Chapter 36
Lies
Agad na lumapit sa akin si Joe nang makita ako. Nasa gilid ako ng backstage at kasalukuyang pinapanood and pangalawang kalahok. I was getting a bit restless seeing how beautifully their own design was delivered by their models.
"Where's Clara?" agad kong tanong kay Joe.
"She's ready," matamis na ngiti ang ginawad niya sa akin ngunit hindi ako makangiti.
Naibsan nga ang pag-alala ko dahil may papalit kay Lia ngunit hindi ko maiwasang mabahala sapagkat hindi ko alam kung may nalalaman ba si Clara sa pagrampa. I know she understands fashion and knows our collection's designs very well, but I'm not sure how much experience she has with modeling.
Huminga ako ng malalim. I know she can do it.
Tiningnan ko ang monitor na nakalagay sa backstage at nakita kong medyo marami-rami ang mga taong dumalo na nahagip ng camera kaysa sa inaasahan ko. The runway lights illuminated the venue. I recognized a few media influencers, fashionistas, famous celebrities, and business owners.
Muli akong tumingin sa intablado at nagulat nang masulyapan si Ion na nagmamadaling nakikisuot sa maraming tao. Kumunot ako habang sinusudan siya ng tingin. Hindi siya kailanman dumalo sa mga ganitong kaganapan. Nakita kong lumapit siya sa mga organizers at tinuro nga mga ito ang kinaroroonan ni Clara.
"I'll check with Clara," paalam ko kay Joe.
Don't tell me may iuutos itong kapatid ko kay Clara sa kalagitnaan ng show.
"Ion," I called him out as I approached him.
Nakita kung nakikisawsaw siya sa mga make up artist na kasalukuyang nag-aayos kay Clara.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"I heard our Clair-Bear will represent one of your highlight collections. I have to be present. I wouldn't miss this for the world," excited na sambit nito habang kinukunan ng picture sa Clara.
Ang huli naman ay panay ang taboy dito ngunit hindi natinag si Ion.
I turned to Clara, who was clearly feeling the weight of the moment. She was fidgeting with the hem of her dress, her eyes darting nervously as the make-up artist put something on her face. I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, Clara. You got this. Just take a deep breath and remember what we practiced earlier."
"I'm...nervous," Clara managed a shaky smile.
She looks perfect. Clara is fair-skinned, so the black cocktail dress suits her well. Seeing her made me feel better, knowing she looked like she could handle it.
Ion, still busy taking photos, caught my eye and gave a thumbs-up. "She's going to do great, Zouie. Don't worry. Wala man siyang alam sa entablado, alam kong kakayanin niya iyan, diba Clair-bear?" He gave Clara a wide smile.
Hindi ko matanto kung totoong nandito siya para suportahan ako o si Clara o kung nandito siya para makita ang pagkabigo namin.
"Okay, tama na, Ion," sabi ko habang mabilis siyang hinila papunta sa harap at hinanapan ng pwesto. I signaled Joe to take over, and he just nodded.
