The Unnoticed (FILIPINO/ COMPLETED)

Hallucination

THE SUPPOSED vacation in the Philippines ended up for good. Dapat sasabay ako sa pag-uwi nila Gatus ng araw na iyon, pero nagkaroon ng invitation si Caesar sa Paris sa December. Kailangan niya ako kaysa sa panibagong secretary. Pumayag ako dahil malaki at temptation ang offer niya. Bago manlang umuwi ay makapunta ako sa Paris ng libre. Makikita ko pa ang ilang sikat na mga designer at models.

It's a matter of eight months, then I will finally come back to the Philippines. I can do it, right? Nakaya ko ang tatlong taon, walong buwan pa kaya?

Caesar is getting huge in Australia. His name was like Majesty in the Philippines. He started his designs locally then latter the international discover his ideas. And next year he will mark his name in Paris, the mother of the Fashion World. The place where all dreams will come true.

Finally, I would see it for real.

"Sigurado kang tatlong palapag lang ang ipapagawa mo?"

Tinitigan kong maigi ang titolo ng lupang nabili ko sa probinsiya ng Rios De Bay. Isang ektarya iyon sa siyudad. Malapit sa hospital at mall.

"Yeah. Gusto ko kasing sa ibaba ay commercial store na puwede kong ipa-rent. Malaki ang business potential ng lugar dahil siyudad. Isang oras lang ang biyahe nasa Owl City Main na. Kumpara sa Casa De Rios na mura nga ang lupa... ang layo naman."

"Ang business-minded mo na talaga. Ano tuloy pa rin ba 'yung plano mong investment?"

Binalik ko sa lagayan ang titulo bago sumagot, "Oo naman. Tatlo ang plano kong gawin sa naipon ko. Pambili ng lupa. Makapagpagawa ng paupahan. Makapag-invest sa malagong kumpanya para umikot ang pera ko."

Napalapit ako sa screen ng aking IPad nang idikit ni Jasmin ang baby niya roon.

"Say hi to Ninang!" said Jasmin, but the baby just smiled cutely.

Lalo akong nanggigil sa bata. "Ang bilis ng panahon. May baby ka na at asawa, samantalang ako single pa rin."

"Alulu si Bakla. Picky ka kasi, inireto ko sa'yo 'yung barkada ni Gani pero inayawan mo. Si Frank pa rin ba?"

"Sira ka. Baka nga pinakasalan na noon si Bridgette. Tanda mo 'yung girlfriend niya. Seryoso siya ro'n."

Inirapan niya ako. Ibinalik sa kama ang baby niya upang mahawakang maigi ang cellphone. "Puks, nakita ko 'yang si Bridgette sa Mall. May ibang kasama. Guwapo rin. Tingin ko ay matagal na silang wala."

I suddenly felt hopeful. That she's not bluffing. Ngumuso ako upang itago ang ngiti sa aking labi. "Baka co-model niya lang. Frank is perfect. Whose woman would let him slip on her finger?"

No one!

"Duh! Puks, nagsasabi ako ng totoo. Wala kasi akong balita sa crush mo. Gusto mo bang i-search ko?"

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. Para saan? Para tiyaking single nga si Frank? If he is really single, for sure he would found a new girl. Come on, let's think the reality. Frank was hunky, aristocrat, and handsome, almost perfect. Surely, the woman would flock on his knees just to be the pick. No need for an effort.

"Jasmin, may internet ako. Kaya kong i-search, pero hindi ko ginagawa. Malabong mapansin ako noon. Tingnan mo nga dalawang taon na halos akong wala, nga nga pa rin ako sa kanya. Asa ako."

Umirap siya. "Minsan iniisip ko kung bulag ka ba sa sarili mo o baka may manliligaw ka riyan sa Australia. Naku, Baks. Malaki 'yan."

"Anong pinagsasabi mo? Baliw!"

"Naku, Baks. Sabihin mo lang, wala akong pake. Abay si baby ko sa kasal mo."

Pinulahan ako ng huli kong mapagtanto ang ibig niyang sabihin sa malaki. Nasisiraan na yata ng bait itong kaibigan ko. Palibhasa may anak na kaya kung anu-anong sinasabi.

My life here would always be like that. If Jasmin is unable for a video call, we are satisfied with exchanging messages. Then I will end up calling Gatus. He introduced me to his co-designer; Paula at Buwachan. If he is busy he will just let the video on. Letting me hear what's happening in his post. Sometimes I would hear calls. Sometimes Majesty herself would pass by checking those unfinished designs. Not knowing I am watching them.

Katok sa pinto ang nagpagising sa diwa ko.

"Come in."

Iniluwa nang nagbukas na pinto si Isaac Harley. Ang bagong designer ni Caesar. Karamihan sa mga kababaihan ay gusto siya, ultimo ang boss namin. Guwapo kasi at may magandang pangangatawan. Palangiti pa at mabait.

"Good afternoon, Miss Imperial. I brought the fort polio for later. Is Caesar inside?"

"He is outside. Do you want to leave a message for him?"

Pumitik siya sa kawalan. "We needed his approval today for this. I had an attachment too with the new tie-up company. The Lazarde."

