Alluring Glances (SCS #1)

29.

I worked so hard to earn a name and I successfully did it. Nakita ng mga tao ang talento ko, hindi lang sa pagmomodelo kung hindi pati na rin sa larangan ng pagkanta. I love doing song covers in my YouTube channel. It has 718k subscribers and 5 videos in it.

Minsan kong narinig ang mga recorded song ni mama. It's either song covers or just a random lyrics she made from before. I even heard a song where my father and mother sang together. I was in awe when they said that they used the song they sang together on their wedding.

The first song cover I posted online gained 1.5 Million views and I even saw some edits using my voice on social media.

Today, I planeed to record a song cover after a long tiring day of work. I asked permission from Tito Kobi to use the studio for me to record the song. He let me and when I entered the studio, I saw Atlantis' producer there and when he asked me what I need, I told him. He helped me record the song and it took us two hours to finish the song cover.

"Thank you po!" I thanked him.

"Walang anuman, Vanessa. I'll send this to your editor's email," sabi niya. Muli akong nagpasalamat at lumabas ng studio. Umuwi na rin ako pagkatapos no'n at nagdesisyong maglakad na lang dahil ang lamig ng hangin. I wore my mask and cap when I went outside.

Habang naglalakad ay napadaan ako sa isang convenience store. This is the same convenience store I always go to everytime I decided to stroll around in the middle of the night. Pumasok ako doon at agad dumiretso sa section kung nasaan ang mga hotdog sandwiches. I also get coffee before I went to the counter to pay.

"Uuwi na tayo! Pagagalitan tayo ni kuya niyan eh!"

"Sandali! Sayang naman 'yong ice cream!"

"P'wede mo namang kainin 'yan habang naglalakad tayo pauwi, 'di ba? Malilintikan talaga tayo kay kuya!"

I heard two voices arguing from behind me. Hindi ko gaanong makita dahil sa nakaharang na mga shelves pero, rinig ko pagtatalo nila. When I get my change, I thanked the cashier and went to one of the seats.

"Kapag tayo pinagalitan, ikaw sisisihin ko."

I saw the two figures of a girl and boy going out the convenience store. Napatitig lang ako sa kanila, kakaibang pakiramdam ang nararamdaman ko. Their voices... impossible. Wala sila rito, Vanessa. Baka naman kaboses lang.

I sighed and shook my head. "Nababaliw ka na, Vanessa," bulong ko sa sarili ko bago nagdesisyong tumayo at lumabas na lang. Might as well, go home.

When I got home, I received a video call request from my parents. I settled in my bed and answered the call.

"Hello po!" I smiled and waved at them. I saw my parents doing the same thing.

I saw Papa took a deep breath. "How are you these days, 'nak? Wala bang problema? Inaalagaan ka ba ng tito mo sa trabaho?"

"I'm fine and yes po, Tito Kobi is taking care of me very well. Why po?" I answered with a smile.

"Kinukumusta ka lang namin, Vanessa." I heard my mother answered.

I nodded and asked them back. "Kayo po? May problema ba?" tanong ko sa kanila.

"Maayos lang din kami, 'nak pero, siyempre ay nalulungkot pa rin. Alam mo naman ang nangyari sa kapatid mo," Papa answered and I can see how sad their eyes are.

"Gagaling din po 'yon si Sarus. Nandiyan naman po ang girlfriend niya at tayo, nandiyan tayo para sa kaniya kaya kakayanin niya 'yon," sabi ko sa kanila.

My mother and father nodded. I can see how sad they are but, I know that we need to stay strong. Stay strong for Leisarus and for our family.

"Nga pala, nasabi sa amin ni Kobi na may bagong kang ie-endorse na cosmetics?" Papa asked, gone the sadness.

Napangiti na rin ako at masayang tumango. Nakita ko ang pagguhit ng ngiti sa labi ni papa. Ayoko mang umasa pero, may naiisip ako.

"Guess what..." he trailed, glancing at my mother who also have a smile on her face. "Guess what, 'nak..."

"Ano po? Please, tell me! I'm excited to know!" I pleaded.

"Si Papa ang photographer mo para sa photoshoot mo na 'yon!"

I jumped in glee and went to hug him. Tuwang-tuwa ako sa balitang 'yon. Kahit pa sabihing isang araw lang naman ang nasabing photoshoot, tuwang-tuwa pa rin ako.

My father became my first photographer during my teeange years. Siya ang nagturo sa akin kung paano humarap sa camera. I sometimes wonder why my father isn't a model. He chose to be behind the camera instead of being in front but, I'm not against it. I'm just happy to work with my father again.

"Nang malaman ng tatay mo na may photoshoot ka ulit lalo sa mga cosmetics? Nako, nagmakaawa—"

"Baby! I didn't beg! Kobi called me," reklamo ni papa pero, tinawanan lang siya ni mama.

"Sus, nagmakaawa ka kaya. Sabi mo, gusto mong makatrabaho ulit ang anak mo kaya nagpresinta kang maging photographer. May video ako, Victorious!"

Papa whined and I find it adorable. Kahit may edad na, hindi pa rin kumukupas ang kagwapuhan ni papa at ang kagandahan ng mama ko. My mother's scar stays at her face and that flaw made her so gorgeous. So gorgeous because of the confidence and bravery it holds.

Matapos ang tawag, nagbasa lang ako ng comments sa song cover na na-post sa YouTube channel ko. It gained 500k views in a span of 3 hours. May nakita na ako agad na nage-edit ng videos gamit ang version ko sa Tiktok at facebook. I even saw a video containing clips of me during photoshoots, runways, fanmeets and vlogs and the background music was my voice. It's so heartwarming.

Matapos magbasa ng comments, nagdesisyon akong mag-offline kaagad dahil ayoko nang tumagal pa sa pagbukas ng accounts ko. Sumilip lang naman ako dahil tiningnan ko kung na-post na ba ang song cover.

I was about to turn my internet off when a notification popped up.

kcyusque: ang galing-galing talaga ng ate namin! ganda po ng boses mo!!!

My heart pounded in joy seeing a familliar name. It's Keicy, Kaloy's sister. Hindi ko inakalang makikita ko ulit ang pangalan nila sa cellphone ko. Eversince I lefr Sto. Tomas, I didn't have any communication with them, even with the siblings. Akala ko galit sila sa akin dahil iniwan ko ang kuya nila pati na rin sila pero ngayong nakita ko ang comment niya, napaiyak na lang ako.

I really miss them. I wish I could turn back time.

Pinatay ko na ang wifi ko at pati ang cellphone. I proceeded to sleep, thinking about what tomorrow holds. I hugged my pillow and close my eyes, his gentle smile immediately flashed on my mind, making me miss him more.