Chapter thirty

"Loving someone that will never be yours is injustice."

---Maryixxx

*MLAIRE VILLACHIN'S POV*

Mag-iisang linggo na simula nung mangyari ang kaguluhan na 'yon sa photoshoot. Mag-iisang linggo na rin na hindi ko nakikita si Andrew. Well, mas mabuti nga 'yon baka kung ano pa ang gawin niyang kalukohan.

I heard from my make-up artists that two days left and we're done with this photoshoot thing. Dalawang scene nalang kasi ang dapat na kunan at malaya na kaming makapaglibot-libot dito sa isla.

In fact, everytime that I remember of what happened last week I felt so small and humiliated. I know that it was an accident and if ever that it was intention of Zerale, for sure I will never forgive him, too.

"Ms. Andrea, we have an emergency meeting right now because Direk Magher has something to talk about." Karessa told me. I immediately get my bag and rashly went to Direk Magher.

Malayo pa lang, nararamdaman ko na ang matinding kaba. I just don't know what to do. Lakad takbo ang ginawa ko kaya natapilok tuloy ako, kaya paika ika akong nakarating sa meeting place.

Sa pagkakaalam ko ako na lang ang hinihintay ng lahat. So, I quickly go to the vacant seat.

"You're not the boss in here, don't act like one!" What? Andrew is here! Talagang pinapahiya niya pa ako sa harap ng mga staff at kay Direk Magher.

"I'm sorry but you don't know what happened earlier." I told him with coldness in my voice.

I saw him look at me with madness in his eyes. I don't know but I really want to punch him right now. Nakakabanas kasi ang pagmapumukha ng hambog na lalaking 'yan!

"Okay, I called this meeting because I want to congratulate everyone for doing your jobs especially to our model Ms. Andrea Villachin and Mr. Zerale Leighes." Direk Magher said.

Everyone clapped except Andrew. He's doing something in his phone and he didn't bother to listen, how insulting.

"Now, since all the pictures and videos are perfect- I and Andrew already talked about it, we agreed to have a celebration tonight, the party will start at exactly 9. On the next day, pwede niyo nang masulit ang buong isla." Everyone felt so happy and even Zerale.

Naiihi ako kaya pumunta muna ako ng rest room. Paglabas ko, wala na ang lahat ng staff including Direk Magher and Zerale. Nabanggit niya kanina na may lalakarin pa raw siya, kaya siguro umalis kaagad 'yon.

Palabas na sana ako ng biglang sumakit ang paa ko. Kasi naman ngayon pa ako natapilok, kainis! Umupo muna ako habang hinihilot ko pa ang kaliwa kong paa, yon lang naman ang natapilok.

"Give me your left foot!" Napabalikwas ako ng may nakita akong mga paa sa sahig. Mariin kong inangat ang ulo ko at nakaambang sa harapan ko si Andrew Wilton. Oo si Andrew Wilton nga.

What? ANDREW WILTON? Para akong sira na ewan dahil kinabahan ako bigla.

"I said give me your left foot." Wala akong nagawa kundi ibigay sa kanya ang kaliwa kong paa. Hinilot niya ito at may ipinahid na kung anong ointment.

"Ouch! It hurts." It's real. Masyadong masakit ang pagkakahilot niya sa paa ko.

"Don't move!" Isinuot niya ang sandals ko at hinayaang tumapak ito sa sahig. Wala akong magawa kundi ang matulala at tumahimik lang.

"Don't you dare to run in the sands again or else I will kiss you." That's the last words he said before he disappeared.

Nawindang ako sa mga sinabi niya. Parang totohanin niya ito kung magkataon mang mangyari ulit, pero sino ba siya para diktahan ako? He's the only man that lied to me and hurts me.

I didn't give a d*mn of what he said earlier. Bago ako bumalik sa room ko, naisipan kong dumaan sa isang tindahan dito sa isla. Parang Souvenir Shop ito.

Tiningnan ko lahat ng naka display sa mga istante ng shop. Halos lahat ng mga ito ay mga gawa sa kahoy at may magaganda pang mga pitaka at mga keychains.

"Ma'am, nano imo paliton?" A mid-thirties woman asks me.

"I'm sorry ho, pero hindi po kita maintindihan. Nagtatagalog ka po ba minsan?" I don't know what she's talking about but I'm a hundred percent sure that she's asking me something.

