Chapter 14
Zari

"Malapit na ang debut ng baby ko! Dalaga ka na talaga!"

Napailing ako kay Mama na nasa harapan ko ngayon. Napapunas pa sya sa mga luhang tumulo sa pisngi nya. Is she really crying? Dahil lang sa legal age na ako next week? Lumapit ako kay Mama at hinagod ang likod nya.

"Mama naman, lahat naman talaga tayo tumatanda." I said, comforting her.

Napanguso si Mama bago mahinang pinalo ang braso ko. "Tatanda na rin kami lalo ng Papa mo. Makakaya mo na ba na wala kami, Zari?"

Biglang kumirot ang puso ko dahil sa sinabi ni Mama. I can't imagine my life without them. Maybe, I'm excited to grow up...but I'm not excited to see them dying.

May mga pangarap pa ako para sa mga magulang ko. Gusto ko pa na bumawi sa kanila bago sila mamahinga na. I wanted them to be thankful before they pass away. Hindi kakayanin ng puso ko kung mamamaalam silang hindi pa ako nakakabawi sa kanila.

"Ano ka ba, Ma?" pagsuway ko kay Mama. "Huwag ka ngang ganyan, Ma."

Mama just chuckled at me. We just keep on talking about my debut. I decided to make the theme red since red is my favorite color. I also invited a lot of people, including Gin and his cousins. Inimbita ko na rin ang mga pinsan ko. Some of them can't go since they do have other plans already on that day. Inintindi ko na lamang sila kasi hindi rin naman ako nakapunta sa ibang debut ng mga pinsan ko.

[What kind of gift do you want?] tanong ni Gin sa kabilang linya.

I chuckled. "Huwag na kasi, Gin."

Kanina pa kami nasa tawag. I already told him that bringing gifts are not required since all I just wanted was their presence. But Gin is really persistent. Gusto nya talagang bigyan ako ng regalo.

"Wala naman ako kasing gustong regalo. But since you really insist on bringing one. Kahit ano nalang. It depends on you." I spoke. "Surprise me, then."

[Sure! Magbibihis na ako para makabili na ako nang regalo! Gotta hang up na! See you tomorrow on your debut!] Gin said before he hanged up our call.

I just rolled my eyes. Hindi sa bahay iheheld ang party. It's on a hotel. Nakalagay na ito sa invitation card na ibinigay ko sa mga inimbita ko sa party. Kinakabahan na rin ako kasi dadalhin nila Gin ang mga parents nila since they are still minor.

Makikita ko na parents nya! Gosh, namumula ang mukha ko habang iniisip na binabati ko ang parents nya!

"Zari, nakabihis ka na ba? Pupunta na tayo sa hotel." Mom said, kakapasok lang sa kuwarto ko.

Agad akong bumangon at umupo sa dulo ng kama ko. "Yup, Ma. Let's go."

Mama just helped me with my things before we went down. I just called Milo, sumunod naman kaagad sya sa akin. I told Mama to hold the party at a hotel where we can bring Milo. Meron naman kaya yun kaagad ang pinili ni Mama.

Bukas pa ang debut ko pero nauna na kami nila Mama sa hotel. Doon nalang kami matutulog sa hotel para madali nang makapunta sa venue pagkatapos mag-ayos ng sarili. Mama and I just checked the venue when we already arrived on the hotel. I also suggested some minor changes since I found some designs that are not really necessary.

After Mama and I took care of the venue, we just ate with Papa. Sinama ko na rin si Milo sa kuwarto ko para tabi na kami matulog. After washing my face, I just slept with Milo. Nang 8 am na, gumising na ako para maligo na. I just smiled at Milo who's now looking at me while his mouth is open.

"Eighteen na ako, Milo!" I smiled at Milo happily. "Pwede ng makulong ang Mama mo!" I laughed at my own joke. Napatahol naman si Milo kaagad sa akin.

I just wore maong shorts and a plain t-shirt before I had some breakfast. Maaga pa kaya I just took this oppurtunity to watch some movies. I also had some lunch when I noticed that it's already noon.

Nang dumating na ang make-up artist ko, pumunta na kaagad sila ni Mama rito sa kuwarto ko. They just put some make-ups on my face. It's already 3pm when they finished putting some make-ups on my face. Inayos na rin nila ang buhok ko.

