(Filipino) Mania: Obsessive Love

Chapter Two

          Matapos ang pagbisita ng Pinch, sunud-sunod na ang nagpupunta sa bahay to offer me a contract. They're all from big companies and whatnot. I'm just tired of it. I just want this to stop.

          I find it really stressful, kaya I asked ate kung pwedeng sa condo niya na muna ako tumira until it stops. Kahit na tinatawanan niya lang ako dahil exagg daw yung reaction ko, pumayag naman siya. She doesn't live in her condo anymore simula nung kinasal siya kay Kuya Allen. Pinapahiram niya yun minsan sa mga kaibigan niya, minsan pinarerentahan. I'd seriously ask this as my graduation gift.

          "So ako lang mag-isa na titira sa bahay? Dude, do you know how big that house is?" anang si Ellah habang papunta kami sa unit ni ate.

          I asked her na tulungan akong maghakot ng gamit. Di ko naman completely nilipat lahat, yung mga kailangan ko lang.

          "I should stay with you here. Ayaw kong mag-isa dun." aniya pa.

          I shrugged. "Ikaw ang bahala. Dalawa naman ang kwarto ng unit ni ate."

          "Then I'll stay here with you. Ililipat ko na rin yung mga gamit ko mamaya."

          I occupied ate's former room, yung nasa taas. This place is empty except sa mga furnitures, of course. Nilagay ko sa loob ng cabinet ang iilan sa mga gamit ko. I made sure na kompleto yung libro and whatever na kailangan ko sa pag-aaral ko. I still have to submit my thesis at the end of the month kaya I bought a lot of books and borrowed some from the University's library for reference. You know how this goes, if I don't pass this then there's no chance for me to graduate.

          "We should order food?" anang si Ellah.

          "Bahala ka." walang gana kong sagot.

          Hindi ko alam kung anong ginagawa niya sa University dahil chill lang siya lagi. Para bang wala siyang inaalala. Kahit nga exams, di yan nag-aaral. I wish I'm as carefree as her.

          "Baba muna ako. May nakalimutan ako sa kotse." paalam ko rito.

          I forgot my charger... And my phone. Nag-charge kasi ako kanina habang papunta rito.

          Papasok na sana ako ng elevator, pero napatigil ako ng mapansin ang dalawang mag-jowa ata sa loob. They're making out like they own the whole elevator. I don't think they noticed me.

          Napailing na lang ako saka pumasok na. Haler, I'm a college student. I see that everytime in the campus to the point na wala na akong pakialam kahit mag-group s*x pa sila sa mismong football field.

          Akala ko hindi na sila titigil but I think they heard the door close kaya agad na tinulak nung lalaki yung babaeng kalaplapan niya. Agad niyang inayos ang sarili ng mapansing di lang sila ang nasa loob. He looked at me mula sa reflection ko sa pinto ng elevator. I just smiled at him. Tipid din siyang ngumiti.

          Panay ang pagsilip niya sa gawi ko. Panay rin ang tingin ko sa kanya. After nung make out session nila nung babaeng kasama niya, hindi na sila nag-usap. They look more like strangers now. Para ngang tinatago nung babae ang sarili niya sa corner ng elevator. Parang natatakot na makilala ko siya. I'm getting the idea that he might be his... Alam niyo na... Kabit or something.

          The guy's really good looking though. He looks like a model habang yung babae naman... Well, she's pretty. She's skinny and all that... And you know what, they're none of my business.

          Pagdating sa ground floor, nauna akong lumabas kesa sa kanila. Pansin kong hindi bumaba yung babaeng kasama niya. Well, maybe hinatid niya lang yung boyfriend niya pababa at bumalik lang din agad. Why am I thinking about it? Ang lakas kong mangialam ngayon kahit di ko naman kilala yung tao. Keep your opinions to yourself, Justine.

          I went to where I parked my car, dapat ipapasok ko yun sa parking lot but I don't know where ate's designated parking lot is. Hinihintay ko na nga lang siya na pumunta rito so I can move it already.

          "You should reconsider Pinch's offer again." anang si ate.

          Kararating lang niya, dala dala niya ang pamangkin kong si Zion. He's already like 11 now. Ang laki na nga eh. The more na lumalaki siya mas lalo siyang nagiging kamukha ni ate. I know what happened to her and Zion and I'm really happy that they're both happy now. We don't talk about it at all. I know how much it ruined her. We're just glad Kuya Allen is always there for her.

          "I already told you I'm not interested." nakanguso kong wika.

          She chuckled. "I know but it would be really nice to work with you."

          Napakunot-noo ako. "What do you mean work with me?"

          Umayos siya ng pagkakaupo. "Well... They're inviting their former models for this year's anniversary. It will be grand... I know I already quit this kind of job but I can't say no, you know? Makakasama ko dito yung mga iilan sa mga model/celebrities na nakatrabaho ko dati. Allen's fine with it. I want this to be my last project ever. They talked to me about it, if you accepted the offer, you will be one of Pinch's new faces and you will stand with me in the photoshoots. That would be exciting!"

          Bigla akong nagka-interes sa sinabi niya only to be reminded about my priorities and my studies. "I'm a graduating student. I'm too busy to participate sa mga ganyan. I'm running for summa c*m laude and I'm not wasting it away for a modeling career."

          "I know that, Justine... But we'll only have photoshoots on weekends. You can still focus on your studies. Sayang lang kasi kung hihindian mo. Have you even read the contract?"

          Hindi ako nakasagot. I didn't read it at all. As I said, wala akong balak na tanggapin ang offer kahit paulit-ulit akong binabalikan nung representative ng Pinch to ask me about it and I keep giving them excuses coz they won't take no for an answer.

          "Read it, Justine. You'll probably change your mind once you do. You're smart, you should take advantage of this opportunity. You can always shape it to how you want it."

          Napabuga ako ng hangin. "Fine, I'll read it. After that, pag ayaw ko pa rin, please wag niyo na ako pilitin."

          "Okey. Ako na mismo ang kakausap sa Pinch kung ayaw mo talaga."

          I smiled. "We have a deal then."

          Nang makaalis si ate, agad kong hinanap yung kontrata and binasa iyun. I read the conditions and all that and it really got my attention now. Nakasaad doon na pwede kong baguhin lahat ng conditions na nasa kontrata, I get to have my own place if I agreed to sign the contract, I'll be a lifetime member sa lahat ng partner company ng Pinch, that means, I will be able to use everything for free. I will have my own place in La Paraiso too. If you didn't hear it, may sariling club na ang La Paraiso. There's a different side to La Paraiso where only members are allowed to enter. They have their own villas or mansions there at kung anu-ano pa.

          Marami pa silang offer doon na talaga namang nag-excite sa akin. This is all crazy. The talent fee's insane. Kahit ata magtrabaho ako ng ilang taon sa isang magandang kompanya na mataas magpasweldo I will never get to experience this kind of luxury. Kaya pala gusto nilang basahin ko ang kontrata. No one can say no to this.