Kabanata 38

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Dahan dahan akong bumangon sa kama ni Rashid. I didn't know how did he made me sleep beside him but I did. Malalim ang tulog niya dahil pagod at nakainom kagabi. We didn't do anything, that's it.

Tumitig ako sa kaniya. Ang gwapo.. I said to myself.

Suplado pa din ang mukha niya kapag tulog. Pag gising ay ganoon din.. pero madalas, kapag ako ang kausap ay malambot at ngumingiti naman siya. His smile is expensive. Kapag nakangiti siya'y parang magkakautang ako. I remember liking his glare back when I was in school. I was so crazy over him.

Hindi ko iyon pinagsisisihan. It made my memory seems fun. Well, that was the best time of my life.. And if I were to go back to that time, I'd probably do it again, no doubts.

I sighed and stood up. I should pack my things, right. Paglipat sa mansion ang aatupagin ko.

I was packing half of my clothes when the door opened. Nilingon ko si Rashid na magulo ang buhok at nakakunot ang noo, parang batang iritado dahil ginising sa mahimbibg na tulog.

Bumaling ako sa ginagawa at hindi siya pinansin. I heard his footsteps on my back until I felt him hug me from behind.

Huminto ako sa pagtutupi at bumuntong hininga. "May ginagawa ako, Rashid.."

"Aalis ka na?" malambing na bulong niya sa akin.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko habang pinapasok ang mga damit sa maleta.

I nodded. "I'm going back to our house. I need to."

"Can you stay a little longer?"

Nag-tiim bagang ako at nilingon siya. His weary eyes dropped on my lips. Medyo nakanguso ang labi. He just got off the bed and went straight to me. Natanaw ko ang itim niyang boxer.

"No."

"How can I see you, then?"

I will not let that happen.

I licked my lips. "We'll figure that out. First, I need to pack my things."

He nodded. "Can I help you?"

"No, you can't." tulak ko sa kaniya. "Doon ka na. Please, don't disturb me for a while.."

"Galit ka ba?" hinawakan niya pa din ang siko ko. Iritado ko siyang binalingan. He was figuring something in my actions.

"Rashid.." I warned.

He cleared his throat and nodded. "I'll prepare our breakfast."

"Okay."

"I love you."

Nagkatinginan kami.

Kumurap kurap ako at tumalikod sa kaniya. Hindi ako nagsalita. Pain stabs my chest as I heard his footsteps walking away from me.

This is better, Gianna. Aalis ka lang! Goodness, it's not like I can't live without him. Not like I need that man in my life!

Natapos ko ang pag-iimpake ng damit at ng ilan. Ang iba ay hindi na kasya. Siguro ay isusunod ko na lang iyon. I feel lonely thinking that I'll leave this precious house, too. This house has been more than home to me.

I took a quick bath and fixed myself. Tatlong maleta ang dala ko. Dalawa ang hinihila ko pababa. Soon as Rashid saw me, he immediately rushed to me. Binuhat niya ang dalawang maleta kaya bumalik ako para kunin ang isa.

"Thanks." I said when he still went up to get the other one.

"Ilalagay sa sasakyan mo?"

"Uh, oo.."

Pinanood ko siyang ilagay ang mga 'yon. I stayed inside just to stare at the sala. Lumapit ako sa divider at kinuha ang iilang frame doon. I remember buying a lot of frames and putting my photographs inside. Rashid was the one who told me this idea. Iyan tuloy, punong puno ang bahay ng ganito.

I smiled and picked up a frame. It's a picture where I was planting flowers on our backyard. I looked so dirty since I worked the soils and such. Rashid took a photo of me. Madungis at matalim na nakatingin sa kaniya dahil sa pagkuha ng litrato. He was laughing behind the camera, I still remember.

Kinuha ko pa ang isa sa katabi nito. It was him.. One of my favorite photo so far. Nakatayo siya sa hood ng sasakyan habang nakatingin sa akin at may subong sigarilyo sa bibig. Hubad ang itaas at faded ripped jeans lang ang suot. His eyes looked amused and enjoying the moment. May kaunting ngisi sa labi.

