Chapter 10: The Party

I got my new condo, I have my allowance already, my tuition got paid for the whole year and I'll attend a party this week. Nag-aayos na ako ng gamit na dadalin ko sa bago kong condo buas. I was in the middle of putting my clothes in my suitcase when my phone beeped in my pocket. I checked it and I receive a voice record. Pinakinggan ko 'yon and I smiled. In just one snap, mababalik na kaagad kay Dad ang nawala sa kanya. Mas masaya ako siguro kung may titirhan na din sina Dad sa Manila para anytime makasama ko rin sila. Nakakalungkot kasi na andito sila sa probinsya tas ako nasa Manila. Saka, mahihirapan din si Dad na magmaneho araw-araw papuntang Manila if he got his job again.

Dad was the Vice-President of Mr. Sagisaka's company. Pinagkakatiwalaan talaga siya. If the culprit was caught, mababalik kay Dad ang posisyon at ang trabaho niya. And that's the thing I asked for help in Nathan's Dad. One of Mr. Sagisaka's business partner stole the money and run away. Hanga nga ako dahil sa loob ng isang linggo, nahanap ni Tito Nathan with the help of his friends na si Mr. Sai na siyang nagtakas ng pera. He's now in jail. He was Dad closest friend but in the end, he framed my Dad. What a great friendship they had. Bullshit.

Mr. Aranillo is really a big help. I'm really thankful dahil dumating siya sa buhay ko. Now, I'm just waiting for my Dad to deliver the good news in our home. In just a few minutes or hours, Mr. Sagisaka will called and asked him to return to the company as soon as possible.

Kinatok ako ni Iron sa 'king kwarto para kumain. Kaagad ko siyang nabuhat pagkabukas ko ng pintuan dahil sa saya na nararamdaman ko. Binaba ko siya sa kama ko.

"You look happy, Ate."

He said as he hugged my pillow, "Is it because of Kuya Nathan?"

Para bang nasira ang gabi ko dahil sa sinabi ni Iron. What the? Inis kong ginulo ang buhok ko. "Iron, listen okay? Si Kuya Nathan kaaway ni Ate."

His sleepy eyes were widened, "He's your enemy?"

Tumango ako. Hindi ko kasi talaga alam bakit ba kami inaasar ni Nicholai dalawa. Gusto kong isipin na baka may gusto sa 'kin tong si Nathan pero hindi naman siya nagbibigay ng motibo kaya malabo rin.

"Pero mabait siya, Ate. He even gave me chocolates!"

Pakikipagtalo sa 'kin ni Iron, tila ba pinagtatanggol si Nathan na mabait ito. Even my little brother saw his fake personality. I also wonder what if they see his true color? His dark side? The real Nathan? I'm sure he won't be liked by anyone.

Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang balikat ni Iron, "He's not good as you think, Iron. Remember what Dad said?" Umiling sa 'kin si Iron. "An evil once an a angel." Kita ko ang pagkakunot sa noo ng kapatid ko.

Alam kong hindi pa niya ako naiintindihan. But I know that someday, he'll understand. That everyone is not good as he thinks. We live in a cruel world. No one can be trusted. Once you trust and show them your weaker side, you give them power to break you.

"Don't fool by their smile and actions. Remember that, Iron."

Just a piece of advice to my lil brother. Based on experience na kasi. Naranasan ko na ang masaktan, ma-backstab, mawalan ng kaibigan, at kung ano-ano pa. We're 9 in our circle of friends before. But now, look at us, aapat na lang kami.

And Nathan? I know him. He's this arrogant jerk that fighting is his hobby. Noon ngang napaaway siya sa taga-ibang school ay kaumalat ang balita na na comatose ng isang buwan yung nakaaway niya. I heard that the family of the victim sue him but he can't go to jail because he's still minor that time. Napagkakamalan kasi talaga siyang college student noon dahil sa tangkad niya. I guess, it has been settled by money.

"But there's nothing wrong about Kuya Nathan's smile."

Marahan kong pinikit ang dalawa kong mata. I'm not gonna win. I don't' want to explain anymore dahil alam kong sa mata ni Iron ay mabait talaga si Nathan.

