El Nido #1: His Only Muse

Chapter 5

My stay at the hotel lasted for exactly a day. I can't believe I only get to stay there for a day! Busangot ang mukha ko hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay na sinasabi niya. I only agreed to come with him because I was left with no choice, okay?! If I have my money, I wouldn't even cross paths with him! 

"This is.." Hindi ko maisatinig ang nais sabihin habang nililipad ng malakas na hangin ang buhok ko. I heard the crashing sound of waves. The fine white sand on my pumps almost got on my feet. My heels were sinking onto the sands every time I step. He said it was a house, it looks like a damn beach resort! Wow!

Hindi niya ako pinansin. He left his car on the main road and  brought my paperbags. Iyong mga ibang damit na nabili ko lang sa labas ng hotel iyon, hindi mamahalin, pero tama na sa akin. Though, nasa limang piraso lamang ang mga iyon. Wala na akong pera! I still need to buy my foods! and the rent for this huge house! The monthly expenses! Oh my gosh, sumasakit ang ulo ko!

"Let's go," Sabi niya at nauna nang pumasok doon. 

Hindi na ako nagsalita. Sumunod ako sa loob at lalo pang na mangha. Okay, walang gamit. Puwera sa malaking sofa at dining, wala ring tv. Walang paintings, walang mga mamahaling furnitures. Hindi na ako nag reklamo. Is he really gonna let me stay here? 

"A-are you sure this is for rent? Can I really stay here?" I asked. 

Ibinaba niya ang mga paperbags sa sofa at humarap sa akin. "Yes," 

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "H-how much?" 

He stared at him. Hindi siya sumasagot. He only put his hands on his waist, na tila hindi interesado sa pag-uusap namin. "It's up to you." sagot niya na ikinagulat ko. 

"What?" 

He licked his lower lip before he crossed his arms over his chest. Napansin ko lang, hilig niyang gawin iyon. He always do that every time he talks or even just look at someone. At hindi iyon magana, dahil nakakakaba!

"Magkano ba ang kaya mong bayaran?" Tanong niya. 

Napalunok ako. Puwede ko bang hilingin na libre na lang? Alam niya naman na wala akong pera, e! 

"W-well, m-magkano ba ang normal na upa rito?" I asked half-heartedly. Come on, offer this for free. 

"This wasn't for rent before." 

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "Oh? then.. why is it for rent now?" I asked. 

Kumunot naman ang noo niya. "Dahil may titira na." 

Napaawang ang labi ko pero kaagad ko rin iyong itinikom. 

"You can stay here for the mean time, if you don't have money, then work for it." Sabi niya na ikinatanga ko. W-work? As in trabaho? Ako? Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.  

Well.. o-okay lang naman siguro, pero wala pa akong experience! wala akong alam na trabaho. Basta lang naman akong nag-aral para magkaroon ng diploma. Gusto ko lang mag-model, ano'ng magagawa ng ganda ko para makapag bayad sa bahay na 'to?

"Uhm.." I bite my lip before I turned back to him. 

"If you won't mind me asking, have you finished any degree?" I know he'd ask that. 

"Ah, yes, BA Political Science." sagot ko. 

Tumango siya. "There's a law firm nearby, you can apply there. Or even in the municipal hall. Anywhere." para namang ang dali-daling humanap ng trabaho kung makapagsalita siya.