We have a lot memories together. I was happy with him. Iyon 'yung panahon na gusto kong manatili nalang, ihinto ang takbo ng oras at maligaw kasama siya. I smiled a bit remember how we loved each other before. No one thought we would end.

"Tapos na." I jumped when I heard him.

Naibaba ko kaagad ang litrato.

I nodded and cleared my throat. "Send me your bank account for the payment of my bills here. My manager will send it to you as soon as possible."

"You don't have to pay me."

"It's my pay for the rent, Rashid—"

"I said no, Gianna. I let you stay here because I wanted to."

"Hindi pwede. To be fair, I have to pay."

"Let's not fight about this. The breakfast is ready."

Umiling ako. "I'll eat at my house."

"Gianna.." he weakened. "May problema ba tayo? I get that you're leaving, I understand. But baby.. can I have my time, please?"

Hinawakan niya ang siko ko at ang mata ay madaming hinahanap sa akin. I was soft because of his touches. Kusa niya akong nadala sa bawat hila niya sa akin.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at tinulak ang dibdib niya palayo sa akin. "What time are you talking about, Rashid? You don't own my time. You don't own me."

"Are you mad at me? Parang galit ka sa akin.. May problema ba tayo?"

"Tayo? Rashid, walang tayo!"

"Gianna, tang ina naman.." hinilamos niya ang palad. "What do you want me to do? What was that? What was all of that?"

"We just had sex! Don't talk like it was a holy promise that I already give myself to you!"

"Bullshit!" he exclaimed. "Gianna, that is bullshit! That wasn't just a sex. Baby, we both know that.."

"It is, for me!" binawi ko ang kamay ko. "Thanks for letting me stay here, Mr. Añonuevo—"

"Fuck. Stop that, Gianna, please.."

"I'll still send my payment through your bank account. I'll email your secretary or anyone.." I nodded and stepped back. "I'll go ahead."

Malamig siyang nakamasid sa akin.

His jaw was clenching. Tumalikod ako kasabay ng punyal ng sakit sa dibdib ko. Somehow, I was hoping he would grab my hand and make me stay but he didn't. If he does that.. I might stay.. willingly.

Dumiretso ako sa kwarto matapos iutos ang mga gamit ko sa maid. I also ordered my other things to some of the men in our house, mainly my driver. Wala akong gana sa pagkain kaya inabala ko na lang ang sarili ko katawagan si Reign.

"Sa Palawan 'to, next week. I'm not sure if you'd agree so I haven't responded. Hero's also there.. kasama sa endorsement."

Bumuntong hininga ako. "How many weeks?"

"Weeks agad? Three days shoot lang."

"Can I stay for a week? I need a break."

She laughed. "Wow. You're not even working a lot. But fine, fine.."

After talking to Reign, I decided for the changing of interiors in the house. Kay Issa ako nagtanong dahil siya ang maraming kilala sa mga ito. She immediately referred me to someone so I messaged her.

Tumayo ako. Magbubuhat na sana ako ng gamit nang magvibrate ang cellphone ko. I thought it was Reign so I opened it.

From : Unknown number

I want my time, still..

I closed my eyes.

Nag-vibrate ulit.

Unknown number : I miss you already.

Unknown number : Let's fix this, please.

I typed a message.

Me : Wrong number.

Unknown number : Let's talk. I'll fetch you.

Me : Gusto kong magpahinga, Rashid. Can I do that?

Unknown number : Baby, we can't talk about this over text. Let me see you, please..

Me : I don't want to see you. Give me my time alone. Free without you and all of my problems.

It took him a while to reply. Hindi ako mapakali sa upuan ko dahil baka totohanin niyang susunduin niya ako dito.

Unknown number : Okay. If that's what can make you feel better, Gianna. But are we good?

Me : Yes..