"Pasensiya na iha. Ang ibig sabihin ng "nano imo paliton?" ay anong bibilhin mo?" This time, alam kong magkakaintindihan na kami ni Manang.

"Ah, gusto ko po itong keychains at saka itong cute na pitaka." Masayang binalot ito ni Manang at pumunta sa maliit na counter nang shop na ito.

"Magkano ho lahat?" Aniya ko.

"One hundred na lang ito, pagkita ko kasi sa imo bagan tikang ka pa sa Manila asya syen nala ine. Mahusay ka man liwat, day." Napanganga na naman ako dahil one hundred at Manila lang ang naintindihan ko.

"Ano ho?" Atat na tanong ko.

Aakmang magpapaliwanag na si Manang ng tumunog ang pintuan ng shop na ito. Palatandaan na may ibang costumer na pumasok.

"Maupay na adlaw, Ate Fel!" Napalundag ako ng marinig ko ang boses na iyon. Kilalang kilala ko siya kahit hindi ko na makita pa ang pagmumukha niya.

"Isang linggo ng katuwang ko si Drew dito sa shop, magkaibigan pala sila ni Sir Zerale." Pabulong na sambit ni Manang Fel.

Aha! So, dito pala siya tumambay ng isang linggo.

"Maupay gudman an adlaw. Pakadi la Drew, kay nagkukuri na ak sadi na akon kustomer. Pagkita ko tikang pa sa Manila." Walang sabi sabi itong pumasok at pumunta sa counter. Tiningnan niya ang mga binili ko bago magtanong kay Manang Fel.

"Sige gad. Ako na bahala Ate Fel." How? How did Andrew Wilton learned  to speak such language?

Umalis sandali si Manang Fel para asikasuhin pa ang ibang costumer na kapapasok lang.

"So, an siring ni Ate Fel ini tanan imo gin palit diba? Okay, kay mahusay ka man." He's asking me like I know what his asking about.

"I don't understand you! If you're doing this just for fun please, stop it!" I get my wallet and I handed him one thousand peso bill and I immediately go out from that shop carrying a plastic bag.

Boyset na lalaking yon! Panira ng araw.

Padabog akong naglalakad palayo sa Souvenir Shop ni  Manang Fel ng may isang batang babaeng nagsalita.

"Ate! Ate! Ang ibig sabihin nung gwapong lalaki dun sa shop ay maganda ka kaya binigyan ka ng discount ni Manang Fel at pasalubong mo pa raw iyon." Now, I understand what that jerk is talking about.

"Little girl, what's mahusây na babaye (pronounce as ma-hu-sây na ba-ba-ye) in tagalog?" I smiled at her because of her cuteness.

"Ah, mahusay na babaye sa tagalog magandang babae." Napatango na lamang ako at napangiti sa kawalan. Nagpaalam naman ang cute na cute na batang iyon dahil baka hinahanap na raw siya ng kanyang ina.

I don't know but there's pushing me to smile. Napangiti ako dahil sa mga sinabi ng bata. I should never give a d*mn care with what Andrew Wilton was saying earlier. Malamang, nag papaimpress lang siya para paikutin at lokohin na naman ako, and I will never it happen... again!

While walking in the lifeful sands matching with a happy sun light and cold winds, I feel the peace of mind that I'm longing for. In California, I remembered that we went to an island once and nothing more because it's cold there.

Iba pa rin talaga kapag nandito ka sa home land mo, parang yung katawan at pagkatao mo mismo ang tumutulak para balikan at masulit ito.

Nakarating ako sa room ko with my pasalubongs. I'm craving for Ginataang Alimango so I pleased Manong to buy all the ingredients needed, I want to cook it with my own.

I waited Manong for a couple of minutes and I heard the doorbell ringing.

"Iha, adi na imo gin pa-papalit!" Manong speaks in his language.

"Ano po yon, Manong?" Ngumiti naman ito na para bang walang iniindang problema sa buhay.

"Ah, ito na pala yong pinabibili mo. Pumunta pa ako kako sa labas ng isla para makabili nitong malalaking alimango." I felt so grateful. Talagang ang babait ng mga tao dito sa isla.

