Second Chance

THEODORE 7

"You've got to be kidding me."

I saw this white tuxedo hanging in front of me.

Umagang umaga naman, bad mood agad?

Pinalapit ko nga si Dennis sakin.

"Yes, sir?"

"What did I tell you about WHITE tuxedos???", panggigil ko na dito.

Tinignan naman niya yung damit. Agad naman niyang hinanap yung coordinator.

It's my photoshoot and inerview today for a business magazine. Pumayag na nga ko eh, but why do they have to let me wear a WHITE TUX???

Bigla namang pumasok yung coordinator sa dressing room ko. I just gave her my calm look.

"Excuse me, sir? Do you prefer to wear a black tux instead?", she offered.

"Yes, please."

Kinuha naman niya yung white tuxedo at nagsorry din sakin. Mabuti naman at madali lang siyang kausap.

With all of those things that changed after seven years, isa na ang mga white tuxedos sa pinakaaayaw kong masuot o makita man lang.

The last time I wore it....it meant so much to me that it hurts just remembering it. Pero paglipas ng panahon, nag-iba na yun.

Ang alam ko lang, ayoko ng makakita pa ng white tuxedo. Not today, not ever in my lifetime.

"Sir? May tumatawag po sa inyo...", pag-aabot naman sakin ni Dennis ng phone ko.

When I answered it, it was Sabrina.

"Theo??? Why are you not answering my calls???"

"Sab, eh anong tawag mo dito?"

"Wag mo nga kong pilosopohin! Why now? I have to talk to you!"

"I have a shoot, Sab. I can't."

"Call me after your shoot, okay?!"

Binabaan na nga ako ng babaeng yun. Aish. Kita mo yun, siya pa may ganang babaan ako ng telepono, siya na nga lang humihingi ng pabor.

Nung nagsimula na nga yung photoshoot, everything was just fine. Like the other photoshoots that they asked me to do, ganun din ito. Just a simple pose with class. Well, that's easy dahil natural na nga sakin yun. Kahit nga tumayo lang ako at tumingin sa camera, satisfied na yung photographer. Not that I'm bragging, but that's what they always tell me.

Gusto ko na sanang umalis after the photoshoot finished but then, may interview pa nga ko. Puro pare-parehas lang naman ang tanong nila. All about business. About finances, current status, rivals, principles at legacy na meron ang Ramisses Corp. Sanay na ko sa ganitong tanungan.

But then, I was taken aback by the interviewer's following questions.

"Now that you're in the peak of fame as one of the most successful business-bachelors, do you think falling in love has a space in your life?"

Para namang narindi yung tenga ko bigla. It was not a business-related question, so I was a bit surprised. Kumbaga sa mga artista, hindi na scripted ang part na ito.

But I kept my composure. I tried thinking of an appropriate answer.

"Well....as much as I know...love is something we can choose to reject. I'm more focused on our business, now that my grandfather left everything to me...I don't think I have time for that."

"Oh, I see. Mukang malaman po ang sagot niyong yan ah? Have you rejected love before? Or...have you been rejected by love before?"

Nanigas naman ako dun. The question went straight to my head. Parang nabrain-freeze ako.