...All Over Again... ♫ [18 July 2010] The End. *bow*

[ladyjang33]

I so love the updates!

To Jerwin, she's going to be a good wife! Trust me! 

[ayreezh]

::Chapter 24::
Goodnight Goodnight
♫.~*~..~*~.♫


(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I laid on the bed, silently counting the number of times na nag-tturn si Jerwin. He's trying to find a comfortable position. Nakakaasar na kaseh kanina pa sya nag-ttwist and turn, pero, at the same time, I guess I kinda understand.

The bed is made from bamboo. It's a little bit smaller than a queen-sized bed. The mattress is not the softest, most comfortable mattress in the world. You can almost feel the hardness of the bamboo beneath it. It's kinda cold; may mga butas dun sa bintana -- we can even hear the wind whistling through the holes.. We're sharing a blanket that's too small to be shared.. The pillows are almost flat. It also doesn't help na the room is really cramped. It's everything a rich kid like him has never imagined he would find himself into.


After he turned to his side one more time, umikot na rin ako, and I found myself face to face with him. He has his eyes shut closed, pero halata naman na pinipilit nya lang na isarado ung mata nya. Siguro iniisip nya baka sakaling makatulog rin sya kung pipikit nya ung mata nya..


Ako: Jerwin...


He opened one eye.

Jerwin: Hm?
Ako: Di ka makatulog?


This time, both eyes opened and even in the darkness, I could almost see him looking at me.


Jerwin: *sigh* Yea.. It sucks coz I'm exhausted and we have to wake up early tomorrow...
Ako: Relax.. Well, I know, medyo nahihirapan kang mag-relax kaseh kamustah naman.. Di ka naman sanay na matulog sa ganito katigas na kama.. But, just stop thinking about tomorrow, ok?
Jerwin: Easy for you to say. Mr. Gordon almost had a panic attack when I called him and said we'd be spending the night somewhere else. I better make sure that I'm not late for the photoshoot daw.
Ako: Well, why didn't you ask him to come and pick us up then?
Jerwin: You crazy? And let him know we got lost.....


Ang pride mo kuya.. Di mo naman kasalanan na nawala tayo..


Ako: Okay.. Well, just don't worry about it. Sabi naman ni Aling Marie, gigisingin nya tayo around 7 AM, di ba? That's good enough.
Jerwin: *sigh* I know.
Ako: You know, you really interacted well with those people.
Jerwin: Hm?
Ako: Sina Manong Ben.. May sarili ka rin namang kaartehan sa buhay, lam mo? Pero tonight.. You talked with Manong Ben na parang ka-level mo sya.. Tapos, di ka pa nagreklamo nung binigyan tayo ni Aling Marie na pamalit na damit, although di mo alam kung anong detergent ung ginamit panglaba.. I mean, tinikman mo pa ung lambanog. Samantalang nung dinalhan kita nung minsan ng kwek-kwek, halos mamatay ka na sa intensity ng pagtanggi mo.


He rolled over and looked at the ceiling. Nahiya?


Ako: Tapos, you listened patiently dun sa mga drunk rantings ni Manong Ben tungkol sa economy, sa hirap ng buhay, at chuva-chuva.
Jerwin: Weren't you tutoring Jose during that time?
Ako: Kasalanan ko bang may tenga ako?


Natawa si Jerwin, then he shifted his position and faced me again.


Jerwin: You know, it'd be really cool to stay here for a few more days. Kung pwede lang, I would really want to know how their lives work.. They can barely live through every day with the little pay Manong Ben gets from the farm. Tapos, pinag-aaral pa nila si Jose. I just realized how blessed I am to be born into the "luckier" level of society.


Natulala ako. Si Jerwin ba itong kausap ko? O_O Bahket parang ang profound ng pinagsasabi ni kuya? Nalasing kaya sya dun sa kakapiranggot na lambanog na ininom nya?
Nagiging profound sya pag lasing? O___O


Jerwin: What? Why are you looking at me like that?
Ako: Wala lang. Ang profound ng mga pinagsasabi mo eh. Gusto mo nang maging philanthropist?
Jerwin: Hmmmm... That doesn't sound so bad.
Ako: Really?
Jerwin: Venice, maybe I can help families like this one. I can put aside some of the money I make, and then donate them to charities.. or.. or.. maybe help poor kids get to school.


Ay, nagiging santo si kuya.. O__O At na-eexcite sya sa idea nyang maging santo.

Who would've thought na may "good side" din pala tohng taong toh...


Ako: That'd be nice... Pero, for now, how about you get some sleep.. Baka mabugbog pa ko ni Mr. Gordon pag umappear ka sa photoshoot na may mala-backpack na eyebags. Ok?
Jerwin: But.. you don't think it's a good idea?
Ako: Adik ka ba? I think it's the best idea you've ever had!
Jerwin: What's that supposed to mean? -___-



I smiled at him, and brushed a stray strand of his hair to the side. He looked kinda taken aback by the sudden show of gentleness.. nyahahaha


Ako: Just get some sleep, ok? If you still want to talk about that thing tomorrow, I'll listen.
Jerwin: Okay...


He shut his eyes. I stared at him for a few moments.. How come people always look so vulnerable and peaceful when they're sleeping? Kaya maraming pinapatay habang tulog eh..

I rolled over on my side and closed my eyes too. I felt Jerwin shift.. I ignored it. Baka trip nya lang humarap dun sa kabilang side.

Then I felt him shift his position again.. and again.. and again.

Pano ka ba naman matutulog ng ganito?!?


Umikot ako and found myself looking at his back. Naka-sleeveless na shirt lang sya -- pahiram ni Manong Ben -- and it was a little loose kaya medyo naka-expose ung muscles dun sa arms nya and.. parang ang strong-looking nung likod nya.


I wriggled my hand out of the blanket, and lightly traced shapes on the part just below his shoulders.. then I slowly eased myself palapit dun sa likod nya para ipatong ung ulo ko dun sa likod nya..


Jerwin: What are you doing?


I stopped.


Ako: O___O Uh.. Nag-cchant ng spell para makatulog ka na.


What kind of excuse is that, Venice!?!?


He turned around and faced me. Napabalik kagad ako dun sa dati kong pwesto, sabay smile.


Jerwin: Chant? What are you, a witch?
Ako: Bahket ba? You'll never know unless you tried noh.
Jerwin: So, is that why you're drawing weird shapes on my back?
Ako: Yea~ Hay nako, never mind na nga lang.


I turned over to the other side to hide my face from him. My golay, buti na lang at may pagka-madilim, kung hinde, kamustah naman ang pula ng face ko. Anoh ba naman tohng pinaggagawa ko?!?


Jerwin: If you really wanna help me go to sleep... How about a song?
Ako: Anoh?!?
Jerwin: Not too loud though.. I think the walls are kinda thin.


Hay. -__-


Umikot uhlet ako and faced him. Mas mabuti nang rebound toh, kundi, baka asarin nya pa ko hanggang bukas tungkol sa pag-cchant ko.


Ako: (sings softly) Rock-a-bye, baby--
Jerwin: Anoh naman yan?
Ako: Sabi mo, kantahan kita?!? Rereklamo ka pa dyan.
Jerwin: Sing the other one.
Ako: Anong "other one"? May iba pa bang rock-a-bye baby?
Jerwin: No. Sing "You Are My Sunshine"


At may special request pa pala talaga.. -___-


Ako: (sings softly again) You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy, when skies are gray
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away..


Pagdating ng second verse, I stopped singing.
Jerwin was already snoring lightly.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

-___-

Dammmnnn.. it's cold.


I tried to open my eyes from my slumber, and realized na kaya pala malamig, eh dahil nakahilata ako sa kama without a blanket. I pulled myself up and looked at Venice. Angkinin ba naman ung kumot??


And really, konting ikot nya na lang, mahuhulog na sya sa kama.. Her legs are all over the place.. And is her mouth partly open? O_O


How can a lady sleep like that?


*yaawwwwwwnnnn* I wonder what time it is.. It looks like it's still pretty dark outside..


I tried to pull the blanket off of Venice para naman may protection din ako from the cold.. Then I scooped her up gently and inusog sya dun sa gitna nung kama.

I slid back down the bed facing her. She looks like an angel deep in her sleep. I took her arm, and then gently pulled her closer to me.


