Chapter 8: Black Dress

The day has barely started, but I am already stressing out about so many things. First, the man who should be serving me is on the loose. I don't know where he is and I don't care. Second, I forgot to bring my shopping bags to the mall. I am supposed to be trying them on right now. Lastly, the human I don't even know is probably dying in the hospital.

No. This is not me.

I should be stressed free. Hindi ko dapat binibigyan ng kabuluhan ang mga bagay na hindi ko naman problema. Wala akong problema sa buhay.

My manager sent me the address of the hospital and he wanted me to go for a visit. I refused to be involved, so I shut down my cell phone and threw it in the trash bin.

It's not my problem that humans are vulnerable.

It's just a scandal where she exposed her little nasty secret. I mean we all have one. It's just hers was exposed. If she's worrying that she also exposed her naked body, she's out of her mind. She's a freaking model who already over-exposed her body!

Maybe because of humiliation. Probably. But she should have thought of that before she acted. Every decision comes with a consequence after all. Poor woman. She's just a victim of the human genes.

Pakiramdam ko ay naubusan ako ng dugo sa katawan. Bago pa man kumulubot ang katawan ko ay uminom na ako. Nakatatlong supot ako ng dugo. Saka ko lang napagtanto na wala na pala akong stock.

When I got bored watching movies about vampires, I decided to go out and enjoy my free time even more. There's no fun in just sitting around.

I put light makeup on and I also wore my necklace.

I escaped from my comfort place and decided to go to the public park. I was wearing Prada shades and a blush red brim hat. Yes. I intentionally wanted them to recognize me.

I need some attention. My day has been lonely so far.

The park was surrounded by Mahogany trees. Kahit na tanghaling tapat ay presko rito. Kaunti lang ang mga tao ngayon. Malamang na mamayang takip-silim sila mamamasyal dito.

Sometimes, humans act like more vampires than vampires themselves.

I decided to approach the couples on the far side. The girl was leaning her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. It looked so romantic, only if she didn't know her man was staring at me.

"Hey!" I smiled at them.

Napaayos ng upo ang babae habang ang lalaking katabi niya ay titig na titig pa rin sa akin. He's staring at me not because I look familiar to him, but because I simply look more beautiful than his girl.

"Hey. You look familiar!" she mentioned. Her eyes were scrutinizing my appearance and trying to remember me. "Are you a celebrity?"

"Actually..." I took off my shades and their jaws dropped on the floor. " There's a vacant seat beside you. Would you mind if I sit here?"

I know there's a lot of vacant benches around, but I want to ruin their moment. Saka... dapat ay mas matuwa sila dahil makakatabi nila ako.

"Oh, my God. Nathalia Cardinal!" the lady screamed when she finally acknowledged me. She tapped her boyfriend's shoulder relentlessly while looking at me wide-eyed. "Are you for real? I am a big fan!"

I smiled even more.

"So... that means I can sit beside you, right?" I asked.

"Can we take a picture—"

"Thanks!" And I sat beside the lady.

Sumandal ako saka huminga nang malalim habang pinagmamasdan ang luntiang lugar. Umihip ang sariwang hangin na nagpagaan sa pakiramdam ko.

"Babe..." I heard the lady whisper to her boyfriend, but I pretended to be minding my own business. "Holy shit. Nathalia is sitting beside me."

I mentally smirked. Who wouldn't freak out?

"Yeah? Is she an actress?"

Napataas ang kilay ko, pero pinanatili ko sa malayo ang tingin. Is he playing innocent or just naturally dumb? How could he not know me?

"No. She's a supermodel. Like... a super one!"

"You are over exaggerating, babe," he chuckled. "Then, ask her to take a picture."

From my peripheral vision, I saw the lady turned to me. Mukhang nahihiya pa siyang magsabi sa akin kaya sa huli ay bumaling uli siya sa boyfriend niya.

"I am shaking," she mumbled.

He laughed. "Damn. Chill. Aight. I will ask her for you."

"Do you know that this place was once a cemetery?" I questioned, trying to delay their plans. "They dug up all the graves..." I turned to them. "But not all."

"R-really?" she nervously chuckled. "That's cool. How did you know that?"

I sighed. "It was I think seven decades ago."

"100 years ago?" the guy asked. "Probably because of world war II. That was really tragic. I remember I cried while my teacher was telling us that story."

The lady gasped. "So... they buried them... here?"

Inalis ko ang sombrero sa ulo saka pinaypayan ang sarili. How these kids survived school, but still ended up dumb after?

"I didn't know that!" the lady responded.

"Yeah," I said. "This park may seem like a place of laughter, but it became a home of cries first. All those loud weeping noises, wounded soldiers who didn't make it out alive, and even innocent ones... were before buried here."

