Alluring Glances (SCS #1)

26.

Wala ako sa sarili buong araw. Hindi rin ako nakapasok sa trabaho at ni-lock lang ang sarili ko sa apartment. I was worried and shaking. My mother just called me, telling me something I didn't expect to happen.

Rea called me an hour later. Nanginginig man, sinagot ko pa rin ang tawag niya.

"Vanessa, your family..." she started and I feel like crying. "Your family was harassed by the media. Gusto nilang makahingi ng statement mula sa pamilya mo dahil sa kumakalat na litrato," sabi niya.

Napahinto naman ako. "L-litrato? Anong... anong litrato?"

Rea sighed on the other line. "I'll send you the link. You're currently trending online, Vanessa."

She sent me a link from a facebook post from a famous news page. Verified pa ang page na 'yon kaya naman marami ang nakakita. I was horrified with the headline I saw.

VANESSA ANDERSON'S REASON FOR HIATUS IS BECAUSE OF HER NON-SHOWBIZ BOYFRIEND? IS SHE POSSIBLY PREGNANT?

Hindi ko makita ang litrato pero, sapat na ang headline na 'yon para manginig ang sistema ko lalo nang mabasa ko ang mga komentong naroon. What the hell is this?

'Baka isa 'yang lalaki sa fan niya na pinikot siya."

'Hala! Parang probinsyano 'yong lalaki. Buntis tapos, ang tatay, probinsyano?'

'Male gold digger ew'

'Ganda ni Ms. Vanessa pero, buntis sa probinsyano? Bakit naman ganiyan? Halatang hindi nakatapos, probinsyano amp.'

'Hindi totoo 'yan. Walang boyfriend si Vanessa!  How dare you conclude about her being pregnant? Walang statement galing kay Vanessa kaya hindi ako maniniwala d'yan! Leave Vanessa and the guy alone!'

"R-rea... ano ito? Sinong nagpakalat nito?! 'Y-yong mga comments, bakit gano'n?!" galit na sabi ko.

"I know, Vanessa. I know but, the people already believed the news. Ayoko mang sabihin sa 'yo pero, ang dami nang naniwala at pati ang media, ginugulo na ang pamilya mo. They tried entering your house and Tita Sheen was almost hurt if Tito Victorious wasn't there. Your brother, Sarus was also harassed by media in the university. They're desperate to get statement from your family..." Rea sighed heavily.

"I'm afraid you have to go back and clear things out, Vanessa."

That's it. My time here is over. Kailangan kong bumalik at ayusin ang lahat. Kailangan kong umuwi para masigurong ligtas ang pamilya ko. Nadadamay na sila sa gulo ng industriya.

I need to go back but, Kaloy... I need to talk to Kaloy. I need to tell him what I'm about to do. I need to tell him that I need to go back to my family. Wala akong pakialam kahit masabi ko sa kaniya na ako si Vanessa Anderson na isang modelo. Kailangan ko lang magpaalam sa kaniya dahil, ayokong basta umalis at masaktan si Kaloy.

Kaloy doesn't deserve to be called names. He diesn't deserve those comments.

"R-rea, p'wedeng saglit lang? Kailangan ko lang magpaalam kay..." I gulped down to stop my tears but, I couldn't do it. Nagtuloy-tuloy ang pagtulo ng luha ko.

"Your boyfriend?" I didn't ask how did she knew about Kaloy being my boyfriend. Mas iniisip ko ngayon kung paano sasabihin kay Kaloy lahat.

"Y-yes, p'pwede bang magpaalam muna ako sa kaniya?"

Rea sighed. "Okay, I'll give you one day. Bukas na bukas ay susunduin kita d'yan. Sasama raw si Tito Victorious sa pagsundo sa 'yo."

After the call ended, I immediately chatted Kaloy. I don't want to waste any more time. Kailangan kong makasama siya ngayong araw dahil bukas, hindi na p'wede. Kailangan ko nang umalis bukas.