Chapter 6: The Black Swan

IT WAS late afternoon when they touched down the Owl City from the Twin Tower were the last they picked up. She immediately called Nicky, Majesty's secretary for an appointment with her friend. May direct number siya nito, pero nasanay siyang maging formal pa rin. Lalo pa at kilala niya itong abala sa mga oras na ito.
Paulite separate ways with her. Sumama ito sa mga nag-aabang kaninang mga naka-itim na suit. Pero nangako itong kukuhanin siya bago umuwi para sa dinner.
"I already listed you to my upcoming show, including Jyra and Lawrence. You already met, Neilburg Foxman. He has sometimes looked snob or pretending not knowing anything but you don't know his expertise, he will once observe you and when you got his attention that's the time he will push your boundaries. He is a cool partner," Majesty said, extending with her the file of propose dresses. It was confidential but she was always like that with her. Pinapaliwanag nito sa kanya lahat ng detalye, kung paano ang arrangement at ilang visual commercial, reenactment sa opening at magazine promotion. Inosente itong umangat ng tingin sa kanya. "How is it? Do you like my ideas, Jess? Oh, why are you crying?"
"It's just that, I am very overwhelmed with this. Thank you so much, Sky."
"Oh, Jess." Inalis nito ang lahat ng papel upang mayakap siya. "You are just different among those successful models. Wala kang arte sa lahat ng ipagawa ko. Natatandaan mo 'yung snake fabric? You made me cry, Jess. I am so proud of you."
Naiiyak na natatawa niyang inalala iyon. Takot siya sa ahas pero o kahit sa anong reptile na may madulas na balat. Muntik siyang panawan ng kaluluwa ng ilagay sa leeg niya, pero inalala niya ang lahat ng pinagdaanan niya bago marating ang tuktok ng tagumpay. Wala ng dahilan pa para umatras siya.
"I think I like snakes now."
Tumatawa si Majesty noong humiwalay sa kanya. Ang bagong pausong gupit nito sa buhok ay kulay magenta at puti. Crazy idea but she is the only woman who can nail that kind of style.
"Now I will change your atmosphere. I am very in love with the water and how it smoothly flow and reacts. I talked to Neil and he is excited about my invention. My stylist and designers are into it too. You will see the finished product, Jess. It will be held in Dubai."
"I can't wait for that. Anyway, Miya told me about Mr. O'dil?"
"Oh, yes. Kilala mo si Mr. O'dil, siya ang Fashion Influencer sa Paris. Try that Jess, you are beautiful and talented, don't crib yourself here in the Philippines. You deserve the outside the country project."
"Um. Sino ba ako para tanggihan ang oportunidad?" She smiled teasingly.
Naalala nga niyang nagkaroon si Blaire ng damit ni Mr. O'dil. Her dad gave that gift on her sister's twenty one birthday. Nakakatuwang siya pa na matanda ang nakakakuha ng pinaglumaang damit ng nakababatang kapatid.
Suminghap siya pagkalabas ng Swizz Building. Napangiti siya sa dami ng appointment niya ngayong buwan. Kung dati ay problemado siya kung paano makakakuha kahit isang photoshoot, ngayon naman ay iniisip niya kung paano ang nalalapit na kasal niya? She had the urge to tell to Majesty about it but she refuse. Gusto niyang ilihim muna iyon at uunahin ang kanyang pamilya na makaalam.
Nagmamadali siya sa paghalungkat ng kanyang cellphone sa loob ng kanyang bag para sagutin ang tawag. "Hello?" Hindi niya nakita kung sino ang tumatawag dahil inayos niya ang visor sa windshield niya.
"After long years of not talking with me, only hello you would say?"
She shifted on her seat and renewed her hold with her phone. Shit, it's Blaire! Sinilip niya ang numero nito kung local or international. She got surprised that it was local. "Kailan ka pa dumating? Where are you? Are you with mom and dad?"
"Thanks for being sweet, sister. We just landed, I am with dad. We are heading now to our house in the Town Square."
"Alright. Can I speak with dad?"
"Fine."
Dinig niya sa kabilang linya ang French language na pag-uusap ng dalawa. Kinabahan siya dahil bakit ganoon pa kung puwede namang tagalog or English.
"Yes, Jessica." The deep and baritone voice of her old man send shivered down her spine. She missed him very much.
"How are you feeling, dad?"
"We had a long ride, Jessica. I am tired physically. Go home. I want to see you."
"Um. Dad, may sasabihin po sana ako sa inyo," puputol-putol niyang wika. Bukas at todo ang AC ng kanyang Infiniti pero ramdam niya ang pagpapawis ng kanyang kamay.
"I am listening."