I'm so happy when I saw the gown that I will wear today! Masyadong maganda ito para sa akin! It's a color red lace embroidery gown! Napaiyak ako sa ganda kaya agad akong sinuway ni Mama. Masisira raw ang make-up ko. I just wore it and waited for the time to be 6 pm before we decided to go out of my room and go straight to the venue.

"Ang ganda mo! Shuta! Ikaw ba ay isang diyosa? Kasi binihag mo ako sa iyong ganda!" lokong banat ni Suji sa akin.

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Omg! You're so pretty!" sigaw ni Syrine, niyakap nya ako at agad na bumitaw.

Ngayon ko lang napansin na may lalaki syang kasama ngayon. It's a Castres. I just forgot his name, masyado silang madami para maalala ko pa kung sino ito. Bago atang jowa ni Syrine ngayon. I just chose to look at Reign who's now glaring at someone.

"Hoy," kinalabit ko sya. Nanlalaki ang mga mata nyang nakatingin sa akin ngayon. "Okay ka lang?"

"Oo naman!" She forced a smile. "Ganda mo naman. Happy birthday!"

I thanked her. Gusto ko pa sanang makausap sila Riegn pero tinawag na kaagad ako nila Mama. Pinapunta na ako sa harapan para magsimula na ang program. I just smiled when the host mentioned my name as the debutant.

The program just started already and I was just sitting on my royal chair, feeling anxious. When it's now time for the eighteen roses, mas lalong nabuhay ang kaba sa puso ko. I bit my lips when it's Gin who's now standing in front of me, may hawak na isang rosas.

I put my two hands on his shoulders while his hands wrapped around my shoulder. We just danced. I could feel the intense gaze from the audience but my eyes were only focused on his mesmerizing gaze. We just danced along with the music.

Walang nagsasalita sa aming dalawa. Na para bang naipapahayag namin ang damdamin ng isa't isa sa pamamagitan ng pagsabay ng aming katawan sa daloy ng kanta. I still crave for his warmth but he needs to let go already so I could dance with other men.

"Chill," natatawang sabi ni Gin bago bumitaw na at dumiretso sa banda ng parents nya. Namula pa ang pisngi ko nang makitang nakangiti ang parents nya sa amin!

I just danced with my other eighteen roses until it's already Papa's turn. I just smiled while dancing with Papa. I could see that he's very happy and proud of me.

"Anak, ang laki mo na." he smiled at me. "Mahal na mahal ka namin ng Mama mo, ah? Alalahanin mo iyan, Zari. I may not tell you this everyday but I want you to know that I'm very proud of you."

Napasandal ako sa dibdib ni Papa habang sumasayaw kami. "I love you, Pa."

After Papa and I danced, the eighteen roses have stopped since Papa is supposed to be my last dance. Nag eighteen candles na rin. I just cried because of my Mama's message on me! Bakit ba ganito si Mama? Ang dali para sa kanyang paiyakin ako.

"Ma, Pa, si Zari."

I blushed when Gin suddenly grabbed me when the host said that it's now time for us to eat dinner. Pinakilala nya ako sa harap ng mga magulang nya! I blushed more when his parents smiled at me! Nakakahiya!

"Binata na ang anak natin, honey." Mr. Castres said to her wife. He wrapped his arms around his wife's waist. "Sundan na natin?"

Mrs. Castres' face blushed. "Ano ba, Lewis? Mahiya ka nga." pagsuway nya sa asawa. She smiled at me. "Sorry about that," she offered me his hand. "I'm Rine Castres, Gin's mother."

I accepted it and shook my hands with her. "Zari Alferez po."

"I'm Lewis Castres," I shook hands with Mr. Castres. "Gin's father."

I just smiled with them. Gin's father keeps on teasing us! Nahiya ako lalo. When my parents joined us, mas namula lalo ang mukha ko! They keep on teasing us with each other!

"Sorry about that," Gin said when we're already outside of the venue. "Mahilig lang talagang mang-asar si Papa."

"It's okay," No, it's not! Nakakahiya kaya!