"Maraming salamat Manong! Tanggapin niyo na po ito, baka makatulong ako sa inyo." Iniabot ko kay Manong ang limang libong peso pero tinanggihan niyanlang ako.

"Hindi na iha, hindi naman gaanong mahal ang mga iyan dito." Pagmamatigas ni Manong. Pero pinilit ko pa rin ito dahil ayokong hindi ako makapagpasalamat sa mga taong mababait at busilak ang puso gaya ni Manong.

"Sige ija, dahil mapilit ka tatanggapin ko na ito. Saktong sakto dahil may babayaraan ang apo ko sa paaralan! Maraming salamat Ija!" Tinanggap nga ng tuluyan ni Manong ang inoffer ko, hindi nga ako nagkamali dahil alam ko na ang mga ganung sitwasyon. Kahit na nangangailangan hindi pa rin dinadaan sa haras kundi dinadaan sa mabuting paraan.

"Walang anuman Manong at Maraming salamat rin po! Basta kung may kailangan ka pa ho wag ho kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa akin baka matulungan ko kayo." Tumango naman ang matanda at nakaukit ang nakangiting mga mata.

"Alis na ako ija!" I waved my hands. Talagang nagiging malapit na ako sa matatanda.

Pagkaalis na pagkaalis ni Manong, sinimulan ko nang lutuin ang paborito kong Ginataang Alimango. I liked her in the province, dahil halos lahat ng pagkain ay hindi commercial talagang preskong presko kagaya nitong coconut milk.

Hmmm... What's that smell! Mas lalo lang akong nagugutom dahil naaamoy ko na ang niluto ko. Dahil nga excited na ako, nilantakan ko na kaagad kahit hindi pa gaanong kumukulo ang gata.

Sarap na sarap akong kumakain nang mag ring ang doorbell ng room ko. Papadyak padyak ko pa itong nilapitan habang dala dala ko ang kinakain ko.

"Ma'am, delivery po." Nakapagtataka, dahil wala naman akong kakilala dito maliban sa mga staff at kay Zerale.

"Ah, kanino naman kaya ito galing?" I doubtly asks the deliver boy.

"Hindi ko rin po alam, Ma'am. Baka may card po sa loob, paki sign na lang po dito." Ginagawa ko na ng mabilisan ang paglagda ng makita ko na kong sino ang nagpa-deliver nito.

"Thank you!" Mabilis na umalis ang delivery boy at mabilis ko ring inilapag ang dala dala kong pagkain sa mesa. Binuksan ko na kaagad ang box, medyo malaking box ito wrapped with silver paper.

I opened it as fast as I can at tumumbad sakin ang isang maliit na card.

"You look like a goddess with this dress. I hope you like it and I'm expecting you to wear my not so impressive present at the party." -Mr. D

Hinalungkat ko pa ang box at napanganga ako sa ganda ng dress na ito. I don't have any idea kung sino si Mr. D, my goodness! Si Zerale at Karessa lang ang kilala ko dito.

I put the dress in the box again. Hindi ko naman kakilala ang nagpadala nito sakin, baka kung suotin ko yan mamaya baka mapahamak pa ako at hindi na ako mapakali ng makita ko ang dress na ito. Bigla akong kinabahan na ewan, hindi ko na alam!

Sa sobrang panghuhula ko nakatulog na lang ako sa sofa. Hindi ko na nga naayos ang mga kalat ko sa kusina pati itong pinagkainan ko kanina.

Napatingin ako sa relos ko at napalundag ako dahil alas noybe na pala ng gabi! What the h*ck? The party will start sooner but I'm here in my room wearing this rag t-shirt and short.  Aligaga na ako, kaya mabilis kong niligpit ang mga kalat ko at dali dali akong naligo.

Rinig ko pang tumutunog ang telepono ko kaya mabilis ko itong sinagot.

"Andrea, where are you?" It's Zerale.

"Ah, I'm here at my room. How about you?" I heard a loud music, the party must start at this moment.

"I'm here already. The party will start in a minute, just drop a message and I'll fetch you there. Okay?" Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang tumango. Ayoko namang maging center of attraction sa party dahil sa late akong dumating.

Wala na akong makitang pwede kong masuot sa party kaya't sinuot ko na lamang ang dress na ipinadeliver pa ni Mr. D. While fixing my dress I called my hair stylist and make up artist.