Both of them looked so amazed by my story.

I exhaled. "That's why... this place is cursed."

"T-this place is cursed?" From starstruck, her expression turned terrified. "What do you mean this place is cursed, Miss Nathalia?"

"Yeah. Remember when they dug all the graves up to relocate the bodies? They didn't successfully extricate them all. Some... remained here."

"Shit," the guy cursed. "That's even more tragic."

"But they are slowly leaving this place, too," I added. Sinuot ko na ulit ang sombrero ko saka shades. "How? As I said, this place is cursed. Those lost souls are coming after everyone who dares to take a picture in this place."

Napangisi ako nung makitang hinablot ng babae ang cell phone niya mula sa kanyang boyfriend saka ito tinago sa kanyang bulsa.

"How come I just heard this story just now?" asked the dumb guy. "I have been living beside this park all my life. Not even my parents told me about that. Holy shit."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe because they know you would freak out? Anyway... thank you for letting me rest beside you. I should go now."

"Wait—" Hindi na natuloy ng babae ang sasabihin dahil umalis na rin ako.

Humans are easy to deceive.

I looked up at the wide azure sky. I felt the frustration when I realized that the sun was barely moving. Bakit ba ang tagal lumipas ng oras ngayon?

Napansin kong may nakasunod sa aking isang lalaki. May hawak siyang camera na nakatutok sa akin. Kanina pa ba siya nakasunod sa akin? Damn. Paparazzi.

I was planning to head home, but I decided to go to the mini store. Sa tabi no'n ay may pulubing bata na agad na lumapit sa akin para pumalad.

Napaatras ako. "What do you want?"

Pumalad lang siya sa akin.

"Stay away from—" Holy shit. There's a paparazzi behind me.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ng batang namamalimos saka hinaplos. Nginitian ko siya saka hinawakan ang kanyang pisngi.

"Are you hungry?" I asked him with my calm voice.

He nodded.

Napangiwi ako.

Kinapa ko ang bulsa ko. Hindi nga pala ako nagdala ng pera.

Shit.

"Please?" he pleaded.

Hinila ko siya papasok ng mini store. Inupo ko siya saka kumuha ng mga pagkain. Dumiretso ako sa counter. Gulat pa ang mukha nung babaeng cashier.

"I forgot my purse, but I am just residing nearby. I will pay you after!"

"S-sure."

I smiled. "Thank you. Do you want to take a picture?"

"Yes, please?"

Umiyak siya pagkatapos makapagpa-picture sa akin. Kinuha ko ang mga pagkain saka binalikan ang batang pulubi. Umupo ako sa tapat niya.

"Here. I hope it's enough," I said.

Nasa labas pa rin ang paparazzi at nakatutok sa akin ang camera. Napahaplos ako sa mukha ko... saka ko lang napagtanto na hinawakan ko pala ang kamay ng pulubi.

"You are beautiful," the kid said.

"Where're your parents?"

He didn't answer me. Nagpatuloy lang siya sa pagkain.

I assumed his parents are dead. I mean... who parents would want their kid to be like this?

"Kiddo..." I leaned closer to him. "Do you want to be a vampire?"

Napatitig siya sa akin.

"Do you know vampires?" I asked.

He shook his head.

Lumipat ako sa tabi niya sa gilid ng glass wall. Hinarap ko siya sa akin saka ko pinakita ang mga pangil ko. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at biglang umiyak.

"Oh, poor boy..." I hugged him. "I know life sucks. I wish you the best in life."

Tumayo na ako saka lumabas ng mini store. Mukha nakakuha na ng lakas ng loob ang paparazzi para lapitan ako. Nakatutok pa rin sa akin ang camera niya.

"Hi. Miss Nath!" he greeted me.

I just smiled and continued walking.

"You have a heart of gold. I almost cried for the compassion you showed to that little boy. I know that hug would change his life."

I turned to him. "It's nothing. Showing kindness doesn't cost anything."

"Beauty, brain, and heart. How does it feel you possess all these?"

I chuckled. "You know what? I don't think of myself that way. I am also a human like you. I make imperfect decisions and I struggle, too."

"You don't look struggling at all!" he laughed.

My place isn't located in the main city of New York. Kahit na maglakad ako sa street ay kaunti lang ang mga tao. Maybe Hando did a perfect job choosing this place. As much as I love attention, I hate when my privacy is being invaded.

"How's your friend? I heard what happened to Miss Kathlysse. I hope she's doing fine now."

Natigilan ako. "W-what do you mean?"

I looked at him, shocked.

