Chapter I
Philippines
Present time...
I glided to the catwalk, posed so sexy like I have been doing it all my life. It wasn’t.
It’s my first.
Yet I see approval on the crowd’s eyes. They stared at me like I was some kind of Olympian goddess stepped down to live with the mortals. I wonder if they’d look at me like the way they are staring at me now if I wasn’t what I looked like.
Hah.
I turned around, swayed my rounded hips making sure they'd see a piece of my flesh. For a while I wondered how my skin look like with all the blinding lights coming from every corner of the runway.
Yes, I am no ordinary model
I ascend mystery. That’s what I think.
I heard them applauded, and I looked down at them.
Spectators were in great awe as they watched…followed my every move, scrutinizing the perfect curves gladly and sinfully offered right before their cravings.
“Who’s she?”
“What a body”
“She’s perfect”
“Look at her, she’s a goddess”
“Oh, I’ve found the woman I’d like to marry”
I can hear all the praises from them.
I smiled.
Confidently, I headed back to the backstage after giving them one perfect flick on my long raven hair. And just before the spotlight left me, I faced the crowd and beautifully…wickedly winked at them.
“OMG!Ang galing-galing mo,mare!That was one perfect walk you got there ” hindi magkamayaw sa pagpuri si Elisse matapos akong yakapin at akayin sa dressing room.
“I did?”
“Oo, ano ka ba? Are you blind? As if you haven’t seen the crowd jaw-dropping.Hay naku,maniwala ka, you walked so similar to Raven...”
Raven…Raven…Raven…
My heartbeat faltered hearing that name.
Vague images flashed on my memory.
I’ve heard that name before. And it kept me on wondering why that every time I hear it, familiar feeling of connection engulf me.
“Raven?”
“Raven Mendiola Schuff. Isang half-breed Filipina na namayagpag sa modelling world noong kanyang kapanahunan” Elisse supplied.
I nodded but wasn’t contented with the answer. That “Raven” name had power on me I could feel it to my bones. Nakapagtataka, ngunit tila lagi akong hinihila ng pangalang iyon patungo sa isang kinalimutang ala-ala. Ala-ala na hindi gaanong malinaw sa akin.
“Ang nakaraan ay maaaring magbalik sa pamamagitan ng mga pira-pirasong bahagi ng panaginip…”
My dreams…
“Vnym? Hey…are you okay?” bahagya akong siniko ng aking kaibigan cum manager.
“Huh?! You were saying?”
“Kita mo ito,kanina pa ako salita ng salita dito naglakbay na pala sa ibang planeta ang kamalayan mo” maktol ni Elisse habang iniaayos ang aking mga gamit.
“Ano’ng oras na nga pala?” tanong ko sa halip na patulan ang pagmamarakulyo nito. Nagpalit na din ako ng damit.
“Mag-aalas dose na, ba…kit?” tila nabilaukang sagot nito sa aking likuran.
My hands suspended.
I faced her and caught her intently looking at my back.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“A-h, parang…t-tila kasi may liwanag na n-nanggaling sa l-likod mo kanina.I mean…Oh,forget it. For all I know baka namalikmata lang ako…” nabubulol na sagot ng aking kaibigan, kinusot-kusot pa ang mata.
Kinabahan ako.
“Ah,I have to go Elisse,nakalimutan kong mayroon pala akong kailangang tapusin ngayon…” kaagad kong ibinuhol ang hugpungan ng aking pang-itaas na damit.
“What? Oh come on Vnym, you can’t turn Alfred’s invitation down.Are you kidding me?He’s a big catch!” biglang bawi na nagmartsa kaagad si Elisse sa aking harapan, anyong determinado na pigilan ako kapag nagpilit akong umalis.
I wanted to stay but I can't. I really have to go.
I am running out of time!
“He’s not my type, Elisse…I am sorry but I really have to go” and I sauntered out the door, not minding the wondering look on my friend’s face.
Not now please…
Pagdating sa aking sasakyan ay kaagad kong isinara iyon habang nakatingin sa labas ng tinted na salamin.The moon was in its full shape.
I didn’t think twice.
I maneuvered the car out from that place, so determined to reach my destination on time. There were voices in my head and as I come closer they became clearer, louder and terrifying.
I drove faster.
I have seen this coming, only I didn’t expect them to come this soon.
Soon as I reached the deserted road not far away from the farm I was staying, I stopped the car and dropped off it immediately. I walked on the woods on the left direction.
