NOSTALGIA (La Mémoire #1)

XI

XI

only this

"It's all a dream, Lia." Zeke wore a bored expression in the dining table the next morning.

While my excruciating headache is breaking crevices into my skull, my brother plastered a rather unconcerned facade.

"Seryoso kuya, I was in a hotel room!!"

"Are you sure you were not sexually assaulted? Did you do a body check?" Linn butted in, overly worried.

"No. I'm not." Umiling ako.

I have no marks or bruises on my body. I don't feel sore either. Except for my hang-over, I'm perfectly fine.

"I just remember this weird dream." Napahinto ako. Hindi ko alam kung tama bang ikwento ko ang napanaginipan.

"See? Panaginip mo nga lang iyan." Giit ni Zeke.

Natigilan ako. The hotel room part seems too blurry, like it was a fragment of a distant memory. Hindi ko rin matandaan kung sinong nagdala sa akin roon. O kung totoo nga bang naroon ako. Ngunit iyong panaginip, iyong batang ako sa isang lugar na puno ng sunflower, malinaw pa rin sa akin.

"I just...my memory's fucked up." I messed my hair.

"Lia, Stav Valerio brought you home last night before eleven. He said that's your curfew." Patuloy ni Zeke.

Umangat ang tingin ko rito. That knocked sense into me. Saglit akong natulala bago napagtantong panaginip nga lang ang lahat. Siguro.

"Ni hindi mo sinabi sa akin na aalis ka kasama si Stav." May pagbabanta sa tono ni Zeke.

Umirap ako. I hate it when he acts like all protective older brother when he can't even handle his self.

"'Wag mong isusumbong kina kuya." Iyon lang at iniwan ko na ang hapag.

Pagdating sa kuwarto, sumalampak ako sa kama upang matulog sana ulit. Ngunit nang buksan ko ang cellphone ko, bumungad sa akin ang mensahe ni Stav.

"Let's do the shoot today. I have a hair and makeup team ready. I'll message you the studio address."

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon. Walang pag-aatubiling kumaripas ako patungo sa banyo upang maligo.

"Linn! Get dressed. Samahan mo ako sa shoot ko." Nagmamadali kong ipinaliwanag kay Linn ang napagkasunduan namin ni Stav.

"Why didn't you say earlier?" Sigaw nito habang na sa loob ako ng walk-in closet.

"Nakaligo ka naman na, hindi ba? Get dressed."

"Yes but I need another 2 hours!"

That's an understatement. I know she needs more than that.

"Okay. I'll text you the address. Sumunod ka na lang doon, ha? I don't want to keep Stav's team waiting."

Linn agreed to that. Simple lamang ang isinuot ko dahil magpapalit rin naman ako para sa shoot. Sa sobrang simple, Victoria's Secret mesh bralette lamang iyon, high-waisted mom jeans at Manolo Blahnik suede mules.

I just clicked the elevator button when someone deliberately held its doors stop. Nilubayan ako ng lahat ng hang-over nang masalubong ang pamilyar na malalalim na mga mata. In a navy blue button down and his straight hair parted to the sides, his deep dashing eyes found me. My heart forgot to beat now that Lyon Flavio is in front of me.

"Lyon." Literal na hinapo ako sa pagbanggit.

"Hey, Lia." His cleft chin appeared when he flashed me a one-sided smile before stepping inside the elevator.