Her weight shifted and she sleepily turned towards me.  I felt her wrap an arm around my waist. She buried her face on my chest, and I buried my face in her hair.
And I went back to my sleep.

[ladyjang33]

Ay, ang sweet!    Mabuti na itong, nagkakamabutihan na ang dalawa. 

[ayreezh]

::Chapter 25::
Past The Point of No Return
♫.~*~..~*~.♫


(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako:  Hey, look! Birds!


Tumingala ako dun sa langit where a flock of big birds (malalaking ibon, hinde ung Big Bird na yellow) are flying.
I'm riding on the backseat of a bicycle.  I have my arms around Jerwin, who is pedaling the bike through a narrow path in what seems to be a forest.


We went pass a few more trees and finally, lumabas kami sa isang grassland.  It's a pretty nice day.  The sun is out.  The sky is clear.  The birds are singing....  There's someone standing on the side of the path...


Ako:  Who's that?


I tried to squint para makita kung sinoh ung taong nakatayo dun sa side..  He's getting nearer now.. Parang gusto kong batukan si Jerwin and tell him to pedal faster, pero baka lalo kaming bumagal..


Just a few feet away now.. I don't know why I'm so focused on this person..  I can see him more clearly now.. He's wearing faded jeans, a red shirt, khaki jacket, and hair ruffled by the wind.


And then... dinaanan na namin sya..  This guy.. This very familiar guy..  He smiled at me as we pass. He even waved to me..


G... Gerard...


The bike is still moving but I jumped off.  Syempre, dahil hindi naman ako si catwoman, pagtalon ko, I tripped and landed on my face.  Buti na lang dun ako sa damo rumolyo..

I rolled over and found myself staring at the sky.  I couldn't move.. I could hear Jerwin running to me... at least, I think it was Jerwin...


How come G isn't running towards me?


-___-


Annnddddd I'm awake.  Darn.  I knew it was a dream.


I slowly opened my eyes para gumising sa isa nanamang araw sa mundong ibabaw---


O___O


Ako:  WAH!!!


SHOVE -- BOOG!


Why am I hugging Jerwin?!?!?
Oh my golay, hinulog ko sya sa kama. O_O

Napatalon tuloy akong bigla dun sa kabilang side and sinilip si Jerwin na nakahilata sa sahig -- with a very rewarding startled look on his face.


Ako:  Hi.  Good morning.
Jerwin:  Anong good morning ka dyan?!? You just pushed me off the bed, didn't you?!?
Ako:  *gasp*  Sunshine!  I will never do such a horrible thing.
Jerwin:  Wag ka nang pakainosente dyan. Di bagay.


He picked himself up and plopped himself back on the bed.  Kokontra sana ako sa sinabi nya.. Parang sya inosente rin ah.. yakapin nya ba naman ako habang tulog ako!  Kaya lang..... baka anoh pang isipin ni kuya pag sinabi kong magkayakap kami nung nagising ako... baka ako pala ung nangyakap.. pwedeng sya.. pwedeng ako... Ohhh, magkasuyo buong gabi~


BRRRRR... yak.  Sinasabi ko pa lang sa sarili ko, kinikilabutan na ko. -___-


Jerwin:  What time is it?


Inisda ko ung cellphone kong nandun sa sahig sa other side nung kama.


Ako:  6:38 AM.  Tatayo na tayo?


I watched as Jerwin sat up and started stretching.  Tatayo na yata talaga si kuya... Ang aga-aga-aga-aga pah.. T-T
I wanna go back to sleep... I wanna see G again---


Ako:  Okie!  Tumayo na tayo!


I jumped off the bed din, and was about to open the door nang may naalala akong bigla.. I looked at Jerwin who had just finished grabbing his phone and swinging his camera around his neck.


Ako:  Gising na kaya sila?
Jerwin: (shrugs)  We can check..
Ako:  Wouldn't it be rude kung bastah-bastah na lang tayo aalis? And besides, di naman naten alam kung san sasakay ng jeep.
Jerwin:  That's why I said we can go check if they're awake.


I opened the door, and fortunately for us, nandun na si Aling Marie, nagpprito ng itlog, pakanta-kanta pa.


Aling Marie:  Ay!  Gising na kayo!  Aba'y ka-aga pa!  Bakit di muna kayo matulog ng konti pa?
Ako:  Ok lang poh, di na poh kame makatulog eh.
Jerwin:  (bulong)  Hinulog kaseh ako sa kama nung isang tao dyan.


I glared at him.  Dumiretso kagad ako sa banyo para maghilamos man lang at para na rin mag-weewee..   I can hear Jerwin talking to Aling Marie, maya-maya, narinig ko na rin si Manong Ben.. I used the towel na binigay ni Aling Marie the night before to dry myself up.
Mamaya na lang sa villa ako talagang maliligo.

I stepped out of the bathroom, and yup, ahyun nga si Manong Ben, may bitbit na kung anong bote ng gatas.  Inaalok si Jerwin..


Ako:  Anoh poh yan?
Manong Ben:  Presh cow's milk, iha.  Gusto mo?
Ako:  Fresh?  As in, galing sa dodo ng cow? O_O
Aling Marie:  Ay, uo! May alaga kami diyan sa likod.  Naisip namin na baka gusto nyo ng gatas para sa almusal, eh pinakuha ko na itong si Ben.


*gulp*  In other words, especially for us pa talaga.. O___O
Fresh milk.. galing sa dodo ng cow.......


Jerwin:  I guess.. I'll try some.. You wanna share a glass muna, Venice?


Sharing is good.  Sharing means I won't have to finish a whole glass of galing sa dodo ng cow.  Sharing is very good.


Ako:  Okay..


Manong Ben poured us some of the fresh milk dun sa glass na nasa harap ni Jerwin.  After he filled the glass, nagkatinginan kami ni Jerwin..


Ako:  Well... go ahead.
Jerwin:  Ladies first.



I looked at him and then at the glass..  I'm willing to try anything, pero... this is just too icky... T-T


Na-sense yata ni Jerwin ang hesitation ko, at dahil pinapanood kami ni Manong Ben, he took the liberty to take the glass..

Jerwin:  I'll try it first then.


Hindi lang pala overnight ang pagiging santo ni kuya.
He drank from the glass, at aba.. natuwa yata.. O_O Ang daming ininom.


Jerwin:  Wow, it's actually pretty good.


He gave me the glass, all smiles pa.  Di ko tuloy alam kung sarcastic ba sya o anoh.  At ehto ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit first round pa lang ng "Fear Factor", kicked out na kagad ako.  Takot ako sa mga unknown things.


Jerwin:  Really, it's good.  Try it.


*gulp*


Jerwin:  Believe me.


Napatingin ako kay kuya...  Mukha namang honest ang mukha nya.. Mukha namang nagustuhan nya talaga.. At paniwalaan ko pa raw sya..
Kung nagsisinungaling man sya, I guess it's okay.  I'll just bury him in the sand and pretend to forget kung san ko sya nilibing.


I took the glass.


Well.. Here goes.


I took a sip... and.. heeeyyyyyy... it really is good.
Tinuloy ko na ung pag-inom.


Jerwin:  Well?
Ako:  Uyyy... Masarap nga.  It's warm and mas lasang gatas kesa dun sa ibang pasteurized na milk.
Jerwin:  Galing sa dodo ng cow.


Tumawa si Manong Ben na nakaupo dun sa sofa, pinapanood kami..


Manong Ben:  Mga batang ito.. Gatas lang eh pinagkakaguluhan nyo na.
Aling Marie:  Ay naku, kumain na nga kayo at nang maabutan nyo pa ung jeep na wala pang masyadong sakay.


Naglagay sya ng tig-isa na plato ng itlog at pandesal sa harap naming dalawa ni Jerwin..  Lumipat na rin si Manong Ben dun sa dining table para makikain.


Ako:  Oo nga poh pala.  Last day na poh namin bukas.  Kung gusto nyo poh, pumunta kayo sa La Plaiya, nandun poh kami sa may beach nakatuloy..  Baka poh gusto nyong dumaan.
Manong Ben:  Ay iha, gusto man namen eh, marami pang gagawin eh.   Kailangan magtrabaho.
Ako:  Ah.. Ganon pa ba...
Jerwin:  Kayo poh, Aling Marie?  Baka poh si Jose, gustong pumunta?
Aling Marie:  Nako, iho, magtitinda pa kame sa palengke bukas.


