Stolen Shots

CHAPTER 1

HI! I’m Umbrella Veranda, 23 years old and a fourth year college at St. Mary University in Laguna. I am an interior designer who had an affair with photography. A vice president of the photography club. Alam n’yo na. It wasn’t bad to do things you love. It wouldn’t kill you right? Yeah! Sure it will kill your time but it worth the waste anyway.

By the way, please do call me “Bree” for short. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit Umbrella ang pinangalan sa akin  nina mama. Do I look like an Umbrella to them?! Mukha bang panangga sa ulan ang katawan ko noong sanggol pa lamang ako? Hindi naman ah! Though sabi ni tita mas mukha daw akong palanggana sa laki kaysa sa payong. Like duh! Hindi daw ako mukhang skeleton that have lots of exposed bones.

Anyway, never mind that. Currently, I’m living with my auntie Shirley. She’s thirty-seven years old and the only family left in me. She took care of me since the day I need a new home to belong with that’s why she never had the chance to build a family of her own.

My parents passed away when I was ten. It is the same day that our company got broken. I don’t have siblings. I only have my grandma’s and grandpas before that also died due to their aged after time. And there is Auntie Shirley, my only relatives and family. Kinupkop niya ako’t inaruga, pinag-aral, minahal at pinakain sa kabila ng biglaan naming paghihirap. It is like a wall that suddenly fall without warning.

My dad and mom died in a car accident after their business meeting in Baguio causing our company downfall. Sadly, nauna pa sina mom and dad na pumanaw kaysa kina lola at lolo. It is really true that there is no permanent in this world. The only permanent is the word change.

Everything changes from time to time. No one will stay with you forever. It is also said that people come and goes. Totoo iyon. Mabuti pang mawala sila ngunit ‘di kalian man mananatili.

Life is all about acceptance, letting go and regrets.

Acceptance. Tanggapin mo nang hindi habang buhay ay makakasama mo sila at sayo lamang iinog ang mundo nila. Matuto tayong tumanggap ng mga bagay na kahit masakit ay dapat. It is a process after all. In no time, matututo at  masasanay ka narin. After all, changes are constant. Malay mo, kasama pala ang pagtanggap sa regalo ng pagbabago or maybe it is the other way around.

Letting go. Don’t hold on into something that will eventually fade. Ikaw lang ang masasaktan kung sakali. Hindi lahat ng mahahawakan mo ay mananatili. Don’t hold on them too much. Sa oras na kailangan nanilang mamaalam sa’yo, mas makapit, mas masakit.

Regrets. Hmmm… Isa lang naman ‘yan e. Regrets will hunt you knowing you can do something for them and did your best to make them happy and show how much you love them while they are alive and on your side but never did. Surely, you’ll regret doing nothing and question the word ‘why?’. 

For me? I don’t have regrets. Before my parents and grannies died, I show them how much they mean to me from earth to the universe outside and to the bones.  Isa lang naman ang pinagsisisihan ko noon e. Nagmahal ako ng taong hindi naman kayang suklian ang pagmamahal ko higit sa aking sarili. Though it was a half. Dahil kasi sa nangyaring iyon ay natuto akong magiging matatag and tada! May bunos pa! I got to learned how to love myself.

“Bree, pumunta ka na naman ba kina mang Pablo? Ano na namang sinabi mo?” Nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Tiya habang patuloy kami sa pagkain ng almusal.

Nilunok ko muna ang aking kinakain bago nagsalita.

“Opo tita.” Tumango pa ako bago nagpatuloy. “Sinabihan ko lang si Manong Pablo na maligo kahit tatlong beses sa isang linggo para maiba naman. Hindi iyong isang beses sa isang linggo lang. Binigyan ko rin po  s’ya ng deodorant, sabon at sinabihan na maghilod ngayong araw para hindi siya nagmumukhang paa na tinubuan ng fungi, bacteria at virus.” Tukoy ko sa kapit-bahay naming walang asawa at kasing tanda lamang ni auntie Shirley.

Nasapo nito ang noo.

“Lintik ka! Bakit mo naman ‘yon ginawa?! Nang-iinsulto kaba ng tao?!”

“Hindi pang-iinsulto iyon tiya! Concern citizen lamang po ako sa kaniya! Hindi na healthy sa kanya at sa taong nakakasalamuha niya ang kanyang ginagawa.buti na lamang kung siya lang ang nakakaamoy. Paano naman tayo? Paano ka naman na chinichika niya?” Naiiling kong pahayag.

“Dios mio bata ka oo! Ano namang sabi sayo?” Nahahapo nitong komento.

I shrug my shoulder.

“Inamoy lang niya ang kanyang sarili pati ang hininga. Tinanong ko nga kung mabaho sabi niya ay ‘okay pa naman’. Makakaharap pa daw siya sayo.” Tinigil ko ang pagsubo at makahulugan itong tinitigan.

“Di ko gusto ‘yang iniisip mo Bree.” Aniya at tila sukang-suka na kanina pa.

