Chapter 14

Joshua is back in Tarlac. Since he has nothing to do in Manila, he went back to his hometown, and decided to start his mission with Carlo and Edmalyn. The first thing he did is to research about Carlo Reyes. He immediately found some information about him, since he is an up and coming videographer at photographer. He saw Carlo's portfolio on his Instagram account, and he must say, the guy is really good with his craft. He is actually impressed. Then he went to Carlo's Facebook page, and there he saw the chance he's waiting to meet him. Carlo Reyes has a photo exhibition, and very conveniently, on CPRU. Joshua looked at the details of the photo exhibit. Tomorrow, ten A.M. at CPRU Museum. So, Joshua went to CPRU the following day. He was impressed at how it improved, more particularly, its security system. They even had to search everyone who enters the campus. That might be the reason why the children of celebrities and politicians are satisfied with the university's security. He got lost inside the university, but if you are Joshua Socorro, getting lost is not a problem because everybody will help you. It just takes some picture taking session, though. After almost half an hour of having selfies with college students – male and female and those in between – he arrived at the CPRU Museum. Joshua was greeted by pictures and different memorabilia of Carlos P. Romulo. He skimmed through them while moving towards the next hall, where Carlo Reyes' exhibit is taking place. As soon as he entered the door, he saw the students, teachers, and other people who are fans of the said photo and videographer. Joshua looked at the photos, and again he was amazed. There were photos of beautiful sceneries, local and abroad; but most of them are photos of different people. There were children, old people, a street vendor, students at the park, workers in a construction site, and other various subjects both Filipinos and foreigners. Some of the pictures he already saw in Instagram and Facebook, but it's different when you see them in full size and up close. Carlo's photos seem real as they were able to capture the realness and true emotions of his subjects. One particular picture caught Joshua's attention. It was a picture of a couple being wed in a garden. It was a medium shot with a shallow focus on the couple's faces. Even in side view, you can still see their love while looking at each other. 'Romantic, isn't it?" It was Carlo Reyes himself. He looked at Joshua and smiled. 'Uhm, yeah. Very romantic," Joshua agreed. 'Thank you," said Carlo. 'You're the only one who looked at that photo today." 'Really?" Joshua looked at the picture. 'How come?" 'That was a photo from three years ago. It was my sister, and her groom who is now her husband," Carlo answered. 'Maybe because a lot of people already saw that, so no one looks at it anymore." 'So, if it's an old photo, why do you still put it on your exhibit?" Joshua asked. 'I mean, as far as I know, the artist exhibits his most recent creation to potentially sell them. Right?" 'You're right on that," Carlo said. 'But this one's special to me, not only because it's my sister's. It's the photo that started it all." Joshua is aware that Carlo is just gaining popularity, and he started by doing events, particularly weddings. So maybe, this picture is the first that became famous among his photos. 'So, you put this picture in all your exhibits?" Joshua asked. 'Yes, and most of the time, no one comes to look at it. So, thanks. For taking your time to look at this photo. And making me tell the story of how it changed my life." Joshua looked at the man beside him. 'You're welcome." Carlo smiled. 'You might see something you'll like. There are a lot more inside." 'This is not for sale?" Joshua asked as he pointed on the picture. 'Oh, my sister will kill me if I sell that." Joshua laughed at his reaction. Carlo smiled. 'Actually, I don't really sell the portraits. I just borrow them from my clients, then after the exhibit I give them back." 'So you only sell the pictures of nature?" Joshua asked. 'And those ones." Carlo pointed on some photos of random people. 'But usually, those are bought by magazines who include them in their articles." Joshua nodded. 'I see." 'So, just look around and maybe you'll see something you'll like." Joshua nodded, then did as told. He looked at the photos being exhibited, then suddenly, he stopped at a particular photo he saw. He didn't just stop. He was actually shocked at what he saw. 'That is a very good one. One of my favorites." Joshua looked at Carlo. 'That was taken from a very recent medial mission in Conception, Tarlac. They hired me to take some pictures for documentation." Joshua looked at the photo once again. It was picture of a little girl who is smiling at a female doctor in front of her. The photo is in black and white, making it more dramatic and captivating. 'That doctor is really amazing. I think she was the most hardworking doctor on that medical mission. She didn't stop helping the residents, especially the children. That was actually a stolen shot." Joshua could not believe it. There he was, resisting the idea that this person might be a great help for him to do his mission. Then suddenly, he realizes she really is the connection that he's looking for between Edmalyn and Carlo. 'What is her name again?" Carlo asked. 'Ahm… I know her name… What is it…?" 'Carla," Joshua chimed in. 'Carla Labao." 'You know her?" Joshua suddenly felt anxious. 'Ahm… She's… she's my classmate. High school." 'Oh! Okay. Small world, huh?" Joshua nodded. Then he looked back at the picture once again. There was something about it that makes him want to look at it. Maybe it's the shot itself? How Carlo perfectly captured the joy in the young girl's eyes and the gladness on Carla's face? Or maybe, it's just the smile. The young girl's smile, maybe? Or maybe, it's Carla's smile that makes Joshua want to look at it. 'You said you don't sell portraits." Joshua looked at Carlo. Carlo nodded. 'Yeah, why?" 