Nagtinginan kami ni Jerwin.  Parang ang awkward bigla.... Here are people na sumasabak sa araw-araw na trabaho.. Samantalang kame... -___-


Nilipat ni Manong Ben ung topic dun sa jeep.. Agahan daw namen kaseh madaling mapuno ung jeep pag tanghali na.. baka hapunin kami kakahintay.  Ahyan, nagmadali na nga tuloy kami..
Pagkatapos na pagkatapos kumain, lalarga na kame.


We changed back into our own clothes na sinampay ni Aling Marie sa sampayan kagabi para matuyo ng pawis.. Then we checked kung anoh pa ung mga nakakalimutan namin -- not like we really brought anything with us.


Lumabas na si Jerwin with Manong Ben.. Ako naman, naiwan muna sa loob para tulungan sa paghuhugas ng pinggan si Aling Marie.


Ako:  Aling Marie.. Thank you poh talaga at pinatuloy nyo kami kagabi.
Aling Marie:  Ay naku!  Wala yun, ano ga?   Hindi naman kami madalas nakakatanggap ng bisita eh, kaya masaya na rin kami at dito kayo napadaan.


I gave Aling Marie a quick hug, and then lumakad na kami palabas.  At aba... nakita na lang namen.. si Manong Ben.. nagpapaka-model dun sa harap ng bahay nila, si Jerwin pa ang photographer.


Aling Marie:  Ano namang ginagawa mo diyan??
Jerwin:  Aling Marie, kayo rin poh!  Tabi kayo, ppicturan ko kayo!


Hinila ni Manong Ben si Aling Marie sa tabi nya, at lumakad naman ako papunta kay Jerwin..  Avah, naaliw ung mag-asawa at pinipicturan sila..   Todo pose!


Maya-maya, biglang lumabas ang bagong gising na si Jose..  Ang walang kamuwang-muwang na bata, bigla na lang pinulot ni Manong Ben, at sinabihan na mag-smile sa camera.  Smile naman ung bata!   Sige, family picture!


Ako:  Jerwin..
Jerwin:  Hm?
Ako:  Give me the camera and go stand with them.


Jerwin did as I instructed, and I took a couple of shots of the family with Jerwin Santos.  Then Jerwin took the camera from me, and took a couple of shots of me and the family.

Then, finally, lumayas na raw kame.


Jose:  Aalis na kayo, ate?
Ako:  Yea.  May trabaho pa kasi tohng kuya mo eh.
Aling Marie:  Naku, mag-iingat kayo ha.  At wag na ulit kayong maliligaw!
Jerwin:  Don't worry.  Hindi ko na poh hahayaan si Venice ang mag-lead ng way.
Ako:  Shut up.


Nag-bye bye na kami kay Aling Marie at Jose, then sumunod kami kay Manong Ben papunta dun sa sakayan ng jeep, which is hindi naman pala ganun kalayo sa bahay nila..

The jeep is there, at halos wala pang tao.  Mukhang hindi namin kailangan maghintay or makipagsiksikan.  Lumapit si Manong Ben dun sa driver, kinausap nya sandali, then bumalik sa'min..


Manong Ben:  Sya, hanggang dito na lamang ako.  Hinabilin ko na duon sa driber na ibaba kayo sa La Plaiya.  Mag-ingat kayong dalawa.
Ako:  Maraming salamat poh, Manong Ben.
Jerwin:  Salamat poh sa pagkupkop sa'min kagabi.
Manong Ben:  Nako'y, wag nyo nang alalahanin un, at natuwa naman kami kagabi.
Ako:  Ay, oo nga poh pala..


Kinuha ko ung mapa dun sa bulsa ni Jerwin, and then fished for a pen dun pa uhlet sa kabila nyang bulsa -- I know, parang akong magnanakaw -- and then I handed both to Manong Ben..


Ako:  Paki sulat naman poh ng address nyo.. Pag napa-develop poh namin ung mga pictures, papadalhan poh namen kayo ng kopya.
Manong Ben:  Ay, sya nga?  Oh sige!


He scribbled their address dun sa mapa and then gave it back to me.  Sinalpak ko ulit map and ung pen pabalik sa pocket ni Jerwin.  We said our final farewell to Manong Ben and sumakay na kami nung jeep, which left as soon as we got in.


Later, nagsimula na ang halos veinte minutos naming trip pabalik sa La Plaiya.

Jerwin:  That was a nice little family they got there, don't you think so?
Ako:  Hmmm... I guess.. Parang nakaka-bother lang kasi.. ang hirap ng buhay nila.
Jerwin:  But they're happy.  They're living a simple, quiet life.. they're all together.. They're.. happy..


Well.. that's true.. Simple, quiet life ha...


Ako:  I hope we'll see them again..


Inayos ni Jerwin ung baseball cap nya na nag-pprevent "daw" sa mga tao na makilala sya..  and then he shrugged.


Jerwin:  We can visit them.


Ha!  With his schedule??!


Ako:  Sana nga..


Jerwin took my hand and gave it a soft squeeze.  I just smiled at him and put my head on his shoulder.  I guess, somehow, this little out-of-the-norm experience has been good for us.

[ladyjang33]

More moments naman o! 

Thanks po ha. For all the updates! 

[ayreezh]

::Chapter 26::
Should've Been A Model
♫.~*~..~*~.♫


(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Sigh.  This is great.  Just astoundingly great. -___-


I watch as Mr. Gordon stalks back and forth in front of me.  He's yelling at his phone na parang wala na syang chance magalit pa bukas. 
We're 15 minutes behind schedule.  If I knew this was gonna happen, Venice and I would have stayed a bit longer dun sa bahay nina Manong Ben.


It was a fifteen-minute jeepney ride from the small, unknown town to the other little town where I left my truck.  Tapos, about 5 minutes pabalik ng villa.  The photoshoot was gonna start in 10 minutes.  I quickly parked the truck, ran upstairs, and jumped in the shower.

Paglabas ko ng villa, all fresh and ready to be prepped up, nag-aabang na si Mr. Gordon para sa'kin.  The crewmembers were carrying the photoshoot equipments papunta sa beach.  Mr. Gordon didn't say anything naman kaseh, somehow, I'm still on time.

If there's one thing na kinasikatan ni Mr. Gordon, besides sa amazing ability nya sa mga advertising photography nya, ahyun eh ung pagiging extremely punctual nya.  If he said the shoot will start at this time, the shoot should definitely start at that time.  Kung wala pa ung model, malamang manghahaltak na lang sya ng kung sinong ka-picture-picture dyan sa tabi-tabi.


That's what he's probably gonna do now.   We're supposed to shoot a Guess Swimsuit ad with two models.... pero.. missing one pa kame -- ung important one pa.


"Yo!  Jerwin!"


I turned around and saw Venice walking towards my special chair -- the one with "Jerwin Santos" taped on the back.
It looks like she just got out of the shower (and siguro, tulog pa rin sina Anthony at Sheena kaseh hinde pa umaaligid ung dalawa sa kanya).  She's wearing a black see-through tunic over a red one-piece swimsuit.  Her hair is still damp, and she's treading barefoot on the sand.


Venice:  I thought you'd be starting the shoot by now.  What's going on?
Ako:  Uhmm.. Seems like my partner won't make it.
Venice:  Eh?
Ako:  May appointment daw kaseh kanina, na-late yata ng labas..  Ahyan, paalis pa lang ng Manila..
Venice:  Ahhhh..


I glanced at her and noticed na nakatitig pala sya sa'kin.. Ung titig pa na parang nag-iisip ng malalim..   Bakit?  Dahil ba ngayon nya lang ako nakita na naka swimming trunks?


Ako:  What are you looking at?
Venice:  Lam mo, Sunshine..  Nakaka-distract sana ang mga biceps-triceps-abs mo dyan.. Kaya lang...


She ran a finger on my arm, tapos hinarap sa'kin ung daliri nya..


