waiting for this brand to release another clothing line again. Henriette's clothing line is in New York, and it's impossible for these clothes to not be sold-out.
"Ma'am, ayusan ko na po kayo." tumabi sa akin ang isang make-up artist na dahilan para tumango nalang ako bilang sagot, hindi na nga nag-tagal ay kinuhaan na ako ng mga litrato at nakukuha ko naman ang bawat anggulo na gusto ng photographer.
Every click of the camera, I'm giving my best shot so this clothing line will be all over the world.
Hindi na rin naman nag-tagal ay natapos na kami at narinig ko ang mga palakpakan nila dahil sa wakas ay tapos na ang photoshoot, sana ay maging success itong clothing line ni Vien na alam ko namang papatok sa mga tao ngayon.
"You did a great job there," Vien stated the reason why I winked at her, I love her clothes and as her model, I will do my best for the success of her hard work.
Bigla namang tumunog ang phone ni Sharla na dahilan para maagaw nito ang atensyon namin ni Vien, sa pag-kuha niya ng phone sa bag niya ay bigla namang may nalaglag na dahilan para manlaki ang mga mata ko.
Shit, my lucky charm!
Nakita ko ang unti-unting pag-kahulog ng litrato na 'yun na dahilan para makagat ko ang ibabang labi ko, akmang yuyuko na ako para pulutin ito pero naunahan na ako ni Vien.
Shit, no way!
"What is this?" she already picked up the picture the reason why I bit my lower lip and glared at Sharla who is busy talking to someone, why do I felt embarrassed when Vien picked the picture instead of me?
"U-Um, kay Sharla 'yan--"
"Oh my gosh, this is Archi." she said with the smile on the picture the reason why my forehead creased, I was stunned for a second and trying to process what she said. Archi?
"A-Archi?" nauutal ko pang tanong sa kanya na dahilan para tumango siya at binaling na sa akin ang tingin na may ngiti, hindi ko ba alam kung maituturing ko iyon na pang-aasar pero si Vien kasi 'yun, masyadong inosente talaga.
"Yes, this is Archi. He's Aly's friend," she said the reason why my jaw dropped, and I can feel that I want to run away, but to think of it that destiny made my wish come true, fuck!
Shit, kinikilig ako!
"But why do you have this picture?"
Tangina, ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko e.
Napalunok ako dahil sa tanong na iyon pero pilit nalang na ngumiti para naman hindi niya mahalata na nahihiya ako na sabihin na kung bakit may litrato ako ni Archi, kung iyon ang tawag sa kanya ng mga kaibigan niya edi iyon na rin ang tawag ko sa kanya.
Archi, that's cute but can I call him baby instead?
"U-Um, actually that's for Sharla, my manager." palusot ko at nakita ko pa ang pag-kunot ng noo sa akin ni Vien na para bang duda pa siya sa sinabi ko, kilala niya si Captain at hindi ko maiwasang maging makulit sa loob ko.
"Your manager likes Archi?"
No, I'm the one who likes Captain Archi, tss.
"Y-Yeah, she's the one who took that picture. H-Hindi ko ba alam pero ang weird, tss."
Hindi ba ang mas lalong weird is yung isang buwan kong paulit-ulit na tinititigan ang larawan na 'yan?
I can't help myself but to be in awe because of Captain's visual, is he even a real?
Putangina, nahulog na nga ako kaya paki-salo nalang ako.
"If your manager wants to meet him then let me know, okay?" halos malaglag naman ang panga ko dahil sa sinabi ni Vien, sinulyapan ko si Sharla na walang kaalam-alam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan namin.
Bakit ba kasi iyon pa ang naisip kong palusot, ako itong baliw na baliw sa litratong 'yan tapos si Sharla pa ang nakakuha ng benefit?
"My manager is busy handling me so...may I ask if Archi has a girlfriend?"
Pakapalan na talaga ng mukha 'to, kapag nalaman kong may girlfriend si Captain, aray nalang talaga.
Tss, I can't believe that I'm being this desperate just to get some information about this man I locked eyes with last month ago. If we met each other, will he remember me?
Vien shook her head the reason why my lips curled up, maybe Archi is waiting for me, tss.
