Chapter 4

"One more pose Ver."

I lift my chin, mouth half-open, look sideway, brows half raised, eyes are fierce and look at the camera seductively. This is my last photo shoot for today. I look like a hot goddess in my bloody red string bikini for the lingerie brand I'm endorsing.

"Good job, Veronica!"

Dun pa ako nakahinga ng maayos pagkatapos kung marinig ang sigaw ng official photographer na kaibigan ko din. After ilang shots natapos ko din lahat ng shots na kailangan niya.

Many people think that modelling is an easy job, where in fact it's one of the toughest. I have to maintain my diet, I have to limit my food intake at halos din nga ako kumain. I have to exercise regularly at ang dami pang bawal. That's my routine for years now. Madalas kasi sunod-sunod ang pictorials ko lalo na kapag madaming na booked na project si Blane, that's why I have to maintain my figure.

After graduation I flew to Paris to fulfill my dreams. I landed on a big company and was invited to other different countries for photo shoots and shows. Ilang bansa na rin ang napuntahan ko pero bumabalik ako dito sa Paris dahil ito ang pinaka gusto ko. And ito ngang huling buwan dito ang last fashion show naman kaya di na ako umalis dito.

My name became well known in modelling industry. My connections became bigger. Madami na din akong nakilala pero mabilang lang ang matatawag kong tunay sa kanila. Some were just casual, acquaintance and most were just faking.

I'm famous, I have my own money but still I can't find in my heart the satisfaction. There is something that is missing that I can't figure out. I don't see the purpose why I'm doing all these things.

I felt bored. I don't have the excitement anymore. It's just a normal thing for me. Walang thrill, walang buhay.

Maybe I just miss my family back home kaya ganito ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.

It's been years that I'm away from them. We see each other, only if my schedule permits. I managed to have my own saving pero hindi parin buo ang kasiyahan ko. There is really something wrong with me.

I talked to my manager, Blane about my bookings and schedules if he can give me free time. I want to go home and see my family or maybe I will retire in this job.

Blane is a gay, he's my manager at the same time my friend. He makes my life easier, na sa sobrang relax ko sa kanya nawalan ako ng gana.

I'm not happy anymore. It's like I'm just doing this dahil nakasanayan ko na. It's like a routine and I don't feel the fun anymore.

Siguro sapat na naman yong naipon ko sa loob ng apat na taon. Maybe I can start my own business now or kung hindi man, I will just asked Blane to give me some break.

Maybe that's what I need, to figure out kung ano ba talaga ang gusto kong gawin. Kung ano ba talaga ang gusto kong mangyari sa buhay ko.

"Are you sure with your decision , love?"

Blane hugged me as soon as he handed me my bag. Today is my scheduled flight to Philippines. I smiled at him. I will miss this guy. He may look so masculine from the outside but I know how soft he is form the inside. This guy has the kindest heart.

"Yeah, babe. I need this...I badly needed this." I answered before giving him a hug.

No one from my family knows that I'll be coming home. I want to surprise them.

"Call me if you changed your mind, 'kay? I'll be more than happy to see you coming back here." he said before releasing me. I saw how he blinked his eyes to stop his tears and I'm so touched.

"You can come with me, babe. " I joked to lighten the mood. " We'll find boys there, maybe your destiny is there waiting for you. What do you think?" I said and winked at him.

"You're crazy..." Natatawang pinitik nito ang noo ko.

I hugged Blane once again before I turned my back to wait for my flight. I saw how his eyes moistened and I almost cry in front of him. I admit that I 'll be missing him, my co-models and all the people I worked here in Paris. This is my second home. I learn how to live my life here alone. Paris taught me life lesson that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I wore my shades and walked straight to the find a seat where I can relax while waiting for my flight. I saw one vacant seat at the corner, next to that seat is a guy wearing a white inner shirt with dark jacket paired with maong pants and a boots. In fairness that guy looked handsome. He can pass as model while just sitting there.

I noticed few girls sitting next to him who is obviously flirting but the guys doesn't seem to care at all. I don't know where he was looking 'coz his also wearing his shades and a cap on his head.

I walked straight to his direction without minding the stares I get from the ladies. Pakialam ko ba kung bet nila ang lalaking yan. Ang aarte kung gusto nila e di lapitan nila. I took the seat beside him and rest my back comfortably. I even put on my airpods para walang disturbo.

Hindi man lang ito gumalaw nung umupo ako sa tabi niya. Para lang itong poste na walang pakialam sa taong nakapalibot sa kanya. Pero mabuti na rin yo dahil ayoko din naman ng dinidisturbo ako.

Mabuti nga at walang nakakakilala sa akin. Thanks to the cap and the shades na pinasuot ni Blane sa akin dahil siguro kung wala ito kanina pa ako pinagkakaguluhan dito. Hndi ko nga alam kung may iniwan bang bodyguards si Blane para bantayan ako bago makasakay.

