Beauteous

Chapter 8

I posed in front of the camera. I remained fierce while the bright flashes of camera entertain my eyes. It's like stars, near stars and I am almost visionless because of the sharp light that can capture and cause an eyesore.

Ngumiti ako noong inabutan na nila ako ng robe.  I am wearing lingeries for another magazine of Celestial. Nauna na sina Chimmy at Stellar kanina, nagpapahinga na sila dahil may sunod pang shoot kasama ang iba pang models.

Sanay na ang katawan ko sa pagiging exposed. Tulad nga ng sabi ng iba, katawan ang puhunan. I earned a lot because of this body.

“Great job, Brine.” sabi ni Mrs. De Dios na nakabantay sa amin. She wants it perfectly done.

Sa tulong ng assitants namin dito ay nakapagbihis na ako kaagad. I am used of some people seeing me half nakedly, I mean it's part of my job. To be exposed. To show how women body is divine feminine. To flaunt those curves that is created by effort and struggle. Each women have their temples inside their body that is worth worshipping for. It's not always the curves of the body but also the curves of their perspectives. I have seen a lot of body, somehow sometimes I recalled my body before and realized that it was perfectly fine if the society knows how to whack their own societal body norms. But I will lie to my self if I wouldn't say that I love what I have now more than before..

I loathed my own body before because of the person I liked. Those chubby cheeks and belly, I loathed everything about it. I disliked because Mommy told me so. I disliked it because it was different.. I despised it because the society told me to. That it was horrible and unacceptable. To own a large frame.

Umupo ako sa sofa at sumandal kay Chimmy. She's ranting about a guy she met at the bar last night. Oh I wish I can drink as much as she can. Tahimik lang si Stellar na nakikinig. Himala nga at walang hawak na libro.

“We should go drink,” sabi ni Chimmy.

“We actually can't, may practice tayo bukas.” sabi ni Stellar. Chimmy snorted and nagreklamo.

I got used to her nagging. She'll say whatever she wants to say. Samantalang tahimik naman si Stellar palagi, I wonder what's running on her head.

Napaayos kami ng upo noong pumasok ang ibang models kasunod si Mrs. De Dios. We greeted her happily. Ngumiti rin ako sa ibang model at bumalik sa pagkakaupo.

Kinamusta niya kami at pinakinggan lang ang bawat sinasabi niya. Napanguso ako noong magvibrate ang phone ko. Kinuha ko 'yon at nakita ang text ni Mommy. Ilang beses nang nadelay ang pag uwi niya, hindi niya sinasabi sa akin ang dahilan. But she looks so happy in Chicago now, nakikita ko sa kanyang stories. I'm happy for her, I love to see her happy.

I felt delighted noong macancel na naman ang scheduled flight niya. She should enjoy her time there, I am enjoying my time here. Sometimes she forgets things related to my career. Lalo na ang paglilimita niya sa pagkain ko at kung ano ano pa.

Napaangat ako ng tingin noong masaya silang nagsigawan. Napatingin ako kay Chimmy na isa sa tuwang tuwa. Oh god, ano ang nangyari?

“What did she say?” bulong ko kay Chimmy. She glanced at me.

“Hindi ka nakikinig?” tanong niya.

“Obvious ba?” tanong ko pabalik. Humalakhak siya at inisa isa sa akin ang mga sinabi ni Mrs. De Dios.

Napangisi ako dahil doon. That's nice! We're going to the beach for photoshoots and also to have fun! Grabe kasi ang feedbacks sa amin sa social media at grabe rin ang pagkasold out ng magazine at lingeries na nirerelease.