I WALKED GLAMOROUSLY on the runway with chest out, stomach in and chin up. My hands are swaying on the side of my hips as I ramp confidently in front of the world.

Funny how I couldn't feel any nervousness in front of the crowd.

I smiled widely with the cameras flashing. Swirling and twirling my body with the rhythm of the ramp music. Waving my hands at the people. Giving flying kisses. Winking at the boys.

I stopped at the end of the stage and do poses that only Irah Soletelle could do.

Hands on my hip. Smiling widely. Teasing the people with Irah's smile.

Yep! That's me!

I could hear the loud claps of the crowd. The cheers for me. Shouting my name endlessly, "Irah! Irah! Irah!"

I don't know what they're shouting for though. It's a fashion show, not a competition.

But, I kinda like the attention though. It made me see how they looked up to me, in a good way. I felt really important.

As soon as I was done I twirled one last time and giving the crowd a wink. Giving them a little show-off of my healthy booty.

Of course they could see that, I'm wearing a two piece spicy-red bikini after all.

I walked back with glam towards the back stage. Leaving those fellows horny with my beauty.

I chuckled with my thought.

Horny little fellows.

As soon as I'm inside the backstage my team hurriedly went to me and brought me to the dresser room. Kelly did my makeup. Therese did my hair. Sunny did my outfit. And Ro helped them.

When finished, I looked at the mirror. I don't compliment myself that much but I kinda look nice with my outfit. I'm wearing a black lacey one-piece dotted bikini. My black hair was hanging on my shoulder, complimenting my outfit.

"Irah, your turn!" I heard Ro shouted.

I nodded and started walking with confidence at the runway again. I did the same process. The Irah walk. Until the show was done. Irah leaving the crowd's mouth hanging.

I tapped my shoulder and whispered, "Good job, self!"

My team then went to me like they used to. Bringing their huge smiles. Giving me a hug and a 'good job'.

"That was great, Irah!" Sunny said with glee.

"You did great! That was amazing!" Ro then followed emphasizing the word 'amazing'.

"I love the Irah walk ya' know, " Therese chuckled and tapped my shoulder.

"I did great with the makeup." Kelly rolled her eyes making me laugh.

"Thank you! I would never look great without y'all!" I jumped with my heels and hugged them.

Yep, we're a team. And teams are friends!

"Aw! Stop that, Irah! That sounds hilarious to my ears." Kelly rolled her eyes. We all laughed.

They brought me to the dresser room to get dressed. I wear a red spaghetti-strapped tube not reaching my belly button. Paired with a high-waisted denim dark blue ripped jeans and a black high-heeled sandals. I put a denim jacket on my shoulder to cover my back. I put my hair into a ponytail and erased my makeup.

"So, who wants some snacks?" I asked them playfully.

"We would love to!" They cheered and laughed.

We walked our way to the parking lot. I was congratulated by the people we've passed by. Some even gave me flowers. I answered them with a smile and a 'thank you'.

When we reached the car we hurriedly went in. We stopped at a fast-food chain nearby to buy some snacks for our night talks that will happen later. Besides, we're all really fond of eating. It's our kind of bonding.

A lot even questioned me on how to have a body like mine. I just answered them with a smile because honestly, even I doesn't know.

"So, how was I there lately?" I asked them when we get to my condo. I grabbed a cracker and eat it.

"I told you! You did great!" Sunny clapped her hands. She grabbed some cookies and started eating. I laughed.

"You're just saying that because I'm your friend." I laughed.

"No! We're telling the truth! You really looked madanga there!" Sunny cheered.

I laughed at her. Ever since she became one of my team she was dying to learn Tagalog.

"It's 'maganda', Sun." I chuckled.

"Oh yeah! Madanga! M-Madan-ga? Ma-gan-da? Oh! Hey! Did you heard it?! I said it right! Madanga!" She excitedly said. We all laughed at her.

