Meet again

Mabigat ang paghinga ni Ana. Sumandal ito sa backrest at pinatong ang paa sa dashboard. She frowned but then she didn't say anything.

"She's married now. And had two daughters. She lived in Melbourne. She is basically happy with her family."

"Bakit bumalik pa siya rito?" Sa gilid ng kanyang mata'y kita niyang lumingon ito sa kanya.

"Para sa'yo, Jessica. Dahil anak ka niya. Hindi rin siya makapaniwala ng makita ka niya. Parang carbon copy ka lang naman niya noong kabataan niya. Siguro, ikaw din. Nang makita mo siya ay na-recognize mo agad kung sino ang kamukha mo. Your blonde hair and foreign skin. My cousin is half Dutch and Filipino. Your blue eyes are more define than Blaire because she got it with your father."

She groaned. There's a memory on the past that kept on bugging her head. When she was in grade three, all the parents were called for their school program. She is expecting her mother or father to support her but Trinidad only go with Blaire and her father was out of the country so she was lonely and jealous.

She is alone, while her real mother was happy abroad with her new family?

"Get out," utos niya kay Ana.

"No matter what, Jessica. She is still your mother."

"Just fucking... get out!"

Ana glared at her for a couple of second before she harshly pushed open the door and stood outside while watching her drive her car and park on the third level basement. She is frustrated. Frustrated to all.

Mabilis ang kilos niya. Pagsakay at paglabas sa elevator ay mabigat ang kanyang dibdib. Hindi siya masaya sa mga nalalaman. Kahit pa anong gawing pagpuno ng mga tao sa kanyang katanungan ay nananatili siyang galit sa kanyang tunay na ina. Maging sa kanyang ama. Higit kay Paulite. Lahat sila ay sinaktan siya.

Nanginginig niyang hinanda ang bath tub. She will soak until she felt okay. She even lit up her scented candle and fell asleep. Nagising siya sa pakiramdam na may nakatitig sa kanya. Pagmulat niya ay ang nag-aalalang mga titig ni Von ang bumungad sa kanya. Aahon sana siya ngunit pinigil siya nito.

"You are naked, Jessica. Take your time. I will just prepare our dinner." He kissed her forehead before he left her.

Tiningnan niya ang bulang tumatakip sa pisngi ng kanyang dibdib. Huminga siya nang malalim. Siya dapat ang naghahanda ng pagkain nila. "You are a headache, Jessica." Umahon siy at nag-shower nang mabilis. Hindi niya na tinuyo ang kanyang buhok. Binilot niya lang iyon sa tuwalya. Nagbihis din siya ng maayos.

Naabutan niya si Von na inaayos ang mga pagkain. Sumulyap ito sa kanya. "I don't cook, Jess. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry 'bout that. I will cook for our food next time," she said.

They had a pleasant dinner. Von is really a good guy. He made her smile. A smile that she knew no worries to follow.

"I got a paid partnership with VXtech Motors Launching tomorrow night. I'd like you to come with me, Jessica before we left by Saturday morning," he said, his voice sounded hopeful for a yes.

VXtech is not familiar with her. She thought going an event such like that will be a torn for her lie-low image. For sure there were lots of big names will attend. Her friend's husband surely will be there and the last person she doesn't want to see.

It's just one night. Aalis ka na sa susunod na araw. Sumama ka na. Her other self-whisper on her ears. But how she will embrace the speculation of her co-models? Artist know knew her? Kahit nga kay Von ay hindi niya naikuwento. Pakiramdam din naman niya ay walang halaga kung ibabahagi pa niya. Maiintindihan naman siya nito sa huli. Pero ang ikinakabahala niya ang dadagdag ito sa kaawaan nito sa kanya.

"I will go with you, but I have to meet my friend for our early dinner."

Tumango and binata. May ningning ang mga titig nito patungo sa kanya. Excited itong tumayo at binigay sa kanya ang paper bag na may nakatatak na kilalang International fashion designer.

"I still had my spare dress inside. This is too much, Von."

Umiling ito. "Please take it for me, Jessica. It has the same shade on my tie tomorrow, though."

She is very ashamed of him. Nahihiya niyang kinuha ang paperbag at muling nagpasalamat. That's how they end the day last night. In the morning, they ate breakfast and talked for their plans on that day. For the next two hours, Von left for the final that will be held in The Valley of North Gate. Hindi na siya sumama dahil kailangan pa niyang pumunta sa French Consulate. Kung may extra pa ay pamper para sa event mamaya.

When she's done with her session she called Jyra to make their dinner early. Pumayag ito kaya naghanda na siya pagpatak ng alas tres. Tinakpan niya ang susuotin na dress ng knitted black sweat shirt.

