Skipper

19| The Price of Loving Her

SKIPPER

I don't know what to feel.

After so long, she's here in front of me. Dito pa talaga sa kompanya namin. Hindi ko alam kung sinadya n'ya ba 'to o ano.

Honestly, wala na s'ya sa isip ko. I'm too focused on my career and on Tricia. But seeing her now, seeing Dax for the first time after so many years, I feel like walking out. I don't wanna see her. Especially not here. And not when I'm with Tricia. 

Parang lahat ng galit ko ay nabuhay nang makita ko s'ya. Akala ko ay ayos na ako. Akala ko ay hindi na ako magagalit. Akala ko ay wala na lang 'yon. May Tricia na ako e. 

Pero nararamdaman ko na parang sasabog ang puso ko ngayon. Sasabog sa sobrang galit. 

I was in denial then when Artamiel told me that she's here. I only realized now that I am still loathing her. I hate her every bits. I want to call the security and have her thrown out. I want to yell at her and slap to her face all the frustrations I've been through when she left me. I want her gone.  

Ang kapal naman na mukha n'ya na magpakita dito. Ang kapal ng mukha n'ya na sumadya pa dito. Ang kapal ng mukha n'ya na nakakangiti pa s'ya ngayon. 

I shut my eyes tightly. Artamiel cleared his throat and started the brief orientation about this project. 

"You're all in for the show. You just have to show us your walk and pose for few shots so that we can decide on who to open the show and who to walk after who," Artamiel delivered in a formal tone. "Today, we have the designer herself, miss Tatiana Legaspi. The head photographer of the collection, Skipper Vergara. The executive producers, Nexus Vergara and Gretchen Yu. And miss Tricia Amante of AGC. Together we'll decide for your order, and I hope for your professionalism. We're not ordinary people, so don't waste our time."

Damn. 

Ang alam ko ay selection pa lang ngayon. Hindi ko alam na shortlisted na pala sila at final screening na ngayon. 

We'll be working together. Great. 

Para sa akin yata ang professionalism na sinasabi ni Artamiel. 

I can feel the sweat on my palm as I held my camera. I am not comfortable. I can't think properly. I feel like smoking. I need a stick. 

I want to went out for a while, but I don't want to offend Tricia. I don't want her to think that I am still affected. 

Pero, putang ina! Apektado pa din ako. Galit pa din ako. Nasaktan ako e. 

Pinalabas na muna ng assistant ni Miel ang mga modelo para isa-isang isalang. 

"Are you bored, princess Tricia?" 

I heard Nexus asking my girl in a teasing tone. 

I turned to look at them and I saw Tricia's eyes straight on me. 

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I feel like a deer caught on a headlight. It felt like I cheated on her when I let myself be affected by Dax's presence. 

"No. I'm used to boring things," Tricia replied in a flat tone. 

Magkatitigan pa kami ni Tricia nang tawagin na ang unang modelo. Napilitan ako na bumaling na stage nang magsalita ang babae.