"Yeah, yeah! You did it!" I chuckled and reach for mallows.

"So, I was actually searching for some gwapo on facebook, and you see..." Ro showed us here phone. "I found five of them."

"Oh geez! They're drop dead gorgeous!" Therese said!

"Ugh! They're sizzling hot! So spicy! Can I have one, Ro?" Kelly asked, suddenly became attentive. While I stared at the picture intently.

"I know them," I said when I recognized the four. They looked at me wide eyes.

"Oh really?! That's great! Give me their number! Or go chat them and get their number!" Kelly excitedly said. I shook my head and chuckled.

"I don't know. These three," Pointing at Sim, Zandro and Evs, "...are married. I mean, this and this..." Pointing at Evans and Sim. "...are married. While this..." Pointing at Zandro. "... I can say that he's some kind of playboy just playing around. Nothing more. He'll just hurt you if you'll try to approach him so... better not talk to him ever."

I heard them say 'aww'. I chuckled.

I pointed at Clovis. "This is a bachelor but he doesn't do relationships," I heard them say 'aw' again.

"Then, who's the last one?" asked Therese pointing at the Japanese guy. I shook my head.

"I don't know. But I recognized him being with my best friend Aileen." I said.

"That's just so nakalungkotkot," said Sunny that made me burst out laughing. I slapped her arm jokingly.

"It's 'nakalulungkot', Sun," I bursted laughing.

"That's why it sounds so funny." Kelly rolled her eyes while the others nodded in unison.

"Hey!" Sunny slapped Kelly's arm. "You're just bitter because you can't have those sizzling hot daddys!" Sunny rolled her eyes.

"I don't care!" Kelly rolled her eyes as well.

"You should stop rolling your eyes, ya' know? It seemed like it's gonna fall from your face anytime soon." Therese chuckled.

"I'm sad for their eyeballs," Ro said, chuckling.

"Shut up!" Kelly and Sunny said and we laughed.

"So, where are you going to celebrate your Christmas?" Ro then asked.

"I'm going home at Switzerland," Therese answered.

"Well, I'm gonna stay here at California," Ro said.

"I'm babying my kids of course," Sunny answered, referring to her puppies.

"I'm gonna go back to the Philippines," I said. We nodded in unison. "What about you, Kel?" I asked Kelly.

"I'm gonna stay here. And find some Papa." She said bitchily. I laughed while Sunny made a disgusted face. Kelly raised her brows at Sunny while chewing her biscuit and said,"At least I ain't gonna baby a goddamned dog."

"Hey! They're cute and they won't hurt your feelings, not like your sugar Papa!" Sunny defended.

"They're good at licking nipples," Kelly smirked. We all made a disgusted look.

"Yuck, Kelly! Stop corrupting our minds!" Ro said covering her ears.

"You have such dirty mouth!" Theh said chewing her chocolates. Kelly laughed hard.

"Ya'll should really try it! It's delicious!" She said and continued laughing. I shook my head.

"You're crazy!" Sunny busted throwing a pillow at Kelly's face. Kelly grunted and throw a pillow at Sunny. And we ended up having a pillow fight. Until it's time for the girls to go home. And now, I'm left alone in my condo.

I was eating silently sitting on the carpet of my condo's living room while watching television when a ring of my phone interrupted me. I sighed and get my phone. I read the caller ID. It's Nivia. I answered the call.

"Napatawag ka?" I asked, chewing chips.

"Well, just wanna congratulate you with your show lately. That was amazing!" She said on the other line. I chuckled.

"Yep. People said so. Pero, hindi ako satisfied, eh. Feeling ko may kulang. Wala ka bang nakitang kulang kanina?" I asked with creased forehead.

"Wala. Mukha ba akong mahilig sa fashion show? My ghod, sister! Basta iyon na 'yun! You did great!" She cheered. I laughed.