Unknown number : Can I still text you? Call? Or sometimes see you?

Umirap ako. How can that be an alone time, Rashid? You clingy ass jerk.

Hindi na ako nagreply pa sa kaniya pagkatapos. I shouldn't stress myself over him. I want my time alone, okay.

Gusto kong abalahin ang sarili ko sa iba't ibang bagay na ngayon ko lang nagagawa. Kaya naman pagkagising ay naisip kong magliwaliw sa dating garden. Inutos ko ang mga halaman sa mga kasambahay. I wanted to plant some flowers so I requested it, too.

Tanghali nang matapos ako sa paglilinis ng garden. It wasn't as nice as before but at least it can be planted now. I planted some nice roses on my new flower pots. Ang mga bulaklak na tinanim ko sa apartment ay malalaki na ngayon. I did good.

That was all that I did the whole day. Nang kinagabihan ay bagsak ang katawan ko sa higaan. I already had my dinner alone. Balak ko nang matulog nang nagvibrate muli ang cellphone ko. This was the nth time this day.

I frowned and opened it. I wasn't surprise to see his messages.

Unknown number : What did you do today?

Unknown number : Can I see you tomorrow? I'll stop by your house.

Me : No, Rashid.

Unknown number : Okay.. Have a good sleep, Gianna. I miss you.

Pumikit ako ng mariin at binalewala ang mga mensahe niya. He's not going to stop, right? Damn it. Now I know what he feels before. Ako iyong laging gustong gusto siyang kinukulit. Now, it's different.

Days passed by so fast. Hindi ko man lang iyon napansin kaagad. I was busy fixing some things in the house. I can't believe that I was so occupied by it and I'm really enjoying.

The garden is pretty. Pinalitan ko din ang iilang furnitures sa bahay, karamihan kasi ay mga luma na. I plan to donate some of those and keep those special to my mother's. Also, I talked to Issa's recommended interior designer. Balak ko irenovate ang master's bedroom. Because it's larger than my old room, I want to use it since no one will.


And always, at the end of the day, Rashid would text me. Kadalasan hindi ko iyon nirereplyan pero hindi ko naman maiwasang silipin. I scrolled and read his bunch of messages.

Unknown number : I'm in a meeting today with a client. A male. Don't worry.

Unknown number : I hope you don't skip your meals.

Unknown number : Good afternoon, beautiful. Did you went out today? Perhaps shopping?

Unknown number : I really miss you, Gianna.. Let me see you, please.

Unknown number : The house looks sad without you, baby.

Unknown number : Goodnight. I love you.

I didn't reply. I feel like he's torturing me by sending me a bunch of his messages. Kaunti na lang ang natitirang pasensya sa akin. But every time I think about blocking him, I just couldn't.

I eventually forgot about him so I fixed my things for my flight tomorrow. Maaga ako bukas kaya magpapahinga lang ako ngayon.

I woke up because of Reign's call. I immediately went to the shower and had a quick bath. She was rushing since the flight was supposed to be early. Rashid was flooding me text messages early in the morning. He woke up early, huh. Hindi pa din ako nagreply.

"Sasama ako kasi walang katulong si Reign." defensive na sabi ni Cass nang makita ko siya sa airport.

I shrugged. Katabi ko silang dalawa sa plane. Cassandra and I were talking about my plans at the house. Tahimik lang si Reign habang busy sa kaniyang iPad.

Kinalabit ako ni Cassandra. "Ang tagal kong kinimkim ito, Gianna. Sino 'yung lalaking nagbuhat sayo paalis sa bar doon sa issue mong huli?"

I pursed my lips. Even Reign was asking me about this, hindi ko lang sinasagot.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at nag-bikit balikat. "Rashid."

"Rashid? Ano?"

"Añonuevo."

"Oh, his surname sounds gwapo!" she giggled. "Who's that? Boyfriend mo?"

Matalim ko siyang tinignan. "He's my ex."

