Hue in my Photograph (Hue Series #4)

Hue #15

Hue #15

Mirn’s POV

“If Chiro and CL are not talking, maybe you should ask my darling babybebu,” Ate Roz said as she typed in her laptop while we’re inside the Ferrari Paddock Club—supposedly watching the practice game 1 but we’re just gossiping.

Main topic? Gavion… and his uncertainties, including his ‘walang kwentang race’. Totoo naman, kung wala lang siguro siya sa Ferrari ay nawalan na rin siya ng fans, malapit na nga lalo na kung matatalo siya ngayon. Spain was his home race and now the PH. Everyone is expecting that he or Marcus would win. Kapag natalo siya—kahit siguro ako ay kakampi na kay Mealor.

“Si Kuya Nic?” medyo hindi pa ako sigurado. “As if he would talk.”

Nagpatulong na ako sa mga kaibigan ni Gavion na maintindihan siya. For the sake of Gabby, gusto ko rin na maging maayos kami kaso wala namang sinabi si Kuya Chiro at Ate CL.

“Of course, he will. Chismoso kaya siya,” ani Ate Roz. She was still busy typing the news article to be posted on their website. Silang dalawa ni Kuya Chiro ang abala sa pag-cover ng F1.

“Where is he?” curious na tanong ko. “Is he going to come?”

“He is,” sagot niya. “Nandyan na yata siya kasi sumabay pa siya sa pinsan niya na si Clev.”

“Ah, really? Do you think he knows?” Huminga ako nang malalim. “I really think there is something wrong. I mean, why would Gavion lose? Bobo na ba talaga siya sa race?”

She shrugged. “Chikahin mo na lang si babybebu later. Oh, and wait… don’t talk to me for a while. I need to proofread my work. As you see, my babybebu is my number one critic, baka ma-bash na naman ako.”

“Babybebu? Alam ba ni Kuya Nic na ‘yan ang tawag mo sa kan’ya?”

“Oo, kaso wala naman siyang choice.” Tumawa nang malakas si Ate Roz. “Ah, katamad. Ipapa-check ko na lang—” saktong pag-angat niya ng tingin ay dumating si Kuya Nic, kasunod niya ang pinsan niya na si Kuya Clev tapos girlfriend nito na si Ate Mayumi.

Lumingon ako sa paligid para sana kumuha ng upuan kaso occupied na ang lahat.

“It’s okay.” Ngumiti si Kuya Clev. “Gonna go to Five.” Tumuro siya sa gawi ni Kuya Five na nando’n sa dulo. They are both one of the biggest sponsors who made the F1 race possible in the country.

“Augustus…” Malambing na sabi sa kan’ya ni Ate Roz. “Help! Help. I am dying!”

“Cornelia, words,” medyo masungit na sabi ni Kuya Nic pero lumapit naman siya tapos hinalikan sa noo si Ate Roz. “What’s wrong?”

“Check this for me, please?”

Kuya Nic sat down in Ate Roz's chair and pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his left arm around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder while they both looked at the laptop.

I smiled. How sweet. I never thought they would end up together, just like Ate CL and Kuya Chiro. Truly, love moves in mysterious ways.

So sad. Ako lang ang single dito. Kahit saan ako tumingin ay puro may kapareha sila. Si Gabby sana kaso andon sa garage kasama ang daddy ko dahil mas gusto ron. I think my son is starting to forget that he has a mother. Hay.

“Huh? But it sounds good,” I heard Ate Roz. “Fine. Fine. Change it kasi maarte ka.”

Hinintay ko na matapos silang dalawa bago ako sumabat.

“Did something happen to Gavion?”

I didn’t expect Kuya Nic’s answer, “Aside from him video calling us on the phone, bawling his eyes out, because you took photos of Mealor, wala pa naman. Why?”