Dawn of Us

DISCLAIMER: 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are all product of the author's imagination used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, actual event and locales, are purely coincidental.

Any other copy of this story aside from this account is a copyright infringed material, beware. Please obtain permission. 

*******************************

SIMULA

ENJOY 

"Girls, have you heard? The Montiels are here in the metro again..."

I literally flinched after hearing those words sa kung sino mang nagsalita, kung hindi lang ako sinabihan ng make up artist na umayos at huwag maglilikot para hindi masira ang pinaglalagay niya sa aking mukha ay kanina pa ako nahulog sa aking kinauupuan. Hindi ako maka upo-upo ng maayos dahil sa balita kaya medyo nag-alala ang make up artist ko.

"Uminom ka muna ng tubig, Cin. Mainit ba masyado? You need a fan, darling?"

"No, I'm fine." 

I signal her to proceed to what she's doing on my face but it looks like she is not convinced enough kaya sa halip na magpatuloy ay ipinagbuksan niya ako ng bottled water. 

Uminom ako ng kaunting tubig dahil parang uhaw na uhaw ako bigla. 

"I'm cool, Mimi. You can resume," pahayag ko sa make up artist kaya nagsimula ulit siyang maglagay make-up. 

"I guess they are here for a photoshoot. You know, elite duties and maybe you know, sipping some metro's shot, besides, it's so lonely in the province. Nothing can match the top shelves here and the lights," Samantha uttered, nonchalantly.

What is this girl doing?! Bakit siya sumasali sa tsismisan ng mga ibang models?

Her thoughts are out of this world. My Goodness, Samantha Sevilla! 

"You mean, girls?" tatawa tawang sabi nang isa sa mga bagong mukha, "They are so popular among the girls here, even entangled to some in the industry but both sides are denying everytime. Very showbiz life indeed!"

"Maybe it's because, it's true. They are very private, unlike the other families," Samantha defended, again.

"The third gen aren't so private though," sawsaw ng isa pa sa kanila.

Sumasakit lalo ang ulo ko na nakakarinig sa pinag-uusapan ng mga ito kaya minabuti kong pumikit kahit na okay ko ng buksan ang aking mga mata. 

"I'll call my friends, they surely know where those gents are going tonight. This is exciting! We might bump into one of them. Law of attraction!" another girl uttered, while giggling.

"You have connection with them?" Samantha asked the girl, like she is fishing information.

Tsismosang Samantha ito!

"Nope, just on their social media account, I followed some of them and there's nothing wrong with that, right? we've worked for some of their projects anyways!" the girl backfired.

"Oh, I thought you are personally friends with them. Yeah, that's actually fine, as long as they'll accomodate you," it's Sammy again.

"Not really, but thanks!" sagot ng babae.

The girl told that some in her circle knew one of the Montiel that caused a small crowd towards her. Hindi na bago ang tsismis sa larangang ito lalo na at maimpluwensyang mga tao ang laman lagi ng usapan. Kapag may mga kilalang personalidad pinag-uusapan ng lahat, mga premium na apelyido ay walang takas rin lalong lalo na ang mga bachelors. Sa showbiz man o sa labas. Basta mapera. Laging cup of tea ng mga tao. Girls will always be girls!

Hindi ko maiwasang mapabuntong hininga sa pinaguusapan nila, parang may nakabara sa aking lalamunan. Napatingin sa akin si Samantha with a puzzled look. Her face is signaling that she didn't push any buttons nor she is near one.

I just look at myself in front of the mirror, kinikilatis ang make up sa aking mukha. Ang galing talaga ni Mimi, she's a self-taught professional makeup artist and a sought after, one. Nang makontento ay tsaka lamang ako humarap kay Samantha na ngayon ay nasa kaliwang bahagi ko sa pinakagilid na upuan. I thanked Mimi for dealing with my make up today. Nagpaalam ito kaya dalawa nalang kami ni Samantha sa corner na iyon. 

"I didn't push any buttons, right?" paniniguro niya sakin.

I smiled at her. "Far from any," I simply answered truthfully.

"I got a message from one of them..." 

Bilog ang mga matang napatingin ako sa kanya. My heartbeat is raising and in any minute I can lost my consciousness. Hindi ko maigalaw ang aking mga kamay. Nanlalamig. 

"It's just Fourth, asking me if I can join him for dinner since you rejected him... Again." 

She even emphasized the word, 'again' for me to reconsider Fourth's request since he is nagging about me, giving him a day or even an hour.

Napapikit ako habang kinakalma ang aking sarili. Fourth is the least dangerous among them all but still he's one of them, that's the very reason kung bakit hindi ko pinaunlakan ang ilang beses nitong pagyaya sa aking kumain sa labas o makipagkita manlang sa kanya saglit sa tuwing nandito siya sa Metro Manila. 