Venice:  Dinaig mo pa ang hito sa sobrang dulas mo.
Ako:  It's oil.  It's supposed to make me look good on pictures.
Venice:  Magmumukha kang maganda sa picture kung parang kang hito?
Ako:  Why are you here? -__-
Venice: (smiles)  Manonood sana ako ng shooting nyo, pero parang wala naman nangyayare.. sooo..


She briskly turned around, may pa-sway-sway pa ng hips nya..


Venice:  I'll just come back pag may kung anong compromise na kayo..  Maglalandi muna ako somewhere, ok dah-ling?


Papaka-catwalk pa sya kung maglakad, feeling may runway dun sa buhangin -- tapos biglang natalisod. wahahahaha


Venice:  Aray ko!


wahahahaha


Compromise....


Ako:  Hey, Venice!  Hold on!


She stopped and turned to face me -- namumula -- probably because she knows I saw her trip..


Venice:  I'm ok! Wala kang nakita!
Ako:  Ok, I saw nothing.


I jumped up from my seat, and strode to where she was standing.  She's a perfect height.. She's got a good body frame.. *grins*

I grabbed her hand and pulled her papunta dun sa sumisigaw na Mr. Gordon.  Binabaan nya na ung kausap nyang model, wag na raw mag-bother na pumunta dito. 


Venice: (bulong)  Anong ginagawa naten? O_O


I paused and then umikot para tumingin sa kanya.  I grabbed her by the shoulders para hindi mag-wander ung mga mata nya kung saan-saan.


Ako:  Venice.. Do you trust me?
Venice:  Eh?!?
Ako:  Well?  Do you trust me?
Venice:  *gulp*  I do.. but you don't look very trustworthy right now. O_O
Ako:  Oh well.. as long as you generally trust me...   Now, just follow me and don't say a word.


I wanted to laugh so hard nung nanlaki ung mata nya -- pure terror.   Pero, I'm kinda short on time, so I gotta do this first.
Hinila ko sya papunta kay Mr. Gordon na nag-uutos na dun sa mga staff kung pano papaganahin ung concept using just one model (which is just impossible kung ako lang ang model), or maghanap na sila ng ma-bbribe nilang mag-model right here, right now.

Nanlalamig ung kamay ni Venice na hawak ko.


Ako:  Sir?
Mr. Gordon:  We'll be done in a minute, Jerwin.
Ako:  Uh, yea.. May I suggest something?


They all stopped and looked at me.  Sa ganitong mga pangyayari, they're open to ideas -- any kind of idea.  Nanigas na ung hawak kong kamay.


Ako:  I think Venice can take over the female model's place.
Venice:  An--?!?


Pinisil ko ung kamay ni Venice.


Ako:  What do you think?
Mr. Gordon:  Nag-mmodel ba sya?
Ako:  She'll be a natural.
Venice:  Eh?!?  O__O
Ako:  Just tell her what you want her to do.
Venice:  Wha?! O_oO


Mr. Gordon finally turned his full attention sa'min, tinitignan si Venice from head to foot.  Inikutan nya pa si Venice, parang ineexamine thoroughly.


Mr. Gordon:  She has a proportioned body.  Tamang-tama naman ung height nya..  Maganda ang kutis..  Ngumiti ka nga, iha.


Venice smiled.  Medyo pilit, pero okay na rin.


Mr. Gordon:  Okay, she'll do!  Bea!  Nasan ka na ba?! Bea!  Ihanap mo ng swimsuit size si Venice dun sa mga kahon sa villa!  Paayusan mo na rin!  I want something natural and yet sexy.  Bilisan nyo! Go Go GO!!


Bago tangayin si Venice nung mga assistants, pinisil pa nya ng isang bone-cracking na pisil ung kamay ko. O_O


Venice:  Make sure to remind to kill you after all this.
Ako:  Ah.. ha.. ha.. ha.. Yes, darling.




One little Two little Three little Indians..
Four little Five little Six little--


"Hallloooo!!!!"


Napatigil ako sa pagbibilang ko ng mga Indians (in the form of big fluffy clouds sa sky) nang may dalawang tumalon sa tabi nung artist chair ko..  And lo and behold, gising na si Tweedledee at si Tweedledum, also known as Sheena and Anthony.


Ako:  Good morning, guys.
Sheena:  San kayo galing kagabi ni Venice~?
Ako:  Dyan lang.. Nothing happened, don't worry.
Sheena:  Ay, walang nangyari?  Anoh ba naman un?  Ang boring naman.


She wanted something to happen? -__-


Anthony:  San si Venice?


I filled them in with what's happening.. Naaliw sila sa mga sinasabi ko..
Just then, dumating na -- SA WAKAS -- ung dalawang assistants, may mga bitbit na high heeled shoes..  And sa likod nila.....


O.O


Venice is all suit up for the shoot.. They put her in a halter bikini with leopard prints and black and gold accents.  Gold dangling earrings hang from her ears.  Her hair is in natural waves, and she's trying to walk in the black high-heeled shoes they made her wear.  She looks like a model.


Sheena:  Ay, best friend!  Ang landi~   May cleavage ka!
Venice:  I know!  (turo sa chest nya)  Parang lumaki ang future ko!


-___-


Ako:  Uh, ahem.
Venice:  What?!  You've never seen a cleavage before?!


Oh where was the Venice from earlier na papatayin ako dahil pinasok ko sya dito?


Ako:  I think you're bipolar
Venice:  Anoh?!?
Mr. Gordon:  Kids!  Kids!  Kids!  Mamaya na kayo maglambingan!  Let's get going!  We're already behind schedule!  And you look wonderful, Venice.
Sheena:  Oh, more like, fab-u-lous!  ah-mazing! sexay~


I walked in front of the camera -- finally, magsisimula na rin kame, with all the oil na pinahid sa katawan ko, na-pprito na yata ako sa ilalim nung araw kakahintay.  Venice stood next to me habang ina-adjust nung mga tao ung lighting, ung camera, at kung anu-ano pa.


Venice:  You know...  Now that I'm standing here...
Ako:  Yea?
Venice:  Sunshine, I don't think I can do this. T-T


Napatingin ako sa kanya.  Oh, so that's why her eyes look different.  Makapal na nga ung eyeliner, pinuruhan pa ng mascara ung eyelashes nya.  It looks pretty though.. just different.


Ako:  You know, you're the one who's really the "star" of this ad.
Venice:  Eh?
Ako:  Well, more girls shop in Guess, guys rarely go in unless they're with a girlfriend.   So, dito sa ad na toh.. I'm just here because I'm hot and I'm famous.
Venice:  In other words, props ka lang. -__-
Ako:  You can put it that way, though I like my terminology better..   Anyway, all the focus is going to be on you and how you model the swimwear.  Look good, and you make the swimwear look good.
Venice:  Great.  Now I'm even more scared.
Ako:  You can do this.  Just pretend this is a scene in a play... Mr. Gordon is the director, the camera is the audience..
Venice:  And the whole world is a stage..
Ako:  Exactly.


She let out a huge sigh.  Ehto naman, ilang tao lang ba ang makikita nila ang sarili nila na nag-mmodel out of nowhere para sa isang ad na ipapaskil sa mga billboard kung saan-saan?
Tapos sya, kulang na lang eh tumakbo pasakay ng bus at umuwi na ng Manila. 


Ako: Venice, look at me.


Tumingin naman sya.


Ako:  I know you can do this.. Just...  Believe me.


She looked straight into my eyes.  I tried to look as confident as I can, because I really think she can do this.  And if not, they can always reject the photo and just do another shoot.  I was gonna tell her this, but then, Venice smile and nodded.


Venice:  I believe you.
Ako:  Good.
Venice:  But really, how can you stand this oil-thing on your body?  It feels icky. -__-
Ako:  Well, isipin mo na lang, pareho na tayong hito ngayon.


After that, the photoshoot started.  It was hard work coz, let's face it, Venice is an amateur.  But her pictures turned out better than most amateurs I've worked with.

She listened to directions, she suggested things that might make the photos better, she would try to do whatever it is that Mr. Gordon asked of her: seductive, fun, flirty, aggressive, spaced out...  She would constantly ask me for my opinion on her pose or her expression..

She was surprisingly very professional.. kahit na alam kong she'd rather be on the water than doing all this..  She actually did pretty well..


In the end, Mr. Gordon was happy with the results.


