Kabanata 1
1188 Words
Khalila
"You're not supposed to do that. She's one of the biggest investors in the market. Plus, she's a supermodel and a famous curator," sita ni Agrain habang inaayos ko ang benda ng mga kamay ko.
I stood up and fixed my braided hair as I c****d a brow at him. "Is she my investor?"
"No, but she can be--"
"Then what's with the fuss? Don't tell me you like her?"
Agrain groaned. "It's not like that. I'm just saying that it's so rude of you to tell her that she should stop promoting natural beauty while undergoing multiple plastic surgeries."
My eyes rolled. Tinalikuran ko siya ngunit sinundan niya ako hanggang sa marating ko ang punching bag ng home gym namin. "I see no problem with that. She's luring her followers to embrace their natural look while she's obsessed with improving hers by Science. Walang masama sa pagpaparetoke, pero huwag mo ring ipilit na natural lahat ng meron ka. That is my point. Do you know how many people would think she's all natural tapos susundin ang diet tips niya without considering their own body types, their genes, and everything related to how a person looks? Some people die because of being obsessed with how they look, while some suffer from mental health issues because they see people like her claim that they're natural."
Napabuntong hininga siya. "Iba-iba ang preference ng mga tao. Besides, hindi na niya kasalanan kung may mga taong ikinukumpara ang mga sarili nila sa kanya."
"Can you control everyone's mind, hmm? Just because you are self-aware doesn't mean others think that way, too. If she wanted to inspire people, then be f*****g real because what she's doing is complete bullshit." I threw a strong punch. "The problem is, she wanted people to see their flaws as a form of beauty while she's showcasing herself out there like a porcelain doll. Not everything is supposed to be labeled as aesthetic. They are flawed, we are flawed. What the f**k is wrong with that? Walang ipinanganak para magmukhang Barbie, pero dahil sa mga katulad niya, people will claim that their pimples are their beauty marks while silently hating themselves for having some. Do you get what I mean o kailangan pa kitang sapakin, hmm? Sabihin mo lang at madali akong kausap."
Nagpatuloy ang pagtatalo naming dalawa dahil kay Christiana "Christian" Punzalan. One of the biggest influencers turned supermodel in the country. She claims to be a promoter of femininity and believes that women should have equal rights while bullying men on social media who do not give up their seats for women.
Bullshit. That is nothing but bullshit. You want your rights? Then don't complain if a man who worked as hard as you did, decide to keep the seat he paid for.
"Get up on the ring. Let's go for a round," utos ko kay Agrain.
He sighed and geared up. Tatlong suntok ang natamo niya mula sa akin bago ako nagsawa. I went out of the gym with him and walked towards the kitchen.
Nanonood si Mama ng cooking show habang naghahanda ng pastry. Si daddy naman ay para na namang linta na nakaupo lang sa stool at ginagwardyahan si Mama.
I grabbed myself a bottle of water while Agrain got himself some lemonade Mama made earlier. Sumandal ako sa sink counter at pinanood ang news flash tungkol kay Christian. She won another award, and in her speech, pinasalamatan niya ang secret boyfriend niya na nagpalakas daw ng loob niya.
Umikot ang mga mata ko. "Bakit kailangan pa ng boyfriend para lumakas ang loob? Motivation is supposed to come from within. Isa pa, kung gusto mo ang isang bagay, motivation will come from the action itself."
Daddy sighed. "Lila, araw-araw na lang ba, anak may masisita ka?"
Tumingin ako kay daddy, pero kahit na normal naman ang ekspresyon ko ay tumuwid pa rin siya ng tayo saka umiwas ng tingin na animo'y natatakot sa akin. I even heard him murmur!
"Manang-mana sayo 'yang anak mo, Khallisa. Parang dati, ikaw lang ang maraming sita sa akin. Tinawag mo pa akong bobo."
Mama shook her head, grinning. "Agrain, dito ka na mag-dinner."
"Hindi na po, tita. Flight po ni Halley mamayang madaling araw. May usapan kami nina Lila at Halley na magdi-dinner sa condo ni Halley."
"Sandali nga. Magkalinawan nga muna tayo, Agrain. Kayong dalawa ni Halley ba, nanliligaw pa rito sa bunso ko?"
Agrain swallowed. "Hindi na ho, tito. Pinatigil na kami ni Lila two years ago pa."
"Am I missing something here? Because the last time I saw the two of you together, halos magbasagan kayo ng mga mukha dahil sa unica hija ko."
"Eh, kaya ko nga sila pinatigil sa panliligaw, daddy dahil nagpapatayan na sila hindi ko naman sila gustong pareho."
Umismid si Daddy. "Narinig ko na 'yan--aray." Hinimas niya ang tagiliran niyang kinurot ni Mama saka niya hinalikan sa braso si Mama na tila naglalambing.
I shook my head. Where can I pawn crazy and too cheezy parents? Umay na umay na ako.
"We're best friends now, Tito."
Tumaas ang parehong kilay ni Daddy. "Well, your parents used to be friends before, too until your Dad almost lost his mind because your mom wanna go home to Benguet." Umismid siya. "Akala mo naman sa ibang planeta ang tungo ni Ana."
"Tigilan mo na si Agrain, Khalil. Sinabi niyang friends lang silang tatlo, kaya friends lang talaga sila."
"Well, we used to be friends before, too, love."
Tumaas ang kilay Mama. "Hindi tayo naging friends. Nagpaampon ka sa tatay ko kaya para kitang kapatid noon." Napasipol si Agrain saka mahinang natawa. "Bawal 'yon, tito. Incest 'yon."
"Anong akala mo sa tito Jigo mo at sa tatay mo? Pwersahan din silang nagpaampon kay Tatay Kanor."
I sighed. "I wish I met him. He sounds amazing whenever you guys and kuya Konnar are telling stories about him."
Napansin ko ang paglamlam ng mga mata ng mga magulang ko. Nagsisi tuloy ako bigla dahil sa nasabi ko.
I drew in a sharp breath and put the bottle down. "I'll go upstairs and take a bath. Magkita na lang tayo sa condo ni Halley mamaya."
Tumango si Agrain. Nang makalabas ako ng kusina ay narinig ko na naman si Daddy na ini-interrogate siya kaya hindi ko napigilan ang umiling.
I went to my room and was about to go to the bathroom when my phone buzzed. Dinampot ko iyon sa bedside table at tinignan ang notification.
The moment I saw my favorite artist's comment on my post with a caption, 'Is it true that an artist's love is immortalized by their art?', I found myself smiling the way I've never smiled in front of anyone in a long time.
KH_Arts: Not only immortalized but is expressed in all shades and hues, so wherever you will look at, you'll be reminded of an artist's love. Immortal and everywhere.
I chewed my bottom lip as I typed a reply.
Khalila_Ducani: Is that how you love?
I didn't expect him to reply fast, but when he did, my heart almost jumped out of my chest.
KH_Arts: Try me.
- Writer