Her mouth rounded. Narinig din iyon ni Reign pero hindi masyadong nag-bigay ng atensyon.

Cassandra gasped. "That.. that guy in the old Instagram? And in the photographs?"

I nodded and stared the window instead. She didn't burn it, I know.

It was already lunch when we arrived in our supposed hotel in Palawan. It was a seaside luxury hotel. Kumaway ako sa mga taong nakaabang sa akin sa labas. They are all taking pictures and such. I was wearing a shades just to cover my eyes from the sunlight and wind.

"You shoud rest. The staff said they moved the shoot tomorrow so you can rest." Reign said when we got to the lobby.

"Okay." nilingon ko si Cassandra. "Aakyat ka na ba?"

"Uh.. maglalakad lakad lang ako ng kaunti. Samahan ko na din si Reign."

I wasn't tired but as I saw the cozy bed inside the hotel, bigla akong napagod. Nagpaakyat si Reign ng pagkain. They were both out so I ate it alone. Nakalahati ko naman iyon bago ako inantok at nakatulog. It was all I did for the whole day. Kain at pahinga lang.

Kaya naman nang sumunod na araw ay masyado akong masigla. Tanghali ang schedule ng shoot pero maaga kaming dumalo. I'm supposed to model the company's undergarment products. Binati ako ng ilang mga manager at staff.

"What do you expect? She's an Elite Model! Talagang flawless 'yan." I heard someone says.

Hero showed up after a minute. Medyo nagulat pa ako pero expected ko naman siya dito. Cassandra was nowhere to found after a second that I saw Hero.

Bumeso ako sa kaniya. "How's your stay?"

"Awesome." he said with a full english accent. "Too sad I'm just staying for two days. I heard you're going to take a vacation for a week?"

Reign pursed her lips. Ngumisi ako. "Yeah. A week or two, I don't know. I need it."

"But you're not staying here for good?" he chuckled like it was a joke.

"No.. of course, not."

Do I have any reason to stay? Aside from the house.. wala na. I have better priorities in New York. At the end of the day, kailangan ko pa rin bumalik sa lugar kung saan talaga ako.. not here.

I wore a plain black two piece for the first shoot. Nagtagal ako sa dressing room dahil pinahiran pa ako ng oil ng glam team. My hair was a bit wet, and its supposed to be like that. Lumabas ako at nakita ko si Hero na boxer din ang suot.

"The poses should be a bit lewd. I hope its okay.." ngumiwi ang director. "Well, you kissed on camera so I guess its not a problem."

Nilingon ko ang manager ko. She nodded to me saying that it was fine. I shrugged to the director. Iyon lang.. Cassandra might be a bit off by this. Nakita ko ang pagtango ni Hero kaya sa tingin ko, ayos lang.

We did several solo poses before the actual couple shots. Nagbihis kami ng panibago. This time he was wearing a jeans while I was on a leopard designed one. I was on top of him while he was lying on the sofa. Nakatukod ang kamay ko sa tabi ng mukha niya habang ang isa ay nakalapat sa dibdib.

"Okay, I like the stare, Hero!" the director said. "That's fire, Gian! Look at the camera!" sinunod ko ang bawat sinasabi.

The shoot finished in almost than 3 hours. Nakipagbatian ako kay Hero at nakipag-ayaan pa sa inuman. Si Reign ang tumanggi dahil may beach shoot kami bukas. I let her do that.

"Your phone keeps on vibrating. Sino ba 'yan?" she said and handed me my phone.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone at dumiretso sa restaurant kung saan kami kakain. My face is still full of make-up. Hinayaan ko ang mga taong nakatingin sa akin.

Unknown number : I'm off to work. You?

Unknown number : Are you busy? Can I call you now?

Unknown number : I'll wait for your response..

Unknown number : Baby..

I gritted my teeth. Fuck you, Añonuevo.

Me : I'm working.

He replied so fast! Kinabahan pa ako ng bahagya.

Unknown number : Can I hear your voice, please..

