#KayJuneKaNaLangKC ni mr_cuddles - mr_cuddles

Right in front of the large window at the end of the hallway was the perfect spot. Sakto ang tama ng mga sinag ng araw para kuminang ang wedding dress at kailangan ni June ang shot na 'to para sa same-day edit.

Inayos niya ang tripod at camera settings bago itinutok ang lens sa mannequin. Five seconds na slow zoom in lang ang kailangan niyang clip pero three seconds into recording, may nahagip na di kanais-nais ang lente niya. The nearest door burst open and a couple emerged in the midst of their heated make out session. Anak ng tokwa.

They were literally right beside the dress, ruining her shot. Napanganga lang si June sa gulat.

Mga twenty seconds pa natagal 'yong halikan nila. "Bye, Kian," the girl said before walking away. Nilampasan lang si June no'ng babae at naglakad lang pabalik ng kwarto nito 'yong lalaki. Was she fucking invisible to them?

Since today was going to be stressful enough, she was willing to let this go and return to shooting but as soon as she looked through her lens, isang di kanais-nais na eksena ulit ang nahagip nito. Before the guy could go back inside the room, another girl stepped out and started kissing him. Doon naubos ang pasensya ni June.

She cleared her throat. "Excuse me?" Walang pumansin sa kanya. "Kaunting hiya naman! Your room is literally right there! Why are you eating each other's face in the hallway?"

Saka lang tumigil ang dalawa at nilingon siya. "Sorry naman," the girl said to her before returning her attention to the guy. "Next time na lang, Cole." Kumindat ito at saka umalis.

Silang dalawa na lang ng lalaki ang nasa hallway at nanlilisik ang mga mata nitong nakatitig sa kanya. "Ang aga pa, naninira ka na ng araw."

"Ako pa nanira ng araw? Mr. Kian or Cole, or whatever your actual name is that you didn't tell your threesome partners, kayo ang walang konsiderasyon. 'Wag n'yo naman sanang i-extend ang pagkahigad sa public places. Some people just want to get their work done, okay?"

"If you're getting your work done, do it properly. Obviously, hindi ka nanghingi ng permiso sa hotel management na mag-shoot sa hallway na 'to so anong karapatan mong paalisin kami?"

Napakagat ng labi si June. He was right, takas lang ang pag-shoot niya dito. But it was supposed to only take five minutes if they hadn't interrupted.

"And they both knew my real name. 'Wag masyadong judgemental, okay?" Without waiting for her reply, Kian or Cole returned to his room.

Annoyed, June rolled her eyes. Itutuloy niya na sana ang naudlot na recording pero lumipas na ang pagkakataon. Natakpan na ng mga ulap ang mga sinag ng araw na magpapakinang sa wedding dress. She had to wait for the sunshine to return. Bwisit na lalaking 'yon.

* * *

Most of the girls were already getting their hair and makeup done but the bride's makeup artist was running late. Chill lang ang ikakasal pero si June, naiinip na. Kailangan niyang makuhanan ang bride na inaayusan bago siya lumipat sa suite ng groom.

June continued to take photos of the bride, Lyla, with her bridesmaids as they laughed in their robes. A knock came and Lyla opened the door. "Girls, this is my makeup artist, KC!" she announced as they walked in.

Hindi inalis ni June ang tingin niya sa viewfinder. Instead, she pointed her camera at KC and looked at her through the lens. And damn, she was so pretty! Matangkad ito at balingkinitan. Her angular facial features were complemented by the perfectly applied cosmetics. Mukhang may bago siyang girl crush.

"Hi, girls! Sorry, na-late ako, Miss Lyla. Maganda ka naman na, hindi natin kailangan ng mahabang oras para ma-achieve ang pinakamagandang ikaw," KC said. June didn't expect her voice to sound that way. It was undoubtedly a man's voice modulated to a higher pitch. But it didn't really matter, girl crush niya pa rin si KC.

She should've been taking pictures of the bridesmaids but her lens wandered back to the makeup artist and her fingers moved on their own as she snapped a picture.

Tumingin sa kanya ang makeup artist nang marinig nito ang shutter. Sakto ang pagkababa niya ng camera kaya nagtama ang mga mata nila. They held each other's gaze for a moment before KC's eyes grew wide. Her apparent shock didn't last long. Within seconds, it turned into a glare.

It was June's turn to be shocked when she recognized that glare. KC is Kian Cole! Her girl crush was some shameless guy pretending to be trans.

* * *

The photographer decided to temporarily keep her mouth shut about the makeup artist's true nature. Nagpapanggap mang trans si KC, hindi maikakailang tunay ang talento nito. The bride glowed radiantly after her makeup was done. June took a few photos before leaving for the groom's suite.

Nasa tapat na siya ng elevator nang biglang may humila sa kamay niya papunta sa stairwell. "Don't tell anyone about our encounter this morning." KC shifted to his naturally deep voice as he towered over her, arms crossed.