She played the ring on her finger. "Siguro mamaya nalang po. See you later, dad. Ingat po sa biyahe." Pinatay niya na ang tawag at pumikit ng mariin. Ang lakas ng kalabog ng dibdib niya. Madali lang naman sana sabihin, pero bakit may kung anong pumipigil sa kanyang huwag?
She stepped on the gas and headed through the near flower shop. She bought three different shades of fresh ones. While waiting for the beautiful arrangement she answered a call.
"What's up, girl? Hindi na kita naramdaman isang Linggo na."
"Kelly, ikaw pala 'yan. I'm sorry!" She looked around and tone down her voice, "I flew to Purungaya Island for my shoot."
"Narinig ko nga kila Nicky. Girl, totoo ba 'tong news? The grandson of the billionaire, Zinc Cristobal has finally revealed the lucky woman who caught his heart. Hindi pinangalanan dahil blind item pa, pero ang video kasi ay sa Purungaya at pamilyar kasi sa akin ang balingkinitang katawan."
Dalawang daga ang biglang nagtakbuhan sa kanyang dibdib. Nagpawis din ang kanyang kamay sa narinig na saloobin ng kaibigan.
"Jess, I know you are game, very lovely, optimistic, and sweet but I feel like it was you—"
Kelly's voice became blurred on her ears as her attention caught on the current news. The wide field of Terminal three, Paulite together with few more gentlemen escort the Filipino's who won the gold medal on the Asian Olympic. It's quick that she immediately struggle with what just her friend said over the phone.
"I'm sorry, Kelly. What?" Muli siyang naistorbo nang lumapit ang florist upang ipakita ang tatlong pinagawa niyang bouquet. Binulungan niya itong pakilagay sa backseat ng kanyang sasakyan. Tumayo siya at sumunod. She pressed the unlock button on her key and spoke again. "Kelly, can I call you back?"
"Sure, Jess. Pasensiya na sa abala."
"No. No. No. Narito kasi ako sa flower shop, I ordered fresh flowers for my dad." Hindi na siya nakapagpasalamat sa babae, tamang kaya at ngiti ay pumasok siya sa kanyang sasakyan.
"Go ahead, Jess. Call me when you're free, or we can catch up again next time."
"Definitely, Kelly. See you later. Bye." She put her phone on her clutch bag and turned on the engine. Once she's done with the seatbelt she stepped on the gas and drove going to the Town Square.
Somehow half of Kelly's concern made her even nervous. Maybe for some close friend they would eventually recognize her from the video even without showing her face. How about the people who don't know her? By seeing the curvy body of the woman, who would they thought could it be? Siya baa gad ang maiisip nila? Is she really that obvious or there is somebody else?
Marami silang nagpunta sa Purungaya. Suzanne and Chloe, name it, and if you check on the body they would eventually pass on the criteria. But damn it, why she is freaking nervous that it was pretty obvious that it was her? As if she'd done something wrong?
She is problematic when she reached the foot of their house. On the parking, even sashaying inside their renovated living room she didn't notice the woman who is lying on the long champagne sofa. The maid immediately helped her on the flowers. She just can't remember when the last time she been here.
Nilapitan niya ang family picture ng Smith. It was just Blaire, her dad, and her mom. Did she want to ask why? Why they are doing this with her. Pero sanay na siyang maetsapuwera. Hindi na bago ang mga ganitong larawan. Lalo sa Mansion nila sa Cebu, ni isa sa picture niya ay hindi naka-display sa pamilyang Smith.
"Ate?"
Above the family picture was a medium size painting. The mischievous black swan. From there she could see her sister's reflection. Those pair of blue eyes, blonde hair, thin lips, and oval shape of the face are exactly the same features as hers. As if she is looking herself from the mirror. Everyone would say that they are a twin, but actually not. She is taller, curvaceous and leaner. Blaire doesn't interested in the gym, she doesn't like sports. Because as per her she is petite and vegetarian. She is smart and graduated with Latin of honors. Unlike her by grade five she is homeschooled and undergraduate.
She swirled and smiled with her younger sister. She noticed something on her lips. From thin, it was now plum. "Blaire!" Lumapit siya rito at nakipagpalitan ng beso.
"Dad is inside his room. He had a headache so I gave him his medicine and asked him to take a nap. Join me here." Blaire motioned her to sit. There's food on the cocktail table, red wine, and wine glass. Inusog nito ang isa pang baso. Sinalinan ng inumin bago ibinigay sa kanya.
"Thanks," she said. Hindi nakaligtas sa kanyang paningin ang pag-obserba rin nito sa kanyang kilos, kasuotan, at gamit.
"You're a model here, right? It changed you a lot."
Ngumiti siya, ngunit hindi iyon umabot sa kanyang mga mata. "Thanks, how's dad? Is he, okay?"
