The Hidden Love

Chapter 54

*****

"This is.." Hindi ko maialis ang tingin ko sa hawak ko ngayon at paulit-ulit kong binabasa yung nasa itaas. The name above was such a shock in my system. I couldn't even feel my hands anymore because I was so focused with the damn paper. Scanning the words--even its letters. One thing that crossed my mind, which I'm thankful, is the condition of this paper. Ayos pa naman siya at hindi pa naman ganung nalulukot.

Especially when I figured the purpose of this paper. Kusa na lang naging alerto ang mga kamay ko at maingat tong hinahawakan. Well, thanks hands.

I gulped before I transferred my gaze to him. Bahagya lang siyang tumango sakin habang nanatili lang ito na nakangiti.

Parang nung nakaraang buwan lang napag-usapan namin ito ni Fritz. At ngayon, nangyayari na talaga.

Pinilit kong hanapin ang mga salitang gusto kong sambitin. The first question that popped up in my head made its way out of my parted mouth. "Bakit meron ka nito?" Hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong, still holding one of the best things in my dear life.

"Gale," Naintindihan ko agad yung sinabi niya. Of course because of her. That's his cousin and we once talked about this last time. I should have thought of it earlier but what can I do? Masyado lang akong nabigla ngayon. Ano ba naman kasi tong si Fritz. Psh. "Gale was already there. Dun kami magpapasko."

"After my last exhibit, marami ding nagset ng price para bilhin ang mga works ko. Weeks after that event, Aviegale called. Gusto daw akong makausap ng management." My ears were focused to what he's telling me. Ayokong magreact agad nang makutuban ko na ang kinukwento niya. Ayokong mag-assume. That's why I listen carefully first.

"We talked through video call. It was Monsieur Montagne kaya kinabahan din ako. Haha. Nakita niya daw ang mga gawa ko at na-impress daw siya. He even bought one of your pictures!" My lips turned into a curve of joy na una ko talagang naisip ay ang magtatatalon sa mismong pwesto ko. But on the second thought, kaibigan ni Fritz ang may-ari ng coffee shop na ito so nevermind that fantasized act of insanity.

But hey, I felt proud kahit masterpiece yun ni Fritz, it is still my face!

"Tell me more..!" I squealed. Uber na ito pero pwede bang irecord to? Napansin lang naman ako ni Monsieur Montagne!

"That thing you're holding," Tinuro niya yung papel at saglit ko itong pinansin, "Kontrata ko yan, with Elite." He proudly smile at hindi ko maitatanggi na worth smiling with proud nga ito. "I will be their official photographer next year. What a great start to begin my new year, right?" Masaya akong tumango. He's incredibly right.

"That's a blessing. You're almost in your dream." Inilapag ko na yung papel sa table.

"But, that's just the first part of the good news." Saglit na kumunot ang noo ko nang bigyan niya na naman ako ng ngiti katulad kanina bago niya buksan yung envelope.

"Monsieur Montagne wants to meet you too."

It took seconds bago ako makapagreact. I was looking at him, waiting for those grins to tell me something at bawiin niya yung sinabi niya. Pero wala akong nakita.

Kahit nakita ko sa expression niya na hindi siya nagbibiro, nagsalita pa rin ako. "S-Seriously?" Nagkibit-balikat lang siya.

"Nung una hindi din ako makapaniwala. Pero yun talaga ang totoo. I can still remember how we talked for almost 4 minutes."

Ngumiti siya sakin, "This is it. Malapit ka na din sa pangarap mo. He wants to talk to you after the upcoming holiday. No exact date pa. He's a busy person you know that." Rinig ko pa rin yung kabog ng dibdib ko. Napayuko na lang ako. Totoo ba talaga to?