I nodded my head. Reaching in the paper he laid on my table. I got surprised that he goes near me and highlighted the message below that it was urgent. His fingers stroke my knuckles. I glanced up and noticed the message on his eyes. He is doing this over the past two months. I'm just pretending the benefit of the doubt.

We were of the same age. He was single and local Australian. His complexion was fair white and his eyes were brown. Truly attractive but his effect was too low for me. Enough charming but not extremely attractive.

I cleared my throat and nodded my head again. This time, a little bit exaggerated for him to feel that he was too close. And I already noted the urgency with these documents.

Tahimik siyang umatras at paalis na. Nasa pinto na siya. Bubuksan nalang kaso nabitin dahil nilingon niya ako. "Is it true that it is your last month in the work?"

"Yes, Isaac."

The smile on his face faded. He was like a kid who lost his last coin and now he cannot buy ice cream.

"Are you going back to the Philippines after resigning? Or you will find another work here in Australia?"

"I'll stay in the Philippines for good."

"Oh, that means I won't see you again."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Saglit na natulala pero ngumiti rin. "What's the use of social media, Isaac? I think you followed me on i********:?"

Nagkamot siya ng batok. Namula. "Yeah. I thought it's not you because of the name. Why Cielo? Anyway, I heard Caesar had a friend in the Philippines. If he decided to visit there I will definitely join him. That's for sure."

"That's fine with me, Isaac."

Before my day ended I made sure that Caesar knew about the documents and the portfolio. He said that I can drop it on his condo. I had his spare keycard anyway. After clearing all my things and important note I took my keys inside my bag and drove to Caesar's place.

Days were flying fast. From eight months down to the last day and tomorrow was our flight going to Paris. I already endorsed the new secretary the important files and her job. And like a free bird after two days of work in Paris with Caesar, then I can take out my wings and fly freely. Do everything I want for the rest of my five days there, before I settled in the Philippines.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Caesar asked me before he gave me an envelope.

I giggled. "Yes, I am. I'm very excited."

"Just the VS Fashion Week and contract signing, you will be free."

Wala nang paglagyan ang sayang nararamdaman ko. "I cannot have it all if it's not because of you."

"Aw, my Darling. I will surely be going to miss you."

Ibinenta ko ang sasakyan ko kaya ang inaasahan kong pag-commute ay hinatid niya ako sa unit ko. Inayos ko ang mga gamit na ilalagay sa luggage, bago ang kahon na ipapadala ko sa Pilipinas. I talked Jasmin about the progress of my project, sabi niya kuryente nalang ay okay na.

Hindi na ako makatulog dala nang pananabik ko. Kaya sa buong biyahe namin sa eroplano ay nakatulog talaga ako. It's a direct flight and business class. I had my private crib. I wouldn't mind checking with Caesar.

I ran some errands for his appearance on the VS. Aside from that, I even answered some important calls from Australia that was needed approval. Sumusunod ako sa lahat ng lakad niya, kahit sa backstage. Mayroon siyang mini-interview. Kakababa ko lang ng cellphone mula sa tawag ng bagong secretary habang pinapanood siya.

Nasa gilid lang ako, abala sa pag-reply sa ibang email inquiries na nanatilign active sa akin.

"Give way. Excuse us!"

Sinundan ko nang tingin ang pumasok na kilalang modelo na si Chloe Trevor. Nawala ako sa focus at natuon ang atensyon sa dalaga. Ang ganda niya. Walang make-up pero ang kinis at ubod ng ganda.

"Ms. Trevor needed a make-up," one of the backstage staff yelled.

May mga dumating ulit na grupo naman ng kalalakihan. All of them wore a business suit. They walked fast that I don't see their faces one by one. Understandable because VS is a major lingerie fashion event here in Paris. Aside from Caesar's ideas, there were many top companies all over the world wanted to enlist and collaborated with them.

"This way Mr. Aldrich!"

Napalingon ako sa likuran dahil sa aking narinig. Too late I don't see any sign of him, not even a glimpsed. Maybe I mistakenly heard it or the same rhythm but not literally Aldrich. Frank won't be here. Anong gagawin niya rito?

Matapos ang interview ay pinasakay kami sa Limousine na magdadala sa amin kung saan kami manananghalian. Mula sa labas hanggang makababa ay natulala ako sa ganda ng building. The sculpture was very classic and full of history. It's like a church in the Philippines but it's a five-star hotel here. As we go through the red carpet going in inside the hall, I was drowned by the different huge people there. I saw the top highest paid Brazilian model, Lapeetah. On her table seated together some of the biggest names in the Fashion industry.

Ang gaganda nilang lahat. Nanliliit ako. Biglang nahiya sa aking suot na simpleng coat at skinny jeans. Nag-apply ako ng make-up, pero light lang.

An old lady on her white fur approached Caesar. They exchanged peck and spoke in the French language. I understand some of the words but some were literally foreign to me. Nanakit ang ulo ko kaya luminga ako sa ibang mesa. Hindi ako sinabihan ni Caesar na pupunta siya rito. Sana manlang nag-ayos ako.

