Finding Peace In The Missing Piece

Chapter 20- Can I court you?

Am I happy?

Kung tatanungin ako, masasabi kong masaya ako. I'm contented with what I have right now.

"How are you? I heard kay Dad na nag modelling ka daw? How was it?" Kuya Lexus asked. Umaga na dito sa france while madaling araw naman sa pilipinas.

What an effort.

I nodded. Ka-video call ko siya ngayon at hindi pa daw siya inaantok tapos wala pa siyang kasama sa bahay. Gwapo talaga ng kapatid ko. Wawa naman magisa. 

"Yeah, try ko lang Kuya, but if hindi ko magustuhan, aayaw kaagad ako. How are you?" Tanong ko pabalik.

Kasalukuyan akong nasa kitchen at nag to-toast ng bread. 

"That's good. At least malilibang ka diyan di'ba? I'm fine here." He said. "Do you want any update about him? Xena? If you want–"

"No, I'm fine. I live my own life so he can." Putol ko sa sabi niya. Here we go again. "I don't want to be bitter here but I don't want to talk about him. I'm moving on Kuya. I hope you understand. We've been together for years and I understand your concern." Dire-diretso kong sinabi. 

He sighed. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I just thought you could be friends?" He asked. 

"No way!" Halos naisigaw ko.

Narinig ko ang halakhak ni Kuya Dryx sa tabi ko. "Lexus! Your sister have a lot of suitors. She can choose whoever she wants. Don't know the whole story but if I have the chance to meet the guy, I'll punch him so hard." Mariin niyang sabi tsaka sinubo ang ginawa kong sandwich. 

Pinaghirapan ko yung gawin! Tapos kakainin niya lang nang ganong kadali?! 

"Kuya Dryx! Gumawa ka ng sayo!" Sigaw ko.

He laughed.

"I'm in a hurry little sis, thanks." He said at umalis dala ang kanyang bag. Oww, may klase ang kumag at nagawa pang makichismis!

"Kuya Lexus, you need to sleep. It's so freaking late, tatawag na lang ako kapag…" I stopped. He's asleep! Tsk. Kaya pala walang nag rebut kay Kuya Dryx, tulog na pala ang isang ito. "I love you Kuya!" Sabi ko bago ibinaba ang tawag.

"Xena?" Narinig ko ang boses ni Dad.

"Yes po? Nasa kitchen po." Sabi ko.

Habang nagtitimpla ng gatas, may inabot na magazine sakin si Dad. That's fast!

Kahapon lang kami nag shoot, pero naka features na agad! Nasa front page pa ako! Woah!

I'm wearing a long gown here na may crown pa, pretty sure na pang debut ang gown na suot ko. Fierce face at nakatingin lang sa camera for yesterday's video. Hindi naman mahirap, matututo ka pa nga dahil magiging photogenic ka pa. 

One more thing, it can build self confidence. To be comfortable with your own beauty makes you feel that you don't have to always compare yourself to others. We have our own different unique characteristics. We just need to accept ourselves, it is what it is. 

Mga sikat na designer ang may ari ng mga gowns, she actually choose me to model her gowns kahit na may mga veteran na mga model doon. Sabi niya ay gusto niya ng bagong mukha ng mga damit niya.

She's the most successful designer! Kaya unang subok pa lang ay malupet na. Super bait din niya, dahilan nang pag-asenso niya. 

"I'm so proud of you, nak." Dad smiled.

Niyakap ko siya. "It's all because of you, Dad. Thank you for everything." Bulong ko.

My phone vibrated. Kumalas ako sa yakap ni Dad.