TAMED SERIES 3: Rafael Avila (Complete Ver. Is Available In The VIP)

Kabanata 6

Kabanata 6

Caya

I wasn't able to move to another cabin since all the other rooms are already occupied. Pero dahil technically ay sina Astrid at Croft naman talaga ang gumagamit ng kwartong katabi ng kay Rafael, iniiwasan ko na lang ding mag-stay roon kapag daytime nang maibigay ko sa kanya ang "peace" na hinihingi niya kapalit ng pagprotekta niya sa akin.

I would normally explore the ship. Good thing I wasn't active in showbiz for several years due to what my mom and Crystal did to me. Kaya kahit may mga pinoy sa barko ay hindi ganoon ka-hassle. 

They would ask for pictures and autographs but they do not go so all-out like what my fans do back in the country so I am really having a lot of time to explore without worrying if someone will recognize me. 

"How's their massage?" Astrid asked after we met up in the casino. Ngayon ko lang iyon mapapasok dahil hindi naman ako mahilig sa sugal. Astrid, on the other hand, used to work at a casino as a card dealer when she isn't an esteemed actress yet so she knows how to play. 

"Great. Pero the best pa rin 'yon Thai massage na sinubukan natin before sa Phuket." I looked around. "Are you gonna play pocker?"

Astrid shook her head. "We can just try the slot machines. Saka na ako maglalaro ng poker kapag kasama na natin si Croft. He used to play with his friend's money back in the days just so he could get inside the casino."

I smirked. "Hindi naman siguro kayo nandadaya?"

She giggled softly. "Silly. Of course, not. Eh 'di wala na akong trabaho kung mahuli? Iyon pa naman ang main source ng income ko noon. I loved the tips. Kasi kapag malaki ang tips, nakakapag-date kami sa resto ni Croft at maagang nababayaran ang rent kaya tuition fee na lang niya ang iniintindi ko."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "You paid for all of that?"

"Hindi ko ba nakwento?"

"Hindi mo naman siya kinikwento noong hindi pa kayo nagkakabalikan. Halos galit na galit ka nga kapag may nagbabanggit ng pangalan niya before," I said.

Bumuntonghininga si Astrid. Maya-maya ay hinatak na ako patungo sa slot machines. We took our seats and then started playing while she tells me about their past. Ngayon ko naiintindihan kung bakit ang laki ng pinagbago ni Astrid kumpara sa bersyon niyang una kong nakilala. 

Yes, she was nice but there's something about her back then. Parang gustong sumikat dahil may galit sa puso. That was her biggest motivation. Napapansin ko iyon dati dahil sa speech niya tuwing may nakukuhang awards.

"Ikaw, Caya? Did you really mean everything you said before? Mula sa pagpaparetoke hanggang sa kung bakit gusto mong may mapatunayan sa industry?" she asked while we're playing. No luck so far but I'm enjoying the adrenaline rush. 

I smiled. "No. I uhm, I was forced to do all that so mommy's plan will work out. Wala rin akong ibang choice kun'di panindigan ang mga sinabi na ni Crystal sa interviews kaya kapag may nagtatanong sa akin sa set, I just well, play along even when the only reason why I wanna cry in front of the camera is because I wanna cry in front of the camera."

She pulled the lever then sighed. "You know, you're one of the very few people in the industry who really want to be an actress because of your passion. Naiinggit ako sa'yo noon dahil alam ko sa sarili kong ganoon din ako dati, pero noong akala ko iniwan ako ni Croft, I became desperate to make him regret what he did to me. Sabi ko noon, success will be my form of revenge. My name will follow him everywhere like karma. Nawala 'yong Astrid na masaya sa ginagawa niya." She flashed a broken smile. "I'm glad you survived. You became my reminder back then of who I really wanna be. Besides, I like Caya better. Crystal doesn't suit you as well as Caya does." She smirked and poked my waist. "Because you are so pure and you are powerful in your own way. For that, you deserve to be celebrated for who you truly are."