"Wala siyang girlfriend, kahit naman loko-loko ang lalaking 'yun ay walang balak ligawan 'yun." mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ko ng malamang loko-loko rin pala ang sundalong 'yun pero nung nag-tama ang tingin namin ay halos kabahan na ako sa matalim niyang mga mata.
Tadhana na ba talaga 'to? Yuck, Avonlea!
"G-Ganon ba, that's good to hear..."
"What's good to hear--"
"Avonlea," naputol naman ang sasabihin ni Vien ng bigla akong tawagin ni Sharla, naka-lusot naman ako sa balak itanong sa akin ni Vien dahil mukhang hindi ko napigilan ang bibig ko.
"Here, Sharla. I heard it's yours," Vien said and gave the picture of Captain Archi that made her forehead creased, she looked at me with thia confusing look when Vien said that it's hers.
"This is mine?" binigyan pa ako ng tingin ni Sharla na para bang may sinabi akong kasinungalingan kay Vien, pilit nalang akong ngumiti sa kanya dahil alam ko naman sa akin ang litrato na 'yun.
I shook my head and tried to gain my sense so that we can move on the topic, "Why did you call me? Is there something wrong?" I asked, she looked at her watch first before answering me.
"We need to go already, paalis na daw ang mama mo sa bahay." nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi ni Sharla na dahilan para hindi na ako mapakali.
Shit! Nakalimutan kong may company party pa pala kaming pupuntahan, hindi ko namalayan yung oras. Patay talaga ako nito!
"Shit, what didn't you tell me?!" hindi ko na magawang makapag-paalam kay Virn dahil sa kailangan ko na talagang umalis, hindi ko naman namalayan na gabi na pala at kailangan ko pa palang pumunta sa isang company party.
"Sinabi ko na nga sa'yo hindi ba," pamimilosopo pa sa akin ni Sharla na dahilan para malalaki akong humakbang palabas ng photoshoot area, maiintindihan naman siguro ni Vien kung bakit ako umalis kaagad.
Fuck, my mom will be mad at me and I can feel it.
Kaagad akong pumasok sa malaking van, kaagad kong binuksan ang mga ilaw na nasa harapan ng aking salamin para ayusan ang sarili ko ng bahagya.
"Patay talaga ako kay mama," nag-aalalang sabi ko at kinuha ang make-up kit para kaunting ayusan ang mukha ko.
"Kukuhaan nalang kita ng damit sa closet mo--"
"No, huwag na tayong bumalik sa bahay. May mga damit naman diyan na hindi ko pa nagagamit kaya iyon nalang, masasayang lang ang oras natin kapag umuwi pa tayo sa bahay." paliwanag ko sa kanya na dahilan para mag-tungo siya sa dulo ng van para kumuha ng bestida.
"Do I look fine?" I asked to Sharla, I stood up and flaunted my gold slit dress in front of her to see if there's something wrong. I curled the ends of my hair and I simply applied some touch of make-up.
Kahit na tinanong ko siya ay panay pa rin ang tingin ko sa malaking salamin sa harapan ko, dapat maganda ang itsura ko sa harap ng maraming tao na para bang pinag-handaan ko talaga ito.
"Oo,"
Natigilan naman ako dahil sa sinabi niya, kaagad ko siyang tinaasan ng kilay na dahilan para kumurap siya ng ilang beses.
"Oo lang ang sagot mo? So it means my kulang?" sunod-sunod kong tanong sa kanya na dahilan para mapa-singhap siya, kailangan hindi makita ni mama na para bang ginawa ko lang bara-bara ang pag-aayos ko.
"You look stunning whatever you wear, Avonlea. Maybe it's good if you will put a hairpin on the side of your ear so that they will see your neck and jaw line." she suggested the reason why I nodded, if that's the key to make my look better then I will do it.
"Ma'am, nandito na ho tayo." ang sabi ng driver na dahilan para muli akong sumulyap sa salamin at suminghap. Sa ngayon ay buong pamilya kaming mag-sasama sa iisang okasyon at pakiramdam ko ay isa nanaman akong anino sa kanila pero hindi ko balak na maging anino nalang ng pamilya ko.
"Relax, Avonlea. It's just a company party," pag-papakalma sa akin ni Sharla na naramdaman niya atang kinabahan ako ng bahagya.