Unknown number : Can I call? Or just a voice mail, love. I want to hear your voice.

I turned on the voice message.

"I'm eating my lunch. Kumain ka na din.." I said and sent it.

Matagal muli siya bago nagreply. I thought it was just a message but he sent me a voice mail, too. Lumundag ang puso ko dahil doon. I looked around and people's eyes were on me. Tumikhim ako at umaktong maayos.

Pinindot ko iyon. "Yes, baby.."

It was almost heard out loud. Nanlaki ang mata ko at tinakpan ang cellphone. His voice was rough and husky.

Fuck it. I glared at some people who were murmuring now. I'm not even scared that they heard it, I'm mad because they heard his voice that's supposed to be for me only!

Buong araw akong mine-mensahe ni Rashid. Sometimes I reply but most of the time, I ignored it. He keeps on updating me about him even if I don't ask. Hinahayaan ko lang dahil curious din naman ako minsan.

My second day of shoot was terrible. Maraming tao sa paligid na nakamasid sa amin. Sanay naman ako doon pero ang iba kasi ay sinisigaw ang pangalan ko at ni Hero. Nadidistract ako doon. I don't want to turn out rude so I let them be.

"Autograph lang, Miss Gian, oh! Idol na idol ka ng Mama ko!" a girl shouted. Galing pa sila sa dagat dahil basang basa pa.

Ngumiti ako at tinanggap ang cellphone niya kung saan ako pipirma. They are group of girls. Nilingon ko si Reign na nagbabantay sa akin at si Cassandra na panay ang awat sa mga fans.

"Buti maganda pirma mo kahit pangit ang sulat mo 'no?" Cassandra said and laughed.

"Shut up."

Hero was also entertaining fans. Hindi ko na masyadong napapansin dahil natatabunan na din ako. Break lang namin pero mukhang fan-meeting na ang buong lugar!

"Picture lang, Miss Gian! Shit, ang ganda!" the guy hugged me. He was wet.

"Oops! Excuse me! May shoot siya mamaya, pwede ba?" Cassandra said. "Basa na, oh! Ang mahal ng body oil!"

I held her hand. "It's okay.."

I gave them autographs and such. They were screaming when Hero was beside me and entertaining them. Panay ang tanggi ko sa mga tanong ng iba kung kami raw. Hero was just laughing. Nilingon ko si Cassandra na matalim ang tingin kay Hero.

Nang matapos ng tuluyan ang shoot ay wala na silang dalawa. They supposed to be with us in lunch since Hero's flying back later tonight. Hinayaan lang namin iyon ni Reign. We joined the team during lunch.

"My friend seems so very interested in you, Miss Gian. He kept on asking me if I could give your number."

I smiled a bit. "I'm not actually entertaining men except for business matters and of course, a fan."

"So you mean.. you're single, right? That's impossible. A beautiful and successful woman should have a man that keeps her like that!"

I laughed a bit because of his words. "A man is not a necessity for any success. I, myself, can do it alone and better than a man can."

Tumuwid ako ng upo at ngumiti sa lalaki. He nodded and shrugged.

It's not always been men over women. It's not also women over men. Equality. That is what the community needs these days. And we all have to apply that properly.

Hindi na ako nagreply kay Rashid hanggang gabi. Cassandra and I tried to do jetski until the sun was down. Pagod na pagod kami pagbalik sa suite kaya naman hindi ko na halos magawang kumain dahil sa antok.

It's my fourth day in Palawan. Ganoon lang din ang ginagawa namin kahapon. Shoot, eat seafoods, meet people and sleep. Ni hindi namin magawang magswimming dahil sa mga ginagawa.

Today my last shoot. Mamayang hapon ay mauuna na sila Reign sa ElVi. I don't know if Cassandra is going to Manila tomorrow for her family matters. Kaya naman mamaya ay susulitin namin ang last stay nila sa Palawan. We planned to drink all night!

"Just walk like what you usually do and stop right here." turo ng

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net