Ephemeral (On Going)

Chapter 1 - Italy's Magic

(This story is unedited. It might have typographical errors.)

I'm packing my bag early in the morning para kaunti nalang gagawin ko mamayang gabi. I'm still disappointed na hindi ko man lang nakita 'yung mga pictures ko. That arsehole!

My parents want to roam around Rome once more kaya lumabas muna kami. While waiting at the restaurant, I saw Reagan standing outside. He's trying to do something with his camera. I tried to approach him pero sa dami ng tao bigla nalang siyang nawala. Lalong tumindi inis ko sa kanya.

We're about to eat breakfast. When I posted the photo, a notification caught my attention. It's different from the thousands that I receive daily. Familiar 'yung icon pati username. In-open ko and I saw Reagan's face. It's probably his account.

I DMed him. "Reagan? Where are my photos? Kung ginamit mo lang ako for your portfolio, please do what is right. Pay for it!"

A few moments later, he called me via Instagram. I answered it. He's smiling when I answered the video call. Nakakaimbyerna!

"Hi," he said annoyingly. Ang yabang ng dating pero siguro gano'n lang talaga siya.

"Where are my photos?" I asked aggressively.

"Relax, kababayan. Ineedit ko palang. Ano akala mo sa photography, magic? Model ka 'di ba? Hindi mo ba naisip 'yon?" sagot niya. I rolled my eyes and hang up. Finally, our food arrived.

I took a photo of my food. Sobrang sarap, sobrang sosyal! I have been to different countries because of my job pero ibang klase pala talaga ang Italia. Everything is fancy!

As usual, the photo got so many likes. Some of them know where I am kasi raw favourite resto nila 'yun when they visited Italy rin. Maya-maya, I saw Reagan enter the restaurant trying to look for someone.

I bowed my head para hindi niya na 'ko mapansin pero the minute na itinaas ko ang ulo ko para silipin kung nakaalis na siya, is the same time na nag-eye contact kami. Iniyuko ko uli ang ulo ko para iwasan siya.

A few minutes passed by kaya itinaas ko uli ang ulo ko para tingnan kung nakaalis na siya. Wala na siya sa kinatatayuan niya kanina. Naupo na pala siya at nang magkatinginan uli kami, he smirked at me na parang pinag-titripan ako. Nakakainis kasi it seemed like he just used me. Well, it's my fault din naman. I trusted a stranger right away. I was just amazed na may nakita akong kababayan ko sa ibang lupa. It feels different kasi kapag nangyayari yu'n.

I'm not gonna lie, he looked decent naman. Siguro mayaman siya rito. His coat looked expensive na parang galing sa isang designer brand. His hair was neatly styled pati na rin ang outfit niya.

He's just staring at me creepily. Syempre natatakot ako nang kaunti. It just makes sense kasi hindi ko naman siya kilala personally tapos he took photos of me na para bang siya lang ang mag bebenefit. Iyon lang ang habol ko. Once he gives me the copies, I'll leave him alone.

We finished our food finally! Makakaalis na rin sa lugar na 'to. Habang naglalakad kami, nakasalubong namin si Reagan. He waved at me at ang laki pa ng ngiti.

"May kakilala ka rito, 'nak?" my father asked. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. Oo kakilala ko si Reagan pero hindi ko siya close.

"Siya 'yung nag-take ng photos ni ate kahapon. Oo nga pala ate, have you seen your photos yet?" sabat ni Missy. Lalo akong nahirapan. Bwisit! Paano ko nga ba ieexplain?

"I haven't seen the photos yet. Maybe he's still editing it. Anyway, tara na kaya. Baka mahirapan na tayong magpapicture sa Colosseum." My family didn't ask more questions kaya diretso na kami sa Colosseum.

We are struggling to take photos as a whole family. We didn't bring a tripod kaya hindi kami magkakasama sa photos. Sa laki ng lugar na 'to, talagang nakikita ko pa rin si Reagan palakad lakad.

"I really want us to have a photo here together. Once in a lifetime lang 'to," my mom said. Halatang disappointed siya na wala kaming photo together kaya wala akong choice but to ask Reagan to take our photos. Nilapitan ko pa siya na nahirapan ako kasi malamig tapos medyo malayo pa kinatatayuan niya.

"Hey."

"Oh, need help?" he asked.

"Can you take a photo of us? My mom really wants us to have a decent photo together as a family here kaya ito, I don't have any choice but to approach you," I replied. I have no choice. If only I brought a tripod. If only I knew!

"Sure," he replied. He smirked at me and walk his way to my parents. I walk after him still annoyed that he's the one taking our photos.

"Ma, Pa si Reagan. He's a photographer here in Italy. Pinoy din," I introduced. He shook his hands with my parents pati na rin kay Missy.

"Reagan Ramos, one of the photographers at Vogue Italia," pakilala niya.

I knew he's a photographer somewhere but I didn't know na sa Vogue Italia pala! He showed his ID to us and totoo nga, he works there.

I felt ashamed. Mamahaling photographer pala ang kumuha ng mga litrato ko pero tinataray-tarayan ko.

"Pwede ko po bang ipost sa photography account ko? Ang ganda ho kasi ng kuha niyo," he said showing us the photos. Who are we to say no? We thanked him for the photos. Parang edited kahit raw copies palang 'yun.

We went back to our hotel and got ready for dinner. I took a nap dahil sa pagod. A couple of hours later, Missy woke me up. Ako nalang pala ang hinihintay nila.

"Reagan seems nice. Swerte natin he took our photos for free," mom said while we're walking our way to the restaurant.

"Ate, check his account na para makita na natin 'yung photos," Missy butts in.

I took my phone out of my purse and checked Reagan's instagram. I saw my photos. Parang isang professional photoshoot ang kinalabasan. I was refreshing his page over and over again until our family photos popped out. Most of it were candid shots kaya mas natural tingnan.

I sent him a direct message to thank him for the free shot.

Thanks for the shoot! I'm really glad you took ours. It was a wonderful opportunity. Tell me how I can pay you back for your kindess. God bless.

xx, M.

A few minutes later, he replied. He said that he thought I'd be a great model. Nakita niya raw 'yung photos ko sa instagram and he even complimented my feed. He's hoping to meet me again soon somewhere. Who knows? Maybe sa Philippines, maybe sa Italy.

Papunta na kami sa airport para umuwi sa Pilipinas. I'll surely miss this place. It's nice to go here para naman makapagpahinga kaming buong pamilya.

We checked in and waited for our boarding. Nakakagutom talaga mag-antay. I bought pasta sa isa sa mga store du'n and ate it as fast as I could kasi baka bigla kaming tawagin para mag-board. Sayang naman kung itatapon ko lang. Grabe kahit mura napakasarap! I'm pigging out once again.

We were already on board. I looked out the window when we were thousands of feet high from the ground. It was so dark but the brightness of the stars was magical. Kitang kita ang kinang nila sa langit. Ibang iba sa itsura kapag nasa lupa ka. Dito kasi wala masyadong ulap na humaharang. Wala ring pollution.

One day, I'll stare at the stars with my one true love. Just like this, admiring the beauty of God's creation. One day, I'm sure na one day magagawa ko rin 'to ulit.