"And let a straight pervy man pretend to be gay and trans to get close to unsuspecting women?"

Bumuntong-hininga si KC. "Not that it's any of your business pero bi ako. May batas bang bawal magdamit na pambabae ang mga lalaking hindi trans? May nasasaktan ba dito? And I never claimed to be gay or trans, everyone just assumed it."

"And you exploit that misguided assumption!"

"Kailangan kong magtrabaho. I'm good at makeup but if I dressed masculinely do you think I'd have this many clients? People are judgy. Wala akong chance."

Natahimik si June. He had a point. Nakita niya ring magtrabaho si KC. He acted professionally and it was unfair to call him pervy. "Fine, 'di kita ilalaglag. Pero kailangan mong bumawi dahil sinira mo 'yong shoot kaninang umaga."

"How?"

"Hair and makeup ko. This Saturday."

* * *

Browsing through her photos, June realized that for a makeup artist, KC had too many photos in her DSLR. Sobrang photogenic naman kasi. Kung hindi ito maganda sa isang angle, for sure, gwapo ito sa angle na 'yon.

May kumatok at mabilis niyang itinago ang camera. She opened the door and found KC in a plain shirt, cargo pants and flip-flops. Magulo rin ang buhok nito, halatang napilitan lang talagang sumipot. "So anong event at kailangan mong magpaganda?"

"Wedding," June replied.

"Are you the bride?"

Nakaramdam siya ng kirot sa tanong na iyon pero tumawa siya. "Obviously not."

"Sinayang mo 'yong free hair and makeup. Do you know how expensive my bridal makeup is? Ni-reserve mo dapat 'to para sa kasal mo."

"Hihintayin ko pa ba 'yon? Paano kung never mangyari?" She avoided his eyes.

There was an awkward pause before KC cleared his throat. "Let's start."

* * *

Aside from asking if she wanted a specific look and some small talk about where and when the wedding is, he didn't initiate any conversations. Tahimik lang silang dalawa habang mine-makeup-an niya si June.

He caught the hint of sorrow in her voice when she answered him earlier. The pained expression when she looked away made him feel guilty for asking. So now he had to endure the awkward silence.

He tried to focus on his work instead. Her skin's so smooth, he thought as he took a closer look while blending the blush. She has a nice nose bridge, hindi masyadong kailangan ng contour, naisip niya habang nilalagyan ng highlighter ang ilong ng dalaga. Ang ikli ng pilik-mata niya, sapat na kaya 'yong eyelash curler at mascara o kakabitan ko pa ng false eyelashes... KC's thoughts were interrupted when a tear ran down her cheek. He instinctively wiped it with his thumb but June jerked back.

"S-sorry! I didn't mean to touch you—uh, na-offend ka ba?"

"Ah, hindi." June shook her head. "Nagulat lang ako. 'Di ko napansin na lumuha na ako. Medyo sensitive lang yung mata ko. Sorry, nasira 'yong mascara."

"Ayos lang, I'll reapply it," he said, smiling at her. Ibinalik ni June ang ngiti.

"Sorry kung masyadong personal 'yong sinabi ko kanina. I didn't mean to provoke you," sabi ni KC habang naglalagay ng mascara. "Pero kung gusto mong pag-usapan, may client confidentiality dito."

Bumuntong-hininga si June. "Ex ko 'yong best man."

Kaya naman pala ang lalim ng hugot kanina. "Pagkatapos nito, siguradong ikaw ang magiging pinakamaganda sa kasal na 'yon. He'll beg you to take him back."

"Ayoko namang maging kakumpitensya 'yong ikakasal," June said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Besides, may fiancee na rin 'yon. Do'n na siya."

"Eh ikaw? May date ka sa wedding?" tanong ni KC habang nilalagyan ng lipstick ang namamalat nang mga labi ni June.

"Wala."

"Hindi nga ganito ka-dry ang lips ng mga may ka-date." June glared at him but he smirked. "Joke lang. Sa 'yo na 'tong hydrating lipstick. So you'll be ready if you meet someone you wanna date." Kumindat siya.

Umiwas ng tingin at yumuko ang dalaga. Nadagdagan rin ang pagkapula ng mga pisngi nito kahit may blush on-na ito. "Th-thanks."

* * *

KC placed the last hairpin needed to hold up June's soft braided updo with a smile. He was satisfied with his work. He did his best, kahit hindi siya bayad dito. "We're done!"

Tumayo si June sa tapat ng full-length mirror. She stared at her reflection, wide-eyed and mouth agape.

Tumayo si KC sa likod ng dalaga. "May problema ba?" Not a strand of hair was out of place, the makeup blending was flawless, the eyeshadow and lipstick shades complemented her dress and the tea-length, off-shoulder, purple dress complemented her figure. Walang makitang mali si KC pero kinabahan siya sa expression ni June.

"Wala," mahinang sagot ni June.