Nagulat ako nang hawakan nya ang kamay ko at hinila ako papaalis sa hotel. We went towards the parking lot. We headed onto his car. Binuksan nya ako nang pintuan at pinasakay sa shotgun seat bago sya umikot at pumasok sa kotse nya at umupo sa driver's seat.

"Baka hanapin tayo nila Mama!" agad na ani ko! "Baka isipin nila na nakidnap ako!"

He chuckled before wearing his seatbelt. Sya na rin ang nagsuot ng akin bago nya pinaandar ang makina ng sasakyan. "Chill, pinagpaalam na kita, ate."

"Really? Baka nagsisinungaling ka lang, ah." natawa sya sa tanong ko kasi halata na nagdududa ako sa kanya. Napahampas ako sa balikat nya nang may narealized. "Anong ate?!" nairita ako don, ah.

Natawa sya nang malakas bago nagsimula nang magmaneho. "Eighteen ka na eh tapos seventeen pa ako."

"Well, eighteen ka na rin naman this year diba?" I asked him.

He nodded while his eyes are on the road. "September 13."

We just played some songs by Adele while Gin was driving. Hinayaan nya naman ako. When we already arrived at our destination, I just stopped the music and he pulled the car over. It's a hill, good for stargazing. Napalingon ako sa taas.

Ang ganda ng mga bituin.

"You love the stars, huh?"

I looked at Gin and smiled at him. "Yes, they look so beautiful."

"Mas maganda ka sa mga bituin."

Mahina akong natawa. "Para sa akin, wala ng mas gaganda pa sa mga butuin."

I'm just looking at the sky, admiring the stars. Simula bata pa lang ako, sobra na ang paghanga ko para sa mga bituin. That's why I love the night. Bukod sa payapa kapag gabi, gusto ko rin kapag nakikita ko ang buwan at mga bituin.

Hindi sila nakakasawang tignan.

"Ito ba ang regalo mo?" I asked Gin.

Hinawakan nya ang kamay ko at pinagsiklop ang mga kamay namin. "Why? Do you like it?"

Napabaling ako sa kanya at binigyan sya nang matamis na ngiti. "Yes, thank you."

It may be simple or nonsense for the others but to me...this is wonderful. Wala ng mas hihigit pa rito. I'm not really into receiving gifts since I can have anything since I was a child. Kaya kong bilhin kaagad ang gusto ko.

But I cannot buy happiness. So that's why, I'm thankful for Gin's gift since it brought me happiness. Pinasaya nya ako ng husto sa mismong debut ko.

"Hindi lang yan ang regalo ko,"

Napalingon ako kay Gin nang marinig ang sinabi nya. He let go of my hand before he went towards my back. Naguluhan ako sa inakto nya kaya haharap na sana ako sa kanya pero tinigilan nya ako sa pamamagitan ng paghawak ng dalawang balikat ko.

"Stay still," he whispered into my ears.

Oh, his voice sounds calming. Napaigtad ako nang maramdaman ang isang bagay na dumapo sa leeg ko. Napahawak ako roon. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mapansing kuwentas ito! I immediately faced Gin when he's already finished wearing the necklace on me.

"I know that you're not really into necklaces since I've never seen you wearing one," he smiled shyly. "But I still brought you that. Noong pumunta kasi ako sa Mall, nakita ko iyang kwentas na may star na pendant. I knew how much you loved the stars so it made me buy that one for you. Bakit? Pangit ba?"

"It's gorgeous," tanging sabi ko.

He bit his lips, nahihiya. I just chuckled before I grabbed and hug him. Natawa ako lalo nang naramdamang natigilan sya sa ginawa ko. Pero kaagad syang nakabawi at niyakap ako pabalik.

"Thank you so much, Gin," I said sincerely.

He chuckled. Bumitaw sya sa yakap pero nakahawak ang mga kamay sa balikat ko. He looked up to the sky and smiled when he saw the stars. Binalik nya sa akin ang mga tingin nya bago hinalikan ang noo ko.

"When I see stars, it's you who already come across through my mind," he said, chuckling a bit.

I bit my lips and smiled at him. He also smiled because of it. "Ikaw ang bituin ko, Gin."

My life was full of darkness since I'm so scared of falling in love. But he came along and he changed everything. He became the star who I wanted to have.

Sya ang bituin ko...nagniningning sa madilim na buhay na meron ako.