First Midnight (COMPLETED)

35

"An international model just graduate at Ateneo, political science." Sambit ng reporter. I can't believe it.

I just graduate with an honors. And I'm now one of international mod l who is known not just in the Philippines but also international. I don't know what to feel.

"Are you still dating Warren?" Tanong ng isang reporter. I never answered them.

I completely close all of my social media accounts especially my dumps. Hinayaan ko nalang ang mga managers ko na i-manage pati ang mga social media ko. Except sa personal messages.

I never cleared my name na hindi ko naman dine-date si Warren. Baka kasi kung ano isipin ng iba kapag nilinis ko pa.

"Uuwi ka na next week, anak?" Tanong ni daddy habang nasa van kami. Not sure about that.

"Next week po, pupunta ako ng New York para sa ramp ko po." Magalang na sagot ko nakatingin sa ilalim ng toga ko.

"Okay, next week."

Tumango lang ako kay daddy. We celebrate on my condominium at the same time nagpunta rin kami sa private na bar. Its illegal to take a picture of me without my consent so they never tried to.

Except sa mga nasa America. I don't know why they do that.

"Congratulations to the girl who chooses her dreams over her own happiness!" Sigaw ni Jhoanna nakataas ang champagne. "Cheers!"

Napailing ako sa sinabi niya. Kung hindi ko pinili iyon baka hindi na ako cumlaude. Baka hindi na ako international model. Baka wala ko sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon.

I watch everyone enjoy the party. I can't help but to smile. Ininom ko lang ang nasa baso ko na kanina ko pa iniinom. I am supposed to feel happy having everything and finally reaching my dreams.

But why do I feel so lonely?

Kakagaling ko lang sa New York and my dad keeps calling me na umuwi sa GMA. And as expected ay May mga reporters na nandoon sa airport. I keep ignoring them dahil may bagong issue nanaman ako.

'Hershey aalis na nga ba ng agency?'

'Hershey at Warren hiwalay na nga ba?'

'Naging si Warren ba talaga ay si Hershey?'

'Minamaltrato nga ba talaga si Hershey?'

Can I just left the entertainment without hearing those news from them? Napahinga ko ng malalim ng isarado na nila ang social media ko dahil I finally resigned.

Of course, I opened my Jaye account. Finally, privacy.

"Anak, tara na." Tawag sa akin ni mommy. Nakaayos na ako ngayon dahil pupunta kami sa graduation party ni Gabriel. It's been years since then.

Am I really ready to meet him? I wore a classy dress and 2 inch heels. Ano kaya magiging reaksyon niya kapag nakita niya ako? Will I hug him?

"Do you still love him, ate?" Tanong sa akin ni Jane habang nag aayos sa kotse ko. Saakin daw kasi siya sasabay. "Madalas namin siyang kasama rito kasi kasama siya ni daddy madalas."

"I do, Jane. I still love him." Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong umiyak. I want to say sorry because I left him. I want to beg him to come back to me but I know I can't… pinili ko naman to.

Bukod sa engrandeng party ay May mga reporters din. Palibhasa ay ia-announce na ng daddy niya na anak siya. I am so proud of him being a magna cumlaude and… publishing a book.

I saw it. Jhoanna showed it to me. Sabi niya siya nagsulat no'n.

He's now a famous writer without showing his face but a lot of people knows him. I can't believe it but all I can say is I am so proud of him and I still care for him. I can't help myself to be proud.

Kung hindi ko ba siya iniwan noon maaabot niya to ngayon?

"Hershey!" Tawag sa akin nung step mother niya na model din. "Wow, you look so gorgeous!"

Bumeso ako rito. Nakibeso rin ako sa daddy niya habang nakatingin siya sa akin. Nagtama ang mata namin na parang nakapagpabilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

No, please stop.

"Congratulations sa graduation mo, hija." Sambit ng dalawa sa akin. "Anak ko nga pala." Pakilala ng tatay niya.

"Gabriel." Mahinang sambit ko. I know him. So much. I know his smell, I know his favorites, I know what makes him pissed.