Mr. Gordon:  We might actually have the perfect picture in this pile.  And with the two of you in the ad!  This will be huge!  People will love this!  Have you ever thought of modeling, Venice?
Venice:  Eh? -__-  Hinde poh.. After this, I don't think I ever will..


Bagsak na sya dun sa chair na reserved para sa'kin.  Low batt na yata.


Mr. Gordon:  That's a shame.  Jerwin is right.  You're a natural.
Venice:  Thank you poh.


I think, nasa autopilot na sya ngayon.. She already has her eyes closed as she fans herself.  Pagod na talaga.

Mr. Gordon smiled at me nung na-realize nyang out there na ung brain ni Venice.  He turned to the staff to tell them to wrap up.  We're finally done.


Ako:  Wanna go back to the villa?
Venice:  Yea.  But these heels are killing me.  I don't think I can walk anymore... -__-
Ako: You want a piggyback ride?
Venice:  Anoh ba yan?  Ang cheap naman.  Di ba pwedeng carry me in your arms na lang??  Paka-prince charming effect man lang.
Ako:  Hey, it's easier to carry things on my back.  Buti nga di kita kinaladkad eh.  I'm tired too.
Venice:  You do this all the time.  You should be used to it by now.  Damot. -___-




I turned around and knelt down so she can put herself on my back.  She wrapped her arms loosely around my neck, and I supported her legs so she won't fall off.


"Jerwin!  Venice!  Smile!"


I felt Venice perk up, and I looked at the photographer, who took a candid shot of Venice and me.


"Great shot!"


After that, Venice rested her head on my shoulder.  She's drained.   I started walking back to the villa.


Ako:  You did a good job.
Venice:  Really?
Ako:  Yep.
Venice:  I'm glad.  I tried my best para di ka naman mapahiya.
Ako:  (smiles)  Thanks.


We quietly went back to the villa, and I gently put Venice on our bed.  She held up her leg, and smiled.  Di ko alam kung pagod ba o tamad, pero sige na... Tinanggal ko na ung sapatos nya..

She went under the blankets.  I turned the airconditioner a little bit higher and I went to bed as well.

[ladyjang33]

Si Venice pa, yakang-yaka niya ang lahat! 

Jerwin, take good care of Venice ha. 

[hush_26]

wweeehhh!! i so love your stories sis! silent reader mo na ako noon pah... gustong-gusto ko yung gitara... i think thats the one.. haha... pero parang ibang version yata yung nabasa ko sa website mo na all over again... kasi doon, may gusto si Jean kay Kenny.. tapos mas mataas yung time before naging engage sina V at Jerwin... well, anyway, i so love it sis!! update!! hehe

[ayreezh]

ladyjang33
hahaha yakang-yaka..   good luck na lang dun..


hush_26
thank you sis!  ay, oo.. iniba ko kaseh ng konti ung flow nung story, kaya may pagka-iba nga ung nabasa mo dun sa site..
But, thanks for dropping by!

::Chapter 27::
Starry Starry Night
♫.~*~..~*~.♫


(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I should get up. Isang araw na lang kaming nandito, dapat lang na maglublob man lang ako bago kami lumayas...


I opened my eyes nung nag-sink ung thought na un.. I immediately looked at the clock.. 5:45... I've been sleeping for two hours and 45 minutes.

Kakatayo ko pa lang nang biglang bumukas ung pinto at sumilip ang ulo ni Jerwin..


Jerwin: Hey, you're awake.
Ako: *yaawwwnnn* Yea. -__- Akala ko humiga ka rin kanina?
Jerwin: I woke up 30 minutes ago. Anyway, we're having a bonfire later. We gotta shop for a few things to BBQ and panggawa raw ng s'mores, sabi ni Mr. Gordon.  C'mon, get dressed!



Get dressed?


Napasilip ako sa suot ko. O___O
My golay. I'm still wearing the swimsuit. No wonder ganito na lang ang pagkapulupot ko sa kumot.  Malameg ang aircon.  Malamang kailangan ko rin ibalik toh noh?


Ako: Give me five minutes. Mag-sshower lang ako.




Later..


May nakita kaming maliit na store just less than 10 minutes away from the villa.  Di naman sya kalakihan, pero parang may mabibili naman kame.. I took a basket and handed it to Jerwin.  Hinde ako magpapakahirap magdala ng mabigat noh.


Jerwin:  Hey, look, Venice..


Ehto nanaman kame.. -__-


Jerwin:  They're selling chicken feet!   Why are they selling chicken feet?? Can we get some chicken feet??


I don't think Jerwin has ever gone grocery shopping before.  Abah, dinaig pa ang six-year-old sa pagka-amused sa halos lahat ng "abnormal" na bagay eh!


Ako:  No.  We don't need it.
Jerwin:  But it's chicken feet!
Ako:  Uh-huh. And we. Don't. Need. It.


Ilang beses na yang exchange na yan.. Anoh kayang iniisip ni Mr. Gordon at ehto pang si Jerwin ang pinag-shopping nya?  Pano na lang kung hinde ako sumama?  Eh di inuwian sila nitong unggoy na toh ng natto (mukha raw kasing dikit-dikit na tadpoles), dried shrimp (dahil mukha raw madaling kainin), tuyo (hindi ba raw na-BBQ un?), at ang chicken feet (simply because it's chicken feet).... -___-


Jerwin:  Venice..
Ako:  Hm?
Jerwin:  Tignan mo oh...


Tumingin ako dun sa tinitignan nya.. May pusa na natutulog dun sa ibabaw nung isang lamesa..


Ako:  Oh? Pusa.. Anoh?
Jerwin:  Can we buy that?


Aray.. sumasakit yata ang ulo ko. T-T


Ako:  At bakit naman?  Anong gagawin mo sa pusa?
Jerwin:  Hindi ba gawa ang siopao sa pusa?


Hindi ko na-carry..  May kung anong sparkle ung eyes nya na parang nagsasabi na gusto nya talagang bilhin ung pusa para gawing siopao.. T^T
Napatitig na lang ako sa kanya... If ever man, curiosity will really kill the cat.


Pak!


Jerwin:  Aw!  Okay, fine... We're not buying the cat. -_- We don't need it.


Josko, Lord... T-T  Ang reasoning skills ni kuya... T^T


Ako:  Just carry the basket, okay?  And don't--


Tumigil sya dun sa kinukuha nyang isang tali ng kangkong..


Ako:  -- DON'T put anything in the basket.


Binalik nya ung kangkong na hawak nya..


Ako:  Now, let's go and get the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.. Maloloka na ko syo pag nagtagal pa tayo.


Sumunod naman si Jerwin sa'kin.. He's still darting looks from one thing to another, pero at least, hinde na sya naglalagay ng kung anu-ano dun sa maliit na basket namen..


..or so I thought..


Pagpunta namin dun sa starstruck na cashier, at nung nilalabas ko na ung mga binibili namen, dun ko lang na-realize na ang daming unnecessary items ang pinuslit nung mokong.


Ako:  (sa cashier)  Ah.. hahaha sorry ha, ung iba dito hindi naman namin kailangan..


Binibigay ko sa kanya ung mga kailangan lang namen, and then binabalik ko ung mga puslit dun sa basket..


Jerwin:  What?? We're not buying the natto??
Ako:  I told you, we don't need it.
Jerwin:  But... I wanna see what we can do with tadpole-looking ingredients..


Pak!


Ako:  You don't experiment with food!


Napahawak sya dun sa noo nyang hinampas ko nung pinuslit nyang pechay.


Jerwin:  Okay. T_T  Why are you so abusive of me today?


Natatawa na sa'min si Ms. Cashier.  Pasimple pa sya sa pagtago nya..   Obvious naman..
Jerwin paid for our purchases -- kahit na wala ung mga mala-alien nyang gustong-gustong bilhin..




Much much later...


Mayaman sa stars ang sky ngayong gabi.  Everybody is busy sa pag-BBQ or sa tsismisan nila habang nag-iinit nung marshmallows para sa s'mores nila..


Ako naman, mag-isang nakaupo dun sa a few feet away from the fire, nag-sstargazing.. Ang alam ko, may kung anong belief, na pag namatay raw ang isang tao, napapasok sya sa exclusive club ng stars in the nightsky.

I touched the silver ring na nandun sa ring finger nung right hand ko.. I wonder if G is an honorary member of the stars now..

