Hallway

My knees are wobbling as he strolled towards my direction. I turn my back on him.

“Hey.”

I am currently at the bar counter. Even though I’m not going to drink, I’m here first so that no one can talk to me, in case I made a wrong decision because now, someone is approaching.

The sports car was quickly sold to a woman. I’m not sure if he really bought it because there was a call on the cellphone, maybe he was the only one with the bead.

I face it. His shoulder leaned against the counter.

“It’s you.” I stuttered to say.

He’s here. I’m not mistaken, I’m sure I saw him.

But why is he here?

“Long time no see, Celiza. It’s been years.” It sipped on the wine he was holding.

“How’s your life?”

“O-okay.” I stuttered.

“You seem nervous.” Of course who wouldn’t ?!

He’s part of my past!

He leaned closer towards me. “You’re still gorgeous.”

“Uh … T-thank you, Toci.” I have few answers. I tried to smile at him.

He smiled at me. Even as the year passed he still looked like that. The body just grew, became more muscular. It is also more handsome now in fact because the muscular body has added appeal.

The women giggle at its side. They looked straight at Toci, I didn’t even notice that they were looking at me.

“I never thought we would meet here.”

I didn’t even know I’d see you here, not even him.

I rolled my eyes all over the place again, I could no longer see him. Maybe I was just imagining that?

But I’m sure we both hit the eye.

Maybe it’s just the effect of tiredness that I dreamed of. So maybe this is how I feel because I know he’s here in the place where I am. If he’s not here and I’m just imagining it, it’s better.

I don’t want him to see me in this situation. I pushed it away so that the two of us could be successful but here I am, sinking deeper into the lack of space.

I am not ready to see him yet because I am not yet successful. I want to be proud of him because I’m sure it’s successful now.

“I don’t know your model for cars.” Promise it again.

“It’s just now.” I somehow lost my nervousness at the thought that I was just imagining it.

“Oh by the way, is modeling your career now? I also see you in local magazines.” Its promise.

“No, I work in a coffee shop. I’m not a full time model.”

“You’re working at a coffee shop?”

I embraced it. He got what I wanted to convey and didn’t ask.

“Another drink please.” I heard a man promise behind me.

I ignored that but he still refused me. I lifted my head at him. My forehead frowned. Not even sorry or anything. It’s gone so I can’t see the face very well.

Toci’s an Architect. He also graduated from Ateneo.

Who would have thought that this stupid man would be an architect?

“I’m sure Mom will be shocked if I tell her about you.” He chuckled.

My forehead furrowed at what it said. Why would her Mom be surprised?

What does he mean?

“What do you mean?”

“N-nothing.”

Even though I wanted to know what he was saying I no longer forced him to say it.

“By the way, I need to go now. It’s nice to see you again Celiza.” I couldn’t help but wrap his arm around me to hug him.

He pulled away. I smiled at him

“Till next time, Celiza.” Smile at it.

There are very few people here at the car show. The car was already sold so we didn’t need it anymore.

I want to go home but I can’t because I don’t have a salary yet. We can’t see you scouting us earlier.

I looked next to him. This is the girl in the car with me. “That took a long time to m-model?” I questioned.

“Pretty. Pure photoshoot, not like this.” I said.

“Hmm… You’re Miranda’s friend, aren’t you?”

I nodded.

“I’m Lea by the way.” She smiles at me.

“Celiza.” I smile too.

“Hey there you are!” We both turned to Miranda approaching.

It immediately took the wine to the counter. Lea and I just laughed.

“Celiza.”

“Oh?”

“Be careful of the men who approach you with these rackets. Businesses are the ones who mostly go there.”

“Have you been paying for a long time?”

“Yes, I’ve been rude at an event before, because I’m new. So be careful! I brought you because you need money, I hope you don’t---”

“What are you Miranda? I can handle this!”

Maybe it’s really unavoidable not to be rude because of wearing it so you have to be doubly careful.

We headed backstage after drinking.

“Oh! There you are.” Said by the one who handled us earlier.

“Is there a salary yet, Kendra?” Lea asked. Her name is Kendra. This is a man with a woman’s heart.

“Yes it is,” He took the bag and pulled out the money there.

“It’s good you’re big now!” said Leah.

“Oh, most likely! It’s a big company sports car that was sold today. Supermodels should be the ones to take it in case they don’t want to and maybe the press came so they just searched.”

“It’s okay you two,” he turned to me. “You, business men, want to like you, asking your name.” Laughing, he said.

Leah turned to me as if to say “Tell you.”

“Eh I’m a bit busy so I can’t answer, put your number here and I’ll shoot you gigs.” He then promised to hand over the cellphone.

“What looks like that should be shown to the world, not just hidden!” It’s a promise. Leah just laughed at what he said.

“You told me that before, Kendra!” Miranda replied.

“Is it my fault that you didn’t continue modeling and you left your jowa? Edi, I hope you’re so famous now. Tsk!” It’s hard for Miranda.

