PARTIALLY, Jyra felt unchained from one of her heavy ring on her neck. It was a tough gamble, but seeing the sheer of happiness on Mr. and Mrs. Friis face makes her heave a loose.
While tip-toeing the hallway going to kitchen her heart was pounding at the thought of meeting Shawn. For a very short span of time, they build a friendship. He is one of her burdens now. She tells a falsehood to him; about her alter ego Vika and the switched.
Napabuga siya nang hangin sa nakitang mug. Nakataob ito sa tray at basa pa. It means Shawn already left the house. Nag-practice pa naman siya kagabi ng mga sasabihin, pero paano niya iyon sisimulan kung iniiwasan siya nito?
Kahapon pa niya ito hindi nakikita. Kung hindi late uuwi ay maagang umaalis.
She got disturbed when her phone rang. Patamad siyang naupo sa stool chair habang dinidikit ang cellphone sa tainga. "Hello?" She reached for the bread and took a consecutive bite.
"It's me Vika. Guess where I am?"
Nag-isip naman agad siya kung saan nga ba. "Err... fitting room?" she answered referring to what she heard from a woman who's shouting about the blower.
Winona on the other line giggled. "Yes, Jyra. Kilala mo si Candava? Iyong kasabayan nila Taylor Swift? She requested me as her main cast on her latest song. Sobrang ganda rito."
She got excited about the news and stood up. "Oh my, that's amazing. Ano ang gagawin mo? Do they give you a script? How is it?"
"Yes, there is a script but more on drama and sensual move. May partner ako, sabi nila sikat na model pero hindi ko siya kilala."
She can vividly imagine Winona sitting in front of an elegant make-up table. She's smiling from ear to ear while putting on the lipstick. The staff treats her VIP as she deserves it.
"Oh, Malik is that you?"
Kumabog ang dibdib niya sa narinig. Pinili niyang tumahimik upang marinig ang sagot ng lalaki kay Winona, ang kaso biglang natahimik. Sinilip niya ang tawag at nagulat dahil ended na pala.
Did he go in there to support her? Natulala siya sa hawak na tinapay. Nawalan siya ng ganang kainin pa ulit iyon. She heaves a long sighed and tried to bite it again, but this time she munched it slowly.
"Come on, Jyra. Boyfriend nga 'di ba?" She laughed bitterly.
Itinuon niya nalang ang nalalabing oras sa pagsagot ng ilang email. She even gave a face time to Nessie to check the Lazarde Dubai Branch. She saw the whole team and they were very lively and cheerful, enough for her to forget the previous bad feeling.
"Alright, ingat din kayo. Bye."
Minasdan niya ang itim na t-back maxi cover-up dress na nakalapag sa kama niya. Iyon ang napisil niyang suotin para mamaya. It's captivating but that is not her point why she chose it, she just feels to wear it tonight.
Sakay ng uber, tinanaw niya sa labas ang nag-aagaw kahel at dilim na himpapawid. She's on her way going to Vixie's Campaign. Gusto niya sanang isama ang mag-asawang Friis, ang kaso'y abala ang mga ito sa nalalapit na latest release ng Candela main branch. They will be staying in Manila for a week of hands-on then after that, they will fly going to China.
Huminga siya nang malalim nang masilip ang message niya kay Shawn. Hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin itong reply. She weakly rested her back on the chair. Maaga siyang umalis sa bahay para dumaan sa Nightingale.
"Manong pakitabi nalang sa gilid." She commanded when she saw the BMW on the parking side. Nang makapagbayad ay agad siyang bumaba, dumiretsong sakay sa nasabing sasakyan.
"Long time no see, Miss Jyra."
Her mood lit up because of Darcy's bubbly greeting. She misses her douche bag girl driver. "How's being with your crush?" she teased. Napansin niya ang suot nito, No more big shirts, and shorts. It must be because of Winona.
Darcy clicked her tongue. "Hindi ko alam na may ugali pala siya. Ikaw na ulit ang crush ko, Ma'am." Kumindat ito sa kanya bago pinaandar ang sasakyan.
May ugali? "Drop that yucky ma'am, ano ka ba! Ilang beses na kitang pinagsabihan. And what do you mean by her attitude?" Tuluyan siyang humarap dito dahil hindi niya maintindihan. She's curious.
