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The highest-paid model of 2032.
Soleil Celeste remains the highest-paid model for three consecutive years.
I smiled upon reading the article. Naalala ko pa last time, ako ang highest-paid for three consecutive years too.
Sol had other dreams but she learned to love modeling, something I can't do for all those years I've been working in the industry. I'm happy for her because I know how much she worked for it too.
"Hoy, Luna!"
Silver and the others suddenly appeared in front of me.
"Naks, book signing event mo nga pala ngayon 'no?" Pangangantyaw pa nito na siyang sinabayan nina Azi, Mal, at Riri.
Kinaltukan ko si Azi tyaka mahinang kinurot. "Ikaw mag tino tino ka ah, huwag mong sasakyn ang kapatid ko!"
Azi and Sol started dating a year ago. They have liked each other for a long time already at last year lang sila gumalaw galaw.
Niamh smiled at me and messed my hair up.
"Good luck sa book signing event, our author friend."
Natawa ako at tumango.
She leaned closer to me at bumulong. "Usap tayo mamaya."
We went our separate ways kalaunan dahil papunta sila sa recording studio which is also inside the building where my book signing event is going to be held.
It took me years to be known. I was glad that I never felt like giving up kahit pa pakiramdam ko ay wala namang pumapansin sa isinusulat ko.
It was dedicated to Tala after all. I just wanted to write in memories of her, in memories of us.
Kahit pa pakiramdam ko ay walang pag-asa na magkita pa kami muli sa buhay na 'to, I never wanted to give up on her.
Because she never gave up on me.
"Any news?" I asked Niamh. We met at the back of the building after my book signing event.
She sighed and shook her head.
"It's been years, Luna. Wala talagang kahit na sino ang makita with that face." Ibinalik niya sa akin ang sketch ng mukha ni Tala.
After a year since I came back, I hired an investigator from Niamh's family. Also, an artist whom I just described Tala's features and made it so accurate.
"Salamat, Niamh," I said with a bitter smile.
"I'm really sorry, Luna." We hugged and parted.
I told Sol and our friends about Tala but none of them actually believed me. At least, they acted like they do but I know they don't.
Hindi ko na nabanggit si Ligaya dahil alam ko na mas lalo silang hindi maniniwala, especially Silv.
But Niamh believed me.
Kinabukasan, agad ako na bumyahe sa pier to go back to Himakas— Pahimakas now. They named it Pahimakas which means last farewell dahil nga unti-unti na lumalayo ang isla.
"Naku, nandito pala ulit kayo ma'am!" Masaya na bati sa akin ni Ate Lyn. I'm glad she's still here.
She guided me towards a bigger room than the last time I was here. There are other tourists now than before. Marami na ang turista rito, actually.
Inilapag ko lang ang mga gamit ko tiyaka lumabas para bumili ng bulaklak at kandila and went straight to the public cemetery.
The place looks cleaner now. Kahit ang buong isla, kitang kita mo agad ang pinagbago. Maybe because tourism helped them and I'm glad about that.
Inilapag ko ang bulaklak sa lapida ni Tala tiyaka nag sindi ng kandila. Napangiti ako dahil mas malinis na rin ang lapida niya. I pay monthly for her grave's cleaning anyways.
"Tala. . ." I mumbled. "Mukhang wala ka sa buhay na 'to."
I sighed to stop myself from breaking down. Gosh, it's been years, a lifetime even, pero bakit ang sakit pa rin?
"Kahit man lang, kung maaari, Tala, magkita na tayo muli sa susunod na habangbuhay. Mag hihintay ako sa'yo."
