Chapter 3

"DID YOU receive the package? Iyan ang gusto kong isuot mo sa party ni Uncle Logan sa Los Angeles. Nagpadala na rin ako ng plane ticket para kay Lolo Loreto."

"Yuan, I am not sure if I could come. Busy kami sa gallery," sabi ni Quincy habang ine-edit ang mga pictures na kuha niya sa Huntington Beach nang huling dalaw niya sa Lolo Loreto niya. "We have an exhibit the next day. Kailangan nila kami rito."

"I told you, you don't have to work," sabi ni Yuan. "Kaga-graduate mo pa lang. Dapat, nagre-relax ka muna."

Ayon dito, kaya nitong i-provide ang lahat para sa kanya. Yuan was a young billionaire. At tutol na tutol ito sa pagtatrabaho niya sa maliit na gallery ng kaibigan niya na nasa Miami. Kung hindi pa niya sinabi na gusto lang niyang libangin ang sarili niya, hindi siya papayagan nito na pansamantalang magtrabaho sa gallery.

"Nandito na naman tayo. You know how much I hate being idle."

"Okay. Basta huwag kang mawawala sa birthday ni Uncle Logan. He is expecting you. Kung hindi ka papayagang umalis dahil kulang kayo ng tao, magpapadala na lang ako ng tao riyan para mag-substitute sa iyo."

"You don't have to. I can handle it," salo agad niya. "Magkita na lang tayo."

"Hindi ako makakapunta sa birthday ni Uncle. I have a business engagement in Japan. Kaya nga ikaw ang papupuntahin ko para mag-represent sa akin."

"Okay," matabang na sabi niya. "Yuan, hindi mo ba ako iko-congratulate?"

"What for?"

"I won the Photographer of the Year award in an amateur photography competition. It's an online competition and I bested other contestants from all over the globe," excited na sabi niya. "I sent the entry by e-mail. Hindi mo ba binasa ang e-mail ko sa iyo?"

"I haven't opened my personal e-mail yet. Business e-mail lang ang lagi kong binubuksan. Hindi ko alam na may talent ka sa photography."

She dreamt of being a photographer. Kaya lang ay nag-insist ang lolo niya na Business Management ang kunin niyang course. Iyon daw kasi ang mas bagay na course sa kanya ayon kay Yuan. "If you haven't read my e-mail, then you don't know I am flying to Australia soon. May offer ako para sa isang rural newspaper para maging photographer. I think it is a great opportunity. Traveling to different places, meeting unique people. What do you think, Yuan?"

"Rural press photographer? At the outback? No way!" mariing wika nito. "I won't allow my future wife to work like that. I am not insane."

Pinigil niyang umingit. Sabi na nga ba niya at kokontrahin siya nito. Bakit pa kasi umasa-asa pa siyang papayagan siya nito? "Please! Kahit six months lang. I just want to try working in a different environment. I really love to get that job. Kasi hindi ko na ito magagawa kapag kasal na tayo, hindi ba?" malambing na tanong niya. Baka sakaling matunaw ang puso nitong bato at payagan siya.

"It is a definite 'no,' Celine. Not for a minute would I allow you to work as a photographer. You don't have to. If you want to travel, I will provide for you. You may even go with your friends. If I have time, I will even come with you."

But you never have time for me. I even doubt it if you'll look at me if we are together. Saka hindi ako mag-e-enjoy. Hindi ko magagawa ang gusto kong gawin dahil kokontra ka naman. Killjoy ka kasi!

"Thanks, Yuan. You are so sweet," malambing na sabi niya, sabay ngisi nang nakakaloko. "I will think about that trip to Europe."

"Good." Parang may alaga itong aso na sumusunod kapag inutusan ng "sit and lie down." "Just don't forget about Uncle Logan's birthday party, okay?"

"Okay. Bye!" matamlay na sabi niya.