Vanilla's Poser Girl

Chapter 18

Vanilla

"Van, I have already signed my modelling contract in Paris. I'll be leaving tonight."

"Aalis ka?"

Tumango naman si Leigh at saka ngumiti.

"Yep. But you can call me anytime. Or you can visit me there."

"Paano ako?"

"Pwede mo naman ako tawagan pag kailangan mo ko."

"I don't want you to go, Leigh. Won't you stay with me?"

Nag-iwas ito ng tingin. She stopped her car infront of my house.

"What about your girlfriend, Van? Would she be happy if I stay?"

Gusto kong maiyak. I know that Carmi is jealous of Leigh. Kaya nga madalas kami mag-away because I always end up mentioning Leigh's name. I mean, I basically grew up with Leigh. Kaya nasanay ako na kasama sya sa lahat ng bagay.

It's so hard to just separate myself to Leigh. To Leigh who is the perfect bestfriend.

"Carmi will understand."

"Do you love her, Vanilla?"

Ano ba naman klaseng tanong yun?

"Syempre naman. Hindi naman magiging kami kung hindi ko sya mahal."

"Do you love her because she's Zero?"

Mahal ko lang ba si Carmilla because she's Zero? I then remembered the thing she did to me when we first have our intimate moment yesterday. The aftermath.

Leigh wasn't there. But I survived with Carmi just by my side. So, yeah. Maybe I'll be okay without Leigh in the picture.

"No, Leigh. I love Carmi. Kahit hindi man sya si Zero."

Sandali itong tumitig sakin na para bang maiiyak. But I doubt. Leigh is a barbie doll that won't break. She just won't cry. Kahit yata anong gawin dito hindi talaga ito iiyak e.

She's the warmest heartless person I've ever known.

"What if you go with me, Vanilla? Let's live in Paris. We can get married there and live a happy life. Malayo sa lahat ng bagay."

Tumawa naman ako. Leigh's getting better in cracking jokes. Sobrang bored na ba talaga ito sa buhay nito?

"Threatened ka ba na mas nauna kong mahanap yung The One ko no?"

"No, I found mine. Matagal na."

Napakunot naman ang noo ko. Kelan pa sya nagkaroon? Who is that? Bakit di ko alam?

"But I choose you, Vanilla. I'll still choose my bestfriend because I'm more scared to lose you."

I felt the pang. Yung parang hinihigop lahat ng rason ko to think properly. Was I another Sammie in Aria's story? Ganun din ba samin ni Leigh?

"Mahal mo ba talaga yun?"

"I think so. I always think what's best para sa kanya. Gusto ko yung laging nasa tabi nya ko pag kailangan nya ko. Gusto ko ako lagi yung una nyang hinahanap. It's too heartwarming pag nakikita ko syang umiiyak kapag nawawala ako kahit saglit lang. Yung kapag nagagalit ako tatahimik sya at yayakapin ako. Pag nagwawala ako, hahawakan nya lang yung kamay ko tapos kumakalma na ko. I love our shared kisses. The sleepovers. The cuddling, stargazing. I love being mesmerized everytime na nakikita ko sya."