I'm sitting comfortably but I can't concentrate on the music I was listening 'coz this guys scent is invading my nostrils. His manly perfume smells so good. Para itong nang-aakit. I'm used to different kinds of scents from my co-models o kahit sa dalawa kong kapatid na lalaki but this one is different. Parang may kakaiba sa pabangong humalo sa amoy ng katawan niya.

I flinched on that thought. It's my first time to feel something like this towards someone opposite my sex. It's so awkward. Though madaming nanliligaw at nagpapahaging sa akin pero kakaiba ang dating nitong lalaking katabi ko.

I can't believe I'm having this feeling towards a stranger. Agad ko itong binura sa aking isipan. It's scary, paano kung masamang tao 'tong katabi ko. That thought alone creep me out.

Good thing hindi din nagtagal at tinawag na kami para magboard sa eroplano. Early morning arrival ang pinili ko para walang masyadong media sa airport ang sasalubong sa akin. Blane arranged a van to send me home since I told him that I want to surprise my family for my homecoming. No one knows from them that I'll be there this morning. I'll surprise them for breakfast.

After 14 hours sitting in the plane I arrived at the airport safe. Bago pa man ako nakalabas ng airport tinawagan na ako Blane na naghihintay na ang van na susundo sa akin sa labas.

Before I could get off the plane I saw that same guy in the airport again. He's seated next to me but he's not facing my direction. Nakatalikod ito sa akin but his built is familiar. I think I saw it somewhere, pero agad ko din namang binura sa aking isipan sa dami ng taong aking nakakasalamuha hindi talaga maiwasang may magkakapareha. I'm just overthinking.

I fixed my cap, my shades and I even wear a mask to hide my identity bago ako bumaba. Maayos akong nakikisabay sa ibang pasahero until I reached the exit. I noticed some press are waiting and I thought they won't recognized me but I was wrong.

"Miss Valderama, welcome back."

"How's your life in Paris? Totoo bang hihinto ka na sa pagmomodelo?"

"Ms. Veronica, are you staying for good."

"Is it true that Hendrick Valderama is getting married kaya ka umuwi?"

I didn't answer to any of their questions. Diritso lang akong naglakad papasok sa van na naghihintay sa akin. Mabuti na lang at may inarrange na bodyguards si Blane sa akin kaya walang nakalapit sa kanila. Even the airport security assited me to get to my van safely. Hindi ko na tuloy alam kung masusurprise ko pa ba ang mga magulang ko ngayon. Baka kasi naka live yong ibang press at nakita na nga ako ng mga tao sa bahay.

Akala ko nga ako ang may sorpresa sa kanila pero parang ako ata ang nasurprise doon sa tanong ng reporter kanina.

How come I didn't know that my brother is getting married? Does it mean nalaman na ni Kuya Hendrick ang tungkol sa kambal niya? If that's the case then patay si Kuya Derick neto. Kawawa naman ang Super Kuya ko, wala na ngang jowa mabubugbog pa ni Kuya Sungit. Paano naman kasi ilang beses ko na siyang sinabihan na wag ng ilihim kay Kuya Hendrick ang tungkol sa kambal ayaw niya talagang makinig sa akin.

Kahit ako nga nagulat din nung itinawag niya sa akin nang malaman niyang may anak na pala si Kuya. And what's more interesting is that Kuya Hendrick has twins a boy and a girl. Mom and Dad already met the kids in person, ako lang ang hindi dahil nga sa trabaho ko pero nakita ko naman sila sa pictures.

They're both look alike of Kuya Hendrick especially the boy, 'mini me' ni Kuya. They both have gray eyes na sa isang tingin pa lang alam mo nang Valderama. I was even surprised na yong sekretarya niya pala ang ina ng mga bata. Akala ko kasi noon si Ethan ang may gusto doon. Iba kasi kung makabida tungkol doon sa babae. But I liked that lady even before I knew that she's the mother of the twins. Feeling ko magkakasundo kaming dalawa.

I just came on time, Dad, Mom and my two brothers are in the dining are happily eating their breakfast. Nagtatawanan pa ang dalawang Kuya ko pero napansin kong may pasa sa kaliwang pisngi si Kuya Derick.

"Good Morning , Everyone!"

I exclaimed happily and all of them shifted their gaze at me. Muntik pang mabilaukan si Kuya Derick dahil saktong pagsubo niya nung sumigaw ako.

Agad na tumayo si Mommy para salubungin ako at ganun din si Dad at ang dalawa kong kapatid. Mom is even crying at halos ayaw niya akong bitawan para din mayakap ng mga kapatid ko kaya walang magawa ang mga ito kundi maki- group hug na lang.

"Welcome home, Baby." ani Mom and Dad. Pinunasan pa ni Dad ang luha sa mukha ni Mom at masuyo nitong h******n sa ulo. How sweet. My Dad is really the best, he never fail to express how he loves Mom so much.

"We're happy to see you, Princess." Si Kuya Hendrick na halatang maaliwalas ang pagmumukha ngayon. Siguro alam na talaga nito ang tungkol sa kambal niya.

