Heart of the Ocean

Ilusyon

The Galura couple just stared at the new woman that came in with their daughter. Eyes wide, mouth agape, spine tingling that the older woman grabbed her husband's arm for support. Rhian was confused the way they looked at her. Her mind was commanding her to turn around and leave but her feet are not responding. Is her scales showing? Is she growing fins or gills? She looked at Glaiza silently standing beside with questioning eyes why her parents stating at her like that.

"Ahm, mom, dad, this is Rhian Ramos. A model. Rhian this are my parents, Cristy and Boy Galura,"

"Ma...magandang gabi po...at Maligayang Pasko po," she raised her hand giving a well-ribboned box of cake she bought for them.

Rhian felt a bit awkward. Parang sa laki ng espasyo ng condo, lumiliit ito ng lumiliit. The way the couple looks at her, parang hindi makapaniwalang may kaharap sila.

"Ma, dad. Rhian is giving you something," nagsalita si Glaiza na ikinapukaw ng kanyang mga magulang.

"We'te so sorry hija. Hindi namin sinasadyang mapatitig sa'yo. Its just... You remind me of someone. Kamukha mo si...."

"Ma, can we settle in first? Paupuin naman muna natin ang bisita," Glaiza spoke, cutting her mother off. Ayaw niyang mabanggit nito na kamukha ni Rhian ang kanyang nakaraan. Gusto niyang iwaksi sa isipan niya na dahil sa kamukha ni Sarah Kaye si Rhian kaya niya ito nagustuhan. Although at first, her deceased girlfriend was the first thing she thought about the first time she saw her. She admits na mali iyon at maaaring makasakit siya ng damdamin ng iba.

Cristy took the box from Rhian and kissed her cheeks as an appreciation and lead the woman to the dining table. Glaiza felt releaved, hoping that her mother or father will no longer mention "HER" in the presence of their guest.

Rhian saw a lot of foods prepared the the other woman's mother. Mabuti na lang at nasabi sa ina niya na vegetarian si Rhian dahil gumawa ito ng dalawang klase ng vegetable salad. Pero may kaba sa dibdib ng dalaga ng makakita ng pinasingawang isda surrounded with fresh green lettuce, topped with white dressing, at may hipon pa.

"So Rhian, my daughter said that you are a model? Have you modeled Victoria Secret?" tanong ng ina habang nagsisimulang kumain.

"Vic...toria Secret?" may tanong na tono niyang sagot na napatingin kay Glaiza.

"Mom, she's into fashion modeling and tvc. I think hindi pa siya nagmomodel ng Victoria Secret,"

"Oh, I see. Rajo Laurel perhaps?"

"Opo, naisuot ko na po ang mga disenyo ni Mr. Laurel," hindi man ganun kabihasa sa ibang lenggwahe, naintidihan naman ni Rhian ang ibang mga salita.

"Beautiful! Magaganda ang mga damit ni Laurel. I believe his works are recognized internationally. Nagpa-fashion show din siya sa ibang bansa, hindi ba?"

"Opo, pero hindi pa po ako nakalalabas ng bansa,"

"Sayang naman ang ganda mo hija. Maganda rin ang katawan mo," puri ng ina ni Glaiza.

"Salamat po," she blushed. "May nag-offer po pero hindi ko po tinggap. Takot po kasi akong mangibang bansa,"

"Why don't you try? Magandang makakita ka naman ng ibang lugar bukod sa Pilipinas. I'm not saying hindi maganda ang bansa natin, I mean is magandang makilala ka rin sa buong mundo as a model. Magandang achievement yan,"

"Is this you, Rhian?" hindi napansin ng grupo na nag-search ang ama ni Glaiza sa kanyang telepono. He showed pictures of a model wearing a Rajo Laurel creations.