"Where are we going now, Killian?" Tanong ko sa kanya ng makalabas kami ng building kung saan dinaos ang magazine shoot ko. "Killian..." I called him.
"Hmm?" He didn't give me a look.
"Saan tayo pupunta?" I cling my arm on his. He frowned. Bigla ko namang niluwagan iyon ng makaramdam ng pagka-ilang. "Sungit," komento ko. Atsaka naunang maglakad pababa ng hagdan.
Nilingon ko sya ng hindi man lang nya ako sinundan. He's walking downstair while his both hands is in his pocket. Feeling cool! I rolled eyes. Ipinagpatuloy ko na ang paglalakad.
Nagulat ako ng biglang may humarang sa aking dalawang babae at tatlong lalaki, may mga hawak na recorder, cellphone at camera. They look like a reporter. Damn, I'm not prepared.
"Hello po, Ms. Xam... Pede po ba namin kayong matanong-"
"Maraming lumalabas na larawan mo kasama ang rumor boyfriend mong si Kane Cuevas..."hindi pa natatapos ang sasabihin ng lalaki ay nagsalita na ang isang babae. "At kahapon lang ay na-ispot'an kang kasama si Paulo Galvez. Anong masasabi mo roon?"
Nalipat ang tingin ko sa babaeng matalim ang tingin sa akin. I manage myself to smile politely, "Yeah, that's true. Me and Paulo dated yesterday-"
"And how about Kane Cuevas? Both of you are reportedly dating based on the photo we've seen and spreading all over the internet. So what is it?" The other girl stated. Nalipat naman ang tingin ko sa kanya. Muli ay ngumiti ako.
"Let me finish my statement about Paulo." Sumang-ayon naman ang mga ito. "Me and Paulo dated yesterday, but that's just a friendly date. He asked me out and yeah, we dated privately."
Tumaas ang kilay ng babaeng masama ang tingin sa akin. Nais kong sungitan sya ngunit pinili kong ngumiti. Bait ko. "But then... You've been dating Kane Cuevas, so why do need to have friendly date with Paulo Galvez? Why is it private, Ms. Xam?" Sarkastikong anito.
Kumuyom ang palad at nag-igting ang panga ko sa inis. Is she accusing me two-timing? "Because we don't want the issue to come up! But then, ganon parin... Lumabas parin." Mariing sabi ko.
Akala ko ay titigil na sya ngunit hindi nangyari. Piniga nya parin. "No offense, Ms. Xam, but it looks like you're two timing Kane Cuevas and Paulo Galvez-"
"Yeah, no offense- but your question is too much! Very sharp and rude of yours." Pasimple akong umirap. "I will answer your question, I am not two-timer! Paulo is my friend and Kane is my-"
"Boyfriend." Naramdaman kong bumigat ang bandang balikat ko. Naka-akbay sa akin si Killian. Nakakunot ang noo ko ng lingunin ang lalaking sumagot. His eyes were cold, emotionless. "Soon." He looked at me. Iniiwas ko ang tingin ko. "May tanong pa kayo?"
"Yes, please, Mr. Kane Cuevas..." animo kinikilig na sabi ng babaeng pangalawang nagtanong na katabi ng babaeng masungit na kala mo may regla. Muli ay pasimple akong umirap. Pasimpleng malandi din e. "Both of you are reportedly dating based on the photo we've seen... and spreading all over the internet like, yung litrato nyo sa Tagaytay, the two of you looks very sweet and Kane..." she smiled sweetly at Killian. "What can you say?"
Tinignan ko si Killian. He seems not interested. Siniko ko sya, pinanlakihan ko sya ng mata. "Go, answer their question." Bulong ko sa kanya.
Umiling sya at ngumuso. Natawa naman ako ng konti. "Killian, answer them." I whispered when I noticed him leaning on my back.
Sinimangutan nya ako at umiling. Tumingin nalang ako sa mga reporter na naghihintay ng sagot. Huminga ako ng malalim. "Well, Nandon kami for... for..." I looked at him. I widened my eyes to grab his attention.