A Close Second

Sixty Third

Hello!

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"This...is real."

I looked at the view, looking over at the city of Paris with its lights twinkling over the night sky.

The panic started settling in my chest as I realize I hadn't been dreaming. The 18 hour flight hadn't made the fact that I was in Paris freaking France right now sink into my head.

The lights had to remind me of that.

"What's wrong?" tanong ni Andrew sa akin habang ibinaba niya ang hand bag ko sa may chaise sa dulo ng kama. "Hey, Baby. Are you okay?"

I faced him. "I'm in freaking Paris, Andrew." I tell him, stepping closer to him. "I'm in goddamn freaking Paris."

Natawa siya ng kaunti while he takes off his shoes. "Did the flight get to you? It was 18 hours."

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa balcony, which blew a light breeze. It felt a cold but the way it kissed my skin just comforted me. Naramdaman kong ipinulupot ni Andrew ang mga kamay niya sa bewang ko.

"I'm in Paris. This is real."

Isang halik ang ibinigay niya sa gilid ng ulo ko. I sighed, melting into his embrace.

"This is all real."

"You keep saying it like hindi ka makapaniwala."

Humiwalay ako sa kanya. "It just all feels so surreal." I tell him, my calm voice turning into panic once again. "I'm in Paris, and in a few days I'll be in a photoshoot and—"

"Hey. Hey. Baby, hey." Pagpipigil niya sa akin. "Tris, calm down. Baby, breathe."

I obeyed, taking a deep long breath. I stared at his eyes while he looks down on me, holding me by the shoulders.

"You're okay. Yes, you're in Paris. What's wrong?"

I look at the lights again before looking back at him. He guides us to sit on the bed before he hands me a water bottle from somewhere. I drink it slowly, calming my nerves while I watch him take off my shoes.

"Can you tell me what's wrong now?"

I bit my lip. "It just... I just..."

"What is it?"

His voice was calm, soothing even, as if he was trying to talk to a four-year-old.

"What's going on?"

Umiling ako. "I'm just..." I trailed off, not knowing how to phrase it exactly. "I'm panicking because I can't believe I'm in Paris."

He looked at me first, searching my eyes before his lips stretched into a smile. I rolled my eyes saka naman hinugot ang isang unan at ipinalo sa kanya. Natawa siya dito, hinarang ang mga kamay sa mukha niya.

"You think this is funny?"

"Hindi ba?"

"It's not, genius. I'm panicking, why are you being such an asshole?"

Pinagpatuloy ko ang pag hampas sa kanya habang tumatawa siya pero hinuli lang niya ang kamay ko saka ako hinugot papunta sa kanya sa kama.

He chained me in his arms, his laugh infectious that I had no choice but to join in.

Nang kumalma kaming dalawa, umayos siya ng pagkakahiga, propping his head with an elbow and looking at me.

"Why are you panicking, baby." He says, moving some strands of my hair away from my face. "We have been talking about Paris with Via and everyone else. We knew this for weeks."