Love and Desire(#5)

Prologue

Prologue

Nadine Juliana Rodriguez

Nasa isang taping ng talk show ako ngayon at kasalukuyang nai-interview ng host ng programa. Nanatiling nakangiti ang aking mukha para ipakita na masaya ako na nandito ako kahit kating-kati na akong lumabas dito dahil hindi naman ako sanay sa ganito.

"So, Miss Nadine, alam naming lahat na pamilya kayo ng mga businessman. Magaling maghandle ng negosyo ang mga ninuno niyo at hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay malakas pa rin ang hatak niyo sa mamimili ng inyong mga produkto. Pwede ba naming malaman kung bakit hindi niyo pinasok ang corporate world?" She asked me. Napangiti ako ng bahagya ng tumama ang hula kong magtatanong sila ng ganito.

I flashed my sweetest smile.

"I know some of you won't believe me but it was my dream to be a part of my dad's company when I was in high school. But then, things changed and I realized, gusto ko lang pala 'yun dahil nakikita ko noon ang daddy ko at ang mga kapatid ko." I started. Tumango naman siya. "Nakikita ko silang nagtratrabaho para sa'min. Humanga kasi ako sa kanila habang lumalaki ako pero nagbago ang pananaw ko noong...magcollege na ako." I smiled.

Ngumiti naman siya sa'kin.

"That's so sweet." She commented. "Hindi ba sila nagalit o komontra? I mean, some of the businessmen wants their children to follow their footprints." She asked again. Ngumiti ako ng tipid at napailing.

"My father is not that strict. He'll always supports us to whatever decision that can make us happy. Iyon na siguro ang ipinagpapasalamat ko dahil wala akong narinig mula sa kanya noong sinabi ko ang desisyon ko. He just asked me if I'm sure about it and I said yes." I giggled to my last sentence. Pati na rin ang audience ay nakitawa. Marami pa akong nakikitang naiinggit sa mga sinasabi ko.

Pero 'yun naman talaga ang totoo. May natanggap kasi si daddy noong isang araw na imbitasyon para sa mga businessman na mayroong anak na matatawag ring successful kahit na iba ang napiling karera. I don't want to expose my whole life to everyone but daddy said I should think about my career. Nagtrabaho ako ng tatlong taon sa America bilang chemical engineer pero pinipilit ako nila daddy na dumito na lang para magkakasama kaming lahat.

"I can see the happiness in your eyes and I can say that you're happy with the race you've chosen, Miss Nadine." Komento niya ulit sa'kin. I smiled then nodded. "So, do you have any advice from all our viewers and audiences right now?" She asked. Napatingin naman ako sa mga nanonood at sa camerang nakatutok sa'akin. I know this will air on the television soon but I feel like someone's watching me already.

"I am not an expert and I don't even know what to say but just be yourself." I smiled at them. "Love what you're doing." I exhaled. "And I once read this on a social media, be stubborn about your goals and be flexible about your methods." I added then smiled again. Pumalakpak naman sila sa sinabi ko. Pati ang host na nakangiti lang sa'kin na parang mine-memorize ang buong mukha ko.

"Okay, last two questions, Miss Nadine. Wala ito sa listahan ko pero alam kong maraming gustong magtanong nito sa'yo. How high your standard is when it comes to a relationship? And are you in a relationship right now?" She asked. Napatameme ako ng ilang segundo bago bumalik ang senses ko. Tumikhim ako at tumawa ng peke.

"Let's just say, life is really beautiful when you focus on great things. I'm still young and I want the best---I mean, I don't want to rush love. I saw how people around me fell in love before and it was really magical." I explained. "My standards isn't that high. I just can't feel it towards to someone right now, in a romantic way. And lastly, I want love, a pure love. Not just desire." I answered sweetly.

Pumalakpak na naman sila na para akong nasa isang kontest.

"Whoa. You got us there, Miss Nadine. Thank you for allowing us to have a little chitchat with you." Proud na papuri ng host. Tumawa lang ako ng mahina at sabay kaming tumayo. Nagpaalam na rin kami mayamaya at nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng makarating na ako sa dressing room nila.

Huminga ulit ako ng malalim bago naupo sa may sofa. Sumandal ako at napatingin sa kisame.

I'm so tired. Ilang oras pa lamg ang tulog ko.

"Pure love, not desire?" Kumunot ang noo ko ng may nagsalita sa likuran ko. huminga lang ako ng malalim pero hindi ko ito tinignan.

"Can you just leave? I'm tired." I told him. Yup, chismosong lalaki!

"Nope." He answered. "Just be yourself, alright?" He laughed at me. Hindi ko pa rin siya binalingan pero narinig ko ang yapak niya papunta sa harapan ko.

"What do you want? I'm done here. Please, get out." Pagtataboy ko ulit. Tumawa ulit siya sa'akin.

"Open your eyes, Nadine." He commanded. Inis kong minulat ang mga mata ko.

"Ano bang---Kier?!"

"The one and only, Nadie baby." He winked. "Surprised?" He opens his arms then grinned. Nagulat ako at hindi ako nakagalaw ng ilang segundo.

"And guess what, I'm here to make you pay. It's been years and you really need to pay." Mayabang na sabi nito sa'akin. Nangunot na naman ang noo ko.

Excuse me? Wala akong utang sa kanya!

"Tsk." He shook his head. Yumuko ito at inilapit amg bibig sa tenga ko.

"Panagutan mo 'ko." He whispered.

My jaw literary dropped. What?