"Parang tanga talaga. Huwag mong sabihing 'yan lang ang itinawag mo? Inuubos mo ang oras ko. Nagugutom pa ako. You interrupted my beauty eat," I said rolling my eyes like she could see it.

"Well, itatanong ko lang kung uuwi ka this Christmas? Mom and Dad wants you to go home. Alam mo naman ang mga 'yun, ngayon pa gustong makita tayo sa tagal ng panahon nating malayo sa kanila." She said. I could hear pain on her voice.

She's right. We've been very far from them since kids. I and Nivia grew up with our grannys. Sila ang nagpalaki sa amin. Malayo na rin ang loob namin sa mga magulang namin. They were always pressuring us to do things they wanted us to do. The reason why I and Nivia left the country. I am modelling here at California while Nivia is at Paris, she's a fashion designer there.

"Don't mind them. But I'm going home. Ikaw ba? Gusto ko lang din ma-meet ang mga kaibigan ko," I answered. I heard her sighed.

"Okay. Uuwi na rin ako. Gusto rin kitang makita. And I also want you to meet someone." She said. I raised my brows.

"Who?" I asked.

"My fiancee. Jacinto Hamilton." She said in a giggle. Mas lalong tumaas ang kilay ko.

"Kinikilig ka ba?" I said, wide eyes.

"Of course! I told you, you should try entering a relationship, Nik." She said chuckling.

"I'm busy, Niv. Wala akong oras. Tsaka marami akong inaasikaso dito sa California," I said. I heard her sighed.

"Hay naku! You're just being bitter. You'll find him someday. Just like me, look. I found my special someone." She said. I nodded.

"We're different, Niv. Siguro oras mo lang ngayon. Siguro... sa akin matagal pang dadating. Guess, I have to wait," I said and sighed. She chuckled.

"Now, now. Huwag ka nang masyadong seryoso, hmm. Basta kitakits na lang tayo sa Pilipinas. Bukas na ang flight namin ni Ino. Bilisan mo, ah." She said. I chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah! Bye! Susunod ako," I answered.

"Okay, bye! I miss you, sister!" She cheered.

"Bye! I miss you too," I said. She ended the call.

I put my phone back at the table. I sat on the carpetted floor once again and continued eating. I sighed remembering my memories when I was a kid.

I and Nivia's memories to be exact.

We were pressured in our young age. We were told what to do and not to do. We were like dogs following our parents. Until our grannys died. We both escaped from our parents through the help of my bestfriends. We both studied here at California and part ways when we reached our goals, to finish our studies. I am actually a business woman. Now that we could stand with our own feet, there's nothing that could waver us both.

I sighed again. I missed my Lolo and Lola. I missed their jokes. I missed my Lola's lullabies. I missed my Lolo's adventures. I missed those time when they scare us just so we would be good girls. Without them, I ain't going to be the Irah today. I love them so badly.

I sighed again. Pang-ilang buntong hininga ko na ba ito?

Pupulot na sana ulit ako ng tsitsirya nang makitang naubos ko na lahat. I looked around me. Nakakalat ang mga pinagkainan namin kanina at ang mga kinainan ko ngayon. Napatampal ako sa noo nang mapagtantong ako ang maglilinis lahat.

"Oh life! Why do you have to be so cruel?!" saad ko.

Agad kong sinimulan ang paglilinis. Nang tuluyang natapos ay napabuntong hininga ulit ako. Umupo ako sa sofa.

"Talaga namang nakakapang-buntong hininga itong mga nangyayari sa akin."

Itinuon ko na lamang ang pansin sa pinapanood kong movie, ang "The First Avenger". I stared dreamily at Chris Evans. Napakasarap naman. I really wanted to meet him in person but I don't get a chance.

"Why does he have to be this spicy hot?" I murmured to myself. I never felt so attracted to any man ever since except Chris.

Nang matapos sa pinapanood ko ay muli akong napabuntong hininga. Lalo na't hindi pa ako nakakaramdam ng antok. Masiglang-masigla pa rin ang hormones at cells ko.

