Walk with Me

Chapter Forty Two

Apart

Weeks passed after I went back here in Australia. Tito Rick told me that I have series of photoshoots and commercials for some brand of cosmetics and beauty soap. Puno na daw ang schedule ko this year kaya wala na munang akong out of the country trip except sa ilang fashion show.

Sobrang busy na din ako sa school dahil start na ng term 1 ko sa Grade 12. Kinausap ko nga din muna ang music school na hindi muna ako magtuturo sa mga bata dahil hindi na kayang isiksik sa schedule ko.

"And the UAAP Season 80 Men's Basketball Champion..... Ateneo Blue Eagles!!!" malakas na anunsyo ng host para ibigay ang award sa nanalong team.

Kasalukuyan akong naka livestream sa UAAP finals game 3. Nag alala ako bigla kay Ricci pagkatapos ng game at hindi sila ang nag champion. I saw him crying with Kuya Prince, Brent and the whole Green Archers. I want to hug him and tell him that he did great and I'm so proud of him, win or lose. I know how they really gave their best but maybe the Ateneo's team work was just superb.

I was about to call Ricci when the staff of the production team entered the dressing room. Kaya inilapag ko na ang phone ko dahil binalikan na ako ni Trixie para iretouch ang make up ko.

"Hey Adi! We will start in fifteen minutes." paalala sa akin ng photographer para sa shoot ng summer catalogue and promotional video ng Binibini.

We are here at the beachfront of Bondi beach to showcase the white sands, curling waves, sandstone cliffs and the laid-back beach lifestyle. The theme of the summer collection this year is about normal teenagers and young adults looking for a nice outfit for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, beach nightlife to spectacular walking or just finding delicious places to eat.

Nakasuot ako ng black two piece swimsuit na napapatungan lang ng white short beach dress. Ang kukuhanan ngayong gabi ay ang outfits na pwedeng isuot kapag magba'bar o night stroll around the beach.

"You're so beautiful!" papuri sa akin ni Trixie after niya akong iretouch.

She just applied light make up emphasizing the sunkissed look on my face.

"She has a bright future ahead of her in this industry." komento ni Tito Rick na bumisita din sa set namin.

Siya na ang humahawak ng schedules ko dahil medyo dumadami na din ang kumukuha sa akin na magmodelo.

Nagsimula na ulit kaming mag shoot at masasabi ko na sobrang naeenjoy ko talaga ang ginagawa ko. Madami akong nadidiscover sa sarili ko na kaya ko palang gawin na akala ko ay impossible noong una. I'm always this shy girl who just wanted to make music and design shoes. I can't believe I am now a model slowly crawling the world of fashion and commercials.

"How are you baby?" nag aalalang tanong ko kay Ricci habang magka video call kami.

I just got back home after my three days shoot. Ngayon lang ulit kami nagkausap mula nang championship game dahil hectic ang schedule ko at kapag may time naman ay hindi ko naman siya macontact. He looks so down and troubled. Medyo guilty ako dahil malayo ako sa kanya para icomfort siya.

He sighed heavily. "Sana andito ka ngayon, babe." malungkot niyang sabi. "I feel so down."

"What do you want me to do?" mahina kong bulong.

Umiling lang siya at iniwas ang tingin sa akin. "Never mind. Itutulog ko na lang to."

Napabungtong hininga ako. "Please tell me. Hindi naman ako manghuhula."