Escaping Discorded Beats

BEAT: 1

"Celestine, five minutes!" sigaw ni Jane pagkatapos niyang kumatok sa pinto ng dressing room ko. Mula sa pagkakaupo ay tumayo na ako at tumingin sa salamin para suriin ang sarili. At para na rin siguro mag-isip?

I can't remember the last time I felt excited while waiting in rooms like this. How I'd keep on touching the outfits I wore kasi they look so pretty and stunning, or the numerous times I'd go blank thinking of what poses I should do.

Now this is getting... outdated for me.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako bago lumabas ng kwarto. Everyone behind the camera is busy walking and dragging equipments around. Nakatayo si Jane, my agent, malapit sa pinto na tila naghihintay sa'kin. Sabay kaming lumapit sa photographer ng shoot ngayon and we all gave introductions.

I'm doing a photoshoot for an advertisement for a new clothing line of a local brand. They found out na bumibili ako sa brand na ito since nagopo-post ako sa Instagram wearing them.

We wasted no time dahil may naka-schedule pa akong another photoshoot after nito and we need to stay on track, also on time. Maayos din namang natapos dahil madali kaming nagkasundo ng photographer kung anong kailangan niya sa'kin.

"Ang pogi ng photographer mo," kinikilig na bulong ni Jane sa'kin habang tinutulungan akong magpalit ng damit. She's busy combing my hair while I remove my make-up. Nakapagpalit na rin ako ng damit.

"He's gay."

The look on Jane's face when I saw her through the mirror was priceless. Well, totoo namang gwapo si Jon, the photographer's name. Pero I saw him get hot with the set director during short breaks and it was unbearable for me as a member of the single's club.

Nalugi ang straight sa kanila. Straight is me.

Bumulong ng sayang si Jane at ngumuso pa kaya naman natawa ako. Talaga naman siya oh, basta pogi! 

I put on one more smile habang nagpapaalam sa crew bago kami umalis ni Jane. But it faded when we got to our van. Pagkaupo ay napapikit nalang ako, unsure kung physical or mental ba 'tong pagod na 'to.

Why am I getting tired of something I like to do?

"Celeste?"

Nagising ako sa pagtakip ni Jane sa balikat ko. Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako habang nasa byahe.

"Kanina pa ba tayo nandito?" tanong ko sa kanya habang sinusuklay ang buhok gamit ang kamay. Jane shook her head no before stepping out of the car. Agad naman akong sumunod at lumabas ng kotse.

By the time we got in front of the elevator, may kasabay kaming lalaki na nakasuot ng cap at naka-hoodie. His hands were inside the pockets of his shorts and has headphones blocking his ears.

Hindi ko alam kung napansin niya kami or may sarili siyang mundo habang hinihintay ang elevator.

I don't mind having someone with me and I don't assume he's someone like a fan or paparazzi. Curious lang ako kasi ang pogi niyang tignan, I swear! Feeling ko ang bango niya. Siguro, masa---

Naputol ang mga iniisip ko nang tumunog ang elevator at bumukas ito. Dahil una akong pumasok ay sa likod ako nakatayo, habang si Jane at ang isang bodyguard ko ay nasa harapan ko. Si mystery guy naman ay malapit sa pwesto ko.