Ginulo ko nalang ang buhok ni Iron at tumawa. He was blinded by that fake Nathan. We decided to go downstairs dahil sa malakas na tawag ni Tita Julia sa 'min.

While we're eating, hindi pa rin ako mapakali. I'm waiting for my Dad's phone to ring. Mr. Aranillo won't break his promise. Alam kong mababalik niya si Dad sa dati niyang posisyon.

We all stopped eating when someone's phone rang. Halos mapatalon ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil baka si Mr. Sagisaka na nga 'yon. Sana nga ay siya na 'yon. Nanlalamig ang kamay ko at kating-kati na kong malaman kung sino ba ang kausap ni Dad. He's busy talking outside.

Hindi na ako muli nakasubo pa ng pagkain dahil sa sobrang excited. Pinaglaruan ko na lamang ang pagkain ko.

"Honey, you won't believe this!"

Nagsimula ng bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I can see in his Dad's eyes that he has good news for everyone.

"What is it, hon?"

"Si Mr. Sagisaka!" As I heard that name, alam ko na kung anong nangyayari. "He wants me back! He wants me to return in my position! Babalik na sa 'tin ang mga nawala, honey! Our business in Thailand and China will re-open again! Tutulungan raw tayo ni Mr. Sagisaka! He also said that he will bring back your investors in your company!" Napayakap si Dad kay Tita Julia. Tita Julia owns a small company. Nalugi lang ito dahil nga sa naging kasiraan na nagnakaw si Dad. But now, everything will go back to where it was.

Napatalon kami sa tuwa ni Iron at napayakap rin kina Dad at Tita Julia. "We'll coming back in Manila. Let's thank Aranillo's family for their kindness of helping us. Lalong-lalo na si Mr. Aranillo. Ibabalik natin lahat kay Mr. Aranillo ang naitulong niya sa pamilya natin."

I wish you know Dad. They'll use me. Ako ang kapalit ng lahat ng 'to.

Papaakyat na ako sa itaas ng muli akong tawagin ni Dad. They're busy watching television and I need to fix my things.

"Ah, anak siya nga pala."

"Yeah?"

"Be nice to Nathan."

I cursed under my breath and just nodded. Whatever.

****

HUMIGA ako sa kama ng bago kong condo. Namiss ko ang ganitong kalambot na kama. 

Kakahatid lang sa 'kin ni Dad dito sa Manila. Bumalik lang sila sa probinsya para kunin ang ibang gamit dahil mababalik na sa 'min ang dating bahay.

Nagtungo ako sa kusina at binuksan ang refrigerator. Dad and Tita Julia asked me to bake some cake or brownies for Mr. Aranillo. I can't cook but I can bake.

I chose to bake cake. Tita Alison is good in baking too. She's Nathan's mom. Nagkaroon kami ng kaunting kwentuhan when we had dinner last time. The dessert is cake and she opened up that it was hard for her to bake cake. She tried a few times but the taste is not that actually good.

I prepared the flour, sugar, eggs, salt, baking soda, buttermilk and lemon. I'm going to make lemon-buttermilk cake.

Hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi mapangiti habang nagbebake. It's been months. Ni-hindi ako nakapag-bake sa probinsya. Ni-wala nga kaming oven don! But, everything is back to normal now so I don't need to stress myself in just small things.

I'm happily baking when my phone beeped on my pocket. Pinunasan ko muna ang kamay ko sa apron na suot ko at binasa yung text. It's from Mr. Aranillo.

[Ledesmonte Hotel. 8pm. On Thursday. My son will pick you up. It's an overnight party. You can bring swimming clothes and sleeping clothes.]

So, it's a swimming party. I should bring my two-piece! But wait – Muli kong pinasadahan ang message niya. My son will pick you up. WHAT THE.

Mr. Aranillo – No, I should call him Tito Calvix. This night, Tito Calvix dropped by in my unit to check me out. Asking me if I'm comfortable or what. And asked me to do that one thing they asked me to do. I decided to just keep the cake I made for their family because I got pissed. Why? Because in front of him I'm just like a slave nodding on her master!

Thursday (The Party)

Nag-aayos palang ako ng gamit ng bigla ng may nagdoorbell sa unit ko. Alam ko ng si Nathan 'yon kaya agad akong nagtungo sa pinto at walang gana siyang pinagbuksan.

