Collided (Rastro Fanfic)

Chapter 7

Kasalukuyan akong naglalakad sa kahabaan ng Broome St. sa SoHo Lower Manhattan. Tinatamad pa akong umuwi sa apartment ko sa Greenwhich Village at isa pa, I need to get my caffeine fix. I just finished a shoot from a nearby restaurant that's going to be featured sa New York Magazine. Hindi na ako sumabay sa team pabalik sa headquarters at pumayag naman sila.

It's already six o'clock at medyo lumalamig na ang simoy ng hangin dala na rin ng panahon dahil simula na ng fall season. Eto yung pinakainaabangan ko out of all seasons bukod sa spring. Para sa akin kasi iba ang ganda na dala ng fall. Coloured autmum foliage is very much noted sa mga panahong ito at isa ako sa mga humahanga sa kakaibang ganda nito. Although New York is obviously populated with high rise buildings, meron pa rin itong greenery lalo na sa Central Park. Kaya sa mga panahong ito madalas akong tumatambay sa naturang park para pagmasdan ang paligid.

Pumasok ako sa isang cozy coffee shop three blocks away sa shooting place namin. It's a cool modern sleek establishment that is very relaxing and spacious, perfect for getting some work done. True to its motto, people do come her for their drinks but they stay for the vibes. Plus points pa ang wide selection of drinks nito and some light snacks.

I opted for Cozy Mint Coffee which is one of their specialties. Sinamahan ko na rin ng earl grey flavoured cream puff. Not much dahil busog pa naman ako sa mga pinakain sa amin kanina back in the restaurant.

I went to look for a seat and thankfully meron naman malapit sa entrance. Although there is a nicer spot in the deeper part of the shop, I'm good with my spot now. Full glass kasi ang door and windows nito kaya malaya kong nakikita ang kaganapan sa labas.

I fished out my camera and laptop from my bag. Aasikasuhin ko muna yung mga photos na naproduce kanina sa shoot. I have to select from these photos kung ano yung possible na gamitin na isesend ko naman sa Photography Director for approval.

I'm a professional photographer and I own a studio back in the Philippines. I mostly cover portraits but since I landed a job in New York Media six months ago, I was assigned to New York Magazine to cover lifestyle articles as well as in Grub Street for food and drink related articles. You must be wondering how I ended up in The Big Apple ---- my cousin, Marco, works in New York Media as well as a Senior Photo Editor of the editorial team. He somehow managed to push some buttons and was able to hook me a job. So, yeah, one day he called me and offered me the job. I was hesitant at first kasi marami akong maiiwan sa Pinas; my studio, my loyal clients, my friends, my mom, my brother, my girlfriend...ex-girlfriend rather. Basically my whole life back in the motherland. But life could be funny sometimes ---- something happened that changed me as a person. Lagi na lang akong umuuwing lasing. Napabayaan ko mga taong mahal ko pati na rin trabaho ko. I could no longer recognize the old me. With that, I needed to find my way back, to the old Beatrice Torres they once knew. Kaya ang naisip kong paraan ay ang magpakalayo layo muna. Naalala ko yung job offer ni Marco so I called him and asked if the offer still stands. He said yes and it led me to where I am today. I am not totally better than what I was yesterday but I can say I am progressing. Ayun nga lang, ang bangungot ng nakaraan ay hindi basta basta mawawala. Dala dala ko pa rin ito kahit saan man ako mapadpad.

I sipped from my cup of coffee, feeling the tingling sensation brought by the mint. I took a bite from the cream puff, tasting the creamy goodness of earl grey in it. Reminiscing the past left a hollow feeling in my heart. Bigla ko tuloy namiss si Mama Jen at ang makulit ko na kapatid na si Elijah. Almost a month ko na rin silang hindi nakakausap. Bukod sa masyado akong preoccupied sa trabaho ko dito, hindi mawala wala ang hiyang nararamdaman ko sa katarantaduhang ginawa ko. The same reason why I shut myself from all the people I know back in the Philippines. Simula nung umalis ako ay wala na akong natatanggap na balita mula sa kanila. Not because they don't let me know, I just chose not to.