I let them in and they immediately fixed my hair. I let them do whatever they wanted, basta yong hindi na gaanong magtatagal pa. After one glimpse, it's done!

"Ms. Andrea, you really look like a goddess now!" My make up artist complemented me.

"Thank you guys! Oh, I remember Zerale." I immediately call Zerale.

He's on his way and I'm just here in the sofa waiting for Zerale. I don't know but I can feel my heart beating so fast. Hindi rin nagtagal at narinig kong may nag doorbell. It must be Zerale. So, I open the door and to my surprise Zerale looks so handsome.

He's wearing a dark blue tuxedo with black slacks and black shoes. It suits to him. . . everything.

"Andrea!" Zerale call my name with amusement.

"What? Do I look ugly? Ah... Ah... Wait! I will change my dre-..." I feel so ashamed at the moment.

"No!" Zerale paused for a minute and he try to find some valid explanation. "What I'm trying to say is that- you look so gorgeous, Andrea... and I liked your dress." I sigh in relief.

"Really?" I ask Zerale while locking the door.

"Yap. So, we better go now because we're late for the party." He gave me an assuring smile and he offers his right hand just like what the groom did.

"Okay then." I smiled at him.

Malayo palang tanaw na tanaw ko na ang mga ilaw sa di kalayuan. It was full of life.

"Thank you everyone for the hard work! Cheers!" We heard Direk Magher saying those words. Nakakahiya, late na talaga ako dinamay ko pa si Zerale.

The moment we enter inside, everyone turns their head unto us. They took pictures and I just heard flashes and lights of the camera.

Looking at them, all I can see is amusement and surprise, maybe? And I felt that were walking in a red carpet with a lot of people watching us in slow motion. D*mn! It's embarrassing.

"Oh my God! It's that you Ms. Andrea? . . . and with Zerale?" It's Karessa, asking me.

"Of course! It's me, Karessa and yes I'm with Zerale." I smiled at her. Zerale greeted them. Babati pa sana ako ng magsalita ang emcee which is Xinon.

"Good evening everyone! Mr. Andrew Wilton, Direk Magher, Mr. Zerale and Ms. Andrea Villachin,  kindly come in stage." I and Zerale excuses ourselves and we slowly went to the stage. I'm a little bet uncomfortable, imagine makakasama ko na naman si Andrew!

Masyadong mataas ang stage kaya't tinulungan niya ako. I saw him grins at me. I just simply stared him with coldness.

"Thank you! So, Mr. Wilton what can you say about the success of this project with the special participation of Ms. Andrea Villachin?" Xinon asked him.

"Of course, I want to thanks Ms. Andrea for working so hard and also to everyone. Thank you!" Everyone clapped their hands while me- . . . watching him. I cannot change the fact that he's a good looking man. Kahit anong gawin niya, talagang ang gwapo niya.

"Thanks Mr. Andrew. Now let's hear what Ms. Andrea has going to say. Ms. Andrea, how did you made this project a success?" Xinon aks me.

"I've gave my very best, efforts and heart to this project. Maybe that's the reason for this succes and of course without all the staff and Direk Magher it will be impossible, so thank you everyone!" Everyone smiled and clapped.

"Thank you Ms. Andrea for that! Now, let's party!" Everyone transform from a workaholic one into a party goer. They opened bottles of wines and drink just like there is no tomorrow.

Me and Zerale just chatting with a nonsense topic. Mas nakilala ko si Zerale because of today's event but then frankly, he's not my type.

"So, Mlaire can I.... Can I....-" He's stuttering.

"What? Hahahaha excuse me for a minute, I'll just fix my self in the restroom. Just stay in here, Zerale." He nooded. I can sense that he's drank. He's talking something I cannot understand.

Ibinilin ko muna si Zerale kay Karessa. Malapit lang naman ang table nila sa table namin ni Zerale, we're together but as only a friend.

Habang tinatahak ko ang daan, nakasalubong ko si Xinon. He give me a drink and he urge me to drink it, so me-not the pabebe girl I drink it with out any complain.

He smiled and walk away. So, then I walk alone and went to the rest room. I fixed my self and do some retouch and walk again.

I was in the middle of the isle when I feel so dizzy. All I can see is darkness and nothing more. I felt that I was falling in the sands and that's the last thing I remember.