Rendezvous in August (Astrology #1)

II

RIA 2

My stomach grumbled as soon as the organizer called for a break time. I put the placard I'm holding down and walked to the makeshift tent. Pagdating ko sa loob ay agad kong kinuha ang alcogel ko at ipinahid yon sa mga kamay ko.

I massaged my cheeks and jawline. I've been smiling since I started earlier. Kada may magpapakuha ng litrato kasama ako ay pinapaunlakan ko, kaya nangangalay ako nang bahagya ngayon. Madalas pa na yun lang talaga yung pakay nila sa paglapit sa pwesto ko at hindi man lang tinatapunan ng tingin ang sasakyang minomodelo ko.

I've been doing car show modeling ever since I started my career in the industry. Out of the hundreds of gigs that I have done in the past, sixty percent of it were related to cars. Either, showcasing new car models and promo deals or posing for the brand in the billboards and commercials.

I rarely get modeling gigs for big clothing brands. Mostly ng mga nakukuhang models para ron ay sa Manila nakatira. Isa pa, kapag meron naman akong offer, hindi ako pumapayag kapag sa ibang lugar ang shoot. It's just so hassle on my part.

I've been advised by my acquaintances who also work in the industry to just move to Manila. Saying, opportunities are there and it is where the main branch of our agency is located. Hindi raw mahirap maghanap ng gigs din daw dahil doon. Hindi ko sila sinunod. I can't just leave Davao like that. It is my comfort zone and I don't want to leave the place where I am comfortable.

Also, the last time I checked, I'm not in dire need of gigs. I am one of the sought-after models of our agency making me booked and busy. So na-uh.

"Okay ka lang?" Ryne handed me my water bottle.

I nodded, "Thanks."

Uminom ako roon hanggang sa naubos 'yon. I closed the lid and then put the empty water bottle down the table.

"What's for lunch?" I asked Ryne.

Umusog siya nang tumabi ako sa kanya. I lifted the food container and opened it.

"Lechon kawali," she answered and opened hers.

Napangiwi ako hanggang sa tuluyang napasimangot.

"Bawal ako n'yan." Sabi ko. "May nakakabit na braces sa ngipin ko remember?"

Ryne paused eating and her eyes widened in alarm. Mabilis n'yang nilunok ang pagkain na nasa loob ng bibig n'ya.

"Shit," she cussed. "Oo nga no. Sorry, Rio! Ano... Uhm... Gusto mo ba magpabili ako?"

"Hindi na, Ryne. Okay lang." Ibinaba ko ang plastic container sa mesa. "May sandwich ka ba r'yan?"

"Ay, oo, meron teka—" she stood up and grabbed her bag.

For some reason, Ryne always has sandwiches inside her bag. Na ako naman ang laging kumakain.

"Here."

I accepted the sandwich she gave me. Agad kong naamoy ang chicken at mayo nang buksan ko yon. Isang beses akong kumagat.

"Thanks, Ryne," I said. "Your sandwiches are the best."

"Welcome," bumalik siya sa upuan n'ya kanina. "Sigurado ka bang yan lang ang kakainin mo ngayon?"

I nodded as I continued munching the bread.

"Oo, I'm fine with this. Magpapabili pa tayo e malapit na ring matapos yung break time ko."

She sighed. "Sorry talaga, Rio. Nakalimutan kong hindi ka nga pala pwede kumain ng mga matitigas."

"It's okay, your sandwich saved me naman."

Ryne chuckled and wiped some crumbs off my mouth. I mumbled my thanks after. She smiled.