"Yo!"


Na-distract ako from my chain of thought nang tumabi sa'kin si Jerwin, carrying a plate of fresh s'mores..  He carefully plopped himself down on the sand and handed me the plate.

Chocolate & marshmallow sandwiched between graham crackers.. what more can a girl ask for?


Ako:  Thank you.
Jerwin:  You know, you should go and heat your own marshmallow.
Ako:  Eh bahket ba? Nandyan ka naman.
Jerwin:  Geez... I can just imagine the horror of being married to you..
Ako:  Aww.. aren't you glad we'll break up eventually?
Jerwin:  Tell me about it.    I feel sorry for the guy who'll be your husband-slash-slave.
Ako:  At sinoh naman may sabi na magpapakasal ako?


Jerwin took one of the s'mores dun sa plate and casually looked at me.


Jerwin:  Anoh, magmamadre ka?
Ako:  Hala.. tingin mo, tatanggapin ako dun?
Jerwin:  (kagat sa s'more nya)  That's what I thought.  Wala ka pang 24 hours, ma-rrebuke ka na.


Salbahe. -__-


Jerwin:  So, bakit di ka magpapakasal?
Ako:  Hmp!  Magpapakasal lang ako sa kung sinong makakapag-arrange sa stars ng: "Marry Me."
Jerwin:  Ohhh.. How are they gonna do that?
Ako:  Bah, malay ko.  Bastah, ma-spell nya un sa nightsky, kasal na kame.
Jerwin:  (smiles)  You're gonna end up as an old maid.


Bago ako makasagot, bigla nang tumalon sa tabi namin sina Anton tsaka si Sheena.. May sariling mga bitbit na mga plato nila..


Sheena:  Hello, young lovers!  Long time no see!
Ako:  Haller...


Napatingin ako sa plato nya..  BBQ...  Mukhang bagong luto.. -__-  Mukhang masarap....


Ako:  Sunshine....
Jerwin:  Anong "sunshine" ka nanaman dyan??  Kakakuha ko lang ng s'mores mo ah!
Ako:  Kuha mo rin ako ng BBQ~  Sige naaa~
Jerwin: Eh kung tumayo ka kaya to get it yourself?
Ako:  Yabang nito.  Sige na, nandun lang naman eh.
Sheena:  Anton, ako rin.. Pakuha rin ng isa pang stick.
Anthony: Hala.. Nandun lang tayo kanina eh!  bakit kaseh isa lang kinuha mo?!
Sheena:  Eh gusto ko muna tikman eh..
Ako & Sheena:  Pleaassseeee..


Nagtinginan si Anthony tsaka si Jerwin.. and then, dahil hinde nila na-take ang aming charm, tumayo na sila para kumuha ng BBQ -- with matching one paragraph of reklamo pa yan..

Ahihihi.. Sarap utusan ni kuya.. sunod ng sunod..

Nung wala na sila, biglang umusog sa tabi ko si Sheena.


Sheena:  Uy, best prend, you're smiling~
Ako:  Eh bahket??! Masama ba ngumiti eh sa naaliw ako.


Biglang ngumiti si Sheena -- ung sincere smile talaga na hinde nang-aasar..  Tinignan nya ko sa mata, which usually means na may kasunod na best friend moment itoh..


Sheena:  I just haven't seen you smile like that in a while.  Jerwin's doing a good job.


Huh...


I looked at Jerwin na nanghihingi ng BBQ kay Mrs. Gordon..  Naglolokohan pa sila ni Anton -- nag-pplot yata ng kung anong revenge..

So I guess, what Sheena means is... I look genuinely happy..
It's been two years since I felt something like that..

"V..."


O__O

I froze.  I thought I heard Gerard's voice.. but, that's impossible, isn't it?  I looked around, nonetheless.. as if naman may makikita talaga ako..  There's no one else here who would have called me by that nickname.. No one..


Ako:  Shee... I feel like I'm cheating..
Sheena:  Cheating? Kanino?
Ako:  Parang akong nagtataksil kay G...
Sheena:  Best prend.. pano ka naman magtataksil?  Eh wala na nga ung pinagtataksilan mo.  No offense.  But I'm sure Gerard would have wanted you to be happy.


I looked at her and then back at Jerwin na naglalakad na pabalik sa'min..  Deep inside, I know she's right..


Jerwin:  O, BBQ.. This is the last time I'm getting up to get you something.


I forced a smile as I took the plate.  Jerwin's been a pain, but he's a nice guy...  He makes me laugh and smile..  That should be good..


I gazed up at the stars.. those little speckles of light in the vast, black sky..


Why do I suddenly feel guilty?

[hush_26]

wag kang maguilty Venice... okay lang yun para kay Gerard...
..umigosh! nakakatawa talaga silang dalawa!! nakakakilig!! update pa sis!! gusto ko pa magbasa nito...

[ayreezh]

hush_26
  sorry.. ang tagal kong mag-type..   pero dahil madaling araw na dito, matutulog na ko.. haha bukas uhlet..

::Chapter 28::
Talk To Me
♫.~*~..~*~.♫


(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next day started a little busier than we all would have wanted, pero anong magagawa namen.. Eh last day na namen toh, balik sa real world nanaman kami bukas.

Mr. Gordon and I discussed a few other projects for the following month.  Venice stayed in our room, trying to finish a paper due the next day.  Anthony and Sheena are preparing our things for our trip back home later.

Nung natapos kami ni Mr. Gordon, the duffel bags are already by the door, at nasa beach na sina Sheena at si Anthony.  Susunod na sana ako nung naalala kong nasa kwarto pa yata si Venice -- nagpapaka-dakilang estudyante.. So I decided to see if she needs anything or kung patapos na sya..


I slowly opened the door and peeked inside.. Venice is sitting on the bed with the laptop on her lap.  Titig na titig sya dun sa screen.. Dinidibdib talaga ang pag-aaral..


Ako:  Hey, Venice...


She looked up.

-__-

?__?

O__O


She's crying?!? Why is she crying?!?


Napatakbo akong bigla sa tabi nya.  Anong iniiyakan nya?!?


Ako:  What's wrong?  Na-sstressed ka na ba sa ginagawa mo?
Venice:  *sniff* Kasi.... Kasi...


Inikot nya ung laptop para iharap sa'kin.  Lumipat ung tingin ko dun sa screen.... sa screen na supposedly eh MS Word..... hindi YouTube.


Ako:  Aren't you supposed to be doing homework? -__-
Venice: *sniff*  I finished kanina.  Sunshine, look mo oh..


Tinuro nya ung video.  The title says "Because I'm A Girl -- Kiss"..  What am I looking at here? -__-


Venice:  They were so happy together.. Tapos.. Nabulag ung girl, Sunshine.. Tapos sobrang na-guilty ung guy.. He finally decided to give her his eyes.. tapos tapos.. *sniff* Ang miserable nilang dalawa.. Tapos nakita nung girl ulit ung guy after some time.. Na-realize nya ung nangyari.. kung kaninong mata ung na-donate sa kanya... Sunshine..    ang sad nung story..


And this is coming from someone whose boyfriend died..


I looked at the video.. It's a total chick flick..


Ako:  Bakit ka umiiyak?
Venice:  Kasi nga ang sad!  Ikaw ba, Sunshine, pag ako ba nabulag, ibibigay mo rin sa'kin ung mata mo?
Ako:  Adik ka ba? -__-
Venice:  Eh pag na-amputate ung legs ko, i-ddonate mo ba ung legs mo para sa'kin?
Ako:  I'm pretty sure that's not how things work.


Pak!


Ako:  AW! What?!?
Venice:  Wala ka man lang i-ssacrifice na body part para sa'kin?!?
Ako:  I love my body parts.  Maghanap ka na lang sa Body Parts Bank or whatever.
Venice:  Ang damot mo.
Ako:  It's just... weird.  Hinihingi mo na kagad ung mga body parts ko.. I'm still alive, you know?


Sinarado nya ung laptop and put it back dun sa bag..  Then she went to her luggage and pulled out a swimsuit, then dire-diretso lang sya na lumabas.. Dinedma na ko.. O__O




Later...


Ako:  Are you still ignoring me?