"Sammy, you can just reject him. Sinong kasama kong kakain mamaya?" simangot ko.

As much as possible, I don't really want her to be involved with any of them. The very first time Sammy told me that a certain Fourth Montiel dm her on her sns asking if she knows me, I spit my juice on her face without a warning, out of nervousness. 

"Sumama kana kasi, aalis naman din panigurado yung iba, may kaaway kaba sa kanila? sabi mo kilala mo sila, you eat with them noon, isapa si Fourth at yung caretaker lang daw ang nandoon ngayon. Tapos yung Axiel, Axien. I don't know, it's sounds like one." 

"It's Axiel and Axien, Fourth's cousins from her mother's side," I corrected. "I'll pass." 

Mag e-explain pa sana ako pero dumating na yung designer. We are having a runway show for one of the famous local designer here in the country. She is currently telling some of the other models what to do and such. It's a long day for all of us. Malaki ang expectations ng mga guest sa bagong designs na ilalabas ng designer ngayon. Some from local showbiz and international elites are surely on the benches waiting to take home some of the clothes and it's only less than ten minutes before the first model's turn kaya aligaga na lahat na pumila at mag retouch ng make up. Samantha will take the final walk kaya nasa bandang likuran ko siya dahil ako ang pangalawa na huling rarampa. I'm wearing a skin tone long gown with full of swarovski crystals. Medyo kinakabahan ako ng konti dahil malaking event ito gaya ng mga previous na rampa ko.

"Kung ayaw mong sumama mamaya. Magpa take out ka nalang, okay? Or I'll book a grab food for you," medyo may kalakasang sabi ng nasa aking likuran. 

I just nodded dahil ayokong sumigaw. Nothing's new with a loud backstage in every show. Lalo na at tapos na rumampa ang ilang modelo sa unahan. There are around fifty collections needed to be walk this time kaya medyo maingay but it's more organized than the other shows I attended before. Parang ang bilis ng oras at malapit na akong sumampa sa stage. Samantha, the designer, and other models are cheering for me kaya medyo kumalma ako dahil nakakuha ng lakas ng loob mula sa pag chi-cheer nila sa akin. 

While doing the catwalk, I tried my best to present the beauty of what I am wearing. I learned techniques on how to show good angle of clothes after the years as a model. I can't recognize most of the audience pero tama nga ang hula ko na may mga taga showbiz at mga kilalang tao. Some are taking pictures and clapping after every model's turn.

"That dress suits you well Cindy! Giselle never disappoint, talaga! Super ang gaganda ng designs niya!" 

Pinakita sa akin ng photographer ang litrato kong kinuha niya mula sa aking rampa. 

"Samantha flipped the stage din, huh! Ever regal, Samantha Antonette, talagang dinala ang bantag sa kanya..."

"Thanks, France. You got nice shots. Best bud ever!" puri ni Samantha sa photographer.

"Ayaw mo ba talagang pumasok sa acting, Cindy?" 

Here we go again. I waved my hands to him. 

"No way, no way, highway, Francisco! Baka mamaya may ma-boycot lang sa kung saang sinema na ipapalabas ang serye niyan. Hindi mo nga mapatawa yan maliban kung tipsy eh!"

Dipensa ng madaldal kong katabi. I looked at her with big eyes while pouting. 

"Sayang naman kasi, ewan ko sa inyong dalawa. Sa tagal ko na sa industriyang ito napakarami ko ng nakasalamuhang gustong sumubok sa acting. It brings more cash, too. Cash is king and the reason we are working our ass for almost 24/7 tapos ayaw niyo..."

"And, more more tax, France! We are pretty fine for what we are doing for now France, and don't forget sinubukan ko but I don't have the talent. Waley! Zero. Nada! unless it's for small roles of course," ani Samantha habang tumatawa. 

Yes, Samantha tried to have some small roles to all almost trending movies and afternoon dramas. She's good at acting pero mas gusto raw niya rumampa kesa nasa harap ng director lagi. Some directors tried to scout me before, after seeing me with Sammy on most of her sets but I generously say no to them due to the fact that showbiz is not a place for me, or shall I say place I should avoid as much as possible. Anything with making my name big. Even as to where I am, sometimes, I'm afraid to be known at least not internationally but here, locally. Funny right? Having fear to be known in your own country like a criminal... It's getting on my nerves sometimes, but I have to make a living like others too kaya pikit mata akong sumabak dito. I just don't know when will it lasts...

