Progeny #1: Embers Of Devotion

Chapter 17

Fear

I was never serious of my encounter with Gianna weeks ago. I am not bothered by it. Bakit? Hindi porke sinabi niyang gagawin niya ang lahat para matuloy ang kasal nila ni Dius ay mangangamba na ako. I know that Dius loves me.

But then, I remembered…what if she post it online? My family will find out about it! Malaking tuwa ang mararamdaman ko kung hindi malalaman ni Gianna kung gaano kaayaw ng pamilya ko si Cloudius pero paano kung magkaroon siya ng ideya na biglang i-post iyon publicly?

Hindi ako handa roon at nakakairitang ngayon ko lang naalala habang rumarampa sa sa runway show kung saan magkakasama kaming tatlo. Mom is here! That’s why as much as possible, I am acting as if I didn’t know Dius. At nagpapasalamat ako na ganoon din siya. But not Gianna. Tila nananadya ito.

“You did great, anak,” ani Mommy habang inaayos ang buhok ko.

She’s on my back, nakikitulong sa mga stylist ko. My mother is still elegant, commanding with choice in fashion. My co-models greeted her earlier. Mom has tons of followers online. Isa sa dahilan kung bakit naging modelo ako ay dahil sa ako ang natipuhan noong isang manager na nililigawan pala siya noon at nais gawing modelo.

At that time, my mom was already married and had no desire to enter the show business industry, but I, on the other hand, was keenly interested. Kaya ako ang naging modelo sa pamilya namin.

“May photoshoot ka pa ba after this, ‘nak?”

“Wala na po. Valencia made sure makakapagpahinga ako after this runway. Though may after party,” tugon ko.

Inabot ko ang inumin na dala ni Mommy. Nagpamahagi rin siya rito sa mga modelo at staffs. Kaya nga ba magaan ang atmosphere sa loob. Nakakabiruan ng staffs si Mommy at ang ibang modelo naman ay iniidolo siya in terms of fashion. Lalo na siguro kung narito si Tita Eve at magkasama sila.

They always make a headline whenever Mom and Tita was spotted dining somewhere. Napag-alaman ko na minsan na silang na-issue. That’s weird, actually but well, it happens in their time, anong magagawa ko kundi maniwala since may proof naman?

Okay pa naman ang pakiramdam ko hanggang sa pumasok si Gianna. Natigilan siya nang makita si Mommy. My mother cast a brief glance at her, and then redirected her attention to me.

“Do you want to sleep at home?” Mom asked.

Lumabi ako, sinubukan ngumiti pero mas natuon ang atensyon sa pagngisi ni Gianna. I saw her approaching our way. Mabilis akong tumayo, hinahanda ang sarili sa kung ano man ang pakay niya. If this bitch right here spoke about me and Cloudius, I’ll let my horns hurt her!

"Mrs. Del Rico, isn't it?" She addressed my mother, seeking her attention.

Mabilis na lumingon si Mommy, tumikwas ang kilay pero kalaunan ay nahalinhinan ng ngiti ang mukha ngunit gayunpaman, kita ko kung paano maglagay si Mommy ng distansya sa tingin na ipinupukol sa kaharap namin.

“Yes, I am,” Mom answered politely yet authoritatively. “I like the way you walk earlier, hija. You are?”

I nervously bit my lower lip as Gianna reached out her hand to my mom, who accepted the gesture.

“Gianna po. Salamat naman at na-enjoy niyo ang show namin.” She took a glance of me. “My fiance and I has been loyal to this clothing brand.”

“Oh…” Mom nodded.

I discreetly cleared my throat, eager to bring this conversation to a close.

“Is that all, Gianna?” dinig na ang gigil ko sa boses ko pero pilit kong pinagtatakpan iyon. “I’m tired. Gusto ko na kasing makauwi, so kung wala ka ng iba pang sasabihin…”