The Past

Chapter 11: The Truth Confession

Mike's POV

Click. Flash. Click. Flash

"Alright, now cross your legs then widen your both arms. Lean your back and those elbows to the glass table. And give me your sharpest look here. Okay there you go."

Click. Flash

"Okay, we're done for now Ms. Montereal. The second session will start later at three o'clock."

Iyon lang at inayos ko na ulit ang mga gamit ko for the photoshoot. This is my first photoshoot sa bansa, I didn't plan this from the start but when I heard from my colleague, who referred me for this part time job, about the Vallejos I just accepted it.

***

"Good Evening. My name is Ken Mikel Ruiz", bati ko sa ka-meeting ko tonight and held my hand to his.

"Yes, good evening, Mr. Ruiz. I'am Marlon. . ., Marlon Josef Vallejos. But just Josef will do. Please have a seat"

Napaka-professional at good looking guy pala itong si Josef. Pati na rin sa paraan ng pagsasalita niya. He must be a good person not just outside but inside too. I ordered our dinner for tonight, of course its my treat since I invited him for this meeting.

First, we talked about ourselves, current jobs and hobbies, also about lovelife, if there is. After we finished, I ordered for a cup of coffee.

"Now I understand how very professional you are Josef. But may I know the reason why you're there at that time? . . . You know I'm referring to my sister's date, Mica and that guy. It is you, right?"

"You're Mica's brother?", pero hindi naman niya masyadong ikinagulat 'yun. Parang naniniguro lang. Tango lang ang isinagot ko.

"Then what you said is right Mr. Ruiz. You really investigate about my identity."

"Mike na lang itawag mo sakin. Di rin naman ako sanay na tinatawag sa last name ko, and yes, I investigated about you. Can't help it I guest."

"Okay, Mike. So since you know about that day, it means you were there also, watching both of them"

Dumating na ang waiter dala ang dalawang tasa ng kape.

"Of course, I was there. And it is my duty as her brother." Then I sipped a little of my brewed coffee. So relaxing.

"Duty??"

"That's right. My duty is to protect my little sister. Though she's already in the right age to decide her own and can protect herself, I still want to be there beside her. And I will do that as much as possible and as much as I can." Tiningnan ko muna siya ulit, then ask him, "What about you? Why you we're there?"

"Same as you." Deretsong sagot niya with a serious face. And from those phrases I can sense his sincerity about it. I need to make sure one thing very important.

"Josef, do you happen to like my sister?"

"Yes!!" A straight-forward answer without any hesitation.

***

I heard Ms. Montereal and her PA whispering. Maybe there is some issues, well about that, I do not know. Hindi ko na rin aabalahin ang sarili ko to know about their matter. I continue to fix my thing before lunch time. Then checked those photos of her a while ago. She's really indeed a beautiful one. Especially that last shot, she's like a wild hungry tiger waiting for its prey in the middle of a deep forest. Roar.

"We need to talk"

Napalingon agad ako sa pinanggalingan ng napaka-authorative voice na yun just to realize, it is only Josef. He's here sa studio all of a sudden. Lumapit ako.

"Yow, Josef you're here. Are you connected with Ms. Montereal?"

"M-mike??!" with his amazement.

"Wait, do you each other?" Pumagitan na si wild hungry tiger sa amin with matching curiosity.

"We're cousins Mike. Clarisse and I are cousins. Anyways, tapos na ba kayo sa photoshoot? Cause we just have a business to talk with."

I said yes, then left. Pinaalala ko lang ang next session before they could step out of the room.

Clarisse's POV

Tahimik lang kami pareho sa loob ng sasakyan niya. This person is really unpredictable. Bigla na lang siya sumusulpot sa harap ko. And what now, hindi siya ngayon i-imik. I do not know what in Josef's mind. But I need to prepare myself after this.

"We'll stop at the next street to buy clothes so you can change". Tama, hindi pa ako nakakapagpalit ng damit from the photoshoot. And I remember magkakilala sila ng photographer na'yun.

After I change my long fitted gown to a three-fourth blouse and skinny jeans, Josef starts his car again. After a while, he's looking for a space to park. We're here in a seafood restaurant.

"Pwede mo naman sabihin sa'kin na yayain mo lang ako mag-lunch today, bakit kailangang kaladkarin mo pa ako kanina" I said as we get inside the resto and while looking for a vacant table.

The waiter took our orders. He ordered an Oyster Bay Paella and Steamed Lapu-lapu which is my favorite. He knows seafood is one of my favorite foods.

"Ahm, Josef about earlier, do you know that guy, sa studio kanina?!"

"Yes, he's one of a friend."

"Actually he's Mica's brother." dugtong niya.

I didn't expect the last statement he said. "Really." Pero bakit ganun, nararamdaman ko ang coldness from Josef. Hindi ko tuloy magawang tanungin siya ng mga bagay na gusto kong malaman.

While in the midst of our lunch, he spoke up. "Why?"

"What 'why'?"

He stop from eating.

"You're the only person I told about Mica." , he's speaking in a serious tone of voice.

"I know. And so what?", medyo naiinis din ako dahil hanggang ngayon si Mica pa rin ang bukambibig niya, "Bakit siya ang topic natin ah?! Did you just invite me here para may kausap ka about her. Well, stop that. I'm not interested"

Nangangalahati pa lang ako sa food ko pero wala nakong gana. Parang gusto ko nang bumalik sa Studio.

"I want to go back now. Ihatid mo na'ko", patayo na'ko ng pigilan ako ni Josef.

"Not yet Clarisse", matalim ang mga matang nakikita ko. "Ikaw ba ang nagpadala kay Mica ng letter na'yun with the necklace she gave me?! Ikaw ba ang gumawa nun, huh?! Tell me the truth", mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko.

"Wa-what are you talking about? Nasasaktan ako Josef" pilit kong inaalis ang kamay ko sa pagkakahawak niya.

"Ano?? Ikaw ba?? Just say it Clarisse, just say the truth."

"OO" tuluyan niya na ako nabitawan. "Okay na ba? Nasagot ko na ba ang tanong mo, huh, Josef? Can we leave now?!"

"Why Clarisse? Anong pumasok sa isip mo at ginawa mo 'yun? I trusted you."

Hindi ako makapaniwalang gagawin to sa akin ni Josef just because of that girl. Unti-unti nang tutulo ang mga luha ko. Pero kailangan kong ipagtanggol ang sarili ko.

"Ikaw!!" chin-up "Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit ko yun ginawa. I always wanted you to see me just like how you see Mica. I change a lot because of you. But you always talk about is Mica,.. Mica. Si Mica ganito, si Mica ganyan. Stop it!! " I covered my ears as if I don't want to hear that name ever again.

"Kahit ako ang malapit sa tabi mo, at siya malayo sayo, malayong-malayo pero siya pa rin ang laging nasa puso't isip mo. Pero hindi mo nakikita na nasasaktan ako dahil d'on" I looked at him directly, "I love you Josef!!"