Million Dollar Marriage

four

With all my might, I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes in front of Tita Paris. She's been calling me non-stop since I woke up but I'm either ignoring it or turning my phone off, then after a few more hours she's inside my unit. 

"Lana, can you do this for me just this once?" Tita Paris kept on repeating that exact same words for almost thrice now, hoping that it would do it.

Tila nainis na yata si Nathalia na nasa likod ko ngayon at nagvavacuum, "Just this once? If I am not mistaken it would now be her fifth favor to Milana since the year started, and to mind you it's currently March."

Hindi ko naman malingon si Nathalia dahil talagang nakikita ko sa mga mata ni Tita na kailangan niya na ng sagot ngayon mismo. Kahit na may katotohanan ang sinambit ni Nathalia ay wala pa 'rin akong magagawa, she's now a family. Who am I to refuse?

I sighed in defeat, "I'll do it, Tita. But in accordance with my schedule on that day. I'll be doing an opening of a pre-fall show on Tuesday, too, kaya po maybe pagkatapos na pagkatapos ay didiretso na ako sa location."

"Hija, thank you very much! I'll tell your Tito Raf about this first, ihahatid nalang ng staff ko dito ang mga gamit o kaya'y doon ka nalang aayusan ng team." Then, she bid her goodbye to us.

Npasalampak nalamang ako sa upuan pagkasara ng pinto ng unit, "I didn't know being beautiful comes handy,"

Nathalia, on the other hand, stared at me with much pity in her eyes, "It's not about you being beautiful, it's simply because you're way too distracted to decide for yourself."

Siguro nga ay tama si Nathalia, I need a lot of fixing to do. I've been off lately, I am always behind my track these days kaya naman I think it's time to change course. Hindi naman palaging sasang ayon nalang ako sa lahat.

"Do you think it's about time for me to find a more decent job?" Nathalia raised her brow at me, kaya naman bago pa niya ako mapilosopo ay nagsalita ulit ako, "What I meant for decent was more of a stable and you know, I love to work with mass of people."

She smiled at me, I thought she'd laugh at me but when I saw how genuine her smile was, I can't seem to hug her conyo ass.

For the past years, she saw different kinds of me. She dealt with it with much strength and less of patience. Although I am not that transparent to her, she tried to keep her questions to herself and just let me have my time for myself. Lalo na noong naghiwalay kami ni Yago, I didn't know who I'll be after that.

I didn't know how I'll face the morrow without him by my side, I have no idea who I'll be after. I may or not have lost me, but one thing's for sure. I succeeded on bringing my own, my definition of happiness and my all.

Before, I was all dependent on my family, but now I am happy to learn and to decide without the need of consulting others- validation. I've become independent, the woman I am destined to be. Dahil dati kahit simpleng pagdedecide ng kung anong kulay ng nail polish ang ilalagay ay nagpapaalam pa ako. It's funny how things can change over time, how my perspective rebooted and how love faded.

"I am so happy for you, Milan!" She even faked a cry, "Finally, some thinking..."

I pinched her right arm dahil napansin ko na halos ang pagsagot niya ay pulos pang aasar saakin, "I think I'll pursue my finished course...Sa airlines pa 'rin ang bagsak ko."

"At least, you can now travel with a cause. You'll be needing a shopping!"

"Hindi ako model doon, Nathalia. I'll be applying as a flight attendant."

She scoffed at my reply, "It's just the same minus the gowns, of course."

I was ready then, but I am determined now. "I want to do it myself, without Lola and Daddy getting involved."

Naintindihan naman kaagad ni nathalia ang gusto ko kaya tumango-tango ito, may pag aalinlangan man ay iniling nalamang niya. Alam kong alam niya na matagal ko nang gustong makapag trabaho, but every time na makakahanap ako ay palaging inuunahan ako ni Lola lalo na't malawak ang kaniyang sakop sa industriya.

It's hard for me to do things on my own when they keep on meddling and dictating me on what and how to do it. I need to grow, too.

"Well, I mean you're of age na naman. But come to think of it, Tito Kairo's still too protective of you and you can't blame him on that part considering you're his only child."

Napatawa naman ako ng pagak, "Only child na alam ng pamilya. What about my siblings from other women? Habang buhay ba sila na itatago?"

Hindi naman nakaimik kaagad si Nathalia sa sinabi ko. 

My father is capable of doing whatever he want to do. He's with no wife, that's why. No commitment and stuffs to limit his exploration, hindi na ako magtataka kung isang araw nalamang ay mayroon pumunta sa mansyon at sabihing anak sila ng ama ko. But I highly doubt it if Lola will wholeheartedly accept it. Dahil sa mata niya'y iisa lamang ang apo niya kay Dad.

There are more lies than truth known of our family.

Ang tanging gagawin ko lamang sa natitirang oras ng araw ay fitting para sa event ni Aira. Nathalia drove for me, she's currently my driver and make up artist for today. Sinama ko na siya't tutal naman ay wala 'rin siyang pasok sa trabaho ngayon.

Abala ang lahat sa pagaayos ng mga model lalo na sa mga damit na susuotin, stacks and stacks of colorful fabric are seen everywhere. Some are even asking for the model's thoughts about their supposed makeup, pinapakita na sakanila ang magiging overall look sana nila sa araw na iyon.

When Aira spotted me and Nathalia, she immediately left whatever she's doing and approached us. Nakipag beso-beso si Aira bago ako nginitian.

"I heard your Tita Paris also booked you on the exact same day as mine..."

"Don't worry about it, I will still do this. Nasabi ko naman na kay Tita." I assured her.

Iginiya niya naman kami sa mas exclusive na part kung saan wala masyadong tao at mga gowns na nakaharang, hindi nagtagal ay ipinakita ni Aira ang portfolio ng mga gowns at sinabihan ako kung alin ang susuotin ko. I also mentioned to Aira that Nathalia wil do my makeup for today para may ipakita sakaniya dahil nga wala si Pol at sa Tuesday pa ang dating, sa mismong date ng show.

"It's fine, Milan kahit wala ka munang makeup. I don't want to pressure Nathalia naman, baka sabunutan ako niyan." Pang aassar ni Aira.

I can still remember what happened on that day, it was way back high school when Aira and Nathalia are still hung up on the same man. Well, you know, the feeling of teenagers of having the same liking as yours, it pissed Nathalia off big time kaya naman when she heard about Aira and Slate being partners for promenade ay sa sobrang galit ay sinampal niya si Aira.

Although they made peace with it, hinding-hindi ko yata malilimutan 'yun. They're morons for doing it, but when you look closely it's not really about having the same crush on someone but simply having your expectations set highest but in the end, it all went down to disappointment.

"You're still not over it talaga, Aira." Ani Nathalia.