A Designer's Creation

44. Just Enjoy the Show

Tyrone and I spent our three days resting and doing something fun. And when I say fun, it was more of arguing about petty things like what to eat and what to wear.

Hindi talaga kami makaka-survive nang hindi kami nagtatalo.

8 AM to 10 PM ang schedule ng coverage ng La Mari for the actual competition so a day before the official launching of the event, and we have to go to Injap Tower near St. Francis for the stay. That was the hotel we were supposed to stay and may room na designated for the contestants ng event. Kaso kahit si Tyrone, alam na dudumugin ang kuwarto ko roon ng media kaya nagpa-book pa talaga siya ng Executive Suite sa Tower Wing ng EDSA Shangri-La four days ahead of the competition.

In the middle of the freaking night, kailangan naming bumiyahe ni Tyrone para lang hindi kami maharang ng press sa kalsada. Aware naman ang lahat na hindi ako umatras for La Mari after what happened to me because of Jomari Lianno.

The busy highways weren't as busy as during its daytime state kaya from Taytay, sobrang bilis na ng fifty minutes para makarating sa Shangri-La. Malinis ang kalsada, at iilang private cars na lang ang makikita sa daan. But still, it was a business center so I already expected na sobrang dami pa ring gising na employees in the middle of the night.

Pagkatapos ibigay ni Tyrone ang kotse niya sa valet, may bellboy na naka-black polo ang kumuha ng mga bagahe naming dala na good for six days kung tutuusin. Apat na maleta rin 'yon kahit na for three days lang naman talaga kami.

I missed the grand atmosphere of hotels. I find myself in an awkward place since alas-onse pasado na ng gabi pero naka-shades pa rin ako samantalang ang dilim-dilim nga sa paligid. I wore a black face mask and a black coat for my incognito mode. Sinabi naman na namin sa security kung sino ako so hindi na nila pinilit na alisin ang mask and shades ko para hindi ako ma-report.

The whole place was lit with yellow-dimmed lights to establish a warmer feeling sa loob ng hotel. We headed to the Horizon Club on the 14th floor. Dumeretso kami sa lounge and the hallway was colder kahit pa warm tone ang gamit nilang lightings.

Since may recommended dress code sa lounge, as much as possible, we need to wear smart casual attire.

Sumaglit kami sa may garden wing para makausap ang isang staff doon na magha-handle ng press once na malaman nilang nandito ako sa Shangri-La bago kami dumeretso sa Tower Wing.

Eight in the morning ang start at dapat natutulog na 'ko, yet here we are, preparing for an expected event na nagiging unexpected na habang tumatagal.

The room was a beige-and-salmon-toned interior. The floor was made of floral-designed carpet and in front was a long glass window showing a magnificent view of Manila cityscape. May full-size, oval-shaped executive writing desk sa kanan katabi ng wooden side table na may nakabukas na lamp. May single couch na nakatalikod sa window view katabi ng gray sofa at 50-inch smart TV. Isa lang ang kama pero queen-sized naman kaya kahit pa magtabi kami ni Tyrone, wala namang problema.

Nakatabi na sa may dresser ang mga maleta namin at wala akong balak maglabas ng damit doon sa ngayon, so I guess either mag-uutos si Ty o siya na ang gagawa.

"Puwede ka pang mag-back out," sabi ni Tyrone na hindi ko alam kung nang-aasar lang ba o seryoso siya na pasukuin ako sa last minute.

Naghubad na lang ako ng napakainit na leather coat at ibinato iyon sa may couch.

Napapangiti na lang ako sa sarili ko. Kinakapa ko ang pakiramdam ko pero wala akong maramdaman.

"I hate it every time na naghahanap ako ng kaba, wala akong maramdaman. I dunno, I'm not that excited to be here, I guess."