A Young Heart's Promise

6

MIKHA

I sighed in frustration nang hindi ko pa rin nakikita ni anino ni Maloi hanggang natapos ang photo shoot at interview ko for a magazine.

"Mikhs, what's with the grumpy face?! You're still surrounded with people.." Jhoanna reminds me while tapping my waist and trying her best to smile with other people on the set.

"Where's Maloi?!" Hindi ko na itinago ang pagkainis sa aking boses. Its past eight thirty na ng gabi pero wala pa rin siya rito.

Tiningnan ako ni Jhoanna na nakataas ang kilay. She gave me a fake smile while I know, she's trying to compose herself. "Today's Tuesday, Mikha Lim! Malamang may pasok siya! This is all your idea tapos ngayon papakitaan mo ako ng ganyang attitude?!" She sighed in frustration saka ako tinalikuran at nag walked out.

Napasuklay ako sa aking buhok at marahas na napabuga ng malalim na hininga. Keep it up, Mikha Lim! Just keep on annoying your bestfriend!

Sinundan ko siya nang maglakad siya sa may buffet table. "I'm sorry.." Mahina kong sabi saka kumuha ng drinks.

She just looked at me and shook her head. "Don't drink too much. We both know your limits."

Tumango lang ako saka piniling umupo sa hindi masyadong mataong pwesto. The production team just gave a simple dinner for the success of the photo shoot. Ayoko na sanang mag stay kung hindi lang nagpilit si Jhoanna. Kahit man lang daw pakitang tao ay gawin ko.

Muli akong napabuntong hininga at mabilis na tinungga ang kinuha kong white wine. Its been three months since I moved out from my parent's with Maloi.

And though I know na mabigat sa loob niyang pakisamahan ako, wala naman siyang nagawa kung hindi sumunod. For those past months, pinaturuan siya ni Jhoanna (on my behalf) na magdrive and in just a month nakakuha agad siya ng driving license. 

Pinag enroll din siya ni Jho (again on my behalf) sa isang university para ipagpatuloy ang kurso niyang Education. At dahil nga nagtatrabaho siya sa akin, panggabi ang lagi niyang schedule. It was just last week nang magstart siyang pumasok.

Jhoanna's right! These are all my ideas, and now I'm wondering if I really made the right decision. My God Mikha Lim! Are you really throwing tantrums just because nabawasan ang oras nya sa'yo?!?!

"Need more drink?"

Napatingala ako sa babaeng nakatayo sa aking harapan. May hawak hawak siyang dalawang kopita na may lamang white wine. I gave her my most precious (and perfected) smile. "Sure!" Tumayo ako saka siya ipinaghila ng upuan. "Thanks." Tinanggap ko ang kopita na iniabot nya matapos niyang umupo sa aking tapat at ngumiti.

"I don't think we have been introduce properly.." She looked so angelic when she smile.

"Oh yeah? I'm sorry. I'm Mikha Lim. Though I know you already!" I extended my right hand and smiled back at her. Kasama ko siya sa photo shoot and I know that she's a famous singer/actress also.

She just ended her contract from her previous agency and decided not to renew and signed a new contract in the same agency as mine.

"I'm Aiah. Nice meeting you Mikha, finally nameet din kita in person! I'm really a fan."

I bit my lip and smiled shyly. "Really? I should be pleased that someone as gorgeous as you notice someone like me! Especially sa laki ng industry!" 

She laughed and gently hit me on the arms. "Who wouldn't notice the great Mikha Lim?!" She rolled her eyes and smiled.

Ngumiti lang ako saka sinimsim ang wine na nasa baso. Lumampas ang tingin ko sa kanyang likuran nang makita kong kumakaway si Jhoanna at itinuturo si Maloi sa tabi niya at inakbayan ito upang ipaalam siguro sa akin ma dumating na ang babae. I just nodded and shrugged. Nakita ko pa ang pag-iling ni Jho saka inakay si Maloi sa buffet table.