The team has dinner plan as requested by the designer. She announced it just after we wrapped up earlier. Nagpaalam si Samantha kanina, kaya ngayon ay mag isa akong sumama sa buong team. It's better for me to stay here than be with Samantha. Although I am not afraid to face Fourth but as much as possible I don't want to be seen with him or any of them. They are in the limelight although not in showbiz but their names are not just ordinary. Lalong lalo na't laging nakikita sa search buttons ng ilang kilalang social media apps ang apelyido nila, either acquiring businesses or linking to some celebrities or such kaya kinakabahan ako kay Sammy baka mamaya siya ma-issue na naman ang babaeng iyon pagkatapos ng gabing ito. I am thankful that even though the Sevillas are big name, there are not so paparazzi magnet, and never did I heard my name associated with Samantha's dating scandals.

"Samantha has a date, huh? She's the star pa naman! That girl talaga, pilyo ever," curious Angela, whispered. 

Maybe she's wondering why Samantha is not with us now. I nodded to answer her question. We occupied a whole function hall of one of the five star hotel in the metro. I am sitting with the same table as the designer and her. I have already known Giselle from the start when I entered this industry. Infact she's one who makes my name outside the country after wearing her pieces and I am thankful for her kaya pinaunlakan ko ang invitation niya para sa bagong designs niya ngayon na napiling dito ganapin sa ating bansa. She also told me to invite some other models that's why medyo nahihiya ako dahil hindi ko kasama ngayon si Samantha. Ako ang nag imbita sa kanya! Giselle and I are like real sisters naman at maayos namang nagpaalam si Sammy kanina pero medyo nahihiya parin ako. 

The dinner went well and I received a text from Samantha that hers goes the same too. She even dm me a photo of her with Fourth. How brazen!

Some of the girls are giggling after looking at their phones. They are even inspecting the lobby of the hotel, seems like looking for someone or something.

"Oh my Goodness! Montiels are here in this hotel!" One of girls half-whispered while examining the place.

Nahagip ng tainga ko iyon! Dali dali kong tinignan ang buong lobby. Who among them?! Fourth is with Samantha right? and naka alis na yung iba. I am not aware that I am biting my lips until Angela tap my left shoulder.

"The receptionist chicka na may nakita silang Montiel dito kanina, baka yung magpipinsan siguro yun dahil sabi mukhang rugged at prominent. So totoong nandito nga sila? Nakita ko rin ang update ni Calibre Montiel. He's having a dinner date. Ngayon mismo. As of this moment. It's happening...  Present action..." 

Hindi ko pinansin ang pinagsasabi ni Angela sa akin, gusto ko nalamang umalis sa lugar na ito as soon as possible. Hindi ko namalayang nasa entrance na ako ng hotel lobby nang hinabol ako ni Angela. 

"Hey! You look so pale. You even drop your fan!" 

Pinaharap niya ako sa kanya. I couldn't stop my tears, medyo nanginginig din ako. Hindi dahil sa lamig mula sa aircon ng pintuan, ngunit sa kadahilanang kinakabahan ako ng sobra. Sampung minuto pa bago dumating ang grab na binook ko kanina. I can't stop but to feel frustrated. Angela lead me back to one of the couches inside after she wipes the tears on my face. Ipinagbuksan din niya ako ng bottled water. I gave my thanks pero hindi siya sumagot dahil sa pagpapaypay sa akin. 

Ilang saglit ay tinanong niya ako ulit marahil ay nagtataka kung bakit umiyak ako. I almost even attract the attention of other models dahil may lumapit sa amin na isa at nagtanong kung anong nangyari but Angela said something that makes her to go back to the other models.

"Are you okay, now? you sure?" 

Tumango ako. "Thank you so much Angela. I'm fine, just maybe a little exhausted from today's activity," I reassured her. 

Isa-isang nagsialisan ang mga modelo ng masigurong wala ang hinahanap nila. Yung iba ay nagsama-sama para pumunta sa isang sikat na bar sa BGC. Nagyaya ang mga ito pero kailangan kong magpahinga kaya tumanggi ako. 

My phone beeps and it's the grab. I bid my goodbye to Angela. Her boyfriend will gonna fetch her daw kaya hindi siya makikisabay. We live in the same building but they might have other plans before going home today so they can't drop me. 

"Text me when you got home, okay? and thank you so much for this gig, Cindy." 

Angela embraced me and leave a peck on my right cheek. She walked me through the side of the private car. Her boyfriend is already parking near the hotel kanina pa pero hindi siya maka alis alis dahil sa akin. 

"I will, don't worry. I'm sorry naabala pa kita." 

"I'm sorry we can't drop you, tonight. We'll meet Ian's fam tonight kasi." 

Angela opened the door for me at nag habilin pa sa driver. I wave at her from the inside. Napapikit ako sa sobrang pagod, pagkaupo ko. Umaandar na ang sasakyan at usually ay nakikipag usap ako sa driver pero ngayon ay parang gusto na lamang matulog. The condo is just fifteen minutes from the hotel. Nakapagtatakang wala masyadong traffic ngayon, maybe because it's weekend?