"You're wearing that?"

I looked myself from my head to toe. "What? It's a swimming party."

"And who told you that?"

"But your Dad told me to bring some swimming clothes."

"Because there's a pool there, idiot! You can go swimming after the party. God, Irene! Find a proper dress now!" Tinulak ako papasok ni Nathan sa loob.

Is it my fault kung hindi nilinaw sa 'kin?! Nagmadali akong maghanap ng maayos-ayos na damit sa cabinet ko. Damn! I can't choose!

"Don't pressure yourself. You can just wear a simple dress."

No! I should wear a revealing dress! A seduce one! Ah, this red!

"You'll wear that? Are you sure?" Sinamaan ko lang ng tingin si Nathan na natawa sa may pintuan ng kwarto ko.

"You know what, you're not helping. Bakit ba?! I want this one!"

"There are just few people in there. Puro matatanda pa. Ako, Nicholai and other siblings of Dad's friends lang ang andoon. Do you really need to stand out this night?" Tanong pa niya and I nod my head. I want to stand out syempre!

"You're really unbelievable."

"And you're really annoying. Get out! Magpapalit na 'ko!" Hindi niya ako pinansin at naglakad pa papalapit sa cabinet ko. Kinuha niya ang isang dress ko. "Wear this! I told you! Puro matatanda ang andon! Unless you want to seduce a man is his 50s, I'll let you." I glared at him. I stared at the dress he's holding. It's Belle Snuffbox-print silk-crepe mini dress. 

This dress was worth almost 15,000+ when I bought it. Noong nasa probinsya ako, ni-hindi man lang ako makahawak ng ganoong kalakign pera. But now, oh god, I can live my life to the fullest again!

"Okay fine... Wait me outside." Hindi na siya nakaimik pa ng saraduhan ko na siya ng pintuan. Ilang sandali lang naman ay natapos na kong mag-ayos. I put a light make-up at bahala na ang buhok ko. My hair looks good. I don't need to curl it or straighten it.

Nang lumabas ako ng kwarto ay nakahanda na ang sapatos na isusuot ko. Nakatayo si Nathan sa may table at tinitingnan ang mga litrato ko. "Ikaw 'to?" Turo niya sa isang litrato kung saan bata pa ko.

Nilagay ko sa likod yung bag ko at sinuot ang 3 inch heels ko. Pinatay ko ang ialw sa kwarto ko at sinarado ang pintuan. "Oo. Bakit? Hindi ko ba kamukha?" Lumapit pa ako sa direksyon niya at kita ko sa mata niya ang pagkagulat. Am I ugly ba? Bakit ganito ang reaksyon niya? Ang cute ko kaya nung bata ako!

Dahan-dahan niyang binaba ang photo frame na 'yon at nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga. "Done? Let's go." Nauna ako sa kanyang lumabas ng unit ko. Sarap ngang ibalabag ng pintuan dahil ang tagal niyang lumabas kakatitig dun sa mga photo frames.

Hindi ko nalang pinansin ito at naglakad na papuntang elevator. Parehas kaming tahimik hanggang sa makarating sa parking lot. Well, kahit sa buong byahe ay paraang nagkaroon ng wall sa aming dalawa. Dumating kami sa party ng late na. Nagmamadali kaming dalawa na sumakay ng elevator. Kanina pa ring ng ring ang phone niya pero hindi niya sinasagot.

Nagbukas ang malaking gold double doors at nagbigay-galang ang dalawang bantay kay Nathan. Pumasok kami sa loob and he was right. Puro matatanda ang andito. Nasa 30 na katao lang ang andito sa loob o mas mababa pa. Inangat ko ang ulo ko at napangiti kung gano kaganda led lights sa ceiling. It's like everything is about gold.

"Tito Clarence!"

Isang matangkad na lalaki at babae ang lumapit sa 'min. Nakipagyakapan dito si Nathan at tuwang-tuwa ito na parang bata. "Tita Jamiatra! Ang ganda niyo pa rin ah!" Pagbibiro ni Nathan. Or, I can say compliment talaga. Kasi ang ganda talaga niya. We have the same height and same skin color. But damn, she's in her 50s pero ang ganda niya pa din!

