NATALIE
IT has been a week since the day that changed my whole life. At sa isang linggo na iyon, ngayon lang ako nagpakita sa mga tao.
Mas lalong dumami at tumindi ang mga hakahaka sa pagkapanalo ko. Maraming bashers at may iilang supporters ang nagsisulputan.
The news was like an airborne virus that spread entirely in just span of twelve hours at sa bawat pagtagal ng araw na hindi ako nagpapakita kahit kaninuman, mas tumitindi ang galit sa akin ng mga tao.
So now, I have to face it. I should face it.
"Natalie, you could choose which question you would like to answer and please don't stress yourself, you only have an hour for this press conference" Paalala ni Erwin sa kanya na siya namang tumango.
I saw this coming and I think sapat na ang isang linggo para makapagpahinga at makapagisip. After all, the people who supported me deserve an explanation, not just my supporter but also his- Vhal's supporters.
"So, is this what you really wanted?" Tanong muli sa akin ni Erwin, alam kong malungkot siya sa naging desisyon ko pero buo na ito.
Tinawag na nila ang aking pangalan kaya umakyat na ako sa entablado. Tinanggap ko ang bulaklak na binigay nila sa akin at kasabay nun ang pagtanggap sa akin ng mga tao.
Hindi siguro nila pinapasok ang mga galit sa akin.
"Miss Natalie Cuevas" ani ng press sa kanya. "Are you quitting racing?"
Nakakabinging katahimikan ang sumalubong sa akin. Halos lahat inaantay ang isasagot ko but like what I've said to my manager, Erwin.
I've made up my mind.
"Yes. Yes I am"
Ang kaninang katahimikan ay napalitan ng sarisaring katanungan. Naguunahan kung sino ang mauuna, halos hindi ko na maintindihan ang sinasabi nila ngunit isa lang ang alam kong tanong.
Bakit ka aalis?
"Why are you quitting when you just getting started, Miss Natalie?" Tanong ng isang reporter. "Hindi ba sapat ang pagkakapanalo mo sa international racing tournament para manatili ka?"
That hit me hard. Hindi ko maiwasang itanong sa sarili ko kung bakit nagawa sa akin ni Vhal iyon, why does he have to sacrifice--
"Miss Natalie" napatingin ako sa press na tumawag ng pangalan ko ulit. "Wh--"
"I'm sorry" that was the first thing that I could say. "But yes, I am quitting and before I completely sign off. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people who stood by my side until this day" I said and tried to smile.
"Being in this industry wasn't my dream at all. Wasn't my passion, too. What pushed me to be in this place was because of wrong intentions" napatingin ako sa mga daliri ko sa kamay, I am trying to buy my time. Hindi ko pwedeng madaliin ito.
"As you all know, it was true that Valerian and I were once lovers. Siya ang talagang may pangarap nito but he have to let me go, for a reason that I thought he made for himself but the truth was, it was for me" kinagat ko ang mga labi ko, I have to control my emotions hindi ito makakabuti sa akin.
"Declan was Vhal's stepbrother and had a rivalry since then. Hindi ko lang inaasahan na aabot kami sa ganito.." bakit kailangan pang umabot sa ganito.
"How are you coping up with his death?" I stilled. Tears started to flow from my eyes as the crowd went silent and just watched me cry..
Tila parang bumalik ako sa araw na iyon. Sa araw kung saan natapos ang lahat..