"Don't you know? She was rushed to the hospital early this morning."

I gasped and teared up. "I-I didn't know that."

"It was really sad. I really think it's because of the scandal. That's really traumatizing."

"What scandal?"

"I don't think it's appropriate to talk about that. I have the address of the hospital. Don't worry, I will give you privacy this time."

Pagkabigay niya sa akin ng papel ay humagulgol na ako. Tinakpan ko pa ng kamay ang mukha ko. Tinigil na rin niya ang pagkuha sa akin ng video.

"My best friend..." I cried.

"I'm really sorry, Miss Nath. I hope for her fast recovery."

Nakayukong naglakad na ako palayo. Hindi na niya ako sinundan. Pagkapasok ko sa building ay nilamukos ko agad ang papel saka tinapon sa basurahan. Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko saka pumasok sa elevator.

Pagpasok ko sa tinutuluyan ay wala pa rin si Kristan. Iniisip ba niyang hahanapin ko siya? I have no time for that. Kung ayaw na niyang bumalik, edi huwag.

I crouched on the sofa and turned on the TV. Ang unang bumungad sa akin ay ang balita tungkol kay Kathlysse. There was a footage of her being carried in an ambulance.

Geez. Was it that bad?

What did she even do?

Nag-transition ang balita. Pinapakita na ngayon ang hospital kung saan dinala si Kathlysse. Maraming media ang nakaabang sa harapan.

She's the main news right now.

She's the main character.

No.

I need to be there.

Tumayo ako saka kinuha uli sa trashbin ang cell phone ko. Pagkabukas nito ay maraming text message si Hando. Tinawagan ko na lang siya.

"The driver will pick you up there," he said.

Pagkatapos ng tawag ay nagbihis ako agad. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat suotin. I can't wear red color, right? Red is a vibrant and joyful color. It's inappropriate.

I decided to wear a black dress paired with a black brim hat.

Nag-practice akong umiyak sa salamin, pero nauuwi lang sa paghalakhak. Oh, shit. The things I do for publicity. I need to be the good friend.

I took a picture of me crying and uploaded it on social media.

Sinundo na ako ng driver. Malapit lang pala ang hospital.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked the driver when I noticed that he skipped the main door of the hospital where the reporters were waiting.

"There's a backdoor—"

"No. Take me to the front," I told him.

"But, the reporters might—"

"I said take me to the front," I cut him off.

Wala rin siyang nagawa kung hindi iliko ang sasakyan. Nung makita ng media na may bagong sasakyan ay nagkagulo agad ang mga ito. Humilera naman ang mga guard para ilayo sila.

Who could it be? That's what I read in their mind.

"Are you sure you want me to drop you here?" the driver asked.

He stopped the car on the main door. Huminga ako nang malalim at pinikit ang mga mata. Inisip kong nasunog lahat ng dress ko kaya naiyak ako.

That's the moment I stepped out of the car.

The blinding lights from their camera hurt my eyes. That made me tear up more. May humawak sa braso ko. Isang guard.

"This way, Ma'am," he whispered.

Sa huling pagkakataon ay bumaling ako sa mga camera. Alam kong kalat na ngayon ang mascara ko. But I don't care. I know I still look good.

Habang palalim ako sa loob ng ospital ay pakaunti nang kaunti ang mga tao. Si Hando ang agad na nakita ko. Nag-aabang siya sa labas ng room ni Kathlysse.

"Nathalia!" Nakakunot ang noo niya nung lumapit sa akin.
"W-what are you wearing?"

"Black dress?" I sniffed. "How is she?"

"Black dress? For goodness' sake. She's not dead!" Napasapo sa noo si Hando. "Saka... hindi ba sa back door ka dadaan? Bakit galing ka sa main?"

"Bakit ba ang dami mong tanong? Can't you just be thankful I came here?" I rolled my eyes. "What do you expect me to wear? Red dress?"

Hando sighed. "She's inside. Alone."

"Okay. I want to see her."

Hando looked at me suspiciously.

"Okay. Sasamahan kita," sabi niya.

"Wala ka talagang tiwala sa akin, 'no?" Inirapan ko siya.

Pagkapasok namin sa loob ay naabutan kong gising si Kathlysse. Nakatingin siya sa mga bulaklak na nakapatong sa gilid ng bed niya.

"Hey." I smiled as I approached her.

"N-Nath..." Mukhang gulat siyang makita ako.

"How are you feeling now?" Pasimple kong sinulyapan kung sino ang mga nagpadala ng bulaklak. Ang bango at ang gaganda.

"I'm good," she sighed.

"What happened?"

"Nath..." I heard Hando.

Umiwas ng tingin si Kathlysse.