I followed Venice out to the beach.  She hasn't spoken a single word since we went out of the villa.  Kahit nung nahihirapan syang maglagay ng sunblock sa likod nya, di pa rin ako pinansin.. Sheena eventually came and helped her put sunblock on her back.


Now, she's quietly lying on the beach blanket, her eyes covered by sunglasses..  STILL not saying anything..


Sheena: What's going on?
Ako:  She's ignoring me coz I won't give her my leg.
Anthony:    Nanghihingi na si Venice ng binti ngayon?
Ako:  Honestly, I don't understand it either...


Gumapang ako sa tabi ni Venice, oblivious to the stifled laughter na nanggagaling kina Sheena and Anton dun sa katabing beach blanket..


Ako:  Venice??  Huy...  I'll buy you a mechanical leg if you want -- I mean not that I have to.. but just in case..


Silence.. Pinatong ko ung ulo ko dun sa shoulder nya.... She's breathing slowly.. deeply.. and it was then I realized what's going on.  I carefully slid the sunglasses off her face.. and yep.. her eyes are shut.


She's sleeping.


Nagtawanan bigla sina Sheena at si Anthony.  I'm guessing they realized this sooner -- way sooner -- than I did.  I stood up and started stretching.  Then I walked away.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako:  Sunshine, why are you avoiding me ba??!


Sinundan ko si Jerwin papunta dun sa truck nya.. Tinilapon nya ung mga bags dun sa likod nung truck, and then went back inside the villa to pick up more things.  Sunod uhlet ako.


Jerwin:  I'm not avoiding you.


Tuloy-tuloy sya dun sa pag-lload nya nung mga gamit namen sa truck.


Ako:  Eh bakit kanina mo pa ko hindi matignan?? May ginawa kang kalokohan noh!  Ung lifeguard?!? Nilandi mo ung lifeguard?!  Sunshine naman, pwede mo na maging nanay un eh!


FINALLY, he stopped moving.  Pero instead of looking at me or voicing out his usual retorts, napatingin sya kina Sheena and Anthony na nakaupo dun sa living room.  Kumaway ung dalawa sa'min -- and nagsimula nanaman si Jerwin sa kaloka nyang paggalaw-galaw. -___-
Eh syempre, nagsimula nanaman ako sa pagsunod-sunod ko.


Jerwin:  Why are you following me, anyway?
Ako:  Eh kaseh, kanina ka pa lakad ng lakad.  Di ko naman ma-getz kung bahket di mo ko tinitignan.  Avah--


BUMP!


Aw.


Kung kelan dire-diretso ang lakad ko, tsaka naman sya titigil.  Eh talaga namang magkakakilala ung noo ko at ung likod nya.


Jerwin:  Venice... Just.. Uhmm.. Next time..
Ako:  Uh-huh??
Jerwin:  If you're mad or if I offended you in some way, just tell me, ok?


Nag-flashback sa utak ko ung conversation namin kanina..
"I'm still alive, you know?".. He said that and parang nagulantang ako.. It gives me a weird feeling pag nakakarinig ako ng mga ganyang ka-simple na sentence na nag-bborder sa topic ng life and death.. Kaya di na ko nagsalita, kaseh di ko lam isasagot ko..

Tinulog ko na lang.


Jerwin:  It feels... It doesn't feel right when you're not talking to me..


-___-


Anoh bang pinagsasabi nitong si kuya?  Na-sobrahan ba sya sa araw? sa buhangin?  napasok ba ng alimango ung utak nya?
Di ko naman sya dinedma.. Bilang lang naman ung beses na may sinabi sya sa'kin nung palabas kami sa villa.. Bakit nya naman naisip na hinde ko sya kinakausap?


Jerwin:  Ok?


Napangiti na lang ako, kahit no idea ako kung anong dinadrama nya sa buhay nya.


Ako:  Okay.
Jerwin:  Great.  Now, c'mon.  Let's go home..

[hush_26]

wweeehh!! haha.... nakakaloka silang dalawa! heart mo nalang ang ibigay mo Jerwin! im so loving it! sige sige sis, aabangan ko to bukas.. nytienyt jan sayo!!

[ginai]

helo po..
hayy,,your updates make me forget
my problems..

lagi po 'kong natatawa
everytime naaalala ko tong story na to..hehe

god bless..♥

[jamielle]

oh-kay... ang tagal kong nawala.
hello, hello...
sorry, i got sick, that's why.
anyway, bakit natutuwa ka sa surname ko?

awww, ang dami kong binasang chappies...
i enjoyed it. mga one hour din ang pagbabasa ko.
ang saya... teka, nasaan na si geena?
parang masyado ideal na silang dalawa...
i mean, walang kontrabida... haha
naku, for sure...
one time, bigtime pag nagkaproblema!
sige, sulitin ko muna ang happy moments.
im starting to like jerwin kaso...
no, no, no... pareho kami ni V...
feeling ko nagtataksil ako kay G!

haha, oh well... kakapanood ko lang ng "and i love you so"
nakakatuwa lang. pano ka nga magtataksil sa nonexisting na nilalang?!
sabi nga ni oliver (derek) kay lara (bea)...
"suffering is an option,
happiness is a choice"

[ayreezh]

hush_26
   hahaha heart mo na lang.. for some reason, naisip ko rin un.. pero parang.. mamatay yata sya pag ung puso ang literally na binigay..


ginai
   hi! awwww thank you.. it's always good pag may natutuwa sa binabasa nila.. at least nakakakalimot ka pa ng problema mo kahit sandali.. thank you.


Riel
  eh kasi kasi parang si little mermaid ung name mo.. tsaka naaliw ako sa mga names na may "y" sound.. intindihin mo na lang..

nagkasakit kaw?? kamustah ka naman ngayon? parang ang daming nagkakasakit lately.. tsk tsk..
at wait lang.. malapit na dumating si geena..   hahahaha feeling mo rin nagtataksil ka kay G.. hahahahahahahahaha dibdib na dibdib mo ang loyalty mo..

itoh "and i love you so".. ang tagal tagal tagal ko nang naririnig.. sabi nga nila maganda raw.. hanggang ngayon, hindi ko alam kung saan ako makakakita ng trailer.. anoh bang storya nun?

::Chapter 29::
Celebration
♫.~*~..~*~.♫


(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

We left Batangas right after lunch -- para raw busog kame at hinde na kami patigil-tigil sa kung saan saan para lang bumili ng mangunguya.  Magaling rin ang logic nyang si Jerwin paminsan-minsan eh.

We dropped off Sheena and Anthony sa mga bahay-bahay nila, and finally, binaba na rin ako ni Jerwin sa bahay ko.. 1:35 PM ako na kami nakarating sa bahay.. Hindi na bumaba si Jerwin this time.. Gusto nya na rin daw kaseh umuwi, makanakaw man lang ng konti pang tulog.. Hello na lang daw kay mommy..

I dragged my suitcase papasok.. at pagbukas na pagbukas ko ng pinto, sumalubong kagad ang nanay ko..


"Venice, nandito ka na?"


Ako:  Yep.. Hello, mother.
Mom:  Kamustah ang beach?  Bakit parang di ka naman umitim?
Ako:  Next time, mom, pag nag-beach ako, I'll make sure I'll turn golden brown.
Mom:  Golden Brown?  Anoh ka, itlog? Ay oo nga pala, kanina pa tumatawag si Nicole.


Napatigil akong bigla.. O_O Si cousin-in-law tumatawag? Bahket?! May balak nanaman syang ikulong kaming dalawa?!?!


Ako:  Bakit daw?
Mom:  Tatawag na lang daw uhlet sya mamaya.
Ako:  Well, I'm going to take a nap.. So, good luck na lang sa kanya.


Umakyat ng ko ng hagdan papunta sa kwarto ko -- pahirapan pang kaladkarin ung maleta..  When I finally reached my room, iniwan ko na ung pagkabigat-bigat na maleta sa may pinto at nag-collapse sa kama ko..

Bahala na si Nicole sa buhay nya.. Na-low batt na ko sa pagbilad sa araw, sa traffic, at sa pagsaway kay Sheena at Anton.. No energy na para magpaka-paranoid pa dahel sa tumatawag sa'kin ang troublemaker nyang sarili..

Now, off to dreamland..




A couple of hours later...