"A company party that will make me a shadow of my family," I mumbled and forced a smile, she shook her head and tapped my shoulder to cheer me up.
"Your Avonlea Czanelle, you're not a shadow of anyone. You're unique and you can still slay even though this is not a runway."
Sharla made me calm for a second because of her words, she knows what I'm capable of and she knows what my weakness is.
"Now, kick their ass with your beauty." tinuro niya pa ang labas na para bang hahayaan niya na akong rumampa suot-suot ang gintong bestidang ito.
I smirked and kissed her at the cheek to say that I'm thankful for her words, I gained my confidence and decided to step out of the van.
As I step out, a flash came on me the reason why I lowered my head. I know this is the media and all of them are gathering in front of me to take some pictures, I lowered my head because they keep taking pictures of me.
Argh! This is why I hate the most in media, I'm just walking and yet they are taking pictures of me.
"Excuse me, e-excuse." I said with a mannered tone, I'm trying to control my patience to them even though they are blocking my way. I can't even walk straight and I don't know if I'm near on the Lazaro Hall because I keep lowering my head for them not to take some pictures.
Kailangan ba ganito kalapit ang media sa akin, hindi ko alam kung saan na ako tumutungo dahil nasa baba lang ang tingin ko. Ang yaman ko nga pero mag-isa lang akong humarap sa mga taong 'to.
"Please, excuse me." I said with an irritated voice already, they are already pushing and it makes me angry that they are thirsty on taking pictures.
Suminghap naman ako dahil mas lalo nila akong sinisiksik na para bang wala silang balak na papasukin ako sa party.
Shit, ang sikip!
"E-Excuse me," I keep lowering my head and I'm already using my hand to seperate the media but there's no use because they are so fucking many.
Tanga-tanga ba naman, bakit ba kasi ako lang ang lumabas mag-isa?
Hanggang sa dumating na nga ang kinatatakutan ko, nag-kagulo ang lahat para kumuha lang ng litrato ko at halos madurog na ako dahil sa malaki nilang katawan. Tangina, makakalabas pa ba ako ng buhay dito?
"Please stop, you're hurting me already!" I can't help but to shout at them but they are not contented on it, they still keep taking pictures even though it's a chaos already.
"Fuck!"
May naka-bangga sa akin na dahilan para unti-unti akong mawalan ng balanse, tangina talaga!
Hihintayin ko nalang sana na maramdaman ang sahig sa likod ko pero hindi ko inaasahan na may pipigil nito at nagawa pang higitin ako sa kumpol-kumpol na tao.
Parang naging multo ako sa media, nawala ako sa gitna nila at naramdaman ko may naka-hawak sa braso ko.
"Are you not even thinking? Lalabas ka ng wala man lang bodyguard?" ang tanong sa akin ng taong humila sa akin na dahilan para unti-unti kong mabaling ang tingin ko sa nag-salita.
When I looked at the person who talked, I felt a coat on my shoulders and even sniffed it. It smells good as if I'm falling in love on this scent.
"Use that, I saw some reporters touching your back a while ago." nawala ang tingin ko sa coat na nilagay sa akin at tumungo ang tingin sa lalaking nag-ligtas sa akin.
When our eyes met, I became stunned and my heart raced like a flash. The man who saved me in the crowd is also the man I waited for a month, he's the man who locked eyes with me in the fashion show.
The man who caught my attention and the man that came out of the picture I'm always staring.
"What's with your tingin? Do I look like a ghost in front of you?" he waved his hand in front of me with his forehead creased and I can feel that I'm losing my breath already.
The masterpiece that I waited for a month and also the man who made the runway even better. It's him, the man I can't stop looking at the picture.
Captain Gustavo Archielle Salvatierra, the man I like.
"Hey, woman."
"Hey, captain..." out of nowhere, I said that word the reason why he became more confused. Damn! Captain Archi saved me and yes, he's so fucking handsome in person!
"Do you remember me?"
He tilted his head as if he's trying to remember when did we met, I gulped because he's staring at me seriously and I think I'm going to die with that look.
He sighed and and stepped backward, he fixed his neck tie first that made stunned. Damn, that's sexy!
But you know what made me stopped breathing?
"Yeah, I remember you. You're the model who locked eyes with me last month on the fashion show...Avonlea Czanelle, right?"