The Unexpected Guy

Chapter 13 - Realization

Weeks after kuya's gig, nasundan yun ng mas successful at mas mataong performances. And of course, lagi kaming present ni ate. They keep on performing songs, mostly covers, dahil wala pa daw silang time para makapagsulat ng sarili nilang kanta.

Nakauwi na din si daddy mula Sydney, but he'll stay here for 2 weeks only, dahil pupunta naman sya ng London to finish some transactions there. Dad's really becoming a workaholic.

And now, I'm on the mall with Tine and Sheena.

"Mace, kelan ang release ng bago mong designs?" Tanong sakin ni Tine.

"Probably 4 to 5 months from now. Or mas mapaaga. Why?" Nilingon ko sya.

"Well, if you need models, I can recommend you some. Okay?"

"Akala ko ikaw, magmomodel." Natatawang asar ni Sheena kay Tine. "Haha, funny." Napipikon na yan.

"Onga pala, kamusta naman yung gigs nila kuya Theo?" Tanong naman ni Sheena sakin.

"So far, so good. Every week nadadagdagan yung audiences, which is really great." Natutuwang balita ko sa kanila. Hindi kasi sila nakakapunta sa gigs nila kuya. I don't know why, pero ang lagi nilang dahilan is busy daw sila.

"Oh, and tito Lucas is back?" Tanong naman ni Tine. Tumango naman ako. "But he won't be staying long. He'll be flying  to London, 2 weeks from now."

"Wow, busyng-busy si tito ah." Umoo na lang ako sa kanila. "Eh sila ate Peach naman? Aalis ba sila ng bansa?"

Napaisip naman ako dun. "Dad told me na may chances. Since sila ang maghahandle ng company, sooner or later. Si ate ata mababase sa London, si kuya naman sa US, yun yung respective branches nila. Ang sabi pa ni dad, may training sila by next month sa US, and they'll be gone for a month or two." Mahabang paliwanag ko. Nakita ko sa peripheral vision ko ang pagngunot ng noo ni Tine.

Kinalabit ko sya. "You okay? You look weird." Nilingon nya naman ako. "Yeah, di ko lang type tong dress oh. Look. Di bagay yung skirt sa neckline. Di ba Mace?" Tinuro nya yung dress. Tumango na lang ako, if I know.. Hm.

"Teka, if lahat sila aalis, pano ka? Alangan namang mag-isa ka sa bahay nyo. Malungkot yun." Tanong sakin ni Sheena. "I already asked dad kung pwede nya kong bilhan ng sarili kong condo, and he is reconsidering that idea hanggang ngayon. Pero okay lang naman sakin kung sa bahay lang, nandyan naman sila manang eh." Mukha namang okay naman kay Sheena.

"Girls, I'm hungry na. Let's go eat na." Tawag samin ni Tine. We went to a restaurant and talked about stuff, after that we strolled more and bought something and parted our ways. Dumiretso na lang ako sa boutique since maaga pa naman.

***

"Miss Macey, may naghahanap sayo sa labas." Napatingin naman ako kay Lou na mukhang kinikilig. "Sino daw?"

"Lumabas ka na lang ng makita mo." Kumunot ang noo ko pero tumayo na din ako at sinundan sya. Paglabas ko ng opisina ko, I saw Ken smiling at me. "Hi." And he handed me a bouquet of tulips. I smiled to him as a response.

"So, what brings you here?" I said and asked him to sit on the couch in the boutique. He cleared his throat and talked. "Well, I need a dress." Bigla namang nanlaki ang mata ko. Wait wh--

"If you're thinking I'm gay, then stop." Tumawa sya ng mahina. Napahinga naman ako ng malalim. Kala ko naman.. "It's for someone special. A woman I really love." Napatungo naman ako dun. Bakit parang iniipit yung puso?