Ephemeral (On Going)

Prologue

"Pose ka rito, ate!" pagtawag ni Missy sa'kin habang busy akong inaayos ang pwesto ko sa harap ng Trevi Fountain.

"Hurry up, Missy! Nakakahiya sa mga tao," I said trying to hide the embarrassment that was evident in my face.

"Ate, once lang 'to. Hayaan mo sila. Let's just enjoy," sagot ni Missy habang patuloy na pinapalit-palitan ang settings ng camera niya.

A few takes later, satisfied na siya sa mga litratong kinuha niya. We continue looking for a nice spot to take more photos at.

Syempre, I need to take as many photos as I can para i-upload sa Instagram ko where many people see my uploads. I'm a model under TJR Modeling Agency, one of the highest rated modeling agency in my country, kaya as much as possible gusto kong ipakita na one day makakaapak din ako sa international fashion shows.

"Ate, can you try to put your hand in your pocket?" Missy asked directing me. Maarte lang talaga siya kaya ito, andaming pinapagawa. But Missy wants to be a photographer someday kaya as much as possible, hinahabaan ko pasensya ko sa kapatid kong 'to.

A stranger suddenly stopped walking behind Missy. He's just staring at us na parang pinapanood bawat galaw namin lalo na ni Missy. He's looking at how Missy changed the setting, the way she takes my photos, etc. Binaliwala ko nalang kasi baka naliligaw lang pero maya-maya nanonood na siya sa'min. I decided to ask him if he needs help.

"Bonjourno, do you need help?" I asked.

"Pinay?" he asked back. Nagkatinginan kami ni Missy. Is he a Filipino too?

"Yes, we are," I answered awkwardly.

"Pinoy din ako. Reagan," he said extending his hand over. My eyes widened. I extended my arm to give him a handshake.

"Parang nag s-struggle kayo sa pagkuha ng photos. Need help?" sabi niya habang binubuksan 'yung bag niya.

"No need. We can handle this," Missy said. He showed us his camera and convinced us that he's a professional photographer based in Italy. He told us na tanggapin na namin offer niya kasi he's normally busy working and minsan lang siya makakita ng mga Pinoy sa labas.

He's taking lots of photos and sobrang chill lang. Ang galing niyang mag-direct sa'kin ng mga pose. I feel like I was in a professional photoshoot. I glanced where Missy is. She's looking at us na parang batang hindi sinali sa laro. Nu'ng nasa Pilipinas kasi kami, excited siyang picturan ako.

"Do you stay here or bakasyon lang?" tanong ni Reagan sa'min habang naglalakad.

"Bakasyon lang. Ikaw?"

"I'm based here. Ilang taon na rin pero balak kong umuwi sa Pilipinas soon. Kumusta na ba ang bansa?" sagot niya.

Huminto kami para bumili ng gelato. Sabi niya iyon daw ang pinakamasarap na gelato na natikman niya.

Habang kumakain ng gelato, sinagot ko 'yung tanong niya. "Okay naman. Mainit as usual."

Nag-uusap pa kami tungkol sa Italia at kung ano-ano pa hanggang sa tumawag na parents namin para bumalik. Missy and I went back to where our parents left us at nag-intay na ro'n.

"Ayos ka ha. Nasa Italy na nga may boylet pa," bigla niyang sabi. Bahagya ko siyang tinapik sa balikat nang dumating sila Mama.

"Nag-aasaran nanaman kayo. Tara balik na tayo sa hotel. Itry naman natin 'yung buffet du'n. Sayang pera," pabirong sabi ni mama.

"How was your mini shoot? Magaling na ba kumuha ng litrato si Missy?" our dad asked.

"Oo naman 'no. Magaling mga anak natin sa passion nila," mom said.

"Of course, Pa. I'm glad ate and I have chosen something na pwede naming pagtrabahuhan together," Missy answered.

"Medyo maarte lang si Missy kaya naiirita na rin ako minsan," I butt in. We all laughed and headed to our hotel.

Chineck ko 'yung Instagram na sinabi ni Reagan kung saan niya raw ia-upload 'yung mga pictures ko. I'm excited to see the outcome.

I searched and searched pero mukhang hindi ko yata   makita 'yung account. I'm disappointed. I was really excited to see my photos but it seemed like I was scammed. It's so sad, Pinoy pa naman. Pero ano nga ba ineexpect ko eh estranghero lang naman 'yun? Why did I even agree in the first place?