Bound for Evil

Kabanata 15

The following week became the busiest days of my life. I work in the hospital during the day, and I work out at night. Mas naging strict din si Lesley sa diet ko dahil nga sa buodoir photoshoot.

"Hmm...do you want your skin tanned permanently or not? Mas maganda kasi kung medyo tan ang skin mo, parang mas bagay pa sa 'yo? he said as he scanned me from head to toe.

Nakasuot ako ng sample na lingerie at nagpapractice ng iba't ibang pose.

"Uh, ikaw na bahala kung ano'ng tingin mong mas bagay sa akin. You know, I really don't know any single thing about this stuff." Nagkibit balikat ako.

"Well kung ako mas bet ko ang tan skin pero since newbie ka pa naman, later na lang siguro tayo magpa tan. Kapag may enough time na tayo magbeach. For now, let's just hide your fair skin with magical brush." Ngumisi siya sa akin.

The said buodoir photoshoot came. Just what like Lesley said, they had my skin tanned with airbrush tanning. I don't know how's that possible, but he was right, I really looked great with a sun kissed skin.

I got praised by international photographers with the outcome. Hindi ko inaasahan 'yon. Also, Karl Chen got satisfied. He even recommended me to some of his co-designers for modeling their works. And because of that, I got busied again. Tama nga si Lesley sa sinabi niyang madali lang umangat through recommendations. Dahil doon naging mas hetic ang schedule ko. At dahil busy na nga ako hindi ko namalayan na natapos ko na pala ang medical residency ko. After applying for California Medical License, I got it finally after three months.

"Hey, don't wanna join us there?" Turo ni Daniel sa malayong dagat.

We're in Manhattan, taking a short vacation after my successful completion. Nakakatuwang isipin na kahit madalang na lang kaming magkikitang magkakaibigan ay nanatili ang friendship namin for years. Louisiana, Ethan, West, Kelby and Daniel were my friends in UCLA. Some of them didn't graduate because of a bad lifestyle. Sanay kasi ang mga tao rito sa party and so on. They say they can always look for a better job than having their brains bleed in med school. Inilingan ko ang mind set nilang 'yon. Palibhasa ipinanganak silang mayaman at kahit 'di na suportado ng mga magulang ay kontento na sila sa easy and chill lifestyle.

"Hey, you're spacing out again." Natatawang siniko niya ako.

I smiled a bit.

"Just go there, Dan. I'm fine here. I'm just waiting for Lesley." Sumimsim ako sa iniinom na orange juice.

Nasa sun lounger ako at hinihintay si Lesley para daw i-treat ko since naging sunod-sunod ang big time casting calls ko plus nakuha ko na rin ang license ko.

"Oh, that annoying gay again." He rolled his eyes. "He's more like a boyfriend to you 'coz of his clinginess."

I chuckled.

"What do you call yourself, huh? You're more clingy than him."

"Then, should you make me your boyfriend?" Ngumisi siya.

This time siya naman ang pinaikutan ko ng mga mata.

"You know I don't do that stuff."

Ngumiwi siya.

"I still don't get why you don't wanna be in a relationship. Did your last break you the core?"

Napainom ako ng juice at tahimik na tinanaw ang dagat. Iyon nga ba ang rason? Hindi ko alam. Basta ang alam ko lang, wala na sa choices ko sa buhay ang pakikipagrelasyon. Falling in love is dangerous. It won't only hurt you to the core, but it can also kill you.

"Fine, I get it. I'm still willing if you change your mind, though." Hinawakan niya ang ulo ko at bahagyang ginulo ang buhok ko.

Sinulyapan ko siya.