Gravity

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

"We're having a wardrobe problem." Iyon ang una kong narinig sa tawag na naka-loud speaker para sa amin ng manager ko.

We were on our way to NAIA dahil bukas na gaganapin ang shooting. I followed the rules. I stuck to my diet. Tapos may wardrobe problem?

"What? Anong nangyari?" Bulyaw ng manager kong halos magpabingi sa akin.

I couldn't believe this was happening! Hindi ko alam kung talaga bang may sumasabotahe sa akin o sadyang nagkaroon lang ng problema.

"But we're doing anything we can! The clothes purchased online are saved. Iyong mga ipinatahi lang talaga kay Ariana." Natatarantang sabi sa kabilang linya.

"What happened, Rose? At bakit ngayon niyo lang sinasabi?"

My manager and I were already okay. Pinalipas ko ang ibang araw na hindi siya kinakausap. I took myself to the station back and forth for two days bago niya na-realize na hindi niya ginagawa nang maayos ang trabaho niya.

"The clothes were brought in Cebu last three days for the final touches. Ariana stayed there for a week para sa isang convention. She sent them back yesterday pero wala pa rin hanggang ngayon." Paliwanag ni Rose sa amin.

I heaved a deep breath before speaking. I didn't want them to think that it's the end of the world.

"Can you look for an alternative, then?" Mahinhin kong tanong.

"Miss Olivia!" Gulat na salita nito. She even cleared her throat before speaking. "Meron po! May mga naitahi si Ariana na nasa kanyang workplace pa. I think they will all fit you." Sagot nito sa akin.

I somehow felt relieved. Good. Maybe, I could make them work. Kahit hindi parehas noong naka-sketch.

This wasn't the first time it happened. I experienced this during photoshoots before. Kapag di nagkakasya ang size ay kailangan pa ring ipilit. Well, fashion is fashion. You have to look good even when it hurts to suck up your stomach for the rest of the shoot. You have to endure the blisters you get at the end of the day.

"It's okay, Ariana. Thank you for informing me." Sambit ko sa kabilang linya.

Padarag na pinatay ni Anthony ang kanyang cellphone at pinaypayan ang sarili. Tila hindi sapat ang lakas ng kanyang aircon.

"Lagi nalang akong ginagalit! They had all their time! Two freakin' weeks tapos biglang may problema?" Salita nito.

I didn't speak. Mabuti nang hayaan ko siya sa kanyang iniisip. At this state, I didn't think he could respect any opinion I'd throw.

I tapped my phone and I immediately saw Tyler's message.

The plane will land around 5 in the afternoon. Looking forward to seeing you.

Iyon ang nakalagay sa mensahe. I discreetly smiled.

We'd been texting each other since God knew when. Kaya lang ay imbes na magkita kami ngayon, hindi pa yata mangyayari iyon.

I would be spending three days in Batanes. Baka pagtapos nalang noon. At sa mga susunod na araw ay tiyak na hectic na naman ang schedule ko.

I composed a message and sent it to him.

Badtrip pa rin ang manager ko nang bumaba kami sa airport. He was mumbling things under his breath.

An employee went to us to get our luggage. Inilagay niya iyon sa cart.

May kasama akong P.A. ngayon dahil sa dami ng aking dala. At suhestiyon na rin iyon ni Anthony dahil aniya'y hindi siya makakasama sa akin ng buong tatlong araw. He'd just check the place and fly back in Manila tomorrow.