“Tiya, bakit ‘di kaya kayo ang magpaligo kay manong Pablo---“  She cut me off.

“Mahiya ka nga! Nakakasuka ‘yang sinasabi mo! Ayokong magtanggal ng libag ng taong madikit pa sa mantsa ng damit. Baka mas malala pa ang mikrobyo niyan sa galis ng aso!” Inis itong tumayo patungong sink at tila kinikilabutan sa aking sinabi. Nahihindik din ang itsura nito na s’yang ikinatawa ko.

Kita n’yo ‘yon! Pangaralan ba ako kung kahit siya ay wagas makapanglait sa tao. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!

“Judgemental.” Komento ko at ipinagpatuloy na ang pagkain. Humarap naman ito sa akin.

“Heh! Magtigil ka Bree!” She widens her eyes on me. I act like I’m zipping my mouth. “Anyway, iniwan ko na sa kuwarto mo ang iyong allowance at tuition fee. Kulang pa iyong pang-tuition mo. Hanggang sa nakaraang semester pa lamang iyon. Pero huwag kang mag-alala, gagawa ako ng paraan.” Wika nito bago pumanhik sa kanyang kuwarto sa itaas at iwan ako.

I was left alone in the kitchen sighing.

Siguro panahon naman para gumawa din ako ng paraan. She already done too much and I think I should also doing something now. She even enrolled me in a luxurious university na umaabot ng milyon ang tuition fee. Buti na lamang at kalahati lang niyon ang aming bayarin dahil nakapasa akong scholar sa photography club. Thanks god for the talent though half lang ng tuition fee ang shoulder ng pagigig scholar ko. The rest is up to us.

Pagkatapos kumain ay hinugasan ko muna ang aming pinagkainan bago pumasok sa aking kuwarto, naligo at nagbihis.

Our uniform is a black pencil cut skirt and white long sleeve with a necktie on its collar. Dahil palagi akong nagbabike papasok ng school ay mas pinili ko munang isuot ang black jeans ko at peach shirt. Dating gawi. Ganitong damit ang isinusuot ko o kaya ay jogging pants at magpapalit ako ng school uniform pagkarating ko ng university.

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KUMPULANG estudyante ang unang sumalubong sa akin papasok ng campus. Agad na kinandado ko ang bike sa gilid ng parking area kung saan may mga railings at tubong nakalagay. I look around and start walking towards the entrance.

Bakit kaya ang hilig ng mga tao sa chismis? May nahihita ba sila sa pagkakalat ng mga walang kabuhluhang bagay? Wala naman ‘di ba?! Naninira lang sila ng buhay. Mga walang magawa.

Nakisiksik ako sa kumpulan. Don’t get me wrong. Hindi ako nakisiksik para makiusyoso, nakaharang kaya sila sa daan kaya no choice ako kundi ang sumiksik.

Putrages! Siguro ganito ang feeling ng sardinas kapag siniksik na sila sa lata. Puwe! Nakakalata! Nakakainit din ng ulo!

Nang makarating ako sa unahan ay mas lalong kumulo ang aking dugo sa nasaksihan. Maagang kape nga naman ‘to. Mas mainit pa sa pandesal na tinitinda sa bakery. Kawawang babae, sira na nga ang kanyang camera, napahiya pa sa harap ng marami’t pinagtatawanan pa.

Bakit kaya ganyan sila? Akala mo nakakatuwa! Pagsila nalagay sa ganyang sitwasyon, tingnan na lamang natin kung makakatawa pa sila.

“Kasalanan mo ‘yan! You know he hated someone taking picture of him pero ginawa mo parin1 Now, suffer the consequences! Hahaha….” Napairap ako sa inusal ni Ella sa kawawang babae na umiiyak habang nakatunghay sa kanyang durog na camera. Sayang din ‘yon. Mahal pa naman ang camera.

Tsk. Kaya ayaw kong Ella ang maging nickname ko dahil sa bruhildang nasa aming harapan. Ella Sanchez, a fourth year college and the princess of business ad. Tulad ni Ella ay taga-business ad din ang dalawang guwapong nilalang sa kanyang likuran. The kind and approachable Howard Shoi and the jerk that I think are responsible for this mess, Shiro Kyle Silvestre. He’s known to be the campus heartthrob. Athletic at matalino rin. Nga lang masyadong mailap sa camera. No magazine features his sinful face though much entertainment company was dying to have him.

Bali-balita rin na silang dalawa ni Ella. Well, I don’t care. I really don’t care!!! Bagay naman sila e! A b***h and a jerk! Perfect combination ‘di ba?! The one who hate picture plus the one who always took picture of herself from time to time.

Napako ang tingin k okay Shiro at nagtama ang aming mga mata. Inirapan ko lamang ito saka naglakad sa unahan palapit sa kanila.

Ella looks at me with her ‘maarte’ look. Gross!

