CHAPTER 2

Milan, Italy.

“What happened Tito?! Who are those scumbags?!” Napabulalas ng iyak si Zyon nang ibalita ng kanyang Tito na nasa Pilipinas ang nangyari sa kanyang ama. Labis-labis ang kanyang pag-alala. Galit din siya at the same time dahil alam niyang walang ginawang masama ang ama. Isa itong mabuting tao at pulitiko.

“Nasa ICU pa siya sa ngayon Hija. The doctors are doing their best. Nasa comatose state ngayon ang daddy mo.” Malungkot ang boses ng kanyang tito, nakakatandang kapatid ng kanyang ama.

Lumakas ang iyak ng dalaga. Agad-agad siyang nagpasya na umuwi. Ipinaalam niya sa kanyang Tito ang kanyang pasya na ikinagaan naman ng loob nito. Matagal din silang nag-usap bago ibinaba ng dalaga ang kanyang cellphone.

Matamlay siyang nahiga sa kama habang iniisip ang ama. Hindi maputol-putol ang luhang umaagos sa kanyang mga mata. She only has her Dad. Her mom passed away when she was 10 years old due to cervical cancer. Mahal na mahal niya ang ama dahil ito ang nagsilbing ama at ina niya habang lumalaki siya. Ni minsan hindi niya nakitaan ng pagsuko ang ama though he juggled his work as a public servant at pag-aasikaso ng steel empire nila and at the same time taking care of her. At hindi din ito nag-asawa ulit dahil katuwiran nito, ang Mommy niya lang ang mahal nito at siya.

She remembered the day she left for Italy. She literally begged her dad to allow her to study in Bologna. Her Mom’s family lived there and her grandparents were very delighted when she came and stayed with them. It was a huge adjustment for her but her grandparents were there for her all the time. She enrolled her last year of college in one of the most famous and largest schools in Italy, the University of Bologna where she met Sean in her art class. They became good friends and would always roam around together. Matanda lang ito sa kanya ng tatlong taon at tinutukso nga sila ng mutual friends nila dahil kung titingnan ay bagay na bagay sila. Matangkad ang lalaki at very fit. She just shrugged her shoulders everytime they were being talked about.

She finished her degree in Business Administration with high merit that made her dad so proud of her achievement. He was quite emotional on her graduation, replaying in his mind all the trials and challenges that his only daughter had gone through, even staying away from him just to flee the raging war of emotions inside of her.

After graduation, her dad encouraged her na bumalik ng Pilipinas but she said no. Hindi pa siya handa. She was still on healing stage and didn’t want to remember anything that could remind her of her past. Kahit iyong mga taong may kinalaman sa nakaraan niya ay pilit niyang kinalimutan. She had deactivated her social media accounts before leaving Philippines. Maggie, Jason, Cooper had tried calling, texting and emailing her but to no avail. She had discarded all her contact info and had set up new ones na may kinalaman lamang sa current life niya. Aside from Sean, she had circle of friends too that she met in the university and the neighborhood that she became comfortable with. She started gaining self-confidence as she felt she was accepted.

One day, while strolling in the streets of Milan with Sean, she stumbled upon a group of musicians performing in the street. She watched with awe and was not aware that she already caught the attention of a talent agent having coffee in a nearby coffee shop. He was fascinated with Zyon’s beauty and charm that he approached her, introducing himself and handing her his contact info. She actually had discarded the card but unknown to her, Sean had kept it. He started to talked about it with her to which she eventually gave in. They agreed for her to give it a try as long as Sean will stay with her and become his manager. Her first try wasn’t that easy as she was camera shy. But eventually she gained the praises and trust of the runway managers and organizers.  With her perfect figure 34-23-34.5, lots of agency were vying for her.

Isa na siyang International Supermodel. Sa edad na 24, malayo na ang kanyang naabot. She walked the famous runways of US, France and Italy and had modeled for some famous personalities of the fashion industry. She is very famous in her chosen field. Who wouldn’t know her? With her curves on the right places, extremely long and beautiful legs, her sense of professionalism and her character made her the only Asian model to walk for Victoria Secret, Versace, Christian Dior, Chanel and not to mention the times she graces some of the famous magazines such as Vogue. She made herself busy to forget those moments she was so down and miserable. Limang taon din niyang tiniis ang ama kahit palagi itong nakikiusap na umuwi na siya. Bumibisita ito sa kanya sa Italy once every three months. Sa tuwing nakikiusap ito na umuwi siya ay bumibigat ang kanyang pakiramdam na hindi ito mapagbigyan. Pero naiintindihan din naman ng ama ang kanyang katuwiran.

“I guess the time has come. I am going home Dad.” Maluha-luha pa ring kinuha ang kanyang cellphone at tinawagan si Sean. Magpapaalam siya na magpapahinga muna. Sabagay, isang buwang bakante siya at wala pang naka-schedule na shows. Katatapos lang ng napa-successful na show ng isang Italian fashion designer kung saan rumampa siya bilang isa sa mga modelo. She did the opening where she was praised highly.

“Will that be fine if I’ll be gone for a month?” Matamlay na tanong niya sa kanyang manager na si Sean. Sa ayos at hitsura nito ay madalas mapagkamalan ding modelo pero ayaw ng lalaki at kuntento na daw ito bilang manager niya. Iilan na sa mga kaibigan nila ang nagsabi sa kanya na gusto siya ni Sean, kahit ang lolo at lola niya ay excited din na maging boyfriend niya ang lalaki. But she never showed interest on him though the latter cared for her so much. She is aware of his feelings towards her but she pretended to not notice. As long as he doesn’t say anything about it, she is good with it. Ayaw din kasi niyang masira ang friendship at work relationship nila ng binata dahil alam niyang kapag nanligaw ito, she will be going to say NO.