“So are you, sister. Don’t jo-jowa! It’s time to raise your career! Harot lang! Don’t commit too much and maybe you’ll be like Miranda.” It promises me.

We all just laughed.

This art gallery is inside a beautiful building. I left early.

As I walked down the hallway I heard footsteps, so I turned around.

I saw a man approaching me. It was tall and quite big in body. Dressed like the business men inside. That looks older than me based on appearance.

“Hey, miss. You missed it.” He handed me a handkerchief.

My forehead furrowed. “Uh… That’s not mine.” My answer.

I don’t have a handkerchief, I don’t like that either. I turned around but I felt it pull at my wrist.

This is annoying. Your handkerchief is not mine!

I confronted him. “That’s not for me!” I was disgusted to shout at him. My angry face was replaced by fear of seeing men following what we do.

Bwiset!

I swallowed hard.

My heart is beating faster. In my number there were three men walking towards us. I looked back at the man holding my wrist. It now smiles at me as it stares at me from head to toe.

I was still wearing my clothes earlier at the car show. I brought a replacement but I was about to change downstairs, the bathroom was open there and not much used.

“Did you get it?!” I heard a man shout.

The man kept smiling at me. I am true to my position.

Celiza! Take action!

My brain whispered.

I tried to take my wrist from its grip, he tightened it even more.

The three men were approaching us. I know that the closer they get, the more I can’t get away.

It came closer to me.

I lifted my foot and stepped on him. It complained of pain so I had a chance to run.

“Oh shit! Fuck you bitch!” he shouted but I ignored him.

I’m still wearing stiletto heels. I’m sure that step of mine hurts. I hope he can’t walk! For him not to chase me.

I never looked at them again. I ran fast.

Bwiset!

I’m still on my heels so it’s hard to run!

I got to the front of the elevator.

It’s about to open!

“There!” I heard someone shout. I thought about it.

Shit!

They’re coming for me!

What have I done to them ?!

I know we owe a lot but I don’t owe businessmen!

I turned sesame around. There is a staircase down. I ran that because it looked like the elevator was still long.

I am on the fifth floor.

You take me down quickly but they are still chasing me. My heart was beating so fast and I was breathing so fast.

I need to think right! As I was downstairs I was trying to dig the cellphone into the bag, I got that. I searched for Miranda’s number. That was not answered.

“There she is!”

“That fucking bitch!”

I turned around. Shit! They are close to me. I next called Kendra who was here in the building. It also did not answer my call.

Because I was looking at the cell phone I didn’t see another step so I fell, my ass hit the stairs. Even my head hit the steel handle of the stairs.

Bwiset naman!

Even now my stupidity really exists! I caressed his neck. Draw the pain there. I turned over what was posted on the wall. I’m on the second floor based on what’s on the stairs.

“There you are…” A man said, smiling.

Shit!

Even though my head and waist hurt I forced myself to stand up and walk.

One of my shoes broke, I left it still attached to my foot while running.

I was on the first floor, but it wasn’t what I expected to come out of. Ground floor that I think I went to. I was in the parking lot and there were a few cars there.

I faintly looked around. There’s nobody here. I have no hope.

I felt the warm palm cover my mouth and squeeze my body into a dark place. We are behind the wall. I tried to loosen up but it was strong.

“Shh…” he whispered.

“Putangina that woman! Chasing after chasing! When I really touched that I won’t stop! I’m tired right away!” Shout by one.

“If only that wasn’t delicious!”

I can’t see their faces but I can hear what they are saying. I shut my mouth inside this stranger’s palm.

“There you look, I’ll go back upstairs, maybe that’s where it is.” Said one.

I heard the footsteps slowing down.

It removed the hand from my mouth. I breathed a sigh of relief even though you were onti.

I pulled away from him, it removed the arm that wrapped around me.

I catch my breath as he speaks.

“You’re still a trouble maker huh?”

My eyes widened when our eyes met. My mouth gaped.

He’s here!

Then I wouldn’t be dreaming dreaming at all!

He’s here!

He pulled me closer to him again to hide behind the wall when we heard footsteps approaching.

“Fuck she isn’t here!” The man shouted.

I swallowed hard. His warm body pressed against mine.

My body is shaking to this day because of those stupid men.

Our face close to touching.

My throat is dry.

“They’re gone already. You’re safe now.” He said trying to calm me down. Maybe it felt the trembling of my body. My heart pounded even more when I saw him. Faster than before I was chasing.

“M-magnus.” Only his name came out of my mouth. He looked at me in the eyes. I can’t read it what he is thinking. Its like I’m trying to figure him out unlike before that in just one look on his eyes I will know everything.

Now is different.

I was chased by old guys that I don’t know and clearly they want to do hurt and bad things to me. Now he is here, so close to me.

This is all too much.

I can’t believe this is all happening at once!

I pulled away when he move a little away from me. Why does it feel like he don’t want me near him?