Battered Wife

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Congratulations on your successful ramp, Tinsley!"

Napangiti ako nang marinig ang pagbati na iyon ni Ava. It's been six months since I became a model. She became my mentor and best friend as well. She taught me how to walk and pose in front of the camera. My modelling career is not as successful as her. She's now promoting in New York. I got an offer as well before dahil nagustuhan daw nga mga executives ang performance ko but I decline to do so. This is my home and I do not want to leave.

"Thank you, Ava! Buti nakaabot ka!"

I had a ramp with one of the prestigious fashion company in town. It's their collection for cultural heritage preservation. It's so tiring to be a model. Although Avant Garde are the one's spotting auditions for us ay nakakapagod pading magpalipat-lipat sa iba't-ibang lugar. Rampa rito, rampa roon. But it's not that tiring if you love and enjoy what you're doing. In my six months ay minahal ko ng husto ang mundong ginagalawan ko. I forgot that I was once that martyr wife. Pakiramdam ko, ito na talaga 'yung identidad ko magmula pa noon.

"Ang ganda ganda mo kanina sa final walk mo!"
Excited niyang sabi sabay yakap sa akin. Tumawa ako.

"Siyempre ba naman, ang galing ng mentor ko!"

Tumawa si Ava bago bumitiw sa yakap naming dalawa.

"Bakit ba kasi ayaw mong tanggapin 'yung alok na modelling sa New York? I'm pretty sure that you'll be big!"

Mabilis akong umiling.

"I'm fine here. Saka isa pa, tatapusin ko lang ang kontrata ko sa Avant Garde at hindi na ako magmomodelo. I have enough savings now to start a business."

I had big commissions from my last ramps and photoshoot. I've been planning to put up a business once my contract is finish. Hindi na ako magrerenew. Doing business is where I belong. Since I was a kid, my dad always told me that someday I will be the heir of Atlas Ventures, kompaniyang pinaghirapang ipatayo ng aking lolo at ng aking ama. But we lost I, I lost it. But that's fine. Naka-move on na ako mula roon. I'll start fresh and new. Isa pa, wala rin naman akong hilig sa mga sementong ibinebenta roon. It'll probably just fail again kapag ako ang namahala.

"Hay naku. Kayo talagang mayayaman, puro business ang nasa utak!"

Unlike me, Ava came from a middle class family. Her mother works in one of the biggest tv network in the country kaya kapag may mga gig, katulad ng ramp noong bata pa siya ay mayroong koneksyon. Hanggang sa palagi na lang ganoon at nagsimula na siyang hanapin ng mga tao.

"Ano ka ba? Modelling is not permanent."

My fame, beauty and charm will fade. Aayaw na sa akin ang mga organizer, I won't have an income. Mas mahalaga parin na magtayo ng sariling pagkakakitaan, it will last in a lifetime if you're good at managing.

"May after party kayo?"

Tumango ako.

"Sama ako ha?"

Napatawa na lang ako dahil sa sinabi niyang iyon.

"Ano ka ba? You're Ava, of course you're invited!"

Maya-maya pa, the after party started. The lights started to dim at ang tanging natitira na lamang sa loob ng venue ay mga model, staff at ilang mga kilalang malalaking tao pagdating sa fashion. It's good to socialize during those events kasi marami kang nakikilalang mga designers. Kapag nagustuhan ka nila, malay mo ay kunin ka nilang modelo ng mga damit. Kapag mayroon naman iyong mga businessman ay baka modelo ng mga produkto nila.

"Brynn!"

Mabilis kong kinurot si Ava nang tinawag niya ang ang isang modelong kasama namin sa agency. He's not part of the ramp today pero dumalo siya.