"Teka, magkaiba ba ang hormones tsaka cells?" I creased my forehead. "Nevermind."

Napagdesisyunan ko na lang na bumili ng pagkain. I really need foods right now. I'm going to die without foods. Saktong pagkuha ko ng wallet ko ay tumunog ang messenger ko.

"Oh wow! Akala ko tinubuan na ng damo ang messenger ko," I murmured. I picked up my phone and see who it was. It's from my bestfriend Harriet.

HARRIET CRUISE

Harriet:

Ang sabi ni Nivia uuwi ka raw! Totoo😃?

Me:

Yep. I will book a flight later para makauwi na ako agad😊.

Harriet:

Oh! That's good! Mag-reunion na rin tayo dito pag-uwi mo, 'kay?

Me:

Oh sure! BTW, send foods😳!

Harriet:

Akala ko send load! HAHA! Wala akong pera!

Me:

Putangina! Parang foods lang hindi mo maibigay?! Goodness!

Harriet:

*food sent* HAHA! Nagustuhan mo? Masarap yan!

Me:

*sinalo* Oo, ito na! HAHA!

Harriet:

Gift ko sa christmas, ah😁.

Me:

Sige! Ibebenta ko lang kidney ko. Pambili regalo. Besides, dalawa naman 'to😅.

Harriet:

HAHAHAHA! GAGA!

Me:

HAHAHA! Seryoso ako! Wala akong pera! Huwag ka sa akin manghingi!

Harriet:

Parehas lang kayo ng kakambal mo! Ewan ko sa inyong dalawa! HAHA!

Oy! BTW, ang galing mo doon sa runway!

Me:

I know right!

Harriet:

Yieh! Walang tenkyu?!

Me:

Sige ba!

Harriet:

Oh sige! Sabihin mo, tenkyu!

Me:

Your welcome! HAHA!

Harriet:

Abnormal talaga!!!!!

Me:

Ang raming exclamation point niyan, ah! Gigil ka?

Harriet:

Ewan ko sayo! Sa GC tayo.

Me:

Geh.

Tawang-tawa ako habang ka chat si Harriet. Hindi ko namalayang nasa elevator na pala ako. I looked around and I thought I am alone. Mayroon pala akong kasama nasa likod ko. He's wearing a black hoodie jacket paired with a dark blue ripped jeans and a white Fila shoes. Ilong at labi niya lang ang kita dahil natatakpan ng hoodie ang mata niya. But still I know he's handsome behind those hoodie.

"Done checking me out, Miss?" He asked making me get back from my reverie.

I felt my cheeks reddened. So I hurriedly turned my back at him.

"I'm sorry," I said. I heard him chuckled. Hindi ko na lang pinansin dahil nakakahiya.

I heard my phone vibrated. I checked it out and saw that it was from our group chat. We kinda have a weird GC name and a weird nickname. Harriet's teacher, Aileen's Chef, Phaebe's CEO and mine is Model.

🍔Cheeseburger🍴

Teacher:

Si @Model uuwi bukassss😁!

CEO:

oh really😲?! That's great!
tomorrow?! Very great!

Chef:

Ang regalo ko @Model wag kakalimutan.

Teacher:

Ibebenta raw niya kidney niya 😁!

Chef:

@Model, sige lang! Basta ang regalo ko ha! Mas mahalaga yun kesa sa kidney mo! Ilang taon ka nang hindi umuuwi rito! Ilang taon na rin ang utang mo sa akin!

CEO: well, i have gifts for you, guys 😊!

Teacher:

@CEO talaga?! Ano?!

CEO:

That's a secrettt!

Chef:

@CEO secret² ka pa dyan. Malalaman rin naman namin dahil ibibigay mo rin naman sa amin 😑.

Me:

@Chef hayop ka talaga 😡! Maraming street lights dito! Ito na lang ireregalo ko! Sabing wala akong pera, eh!