Sa bukana ng Nightingale Palace ay marami ng nakapansin sa kanya. Diretso lamang siya. May araw pa naman kaya hindi siya nahiya sa suot niyang eyewear. Someone approached her but she just waved her hand and proceeded on the extension restaurant.

Nakita agad siya ni Aquishia. "Ninang ganda!"

Lumapit agad siya roon at nakipagbeso kay Jya. "You're so beautiful there," tukso nito sa kanya.

Ngumisi siya. Bumaling sa bata. "Did you miss me? How's your Ballet Lesson?"

"It's good, Ninang Ganda. Why can't you teach me? Are you busy?"

Jyra said something to divert her daughter's attention. Ngayon ay seryoso nitong hinarap ang tablet upang sagutin ang quiz doon. Jyra squeeze her hand. "Where do you stay now? Hinahanap ka ni—" Lumingon si Jyra sa anak nang tumunog ang wrong answer.

"I moved in Beaufort," she answered. Afraid to be specific.

Jyra glanced at her. "I see. Malapit na ang Majesty and Foxman collaboration fashion week. Gusto mo bang sumabay sa akin para sa fitting?"

May lumapit na waiter kaya doon siya bumaling. "A water will do," she said before she gave her whole attention with Jyra. "Lie-low ako ngayon, Jyra. Alam na ni Majesty."

"That's bad. Can we do something about that? You know, you are innocent, Jess."

Huminga siya nang malalim. "Gusto ko rin ang magpahinga muna, sis."

"You are right. Masyadong mabigat ang mga nangyari, hindi biro iyon. Unwind, Jess. Go out of the country and breath."

"I am planning about that."

"Ninang Ganda, can I come with your tour?"

"Sweetie, you can't. Your dad will be sick when you left him."

"He is big, mommy. I want to explore the world too."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Jyra. Nagtawanan dahil sinabi ng munting dalaga. Sinamantala niya ang pagkakataon na libangin ang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagkuwentuhan kay Aquishia. Jyra even didn't notice her real goal. Anything.

By eight, they separate ways. Kinabahan pa siya nang matagal na tumitig sa kanya si Malik, tila ba gusto nitong tanungin siya. Kaya ng makaalis siya ay abut-abot ang kanyang paghinga.

Twenty minutes of driving going on the foot of the Bridge of Beaufort and Town Square she picked up, Von. He is dashing on his black tux and red bow-tie. The same shades on her red silk gown. Tinanggal niya na ang jacket niya at ngayon binabalandra ang kanyang makinis na likod.

"Beautiful," Von whispered when he tucked himself on the driver seat, his eyes bore with her.

Nahihiya siyang ngumiti. Hindi nakaimik dahil kabado na siya para sa pupuntahan nila. She silently prayed that there is no red carpet, but she knew that's impossible.

"Can we just used the back entrance?"

While driving, Von glanced at her. "You deserve the grand entrance, Jessica. I won't let you to just stay behind."

Oh, god! Should I run away now?

Nagwawala na ang kanyang puso ng huminto sila sa entrance ng Vixie Empire State. Kabado siyang bumaba at kumapit sa braso ni Von sa kanilang pagbaba. Dinagsa sila ng media. Umuulan ng tanong at nagpapasalamat siyang hindi iyon inintindi ng kasama niya. Dumiretso sila sa loob.

Aatakihin na yata siya sa puso dahil lahat ng mga kaibigan niya ay naroroon. Lalo nang mahanap niya ang mesa nila Malik. Hindi niya na nagawa pang lumingon doon sa takot. Hangga't maaari ay nagtatago siya sa bulto ni Von.

May iilang nakakilala sa kanya. May ilan naman ay nakilala siya ngunit hindi nagtangkang lumapit. Tiniis niya iyon, dahil para lang naman talaga kay Von kung bakit siya narito.

The event started. And she is freaking tense because Von sat on the VVIP front row. And the fuck, she stiffened at the darker and intense glare of the person she never wished to see.

She is looking at the car that has been introduced. But on the side of her eyes, she saw Paulite never throw his attention to it. As if she is the only thing that exist on his eyes. Lumapit siya kay Von at bumulong na wash room lang. Hindi niya na ito sinagot at agad na siyang tumayo. Masisira yata ang dibdib niya sa lakas ng pintig ng puso niya. Pagkaliko ay nahigit niya ang kanyang hininga.

Tatalikuran niya sana ito ngunit hinuli nito ang kanyang bisig at matigas ang boses siyang tinanong, "What are you doing, J?"