"Come too your favorite and Super Kuya, Baby." nakangiting saad ni Kuya Derick pero napawi ang ngiti nito ng pinisil ko ang pasa sa mukha niya pagkatapos ko siyang yakapin.

Pero kahit may pasa ang Kuya ko hindi parin nabawasan ang kagwapuhan nito. He's my bias kasi palihim niyang hinuhulugan ang account ko noong nagsisismula pa lang ako sa Paris. Kaya nga madalas kong sabihing favorite ko siya. Mahal ko din naman si Kuya Hendrick mas close lang ako kay Kuya Derick.

"Where did you get this?" tanong ko sabay turo sa pasa niya.

He didn't answer but he throw a sharp glare at Kuya Hendrick at parang may idea na ako kung anong nangyari.

"Never mind princess, hindi yan nakabawas sa kapogihan ko." aniya at muli akong niyakap.

Ito yong hinahanap ko, yakap ng mga taong nagmamahal sa akin. Sa wakas nakauwi na rin ako kung saan naroon ang mga taong nagmamahal sa akin. Now I can say that I'm home. I'm home with my loved ones, at home with my family.

I stayed in my room the wholeday. Pagod na pagod ako sa byahe kahit na buong oras ng byahe ay natutulog lang naman ako.

Nagkataon namang may importanteng meeting ang mga magulang ko pati sina Kuya kaya dito lang ako sa mansion buong araw. I slept the whole day and woke up early the next day because my bitchesa friend Cassandra is so early to disturb me. Kanina pa ito tumatawag sa akin kaya wala akong choice kundi sagutin ito.

"I miss you, Babe!" Nagtititiling bungad nito sa kabilang linya. Inilayo ko pa ang phone sa tenga ko sa lakas ng pagkatili niya. As if naman hindi kami nagkita sa Paris last month. Iba din kasi ang trip ng babaeng to, kahit pa madalas kaming magkita palagi nitong sinasabi sa akin na wala na akong panahon sa kanya. Ang drama pa, dinaig pa ang jowa kung umasta.

She still hasn't changed. Siya pa rin ang makulit ngunit mabait kong kaibigan mula high school. Siguro kung may nagbago man sa kanya ay yong pagiging 'playgirl niya'. Not in bad way though for me, dahil hindi niya naman pinagsasabay-sabay.

Let's just say na madali lang talagang makapag move-on ang kaibigan ko sa mga failed relationships niya kaya agad nakakahanap ng bagong kapalit. But it's really fine with me, agree din naman ako sa kanya. Life is short to dwell on negative things. Yan ang motto niya kaya no wonder na masiyahin talaga si Cassandra.

"Why are you disturbing me this early, Cassandra?"

She acted hurt at kunyari nagtatampo pa but I know better. Strategy niya lang yan para talagang sisiputin ko siya mamaya.

"It's Cassy, Veronica Chrystelle. Remind lang kita ah, mamaya."

See? I'm right, tumawag lang ito para e remind akong magkikita kami mamaya sa bar. Ilang araw na rin akong kinukulit nito.

"Didn't I tell you yes already? Hindi ka din makulit ano?" natatawa kong sagot sa kanya. Ilan pan kamutahan at konting kwentuhan bago ako nagpaalam. "Sige na, bye na. Magkikita pa naman tayo mamaya."

"Make sure to meet me there, Babe dahil kung hindi susgurin talaga kita dyan sa mansion niyo." banta niya pa sa akin bago binaba ang tawag.

Dahil wala akong magawa buong araw naisipan kong mag de-clutter ng mga gamit ko. I need to let go of the things na hindi ko na kailangan. Sayang naman kung nakatambay lang dito sa closet ko. I will give this to our kasambahay o kung sinuman ang may gusto sa mga gamit ko.

Madami-dami na din ang nailabas kong mga gamit at malapit ko ng matapos ang paglilinis sa closet ko ng mapansin ko ang Christian Dior na panyong panlalaki. If I'm not mistaken ito yong naiwang panyo na binigay ng nurse sa akin nung binully ako nina Mira. Tinago ko pala ito dito sa drawer ko, nakalimutan ko na. Siguro yong lalaking nagdala sa akin ang may-ari ng hanky. May initials ito sa gilid "NDC" kagaya ng font ng brand. Sosyalin pala yong mayabang na yon, naka personalized ang panyo.

Itatapon ko sana pero naisipan kung ibalik na lang . Maybe some day our paths will cross again, malaya natin.Isasauli ko ito sa kanya. It must be special for him dahil may initials niya. Pasalamat ko na rin dahil hindi ako nakapagpasalamt sa kanya kahit pa sinabIhan niya akong mabigat.

Until now natatawa pa rin ako sa tuwing naalala ko yong reklamo niya habang karga-karga ako. Talagang nagawa niya pansinin ang weight ko kahit nawalan na akong malay sa mga braso niya. Kaloka din si kuyang mayabang. Akala niya siguro nag-iinarte lang ako nun.

I look at the hanky in my hand and smiled. Thanks to your owner.

"I'll return you to him, soon."