Ang Maangas Kong Modelo (ONGOING/EDITING)

An Excerpt

AN EXCERPT:

"Huwag ka nang ma-tense, Joey," sabi ni Lanny sa akin.

Kanina pa ako nininerbyos. First shoot ko kasi. First ever sort-of big shoot! I know, bakit pa ako nag-model kung wala man lang akong ka-confi-confidence, diba? Pero yun na nga reason ko kung bakit ako naging model: To build up my confidence. Pero eto ako, mukhang pusang takot na takot maligo sa malamig na tubig.

"My god, Josephine! Stop fidgeting! Ikaw lang naman mag-isa, eh. At isa pa, mga estudyante pa 'tong kliyente natin. Binigay sa'yo ng management 'to kasi small project lang. Para hindi ka mabigla. One step at a time, honey," si Lanny ulit.

"Tama ka. Estudyante rin sila. Hindi dapat ako mahiya at isa pa ako lang naman mag-isa... P-pero ilan ba silang mga students? Madami? Lima!? Sampu!?!?" I began hyperventillating with the realization na madami nga sila.

"Madami raw sila. Pero don't worry. Isipin mo na ako lang mag-isa at si Jeyn ang nandito,"

Dumagdag din si Jeyn, "Kung pe-pwede, sa amin ka tumingin. Huwag mo silang isipin."

"Nandito na tayo," sabi ni Lanny ng makadating sa studio.

Art students ang mga client nila ngayon. Thesis daw nila to. I think, majoring in photography sila?

Deep breath. Kaya mo 'to, Joey. Kaya mo 'to.

~

"Hi, Miss de Jesus," bati sa akin ng isang lalake. Iniisa-isa niya ring binati sina Lanny at Jeyn.

I looked at the studio. A white bed with black pillows are in the middle of a plain white backdrop.

Gulp. I can do this.

I tried to look confident and smiled at the guy. "Hi, you must be Derek de Lima?"

"Yes, I am. I am so glad you finally said yes. The first time I saw your photo from the management, we all knew that you'd be fit for our thesis."

"Thanks, Mr. de Lima. I'm looking forward to be working with you, guys," I replied.

"Same here, same here. Anyway, pwede ka nang mag-prepare sa dressing room. It's in there," he pointed where the dressing room is located.

"Nandun na ang designer namin," pahabol niya ng umalis na kami.

When he was out of earshot I sighed heavily. Gosh, ang hirap mag-act na confident ha when you know you're not.

"Eto naman, akala mo pasan mo ang mundo. Sandali ka lang naman nakipag-usap dun sa tao," sabi ni Jeyn.

"Kung lalabas ka ng hangin, siguraduhin mo walang makakaamoy. Maawa ka naman, magkakasakit ilong ko," patawa ni Lanny.

"Gagi! Bango kaya ng--" bumuga ng hangin sa kamay at inamoy "--ay, sorry," sabi ko na lang. Sumakay sa biro nila.

Etong dalawang 'to talaga, kaya akong patawanin.

I gained my composure once I entered the room.

I first noticed na may tatlong damit na naka-hang: A loose white razorback sando paired with a really short shorts, a huge white dress shirt and a towel.

Towel!?

"Hi, Miss de Jesus! I'm Sid, the make-up artist and the designer," the one who called herself Sid extended her arm and I shook it.

She's really pretty, I thought.

I smiled at her.

"Okay na po na makapagbihis kayo? Para makapagsimula na tayo. The first scene is on a bathtub," Sid said while handing me the white really thin cloth sando and the short shorts.