"Ba't parang disappointed ka?"

"I'm not!" she replied. "Pero ako ba talaga 'to? I-I've never been pretty..."

KC looked directly into June's eyes through her reflection in the mirror. "You were beautiful from the start."

She blushed, quickly stepping away from the mirror. Napakagat ng labi si KC. Ipagyayabang niya dapat 'yong makeup skills niya pero iba ang lumabas sa bibig niya. Not that it wasn't true.

June walked back to him, clutching her purse. "If this was an actual gig, how much would you charge?"

"'Di ako gumamit ng airbrush at hindi naman kasing effort ng bridal makeup ito so 4K."

She pulled out some bills and shoved them into his hands. "Here. Kasama na tip."

Four thousand five hundred ang binigay nito. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni KC. "'Di ba libre 'to para hindi mo ako i-expose?"

Nginitian siya ni June. "Hindi ko kayang manghingi ng libreng serbisyo sa isang artist. Sorry, I kinda threatened you. I just wanted to make sure that you were free today." She then handed a stack of photos to him. "May mga extra din pala akong na-develop na photos ng bride. You should include this in your portfolio. She looked amazing. Y-you were amazing."

Tumalikod agad si June. Siya naman ang napanganga. He was still processing the fact that he got paid, got tipped and got free photos for his portfolio. But what made his heart skip a beat was that he got complimented.

"Ayokong ma-late so mauuna ako. Thank you so much, KC. Bye!" Dire-diretso lang si June sa paglabas ng pinto.

"W-wait, hotel room mo 'to!"

* * *

"Cheers!" Sabay-sabay nilang ininom ang mga vodka shot para i-congratulate ang mga bagong kasal na pareho niyang kabarkada. The last time they were complete was more than a year ago and June missed her high school barkada. Sobrang close kasi nila noon.

Jake and Steph, the newlyweds, were high school sweethearts. June witnessed how their love started and grew. She was truly happy for them pero hindi niya maiwasang makaramdam ng inggit. Akala niya kasi, sa ganito rin mauuwi ang love story niya. Kabarkada at high school sweetheart niya rin naman si Ace pero ba't hindi sila nagkatuluyan?

Naka-eye contact niya si Ace pero umiwas ito ng tingin. Instead, he pulled a girl into their circle. "Guys, this is Annie." Tension filled the air but her friends were polite enough to greet Annie. Ace and June's break-up was the main reason why their friend group had stopped hanging out.

June's eyes landed on the diamond ring on Annie's finger. Ace never cheated on her but this hurt like hell. Hindi siya galit, bitter lang talaga. Seven years siyang girlfriend pero kailanman, hindi nabanggit ni Ace ang kasal. Now, he was engaged to someone he'd been dating for a year. Anong mali sa kanya?

She saw her other friends' glances at her direction. They pitied her. Sa kanilang pito, siya lang ang single tapos nandito pa 'yong ex niyang may bago na. Napuno siya ng confidence nang makita ang sarili niya sa salamin kanina pero ngayong katapat niya na si Ace, parang hindi pa pala siya handang makita ito. Her insecurities started coming back. All she wanted to do was run away and she was about to but a firm hand landed on her shoulder.

"Sorry, naligaw ako, June." It was the same voice that made her heart race when it said she was beautiful from the start, ang boses na pinaghugutan niya ng confidence kanina. Lumingon siya and as expected, it was KC. Unexpectedly, he looked stunning in a suit with his long hair half up.

"May kasama ka pala, June," Steph said before she could say anything.

"Ah, oo. Si KC nga pala," she said. Her friends greeted KC warmly. Introducing him eased the tension and for the first time ever, her bitterness started to fade.

* * *

"Paano ka nakapasok dito?" June asked when her friends left.

"I work in the wedding industry. Connections are everywhere," KC replied as he winked at Daniel, the caterer he dated before.

Sinundan ng mga mata ni June ang tingin niya. He chuckled, realizing that she was checking out the guy. "Pakilala kita?"

Mabilis na ibinalik ni June ang atensyon sa kanya at umiling. "What I really want to know is why you're here."

"I was bored. Malapit lang dito 'yong hotel so susulitin ko sana 'yong open bar." But that was just his excuse. In actuality, he immediately stalked June on social media after she left. Doon niya na-discover na pitong taon silang nagtagal no'ng ex niyang newly-engaged. With all the hugot posts, he knew how hard seeing Ace was going to be for June.

KC wanted to be there for her, to let her know that she also deserved a happy ending. He didn't know how to tell her that last part yet but maybe, by showing up, she'll know he cares.

"Sige, ikukuha kita ng drink."

"Sandali. Gusto rin kitang ilagay sa portfolio ko if that's okay." KC took out his phone.

A blush crept on her cheeks. "Sure, wait lang." She took out a compact mirror and started applying the lipstick he gave her earlier. After puckering her lips a few times, June smiled at him coyly.

It was KC's turn to blush.