Hearts Between Colors (Isla Contejo #3)

Chapter 8

SINAKOP ng tumutunog na cellphone ang pandinig ko pagkagising na pagkagising ko isang umaga. Nagkusot muna ako ng mga mata bago ko inabot ang cellphone ko na nakapatong sa bedside table. I pressed the screen of my phone against my ear when I tapped the answer button.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Seah. Did I wake you up?"

Napakurap-kurap ako nang mabosesan ko kung sino ang nasa kabilang linya. Ilang sandali pa akong natulala sa kawalan bago ako nakapagsalita.

"Zad?"

I heard him chuckle. "Missed me?"

"Oh my God! Bakit ngayon ka lang tumawag, ha?"

Tuluyan akong napaupo at sumandal sa headboard. Tila nawala ang antok ko at unti-unting nagising ang diwa. I felt glad to hear from him again. It's been weeks already since he last called! He was in Switzerland for a tour and I've always wanted to ask how he was, but I didn't want to disturb him.

"Sorry, I was really just so busy. 'Sup? You're still in Isla Contejo?"

"Yup. How about you? How's the concert?"

"It was fun, pero sobrang nakakapagod. Patang-pata na katawan ko, grabe."

I pouted unconsciously. I was happy for his career, but also feeling worried about him every time. Zadrino's my best friend since high school. We both started modeling when we stepped into college until a composer discovered his talent in singing.

He was then become one of the biggest pop icons in the industry in today's generation. Kabi-kabilaan ang mga concert niya at parami nang parami ang fans. Madalas din siyang nali-link sa akin pero noon pa naman namin sinabi sa madla na mag-best friend lang kami. Only that the media didn't want to believe it.

"Take a lot of rest, please," I responded. "Kailan ka babalik from Switzerland?"

"In two weeks, I think. Ipapaayos ko ang schedule ko and we'll see each other, okay?"

"Sure. Rest well, Zad. Please?"

He chuckled. "I will. Don't worry about me."

Pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin ni Zad sa cellphone ay nag-ayos na ako ng sarili. Hindi na muna ako nagpa-room service at mukhang nagtatampo na sina Franz na hindi na ako sumasabay sa kanila ng almusal. Pagkatapos naming mag-almusal ay nagkayayaan kaming tatlo na mag-swimming sa pool hangga't wala pang gaanong tao roon.

Mamayang after lunch pa naman ang shoot ko para sa araw na ito kaya may oras pa kami para magliwaliw.

I looked at myself in the mirror after I put on my purple two piece. I brushed my hair and made it messier before I covered myself with a white see-through cover-up. Sabay-sabay kaming bumaba nina Juna at Franz upang magtungo sa malaking pool area ng hotel.

Nadaanan ko ang front desk at nagkatinginan kami ni Rodean. I smiled at him and he just nodded. He followed me by his eyes until I was already out of his sight.

"'Te, may something ba sa inyo ng manager na 'yon?" Siko sa 'kin ni Franz.

I hid my smile and shook my head. "Wala, but I think we're kinda... friends?"

"Hindi ka sure, 'te? Friends with benefits ba?"

Natawa si Junaira sa tanong ni Franz. Ako naman ay pinanlakihan ng mata ang mahaderang bading at sinaway. Natatawa lang sila ni Juna hanggang sa tuluyan kaming makarating sa pool. As expected, wala pa ngang tao roon dahil maaga pa. Open ang paligid kaya maaraw. Wala rin gaanong puno pero may mga halaman at bulaklak sa paligid.