Nagkalat ang mga dekalibreng artista sa ibang mesa. Mapa-hollywood hanggang sa sikat na singers at dancers.

Bahagyang dumikit sa akin si Caesar upang bumulong, "Go on, Darling. Leisure around and enjoy the food. I'll just join my friends in the VIP Room."

"Alright."

We parted ways on the stairwells. Kumuha ako ng wine flutes sa tray noong nakasalubong kong waiter para dumiretso sa second floor terrace. Mula roon ay pinanood ko ang dagat ng mga mayayaman, popular, at naggagandahang mga tao. Iniisip na hindi ito ang mundong dapat na ginagalawan ko.

Gaya nitong suot ko. Halatang nanggaling ako sa mababang pamilya, samantalang lahat sila ay ito ang nakasanayan. Nagsusuot ng mamahaling dyamante, sapatos at damit. Elegante kung kumilos at manalita. Professionals.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago tumalikod. I froze at the sight of Frank Lloyd Aldrich, dashing on his black tux. His deep sets of blue eyes bored into me. Holding a glass of wine flutes on his left hand too.

He really fits here while I am not. I am poor while he was not. A mighty Prince looking at his maid.

Gusto kong magpalamon sa lupa sa sobrang hiya. Sa tagal naming hindi nagkita, ngayon pa kung kailan na hindi ako handa.

"I think you should come with me. My nephew wants to show you something," Caesar appeared on my side. He held my left arm and pulled me up on the stairwells. I resisted the second step, so I could quickly glance with Frank who was still looking at me.

"Darling, hurry up. This is really perfect for you!"

I nodded, still my eyes fixed with Frank.

Umabante siya, mukhang may sasabihin ngunit tuluyan na akong hinila ni Caesar paakyat hanggang sa lumiko kami at hindi na makita pa si Frank. Anong ginagawa niya rito? Sinong kasama niya?

"Hi, Julienne. It's been a long time! I asked my Uncle if you can tour me in the Philippines once I visit there."

Nilingon ko si Caesar. Tinawag niya ba ako para rito? Kung alam ko lang na inirereto niya ako sa nephew niyang ito.

"Sure, Red. Just inform me ahead, maybe months before the exact day." Ngumiti ako bilang paggalang bago lumabas. Mabilis kong binalikan si Frank kung saan ko siya nakita pero wala na siya roon.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko.

Am I just really hallucinating?

"Juls, are you alright?"

Napalingon ako kay Red. Sumunod pala siya sa akin!

"Yes, I'm sorry. Shall we eat?"

Matapos magtanghalian ay saglit na nakipag-socialize si Caesar. Wala naman akong naging choice kung hindi sagutin ang bawat katanungan ni Red. Buti na nga lang ay dinala niya ako sa main hall, panay tuloy ang linga ko. Nagbabakasakaling makita kong muli si Frank.

"Let's go, Darling. We need to prepare for the show later," Caesar called us.

Bumalik kami sa suite namin bago nanood ng VS Fashion Show. Sa puntong ito ay nag-formal dress na ako, pero simple pa rin ang ayos. Katabi ko si Red buong event, kaya ang ilan sa mga kilala niyang modelo ay ipinakilala niya sa akin.

"Nice knowing you, Julienne. You are simple yet beautiful," Lapeetah complimented.

Sa gulat ko sa sinabi niya ay hindi ako nakaimik. Ngiti ang gumuhit sa aking labi.

"Yes, she is Peet. Are you going with Chloe in Tokyo on the weekend?"

"Yes, Red. She's in love with the cherry blossom. Next time, come with us and bring Julienne with you. She's pretty. I like her face."

Nakikinig lang ako sa dalawa. Hanggang sa may ilan pang modelo ang lumapit. Halos lahat sila ay approachable at friendly. Hindi mahirap pakibagayan. Hindi maselan.

Humingi ako ng ilang selfie kasama sila.

"What's your i********: account, Julienne?" Lapeetah asked me.

I asked her phone and she politely handed in over with me. Nagulat pa siya sa mga post ko. Hindi niya raw ako nakilala. Mukha raw akong may alter ego kapag nakukuhaan ng picture.

I hang out much with them that I forgot the contract signing for tomorrow. Sa sobrang puyat at taranta ko ay hindi na ako naglagay ng make-up, basta't nagpalit ng damit at toothbrush ay okay na. Lulan ng cab ay nagsuklay ako at inayos ang dokumento. Hindi ko binasa ang hawak kong papeles kaya wala akong ideya kung sino ang kakatagpuin niya. Ang alam ko lang ay may-ari ng Lazarde.

"C'est l'empire Lazarde."

"Je vous remercie," sabi ko pagkaabot ng bayad. Pagkababa ay tinanaw ko ang matayog na building ng Lazarde Empire. Nagtatakbo ako papasok sa Lobby at sinabi ang pangalan ni Caesar.

Mabuti nalang at Pinoy ang receptionist.

"Ma'am, naghihintay po sa inyo si Mr. Caesar sa presidential office."

"Alright. Salamat po kabayan!"