To Love the Dawn

18

"Will you be okay here?" David asked after taking me to my seat. I smiled and nodded at him. "I'll just be there." He pointed at the stage. "I'll be back. Are you going to drink?"

"No, nasusuka ako sa amoy. I'm fine here with some snacks. Galingan mo." Ngumiti siya sa akin at hinalikan ang aking noo. "Ako ang babalikan mo, David."

"Walang iba," nakangiting tugon niya. Muli siyang nagpaalam bago nagtungo sa stage. Nag-set up sila ng banda.

I was enjoying their songs when I saw a familiar face. I think he's David's friend. But I don't know her name. She sat near our table. I saw how she clapped her hands when David started strumming on his guitar. She must've noticed that I've been watching her, she looked at my side. She smiled and stood up as soon as I checked my surrounding if there was another person around. There were so many!

"Hi! Solana, 'di ba?" Napatango nalang ako sa kaniya sa gulat. "Sophia Alonzo Wurtzbach, charot. Sophia Ava Pineda. Just call me Pia. Friend ko si David."

"Solana Eos De Cardenas." Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. Ngumiti siya pabalik at bahagyang tumango. "Upo ka, Pia." Tumabi siya ng upo sa akin. Sabay naming pinanood si David.

"Hindi talaga magsasawang tumitig sa 'yo si David. Ang ganda mo, Sol." Napalingon ako kay Pia. Mas maganda nga siya! "I know that look! Walang mas maganda rito, Sol. Iba-iba ang ganda natin."

"Nagmo-modeling ka ba?" tanong ko sa kaniya. Matangkad siya... Maganda.

"Yes, I do modeling sometimes. Raket lang tsaka iyon din ang hilig ko. Pero dream ko rin kasi maging flight attendant. Ikaw ba?"

"Bio student ako. Planning to be a doctor."

"Like David... Goals." Mahinang natawa si Pia. Natawa rin tuloy ako. "Ayaw mo bang mag-try mag-modeling?"

"Masyado akong mababa, Pia-"

"That's a standard made by the society. If you are confident enough, then you are qualified. You can do endorsements if you want. You can also walk in runways, queen."

"Hi..." Napalingon kami ni Pia sa lalaking tumigil sa harap namin. He looked interested with Pia. "I'm Marco."

"Sorry, I don't want to talk to a man right now. I hope you understand." Pia smiled softly. The man raised his two hands, saying that he's gonna give up. He left us there and went back to his friends. "Na-trauma lang. Mahirap kayang sumugal ulit. Back to zero ka, e. Tatanungin ka ulit ano favorites mo, hobbies mo, mga ayaw mo."

"Sorry to hear that. You should take your time. The healing phase doesn't need to be rushed."

"I will, Sol. Thank you." She smiled genuinely. "You wanna drink?"

"Nasusuka ako sa amoy, kaya hindi na ako susubok." Kumunot ang noo ni Pia sa sinabi ko. "Hindi ko lang talaga gusto ang alcohol."

"Ohh, that's why." Sabay kaming lumingon sa vocalist nang banggitin nito ang pangalan ni David. "She's beautiful, 'no?"

"Sobra..." That is the fact. Anyone would notice her beauty. Napakaganda niya talaga. "Pia, normal ba na makaramdaman ng selos?"

"For me it's normal. But if there's no reason naman to be jealous, then it's not. It's toxic kaya kapag gano'n. Why? May pinagseselosan ka ba?"

Before I could answer Pia, I heard David's voice. "Sola love, how are you?" He kissed my cheek and smiled at Pia.

"Okay naman. You did great, mahal!"