Pagkapasok sa unit ay diretsong nag half bath na ako at sumampa sa bed. Hindi ko namalayan ang pagdating ni Samantha, dala pagod at sa anong balita kanina ay hinila agad ako ng antok. I only saw Sammy sleeping peacefully when I woke up to drink. It's already 2:35 in the morning. Naalimpungatan ako dahil sa sobrang uhaw at panaginip. Agad din akong nakatulog agad dahil sa sobrang antok. I don't have any photoshoot or other schedule too kaya sinusulit ko ng matulog habang hindi pa masyadong busy ang schedule ko.

"Miss Cindy, here please!"

Pinagbigyan ko ang isang photographer at lumingon sa kanyang gawi. Nagsilapitan ang ibang may hawak ng camera sa kanyang likod at pati ang ilang mga tao sa side walk ay naglabas din ng kanilang mga phone at kumuha ng picture ko.

"Can you please turn here too Mademoiselle!" sigaw ng isang pranses na kumukuha ng picture kaya tumingin ako.

Nang nasa loob na ako ng event place ay may lumapit na isang sikat ng artistang babae,

"Can we take a picture together Mademoiselle Cindy. I really like you and have been asking my personal assistant to contact you, have she not sent you the invitation for my birthday party?" 

"Miss Remina, it's nice to see you again, no, I haven't received any message from your assistant yet," kumpirma ko.

"Here is my personal number you send me a message later so that I will deliver you the invitation, be sure to attend my birthday party. There lots of bachelors going to attend," she winked at me after speaking.

I saved Remina's personal contact and took a photo with her. Nagpaalam na kami sa isa't isa dahil sa magsisimula na ang fashion show.  

I am invited by the designer as a guest but not as a model. Isang kaibigan ko lang ang rarampa at ilan sa nakasama ko na rin. Pinaunlakan ko ang imbitasyon dahil sa nakakahiya at ilang beses na akong naging modelo ng kanyang design. Hindi ko lang inaasahan na may mga nakakakilala pala sa akin na photographers dahil hindi naman ako artista o elite na tao kagaya ng mga kasama ko ngayon. 

Kung sana wala akong iniiwasan ay pwede akong makipagsabayan sa kanila.

Nang matapos ang show ay pinuntahan ko ang aking mga kakilala at sa back stage at saka binati sila bago lumabas.

I took a taxi going to a new restaurant na nadaanan ko kanina at nag order ng vegetable salad.

"Can we please take a picture of you as a remembrance?"

"Sure no problem." I answered to the crew politely.

She took a photo of me using a regular camera.

"Merci beaucoup, mademoiselle. Ce que votre nom?"

"Yacinda mais tu peux m'appeler, Cindy."

Umalis na siya matapos na sabihin na ilalagay daw nila sa wall nila ang nakuhang picture ko. 

Malapit ang restaurant sa boarding house ko minabuti kong maglakad. 

Pagtawid ko sa pedestrian ay may bumunggo sa aking lalaki at may nahulog na papel. Pinulot ko iyon at tumingin sa aking likuran pero wala na ang lalaki. Dahil sa medyo maraming tao ang dumadaan ay tumabi ako sa gilid at saka binuksan ang papel pero nasapo ko ang aking dibdib.

"Profitez de vos jours heureux avant qu'ils ne durent, Mademoiselle. Enjoy!" 

Tumingin ako sa paligid pero wala na talaga ang lalaki. 

Para sa akin na ang banta na ito? Sino naman ang magpapadala sa akin, sinong nakakaalam na nandito ako ngayon sa France? Wala naman akong contact sa Pinas unless someone wants to harm me...

I brushed off the idea.

"Who will harm you, Yacinda? you aren't worth a penny..." I let ou a sad smile. 

Agad akong naglakad ng mabilis papunta sa boarding house at ng makarating sa loob ay nagkulong ako sa kwarto.

Sa ngayon ay dito muna ako hanggang next week bago bumalik sa Italy. Kung may gustong manakit sa akin ng hindi ko nalalaman ay dapat akong maging alerto. Pakiramdaman ko muna ang mangyayari bago muling magplano kung itutuloy ko na kunin ang alok sa akin ng isang sikat ng designer na maging modelo ng kanyang mga bagong disenyo na ilalabas tatlong buwan mula ngayon, yun nga lang ay sa Pilipinas! 

"Seems like I can not really cut my ties with you..."

Tinignan ko ang larawan ng isang lalaki na nakatayo habang nakipagkamay sa isang businessman.

"It's been years, already!" 

I heaved a long sigh...