When We Happened

Chapter 6: #1 Filipino Male Model

Chapter 6
#1 Filipino Male Model

It's been a month since I last saw my best friend and 3 weeks since I got my first magazine cover shoot. To say that it was a disaster was really an understatement. Sir Simon chewed my ass for 3 hours while Sir Red subjected me into a personality development crash course for a whole week.

Hindi lang ako sure kung tatalab ang efforts nilang maging less grumpy ako sa photoshoots and interviews ko. After all, 'yung simangot kong mukha naman ang hinahanap nila, diba?

They said my feral eyes are my prized possession.

So, hindi naman siguro masama na magpakawala ako ng paonti-onting irap no? At pagtataray sa mga taong walang sense kausap no? Hindi rin naman siguro masamang mag-expect na walang bobo questions sa lahat ng interviews ko, diba?

That doesn't make me a diva, right? I mean, eww...

Simula nang mag-sign ako ng contract with TMA, I have been showing up in their office everyday. Kahit na prone akong magmaktol, I still do everything they want me to do. I only say no kapag hindi na talaga ako kumportable and so far, the management are not abusing the trust I gave them.

"Asher, alam mo na ba ang schedule mo for today?" Marian asked as soon as she slumped beside me on the sofa.

Tumango ako. "Pero pwede mo ba ulitin? Medyo hindi ko gets 'yung last part ng text mo kanina."

"Alright," sabi nito at nilabas na ang kanyang smartphone. "You have 3 campaign shoots later for your social media accounts. 10 am to 12 noon ito. After mo mag-lunch, we have to go to a meeting with a client at BGC."

"Anong exact time?"

"2 pm."

Napakamot ako ng ulo nang maalala ang last part ng sched ko. Parang last minute dinagdag kasi hindi naman ako na-inform na today pala mangyayari ýun!

"Okay, meron pa kong schedule after, diba? Diyan ako naguguluhan."

Tumango siya at nag-swipe pababa sa phone niya. "You'll go to your first go-see. Sa BGC din ito at ihahatid naman kita. Pero hindi kita pwedeng samahan sa loob ha. You have to do this on your own para matuto ka."

Fuck. So I'm really gonna be alone this time. No one's going to hold my hand while I go through it for the first time.

"Pwede ko na bang gawin 'yun? I mean, kaya ko na ba?"

"Yes, girl. You can," mabilis na sabi nito, parang naiinis pa dahil sa pagdududa ko. "Isa ka sa mga masisipag na models na kilala ko. I'm happy na kahit nagsisimula ka pa lang, ang ganda ng work ethic mo despite of your cheery personality."

"Thanks, Marian," nakangiti kong sabi. Wala naman akong paki kung tingin ng tao masama ugali ko, mas importante sakin ay makita nilang masipag ako at deserved ko ang mga blessings na natatanggap ko dahil sa determination at work ethic ko.

Ibinaba nito sa lap niya ang kanyang phone at humawak sa kamay ko nang mariin. "I'm serious. Wala ka pang na-miss out na classes mo, right? From personality development to basic make-up application and to practicing your runway walk, never ka pa um-absent."

"Well, bukod sa may penalty, gusto ko rin naman talagang matuto." Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko at inulit muli ang aking katanungan kanina. "Pero tingin mo, handa na talaga ako?"

She tapped my hand and flashed me a gentle smile. Maybe this is her way of calming me down. It's kinda helping, not gonna lie. "No one's really ready for anything, lalo na sa industry natin. You just have to show up everyday and do your best."