"Lagi siyang sumisigaw." Bigla nitong tinuro ang bote ng mineral water na wala ng laman. "Noong isang araw sabi niya 'Hindi ako si Jyra, bakit mo ba ako binibigyan ng Fiji? Hindi ba't Evian ang brand na gusto ko?'" she reenacted the probably Winona's reaction.
Natulala siya rito. The cool Darcy she'd known for how many years is now complaining about her crush. And she can't believe it. It's not that Darcy doesn't have the rights to insult her best friend but Darcy's' actions right now were beyond.
"And what did you say? How 'bout, Pause?" she asked.
Hindi sumagot si Darcy, she's busy maneuvering the wheel on the cross-section of the road.
She massaged her shoulder while smirking. "Bakit naman kasi Fiji ang binigay mo?"
"Wala na kasing Evian kaya sinubukan ko ang Fiji. Total gusto mo 'yon kaya naisip kong magugustuhan din niya. Nagulat lang ako... kasi bigla siyang sumigaw noong ibigay ko 'yon. Ganoon din siya noong ibigay ko 'yung emergency make-up kit mo." She twitched her mouth, and disappointment remains on her face. "Parang— a, wala-wala. Nevermind."
"I understand you. I hope you still support her." She's trying to cool her down, but Darcy is Darcy. She doesn't need to comfort her. Sadyang may mga bagay lang talagang dapat ilabas, at ang tamang makarinig noon ay siya mismo. "Pagod lang 'yon. Let's say stress. Mas marami siyang schedule kaysa sa akin, at ilang buwan palang siya sa ganitong larangan kaya sana pagpasensiyahan mo nalang siya."
The car suddenly stopped, Darcy scooted on the side of the chair to face her. "Do you trust me?"
She nodded her head.
"Okay, honestly... ang laki ng ipinagbago ni Ma'am Winona. Noon maharot siya, tipong sa kanya ako na-inspired maging cool. Kaya nga naging crush ko siya, pero noong maging si Vika siya—" Bumuntong hininga ito, halatang nagdadalawang isip sa papawalang salita. "Kalimutan na nga lang natin. Pagod lang 'yon." Anito sabay tawa at muling pinakilos ang sasakyan.
She noticed in the rearview mirror the long line of cars waiting for them to move. "It's fine Darcy. Mother treats you as a family too. You knew our secrets, especially mine, so I'm worried about your feelings. Are you still happy working with her or do you want me to transfer you to some other field?"
"Gusto kong sa'yo magtrabaho. Kanina nag-uber ka, hindi sila safe. Paano kapag may nangyaring masama sa'yo? Baka patayin ako ni Ma'am Carla."
She laughed. Iiling-iling niya itong tinapik at tinuro ang likuran. "Quickly, Darcy. Namiss ko ang mala-fast and furious mong pagmamaneho."
Ngumisi ito. "Alright. Buckle up, Ma'am. We're going to fly!" Sigaw nito habang hinahampas sa ere ang kamay.
"Hell yeah!"
Halos biyakin ni Darcy ang kahabaan ng Owl City. Overtake at iwas ang ginawa nito sa mga nadadaanang sasakyan.
Tumatambol man ang puso niya sa sobrang kaba lalo noong kamuntik na silang mahagip nang kasalubong na Hiace, pero eto sila grabe ang hagalpak.
She got infatuated at the sight when the convertible roof moves smoothly. She ignored the wind that messing her hair. Lalo pa nga siyang naging comfortable. She smiled from ear to ear when Darcy screams. Itinaas pa nito ang isang kamay habang sumisigaw.
"Namiss ko ang bonding natin noon ni Ma'am Carla," Darcy suddenly whispered.
Her smile faded when she remembered the same thing. Carla was on the go to wherever they want, whatever they do. Hindi kill joy ang ina. Nakikiayon pa nga ito sa lahat ng kalokohan nila, kung minsan ay ito pa ang nasusuhestiyon. Being with her in every second of your life was surreal – a perfect definition of bliss.
She'll never be erased in her heart. Her beautiful smile will be engraved to her soul and her kindness will be her inspiration.