I raise my left eyebrow and eyed her like a pest na gusto kong tirisin. Wala akong pakialam kung siya pa ang prinsesa ng business ad o bitches. Let me remind you, a princess will always bow to her queen. I’m not saying I am her queen or their queen because I’m just a mere commoner but I can make everyone bow.

Nakipagtagisan ako ng tingin kay Ella ngunit sa huli ay s’ya rin itong bumitaw at umiwas ng tingin. Scholar lang ako at hindi tulad nila but I know my rights and capability.

Tumayo ako sa harap nila.

“Excuse me! Nakaharang kayo sa daan.” Sinulyapan ko ang aking wrist watch bago nagsalitang muli. “ I’m getting late so with all your respect if you have one, will you step aside. You are blocking my way.” Sita ko sa kanila connoting the harsh words.

Laglag ang panga ng lahat maliban kay Shiro at ‘di makapaniwala sa nangyari. Kailan kaya sila masasanay? This isn’t the first time I bitched around.

Nakangangang tumabi si Ella samantalang nakangiti namang umalis si Howard sa daan. Si Shiro? Nah! He’s jerks so don’t expect him to move. Nakatayo lang ito sa gitna ng daan at malamig na nakamata sa akin ang asul niyang mata. Hindi ko s’ya pinansin at deritsong naglakad paalis at walang tingin-tingin itong nilagpasan papuntang school building. Kala n’ya ah!

Maybe you’re wondering why they treated me that way. Well, it is easy as a pie. The first clown who attempted to bully me ended in a guidance office with her three little minions. They got a detention slip and was force to do a community work.

Kasalanan naman nila. Gagawa na nga lang ng kabubohan, ideyang ipis pa! Manghahamon na nga lang ng  away sa pader pa! ‘Yan tuloy, nauntog at nagkabukol sila. Luckilly, matagal mamatay ang masamang d**o. Maging masamang d**o narin kaya ako?

But seriously, I was thankful I am this witty dahil kung hindi ay baka ako pa ang naparusahan. I just manage to flip the situation I’m in. And with their every attempt, sila lang ang lumalabas na kawawa. Actually, may na-expell na ng dahil sa akin. Their parents try to offer some compensation for the improper action of their child towards me but I refuse. As if! Para ko narin pinagbili ang aking dignidad kung ginawa ko iyon.

A human with dignity is a great person who never turned back to their obligation. They’re mostly the man of words and people with boundless wisdom.

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LAST SUBJECT na namin ngayong umaga and I can’t help but to yawn and calm my growling stomach.

Nagugutom na ako. Kapagod naman kasi ang ngayong araw. Ang dami namin ginawang activity at may mga maiikling pagsusulit kami sa ilang asignatura. My body and mind are overused and I feel like draining. Nang matapos ang klase ay nagtungo na ako sa broadcasting department. I don’t know why they ask for my presence but I do hope it’ll be a job. Sana nga para magkasource of income naman ako ngayon. I badly need a money and job right now.

Pagpasok ko sa loob ay si Miss Haires agad ang aking nabungaran. She’s the head teacher of this department. She also looks pretty, young and jolly despite of her age.

“Oh? I’m glad you’re here Miss Veranda. Come and have a sit.” I gladly accept her offer.

“You ask for me Madam?” I ask with hospitality. Pinagsalikop niya ang kanyang kamay.

“Let me get straight to the point ija. I’m offering you a job. All you have to do is to take shots of someone in exchange, our department will shoulder the other half of your tuition fee this school year which means na wala ka nang babayaran sa school kung sakali.”

Napangiti ako ng malawak at tumango. This gonna be an easy job. Was it?

“Great! Now we are launching an article and we badly needed to feature him on the magazine. His details is fully completed and the only thing we needed is his picture and I don’t care whether it is stolen shots or what since he always the photogenic type and we do know no matter how he look, he will always be that good. A guy with a sinful face.”

I feel something is not right.

“Why bother taking stolen shots of him if we can just talk to him and set a photo shoot. And besides, this is illegal. Featuring him in a magazine without his consent? Hindi o ba kayo matatakot na masampahan ng kaso?”

She smirk. “Oh no dear. I already have his parents’ consent kaya hindi n’ya tayo masasampahan. Ang totoo ay galing sa magulang niya ang ibang details na bumuo sa article namin since he didn’t agreed to the setup and to tell you honestly ija, he’s hard to pursue kaya huwag mo nang pakiusapan pa ang taong iyon.” She sigh. “Kung sana ay meron siyang social media with pictures kaso wala eh. Mailap pa sa perlas, ginto at diyamante sa mundo ang lalaking iyon.”

My heart skips a beat. Oh no! Don’t tell me…….

“ T-To whom are you pertaining to madam?” Napangalumbaba ito sa tanong ko. Her eyes twinkled in excitement.

“The one and only, Shiro Kyle Silvestre.”

Shiro Kyle Silvestre.

Shiro Kyle Silvestre.

Shiro Kyle Silvestre.

Namutla ako sa narinig.

Paktay! Bakit kailangan ang lalaking iyon pa?!