"Actually, our old man is getting weak day by day. He was advised to rest. Totally stop from working. That's why I came with him. Susunod si mommy next month, may mabigat siyang kaso kaya mahirap ipagpaliban. I heard you wanted to say something with, Dad. What is it?" Sumulyap ito sa kamay niya.
Huli na nang mapagtanto niyang suot nga pala niya ang engagement ring nila ni Paulite.
"Are you engage?"
Tipid siyang ngumiti bilang tugon. Pinulahan ng mukha at kabado kung paano ba niya sasabihin. Noon pa man ay si Blaire lang ang nagbigay interes sa lahat ng gawin o mayroon siya. Her parents doesn't care, unless it will affect Blaire.
"Can I see that?"
"Sure." Tinanggal niya ang sing-sing at agad inilagay sa palad nito.
"Wow! Its pure gold coated with diamonds."
Maging siya ay namangha sa ganda noon. Ngayon niya mas naramdamang engage na nga siyang talaga. Blaire checked the details, and everything was positive and pleasing to hear.
"What's the meaning of PCJS?"
"PCJS?" Kinuha niya ang sing-sing at tiningnan ang nakaukit roong apat na letra. JS could be my name, Jessica Smith and PC is Paulite Cristobal? So cheesy. Hindi niya napigilang kiligin. "Paulite Cristobal Jessica Smith," sagot niya.
The smile on Blaire's face quickly faded. "W-what did you say?"
"Paulite Cristobal—" She was cut off when she held her arms tightly 'til she flinched. "Blaire, ano ba?"
"You are going to marry my boyfriend? You got to be kidding me," Blaire taunted.
Sinalubong niya ang mga titig nito. Hindi makapaniwala sa narinig, dahil kabisado niya ang nakababatang kapatid. Kapag may magandang bagay sa kanya ay inaangkin nito. Siya dapat ang bida, kahit lagi naman ito ang center of attraction. Lahat ay pabor dito. Binigay ang luho. Kasiyahan. Lahat. Lahat nalang kay Blaire, walang sa kanya. Pati ba naman sa taong mamahalin?
Pagak siyang natawa. "I know you, Blaire. Matagal mo na akong napapaikot. Pero hindi na ngayon." Pumiksi siya.
Nakawala ngunit muli nitong hinawakan. Tila hindi papasupil. Mas matapang. "Sige. Ipakilala mo 'yang lalaki na 'yan kay Dad. Tingnan natin kung sino ang mapapahiya. Mr. Zinc Cristobal and Dad was a longtime friend. They already arrange our relationship since I am in our mother's womb."
Lumamig ang kanyang tiyan. Kusang dumaloy ang luha sa kanyang pisngi. Kasabay noon ang pagtaas ng kilay ni Blaire at pagbitaw sa kamay niya.
"Paulite is mine, ate." Tumingin ito sa sing-sing niya bago sa kanya. "You can have that as a souvenir. At least you experience the feeling of being appreciated once." Tumayo ito at iniwan siya roon.
Suminghap siya. Sinusubukang punan ng hangin ang kanyang baga. Hindi pa rin maproseso ang nangyari.
My sister knew him. Of course, Paulite knew her too. But why he didn't tell her about that? Tumayo siya roon habang lutang. Dinala siya ng kanyang mga paa sa tapat ng kuwarto ng kanyang ama. Dahan-dahan niya iyong binuksan at pumasok. Malalim ang tulog nito, halatang pinainom din ng sleeping pills. Pumayat ng husto ito. Malayo sa makisig at matipunong lalaking palagi niyang hinahangaan.
She loved her dad. Because he is the only person who appreciates him. But he was afraid with his wife, her mother. And her mother doesn't care about her. Hindi niya alam kung bakit. Ginawa niya ang lahat para makuha ang atensyon nito. Lahat na yata ng sports ay sinalihan niya. Theater. Ballet. Dahil iyon ang gusto nito kay Blaire, pero ni isang papuri ay hindi siya nakarinig dito. Iyon pa ang naging hudyat ng paghinto niya sa pag-aaral.
Ano bang kasalanan niya at hindi puwedeng ang gusto niya ay puwedeng makuha niya? Ano bang mali at palaging si Blaire ang tama?
Nakakapagod na, pero heto pa rin siya umaasang baka isang araw ay mapansin na siya. Sikat na siyang modelo. Hindi naman masamang makahingi ng kaunting suporta hindi ba?
Unti-unti siyang lumuhod sa gilid ng kama ng kanyang ama at hinawakan ito sa kamay. "Welcome home, Dad. Si Jessica po ito. Your white swan." Nag-unahan ang luha sa kanyang pisngi. For some reason, she felt stupid again. She felt stupid of trying hard but later on, everything will not fell in her favor. This is the first time that she fell in love with a man and trusted her heart, but why she can't have him? Of all person, why him?
Mariin siyang pumikit at tahimik na humikbi.
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