Friday night.
Nung makarating ako sa backstage, dressing room, they're all busy already.
Okay, so this is what this feels like. Mabuti na lang maaga ako dumating.
"Reena." tawag sa akin ni Andy.
"You know your outfits, right?"
"Yeah." I'm staring to get hysterical. First timers.
We're modeling designs of a famous designer from Milan.
"We're doing another three round of rehearsals later kaya magrelax ka na muna dito. Yung ibang models parating na rin." she informs me.
"Okay." I take a deep breath.
"Don't put too much pressure into it. You'll do great." she smiles.
"I hope so." because I'm really getting nervous now.
"Maiwan muna kita dahil inaayos pa namin yung stage."
"Sure."
She left. People here are making sure that the outfits are ready for the sequence of turns, others are preparing the make ups and some are nervous as me. Well, at least I think they're nervous too.
"People! We'll start doing your make ups at 3 pm because you'll have three round of rehearsals first. Models, go outside now." Ms. Salvador announces.
Her first name is Sylvia but I think it's just proper I call him formally.
****
The music is lively. We're getting ready to go in the runway. We have 10 minutes, Last time I checked, nandiyan na raw sila Bry, JP, Mike, Carlo at si mommy, hindi raw makakapunta sina Kuya dahil may aattendan sila na occassion sa side nila Ate Nadine kaya sabi ko ayos lang naman. Si Kevin? Still a no show.
If he's not here when I go out, I swear. Seriously. All hell will break loose.
If I go through that runway and you're not there...
I can't even finish that sentence but I text him just that. Sure he's mad at me but I know he can make his flight earlier he just doesn't want to. He's doing this on purpose.
"Okay everyone, this is a night when you may be discovered. Maraming agencies from Paris and Milan ang pumunta ngayon just to watch you guys. Some of them are my colleagues. I'm not putting pressures on you but you should be aware." Sylvia tells us at tumingin siya sa akin like may gusto siyang sabihin.
Everybody is nervous. I'm glad hindi lang ako ang ninenerbyos.
I'm wearing a red silk gown, which has one slit at the right side. My hair is curled at the ends. My make up is well done by one of the make up artists here. Hindi ko na alam kung anong pangalan niya.
I'm watching the crowd and my eyes are searching for Kevin. Where in the hell is he? He's in hell alright.
"Reena." may tumawag sa'kin sa likod ko. Paglingon ko si Sylvia.
"Hi." I nervously smiled at her.
"Are you nervous?"
Can't she tell? Of course she can she's not stupid.
"Yeah." I admit.
"Don't be. You'll be fine. Just keep your head up and do your best out there." she smiles at me.
This is the first time we're talking like this.
"Uhm... thank you." I smile at her hoping that it would ease my nervousness.