"Pakilala mo naman kami sa date mo, Nathan!" Napakamot sa batok si Nathan na humarap sa 'kin. Date? I want to roll my eyes but I don't want to be rude.

"Irene po. Irene Desylvia."

"You look familiar. Right, love?" Nagkatinginan pa silang mag-asawa. Oh how sweet. The look in their eyes! Naiinggit ako! Sana may lovelife rin ako!

Pinagiisipan pa ng mag-asawa kung saan ba ko nakita dahil may kamukha daw ako. Kaming apat ay napatingin ng may sumigaw na baby boy. Tumakbo naman si Nathan papunta sa mag-asawa na papalakad pa lang sa 'min. She's wearing a xscape embroidered lace mermaid gown that suits her short hair. "Baby boy! Wala ka sa birthday ni Light!"

"Sorry na Tita Chandria. Nasa probinsya po ako nila Nicholai noon e. Nag-Constantino po ako." Paliwanag ni Nathan.

Inabutan ako nung Tita Jamiatra ni Nathan ng baso ng wine. Tatanggapin ko na sana 'yon pero tinanong ako nito, "Wait, legal age ka na ba?" Nakangiti akong umiling bilang sagot. "You sure you can drink?" Tumango ako at binigay na 'to sa 'kin.

"You have a date, Nathan?! Hindi ka nagsasabi na may girlfriend ka na pala ah!" He's wearing a black portly fit tuxedo. Nakatingin ito sa 'kin at nakangiti.

"Dylan Silvestre. Tito ni Nathan. And this is my wife, Chandria Villarelle." Pagpapakilala sa 'kin nito. Damn! He's so cute! Alam kong matanda na siya. But damn! He's just so so so so so cute! Lalo n yung mata pag nangiti!

"Nice meeting you po." Nahihiya ko pang sabi.

"Baby boy, wag mong iwan ang girlfriend mo! Sorry girl, mabarkada 'yang anak ni Calvix e." She whispered and I laughed.

Bumulong din ako pabalik, "I'm not his girlfriend po."

"You're not?"

"He's not my type po." Diretsuhan kong sabi. It took seconds before I realized that I'm in his territory and I shouldn't say things like that. "U-Uh I mean – We're just friends lang po!"

"Well, it will start in just being friends. Right, babe?" Umakbay sa kanya yung Tito Dylan ni Nathan.

Why everyone so nice? Irene, umayos ka. Umayos ka ng mga sagot mo. You're in Nathan's territory kaya kahit ngayon maging mabait ka sa kanya!

Nilibot ang mata ko and there! I found it! My task!

I excused myself doon sa mga magaasawa. Kakainggit sila. Wondering my future husband will still be that sweet when we get older. I need to look for him.

https://youtu.be/jcqzJp46EFE

♪I feel your hand close to mine
And your smile is easy to find
So I'll hide this fear
That you're not with me here

Buti nalang ay hindi ganoon kadami ang mga tao kaya sigurado na ako na agad ko siyang mahahanap.

♪And I will laugh with you
Kiss your cheek like you still want me too
Though you're near, I know
That you're not really here

Nginingitian ko ang bawat madadaanan ko. I'm also looking for Mr. Aranillo just to ask him about my room tonight. Why they are all lovebirds? Sign na ba 'to that I should look for my prince?

♪So I'll wait for a sign that says it's not too late
And I'll try to say the love that once was mine

And I'll find, I'll find

And there he is! I found him! As expected, he's alone. Tiningnan ko ang direksyon kung saan siya nakatingin. He's looking at Nathan's direction. Sa mata palang niya, alam ko na naiinggit siya. He's a son of Andrei Rodriguez and Janelle Fortalejo. His parents are friends with them too pero si Nathan ay close na close sa kanilang lahat. And him? I guess he's not close with them and just sitting alone in the table with no accompany at all.

♪Your broken life that used to shine
And I'll find, I'll find you

Nagtama ang mata naming dalawa. He doesn't look shocked. He's just staring at me. Damn that eyes! How can a guy have that innocent eyes? Wala ng lalaki sa mundong 'to ang inosente for god's sake! I guess he still remembers me with that look from him. Well, I'm the only one who sided on him back then.

I smiled on him.

I found you, Janus.

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