"Venice!  Venice!  Venice!!!!!  Why is it so hard to wake you up?!?"


-_____-


Sinoh ba tohng istorbo sa beauty sleep ko?!?


I felt somebody bounce up and down my bed.  Feel na feel ang panggising sa'kin.. -___-  Tumilapon sana sya sa sahig.
Finally, dahel nahihilo na ko kakatalon nya, I opened one eye para sabihing lumayas sya dahil natutulog ako---


O___O


O_oO


Napaupo akong bigla.  Is this a dream?  a nightmare?!


Ako:  Nicole!?! What are you doing here?!?
Nicole:  Your mom let me in.  I was calling your cellphone, but you're not answering.. So I called your house phone, your mom said you're sleeping.. I took the initiative to drop by and wake you up.
Ako:  Oh bat why? T-T
Nicole:  Are you awake now?


Gising na ko.  Gising na gising. T^T


Tumayo bigla si Nicole, and grabbed a black dress bag na nakasabit dun sa hook sa likod nung door ko. Bitbit nya?  Dahel I don't remember owning a dress bag... at solid black pa..


Ako:  Oh.... Is that a dead person? Did you kill somebody, Nicole? -__-
Nicole:  (natawa)  Of course not.   If I'm gonna kill somebody, I'd just burn the corpse.  I won't chop it all up and put it in a perfectly good dress bag.


Parang pinag-isipan nya na talaga dati un.. -___-


Binuksan nya ung zipper nung bag and nilabas ang isang ivory-colored cocktail dress.  It has a black pleated sash just below the bust na natatali sa likod, and black halter straps na tinatali rin sa likod.  It also has a trimming of black lace dun sa edges nung skirt.
It's cute.  Simple, but cute.


Ako:  What's that?
Nicole:  This is one my mother's latest creations.  It's not even released to the market yet.
Ako:  You're giving it to me?
Nicole:  Of course!  My mom tailored this one especially for you.. It fits me, so I think it should fit you too.
Ako:  Especially for me? T^T


An expensive, signature-branded cocktail dress made especially for me....


There must be a catch. -__-


Nicole:  Yep!  You're wearing this tonight!


I knew IT!


Ako:  Tonight?  What's going on tonight?
Nicole:  Oh, you don't have to know.


Don't have to know?!? Eh ako tohng kinikidnap mo?!?


Nicole:  Just go take a shower..


Sinabit nya uhlet ung dress sa likod ng door.


Nicole:  Your mom was cooking something that smells really good when I arrived, so I'll be downstairs while you shower.  Holler at me when you're out.. I'll come back here and create a masterpiece out of you. Ciao!


After saying all that, lumabas na ng kwarto ko si Nicole.  I stared open-mouthed at her, and then at the door, and thennn at the dress.

What's going on?!?


Nag-dive ung kamay ko sa ilalim nung unan and grabbed my phone.  I dialled Jerwin's number para mag-demand ng information.. mag-demand na iuwi nya na ung pinsan nya (pero iwan na ung dress )..... at kung pwede lang noh, mag-demand na sagutin nya ung phone. -_-



Anak ng tokwa.  Di nanaman sinasagot ang tawag ko. rawr.
One of these days, may gagawin akong ringtone sa cellphone nun -- a ringtone he won't be able to ignore. bam.


I looked at the dress again.  Sigh.  Let's get this done and over with. T^T

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I looked at my watch.  6:24 PM.. Jean woke me up from my nap to stand here in this hotel's entrance waiting for who knows what.  And I'm wearing an ivory-colored tux.  Who wears a tux para lang maghintay sa pinto? -___-


Sigh.  Jean and my parents went inside the hotel already.  Ang bilin lang sa'kin, tumayo lang ako dito sa pinto and wait.  Wait for what?  I'll know daw.
Well, I've been waiting here for almost 15 minutes.. and I don't even know what to do kapag dumating na ung hinihintay ko.  People are looking at me (a couple of passerbys asked for a photo op)..  Some would whisper amongst themselves.. Nakaka-paranoid na. -__-


Iikot na sana ako para hanapin ung magaling kong pamilyang nang-iwan, when a car stopped in front of the main door.  Nicole's car.  Nicole.....
May family reunion ba today na nakalimutan ko? O__O Crap.

Nicole got out of the car, and threw her keys to the waiting valet.  She immediately saw me (I'm sure dahel nag-sstand out naman ako sa lahat ng tao sa paligid ko -__- ) and ran to give me a hug.


Nicole:  Cousin!  Hello!  My, my, you look nice.
Ako:  You don't look too shabby yourself.


Nicole always looks good.  Well, I guess that's why she became a model. Right now, she's wearing a body-fitting, short dark blue dress with crystals beaded on the shoulder straps.  Her hair is straightened to perfection with a small silver clip on one side.

She looks so prim and proper -- it's just not right.


Ako:  Ok.  What's the occasion? Is Grams coming?


Nicole just laughed, and then turned to look behind her.  I just realized that her car is still there, and someone else is stepping out.


Ako:  Venice... @__@


I took a deep breath and completely forgot to exhale.


Nicole:  I'll go inside first.  Take care of my masterpiece? Hasta luego, primo!


Halos di ko na napansin na naglakad papasok nung hotel si Nicole.  I was too preoccupied watching Venice as she cautiously walks toward me.

She's wearing an ivory-colored dress that falls just above her knees.. Her hair is in loose curls, cascading a few inches past her shoulders.  Her make-up is soft and flawless -- everything about her looks flawless.


She looks breathtakingly beautiful.


Ako:   You look....... Wow..
Venice:  (smiles) Wow is good.   Wow is a compliment... right?
Ako:  Yes!!! *ahem* I mean.. yes..
Venice: So what's the occasion?


I blinked.  Nagising uhlet bigla lahat nung maliliit na neurons sa utak ko, and they're all screaming, "Stop ogling at her!"
I complied to their command.


Ako:  Nicole didn't tell you?
Venice:  Nope.  She just appeared out of nowhere sa kwarto ko.. made me take a shower.. ate pretty much half ng merienda ko.. and then tada!


She took a quick spin -- as quick as her peep-toe, high-heeled shoes would allow her -- and allowed me to see every inch of her regal form.


Venice:  Naging instant Barbie nya ko.
Ako:  At least you're not blond.  No one would know you just became my cousin's Barbie.    Well, anyway, truth be told.. I don't know what going on either...


Napatingin ako sa paligid.. Anoh na mangyayari ngayon??
Just then, one of the hotel employees seemed to have noticed my looking around, kaseh lumapit sya sa'min.


Hotel Emp:  Good evening poh, Mr. Jerwin, Ms. Venice.  Please follow me to the banquet hall.
Venice:  Banquet hall?   Anong meron?



The employee didn't answer, so I just shrugged.  Somehow, everything here feels like it's been planned.


Ako:  Well, señorita, shall we go?


I offered her my arm, and she reluctantly took it.  We followed the hotel employee papunta dun sa "banquet hall" daw..


Venice:  We just got back, and may kung anong mystery na kagad na bumubulaga sa'kin. T-T
Ako:  It'll be okay.  I'll be here.


Venice looked up at me, trying to ponder what I just said.  Mukhang on the verge of panic na sya sa mga nangyayari.. Fear of the unknown, eh? Siguro kung di ko lang hawak ung kamay nya, kanina pa kumaripas ng takbo toh.


Venice:  Okay.. Just.. Whatever might be waiting for us in there.. Don't leave me alone, okay?
Ako:  Okay.
Venice:  Promise?
Ako:  I promise.


Our guide stopped in front a double-door room.. The doors are closed and there's not one sound coming from inside.  Venice and I glanced at each other.  She's starting look more and more anxious.


Venice:  You think we'll be murdered in there? ...... Oh my god, I hope they're not setting us up for an impromptu marriage ceremony. O.O
Ako:  Of course they're not!


Right?!? O__O


Hotel Emp:  Well, here you go.


I felt Venice clutch my arm tighter.  Our guide knocked on the door three times.. I was kinda waiting for him to say, "Open Sesame!" -- but, well, one can hope.


We just stood there for a few seconds wondering what going on.. Should we run while we still have a chance?
All of a sudden, the doors burst wide open -- revealing a crowd lauding in front of us.


"SURPRIISEEEEE!!!!"