MY BIG FAT ROMANCE

MBFR : 41

EPISODE 41 : FACADE

As my feet landed in the place, I feel something not up to scratch. It's an abandon building and have a single light filled in one space. There's no presence of life nor a single person that can be seen anywhere.

I grab my cellphone to call Irene, I also double check the address if I am in the right place but the google says the exact pin from where I am standing.

I start to feel uneasy when I can't reach her phone, "Ms. Austria?" I was startled upon hearing the woman's voice behind me.

I slowly turned around, "I am Irene of Cooking Legends. Please follow me," she said, grinning.

Her eyes scrutinize me from head to toe. I am confuse because I didn't expect her appearance. She has soft voice as I can recall talking to her over the phone.

She's wearing a miniskirt, only the thin straps covers her back. She has a blonde hair, she even wear a heavy make up and dark lipstick. Her aura never fails to make me think that there's something odd that is going to happen.

I shrug my head. I should not be thinking about that, what's important here is the life of the street children and senior citizens that I am about to change through this program. I omit the thought that keep on bugging me and follows her inside.

Napayakap ako sa aking sarili nang mapadaan kami sa hallway ng building, patay-sindi ang mga ilaw. Pakiramdam ko nasa horror movie ako ngayon na may biglang bubulaga sa akin nang wala sa oras. Madilim ang paligid.

It might be a theme of a show that will going to be documented?

Pinagpatuloy ko lang ang pagsunod sa babae habang yakap-yakap ng kilabot ang buo kong pagkatao.

Huminto siya sa isang kwarto at hinarap ako, "We're here," anito habang hindi nawawala ang ngisi.

"Good luck to your performance, galingan mo ah." Sabi nito at kumindat bago pihitin pabukas ang pintoan.

Napatakip ako sa aking ilong nang maamoy ang puro at matapang na perfume nito.

Nag-aalangang tumango ako rito, "S-salamat," wika ko bago pumasok sa loob.

Isang matabang lalaki na may hawak na malaking sigarilyo ang bumungad sa akin. Pagkakita nito sa akin ay halos hubaran na ako nito sa tinging ipinukol.

Napansin ko ang pag-angat ng kaniyang labi bago ipatong ang sigarilyo sa ash tray. May mga lalaki ding nakasuot ng itim na damit, may mga tattoo sa mga braso at halatang babad sa pag-g-gym dahil kitang-kita naman sa mga maskulo ng mga ito.

Aside from the men, I also see girls who's wearing an almost naked dress while sitting on the lap of the fat man. I want to believe that there's nothing going on here but the premises gives me off a terrifying vibes.

I cough silently as I feel something stuck on my throat, "Good evening, I'm here to discuss matters about the Cooking Legends show? May I talk to the owner?" I said trying to cease myself from stuttering.

Sumilay na ang ngisi sa labi ng lalaki, "You are Ms. Lauryn Austria?" tanong nito habang walang humpay ang pagtingin sa kabuoan ko.

Nag-umpisa na ding manlamig at manubig ang aking kamay sa tensiyon na nararamdaman. Pakiramdam ko kung mananatili pa ako rito ay mawawalan na ako ng hininga.

This place keeps on suffocating me.

Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang aking pinakawalan at marahang tumango habang nilalabanan ang mapangahas niyang titig sa akin. Pinilit kong maging positibo at huwag pansinin ang mga bagay na bumabagabag sa aking isipan.