“Sure. I told you before, you need to take a break. Let’s take things easy Zyon. You have a month for yourself. I guess it is the right time for you to take good care of your dad.” Ito ang unang nakaalam ng pangyayari dahil ito ang may hawak ng cellphone niya habang nasa event siya nang tumawag ang Tito Greg niya. “Do you want me to come with you in case you need me?”

“It’s okay Sean. I have lots of matter to deal with when I come home. But I’ll let you tag along one day. For now, I have to go alone. If everything is settled, I’m going to go back here. Please do not accept any work for the whole month in case there are offers. I am taking a whole month off.”

“Don’t worry about it. If something of important comes up, I will let you know. Other than that, deal with what is necessary first. In case you need me, give me a ring and I will be there. You take good care of yourself and call me often. I will book a flight for you for tomorrow and will send you to the airport. I am going to miss you.” Mahina ang pagkakasabi ng binata sa huling mga salita pero umabot pa rin sa kanyang pandinig. She felt sad for him knowing that he is suppressing his emotions and is too afraid to pour it out for he knows it will never be reciprocated. Kung pwede lang sanang turuan ang puso. She sighed with the thought.

“Thanks Sean. I know that I can always count on you. Please get a life while I am away. You haven’t taken a break yourself for the past years because of me. My guilt is eating me out.” She tried to lighten the atmosphere. She doesn’t want him to worry about her.

“Don’t worry about me, silly! I am more concerned of what will happen to you when you get home.” Alam nito ang kwento ng buhay niya except sa pangyayaring naging dahilan ng pagpunta niya ng Italy.

“I will be okay. I have to be with my dad.” Pumiyok na naman ang boses niya pagkabanggit sa ama.

“Hussshhh….Wait for me. I will just drop by at the studio to get your latest magazine cover and will be there after. I’ll help you pack up. And heavens, please stop crying okay? Or else, I’m gonna pack myself and go with you.” He lightly chuckled na ikinangiti naman niya. Kahit kailan, he is really good in cheering her up. She has no dull moment with this guy.

Hindi na niya pinahaba ang usapan at baka saan pa mapunta iyon. She went upstairs to her bedroom and started to take clothes out of her closet.

Tito Greg niya lang ang nakakaalam nang pag-uwi niya. He will fetch her from the airport. Paglapag ng eroplano sa NAIA, hindi niya mapigilan ang mapasinghap. She must have worked really hard that she even forgot ang simoy ng hangin sa Pilipinas. Matamlay ang mga kilos na kinuha niya ang maletang dala. After putting her oversized sunglasses on, she cautiously stepped down the aisle. Pagkatapos dumaan ng scanning machine ang maleta ay dali-dali niya itong kinuha at dahan-dahang lumakad palabas while her eyes are scanning for her Tito Greg in the waiting area. Ang hindi niya na-anticipate ay ang pagkilala sa kanya ng ilang mga tao sa airport. Habang naglalakad siya, napansin niyang napapalingon ang mga tao sa paligid. Though she was used to getting attention kahit saan man siya pumunta but it is the least that she wants for now, atleast not today. Yumuko siya para maitago ang mukha sa publiko. But in born na yata sa kanya ang mag-stand out even at this crowd. Sa tangkad ba naman niya kahit nakasuot pa siya ng simpleng fitted maong pants at plain white shirt matched with her white sneakers ay hindi maitago kung sino siya. Maya-maya nakita na niya ang Tito Greg niya na kumaway at papunta sa kanya.

“Zyon! Si Zyon ba yan?” Tili ng ilang mga teenagers na nakatayo sa waiting area.

“Si Zyon nga! Ang international supermodel na Pinay. Oh my  God! She is here!”

“Zyon, I’m a fan! Can we take pictures with you?” Excited na tanong ng mga teenagers sa kanya.

Pinaligiran na siya ng mga ito. Wala siyang balak ipaalam na umuwi siya ng Pilipinas pero she underestimated her number of fans all over the world. Kilala nga siya sa ibang panig ng mundo, dito pa kaya sa sariling bansa niya. She recently ranked no. 7 on Asia’s Most Influential Women according to Time’s Magazine Asia. Gusto man niyang tanggihan ang mga ito but she can’t bear to disappoint those tiny and innocent faces who are smiling from ear to ear. She removed her sunglasses and allow them to take pictures kasama niya. Mas lalong dumami ang mga tao sa paligid niya. Mabuti na lang at mabilis siyang hinila ng Tito niya at dali-daling isinakay sa Range Rover nito na nakaparada malapit sa kanila.

“I’m so sorry Hija! I never expected that they would come rushing to you.”

“That’s fine Tito. Part yan ng profession ko. By the way, kumusta na si Daddy?”

“He is not awake yet. The doctor gave us 72 hours. Pag hindi siya nagising, wala nang pag-asa pang mabuhay siya. He suffered gunshot sa dibdib at likod.”

Umagos ng kusa ang kanyang mga luha. Her Tito Greg patted her on her back.

“You have to be strong Hija for your Dad’s sake. Alam mo namang ayaw noon umiiyak ang nag-iisang prinsesa niya.” Pilit na inaalo siya ng kanyang Tito na lalong nagpaiyak sa kanya. Pero hindi maikaila ang matamlay din na boses ng kanyang tiyuhin.