'This photo is not considered a portrait, right?" Ten minutes later, Joshua is driving away from CPRU with the photo on the backseat of his car. **************************************************************************** After two days, Joshua went back to Manila to meet Caitlyn who just came back from her show in Dubai. Before going out of the car, he looked at the framed photo covered in brown craft paper. He did not leave it at their house in Tarlac. He couldn't even take it inside their house. His mother and siblings might see it, and they might wonder why he bought a picture of a doctor from a famous photographer. Why would he even buy a picture of another person? But wait! His family knows about Carla and they might recognize her when they see the photo. That will be more awkward. Joshua took the photo out of his car. He and Caith might decide to go somewhere, and when she rides on his car, she might see that photo. So he took it inside his condo unit. He put it above his closet, making sure Caitlyn will not see it if ever she goes inside his room. Caith said she'll come over, so Joshua prepared food for them. Usually his personal assistant stays with him in his condo, but since he doesn't have work at the moment, he gave him some time off. Caith arrived at lunchtime. After eating, they decided to watch TV. But because they can't choose what to watch, and they can't decide what to stream in Netflix, they decided to watch Youtube videos instead. They found the lifestyle vlog Samonte Gal, whose guest was none other than Ria Nelmida. The interview is all about Ria being a bestseller novelist. There were also personal questions, especially in the first part of the interview. Samonte Gal: So, you're using your maternal grandfather's surname? Ria: Yeah, as my penname. Samonte Gal: Is that because he's a well-known writer himself, and a national artist for that matter? Ria: Yeah, and I don't know if it's a good idea, because sometimes the pressure is so hard. The interviewer laughed at what Ria said, who also laughed. Ria: But you know, I'm just grateful because… somehow, he gave this talent to me. You know? It's from his genes, and using his surname kind of gives him that tribute. Samonte Gal: Okay, so… let's test how good Ria Nelmida really is. Ria: Oh… Ria laughed awkwardly. The interviewer smiled. Samonte Gal: Can you improv a story right now? Ria: Like, a love story? Samonte Gal: Of course! It should be romantic. Ria: That is too much! Okay? Too much pressure. They both giggled once again. Ria: Okay… Let's see… There is this guy, who's a typical unromantic person. You know, that kind of guy who doesn't believe in love, in romantic relationships, in commitments. Just that type of guy, who is also a control freak, but very, very rich. Think of him like uh… Christian Grey, without the BDSM reference. Samonte Gal: Okay… Good-looking, rich, smart… Ria: Yes, but, like I've said, anything but romantic… And then one time, he went to this art exhibit. Then he saw a portrait. It's a girl, and he fell in love with it. Joshua suddenly felt anxious. He looked at the date when the video was uploaded. Three days ago. It's the same day that he bought that painting from Carlo Reyes' exhibit. Ria: It's like he fell in love with the painting, or with the girl… He's not sure to who or what, but he's just really gotten. Is she talking about him? Joshua contemplated. He didn't buy the photo because he fell in love with it… But, why did he buy it again? Ria: And then, some days after… or weeks… he attended a business conference. There, he met that girl. But the problem is, the girl is just like him – unromantic, doesn't believe in love, in relationships, in commitments… But this guy, he just can't get away from her because of that painting. Joshua started to panic. Did Ria watch what he did through her Cupid Phone? Is she talking about him right now? Because the way she speaks, she seems so sure at the story she's making. And it's just so like him. Okay, well, Joshua admits he kind of fell in love with the photo that's why he bought it. 'I need to go." Caitlyn looked at him. 'What?" 'I-I… I-I need to… g-go back to Tarlac." Now, he's stuttering. 'T-There's something… uh… I need to do… now. Right now." 'Are you okay?" Caitlyn asked, obviously concerned. 'Yes! I'm okay… uh… I just really need to go… Babe…" Caitlyn gazed at him with that worried look on her face, but she didn't ask more. After helping him clean up, she left him. After Caitlyn left, Joshua immediately took the photo at the top of his closet. He immediately went to his car and drove back to Tarlac. It was past three in the afternoon, that's why he arrived in his destination at ten-thirty in the evening because of the traffic. All the lights in Ria's house are off, except for the poles outside the gate. After parking his car outside their gate, Joshua texted Ria to inform her he's waiting outside. It didn't take long before she came out. 'Josh!" she said upon seeing him. 'What are you doing here at this hour?" He gave her the frame. 'Take this." 'What is this?" Ria took it. Joshua didn't answer, so Ria took off the craft paper covering the photo. She was surprised at what she saw. 'Why are you giving me a picture of Carla?" asked Ria. 'I'm not even the girl she's with on this photo." 'Just… Just take it, okay? Just take it, then keep it… Or whatever you do… I don't care!" Joshua is suddenly agitated. 'Why? What's with this photo? And… by the way, where did you get this?" 'I bought it from Carlo Reyes," Joshua answered. 'I went to his exhibit. For the mission." 'And you bought a picture… And out of all the pictures on that exhibit you chose this, and then you're just giving it to me?" 'It's your fault!" Joshua was not able to control himself because of stress. 'What? Why me?" 'That story that you made up during your interview with Gail Samonte… The guy who fell in love with the portrait…" Ria tried to remember what Joshua said. 'But it was just a coincidence. Promise, Josh. I didn't look at what happened to you on my Cupid Phone. I didn't know." Joshua calmed down a bit at what he heard. He just looked at the picture. 'You fell in love with the photo." Joshua felt tensed once again. 'It's not like…" He can't find the right words to say, because he simply can't lie. Not now that he has become a Cupid. Ria gave him that please-don't-lie-to-me kind of look. He wasn't able to refuse. 'It's a good photo! Look! Carlo Reyes is a good photographer. Who would not love that picture?" Ria nodded. 'You say so." Joshua just let it pass. He knows Ria will not believe him, so he didn't bother explaining himself. 'But you know, this is not my picture, Josh. The best person you can give this to is Carla." 'Then give it to her," Joshua said. 'Just don't tell her I'm the one who gave it to you." 'Okay." He started feeling calmer, so he said his goodbyes to Ria. 'I'll go now." 'Take care! Oh, you don't need that. You're a Cupid, so you have immunity." Joshua got inside his car. 'Just don't get too foolish next time!" Joshua just scowled at what Ria said.