I sat on the edge of her bed. Binalikan ko ng tingin ang mga bulaklak. As far as I know, Kathlysse is sick. Ano ang magagawa ng mga bulaklak na ito?

"It was embarrassing..." she whispered.

"Oh. The scandal?"

"Your mother is on her way," Hando butted in. Saka niya ako pasimpleng sinamaan ng tingin bago bumaling kay Kath. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

Kathlysse just shook her head.

I sighed. "You are a strong woman, Kathlysse. I know you can get through this."

She smiled at me.

"Thank you for visiting me, Nath," she said in his exasperated voice. "Thank you for worrying about me. I really appreciate it."

"It's nothing, Kath." I held her cold hand and squeezed it. "I hope for your fast recovery," I said what the paparazzi said earlier.

"I think Kath wants to rest for now," Hando cleared his throat. Hinawakan niya ang braso ko saka na ako tinayo. "Let's have some coffee first, Nath."

I turned to Kath. "I will be right back."

Pagkalabas namin ni Hando ay hinablot ko agad ang braso ko mula sa kanyang pagkakahawak. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at gano'n din siya.

"It's not the time to impress, Nathalia. This is a serious matter."

"I am not trying to impress anyone, Hando!" I tried to lower my voice, but it came out loud. "Bakit ba lahat ng galaw ko ay pinagdududahan mo?"

"Because I know you—"

"No. You don't." Tinitigan ko siya. "You don't know me at all, Hando. I can drop you anytime I want. Don't even push my buttons."

Bumuntonghininga ito saka tumango.

"All right. I'm sorry..." His voice was calm now, but I know he was just tolerating me. One of his handling models just got into a scandal. He couldn't handle two. "May malapit na coffee shop dito. Doon muna tayo."

"You know I don't drink coffee."

"Fine. Pauwi na rin niyan ako. Hihintayin ko lang ang mommy ni Kathlysse para siya ang magbantay sa kanya. Do you want to stay here?"

My lips parted. "Stay here?"

"Gusto mo rin bang magbantay kay Kathlysse?"

"No. I just came here for a visit." Umirap ako. "She looks fine though."

"She took an overdose of sleeping pills," Hando explained. "But she's fine now. Nabigla lang siya sa mga pangyayari. She promised not to do it again."

I nodded. "I see..."

"We are currently working to track down who took the video," he even mentioned. "It's not that hard since the video took place at an exclusive party you once attended."

Napalunok ako. "C-could it be Wilson himself?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "It doesn't make sense. Bakit siya gagawa ng bagay na ikakasira niya mismo?"

"I mean... maybe he didn't really want to marry his fiancée. That's probably his escape plan!"

"We can't tell right now. Ayoko namang mambintang nang walang sapat na ebidensya."

"Or Dylan?"

"Nath..." Hando shook his head. "Malalaman din natin 'yan. Huwag na muna tayo mandawit ng mga pangalan. Tayo ang mapapahamak niyan."

"I am just trying to help," I murmured. "Anyway... magpapaalam na ako kay Kathlysse. Maaga pa ang schedule ko bukas."

Pagpasok ko sa loob ay umiiyak si Kath. Mabilis niyang hinawi ang kanyang mga luha nung makita kami. Saka siya pilit na ngumiti.

"I need to go now, Kath," diretso kong sabi. "Just take a rest, okay? Please don't overdose yourself again. It's dangerous for you."

She nodded. "Thank you, Nath."

I gave her a warm hug.

Si Hando na mismo ang nagtulak sa akin sa back door para doon na dumaan. Hindi na rin ako umalma dahil wala na ako sa mood na umiyak.

I waited for the driver, but a familiar car stopped in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing the devil, wearing shades and smirking at me.

"Can I give you a ride?"

"I have a driver, Mister Carter."

"Oh, come on. Hindi naman kita itatakas."

Him, speaking in Tagalog finally made it clear... he's really my past. Someone whom I thought I had already buried a long time ago.

"How's Kathlysse?" he asked.

"She's fine."

I heard him sigh. "That poor woman. Alam na ba kung sino ang kumuha ng video? I've watched it. It was taken at the party we both attended, too."

"Hindi ako sasakay, Dylan. Fuck off."

He chuckled. "Wala bang part 2 'yung video?"

Umigpit ang pagtitig ko sa kanya.

"You horny piece of shit—"

"Oops..." He laughed. "Don't worry. Humans don't attract me after all. They are just as good as our food."

"Then, why are you still here? I am not attracted to you either."

"I have the other video..."

"W-what do you mean?"

He smirked.

"Dylan..." I glared at him.

"Let's just say... I have the other point of view of that video."