CEO:

@Chef para surprise!

Chef:

@CEO at nagtagalog rin!
@Model HAYOP KA PA SA HAYOP! 💵 oh ito pera!

Teacher:

Stop cursing😡!

Me:

@Teacher YAWA! TANGINA!

Chef:

@Teacher PUTA! HAYOP!

Teacher:

@Model @Chef MAS HAYOP KAYO😡!

Me:

HAHA😆! @Teacher at nagmura rin! HAHA!

Chef:

@Teacher putangina mo rin😑!

Me:

HAHAHAHA! MGA GAGO!

Teacher:

@Model mas gago ka!

Chef:

@Model gago ka pa sa lahat ng gago!

Me:

@Teacher guro na guro, nagmumura!
@Chef mas gago pa kesa sa ex mo? HAHA

Chef:

@Model wag mo nang ipaalala sa akin. Matagal nang patay yon!

Me:

@Chef iiyak na yan! Iiyak na yan! HAHA!

Teacher:

@CEO where are you?

Chef:

@Teacher nagpipirma na naman yun ng papeles😑.

Me:

Oo nga! Noong nandoon ako last year yata sa opisina niya, dinedma lang ako. Hindi man lang ako pinakain😡! Pirma lang siya ng pirma!

CEO:

@Teacher the internet is so slowwww😩

Chef:

@CEO putangina! Bumili ka ng wifi!

Teacher:

@CEO buti na lang 4G ako rito😁

Me:

@Teacher wala ka ring wifi🙁?

Chef:

@Model bakit? Ikaw meron?

Me:

@Chef wala rin! HAHA!

Teacher:

@Chef so may wifi ka?

Chef:

@Teacher syempre!

Me:

Sana all mayaman!

Chef:

@Model HAYOP!

I laughed with our convo. Nakakatawa kasi talaga. Hindi ko tuloy namalayang nasa labas na pala ako ng building. Luminga-linga ako. I don't see the guy with the hoodie anymore.

Ipinagpatuloy ko na lamang ang paglalakad papunta sa store sa harap ng building. I went in while checking my phone. Nang makitang natahimik na ang mga tao sa GC ay ibinulsa ko na lamang. I get a cart and start food searching.

Agad akong kumuha ng mga tsitsirya at saka inumin. Dinamihan ko na para hindi na ako pabalik-balik. Papunta na sana ako sa counter upang magbayad nang may bumangga sa cart na hawak ko. I looked at the person who did it. And I was shocked to see the guy with the hoodie holding a cart.

Hindi siya kumilos kahit nasa gilid na ako. I cleared my throat and smiled at him nervously.

"Uhm...you may...go first," I said.

He didn't talk instead he bumped my cart one more and walk. But the smirk on his lips didn't escaped my eyes.

"What was that?" I murmured.

I just shook my head. Naglakad na ako papunta sa counter para magbayad. Nang matapos ay agad akong umuwi sa condo ko at saka nagpa-book ng flight kay Ro.

Ro:

Done. I will just go there in your condo tomorrow to bring your passport. Your flight will be at 10 in the morning so don't worry.

Me:

Thankyou😙

When I got bored with the movie that I'm watching I visited my YouTube App and searched for a movie there. Pero dahil wala akong mahanap na gusto ko I searched for funny videos of Chris Evans instead. Ugh! Why so gwapo, hmm?

I was laughing and blushing at the same time while watching. Its funny how Chris Evans be this dumb and hot at the same time!

Aw! So cute! And hot!

When I get tired I decided to take a warm bath at my bathtub. I soaked myself there and relaxed. So peaceful.

When I'm done I then went straight to my bed wearing only my robe. Its funny how I dozed to sleep quickly when I actually don't feet sleepy yet. But, nevermind. As long as I fell asleep.

-

Thorn:

THANK YOU FOR READING, EVERYONE! LOVE YA'LL!

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