Chapter 48: Dance with the Nerd, Devils and Detectives

AMBER'S POV

Everything was perfect. From the tables that were arranged accordingly to the event, to the big chandelier that was placed above the area. Pink and blue curtains, tablecloth and others fully furnished the place. The chairs and table were perfectly prepared according to the occasion. Sa malaking table ay ang giant blue cake at chocolate fountain. Everyone on the party was perfectly dressed too.

Men were on their dazzling suits while ladies are on their shinning gown. Yeah, it's my 18th birthday at nasa isang hotel suite ako ngayon habang inaayosan ng aking makeup artist. Geez, I don't know why pero kinakabahan ako. Maybe it's because of the fact that I am on my legal age. Habang inaayos ang buhok ko, tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya agad ko iyong sinagot.

"Hello?" When I checked the caller ID, it was Khael.

"Hey, what took you so long? I'm bored waiting here," he said and I made a face. It's still early kung kaya hindi pa ako lumalabas.

"Can't you just sit there and wait?"

"I want to see you," he said and I smiled. Humohokage talaga itong si Khael. "By the way, natanggap ko na ang regalo mo and I really appreciate it. Pakiramdam ko ay kayakap na kita gabi-gabi."

"Uh, just don't make any silly thoughts kapag kayakap mo yan gabi-gabi," wika ko sa kanya and I heard him laugh.

"You're so naughty Special A! Are you suggesting?" wika niya I frowned. Ano ba ang tumatakbo sa utak ng isang Khael Alonzo?

"I was wondering Special A. Bakit unggoy?"

"Uh, how much is your IQ count?," I asked him.

"Ano'ng kinalaman niyan sa unggoy?"

"Khae, your IQ is superior so deduce it on your own."

I can hear his sigh on the other line. "Wala talaga akong maisip Special A. I'm too handsome to be a monkey. I don't even believe in Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution."

"Think harder smartass! I'm hanging up now," wika ko sa kanya. Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at agad pinatay ang tawag.

Pumasok si Mommy sa suite na ginagamit ko. She has a teary eye. Oh Mom, please not now! Hindi pa natutuyo ang maskara ko and I don't want it to smudge on my face.

"I can't believe that you are already a lady, darling," wika niya sa akin. Ayon sa mga tao, hindi kami mapagkakamalang mag-ina. Mom is too young to be a mother. Not that she's as young as Gray's mother but she has a good figure.

"Mom."

"I knew it darling. Ayaw mo ng kadramahan?" she said at lumapit sa akin. She kissed my forehead at binati ako. "Happy birthday Amber."

With that simple greeting ay nais ko nang maiyak! See! Iyon nga lang, naiiyak na ako! Paano na lang kung nag-ala-MMK pa ito?

"I love you Mom," wika ko sa kanya.

"I love you too sweetie."

That's how we are. We don't need the long comforting words para lang ipadama na mahal namin ang isa't-isa. Abala sila ni Dad sa business but they never failed in spending time with me kapag bumabawi na sila. Palagi din nila akong minomonitor through calls and text ngayong naninirahan ako sa dorm sa Bridle. Pumasok na rin si Daddy at binati rin ako. He also knew from the very start that I hate emotional speeches kaya simpleng bati lang din ang ginawa niya sa akin.

"By the way sweetie, where's your escort? Mind introducing him to us bago pa magsimula ang party?" tanong ni Dad. Oh, si Gray. Nasaan na kaya iyon? I tried calling him kanina but he didn't answer my call kaya inisip kong naghahanda pa ito.

"Hindi pa po dumarating Dad eh, maybe later," sagot ko at tumango naman ito. I got my phone and sent Gray a text message.

Ilang minute ay muling lumapit si Daddy sa akin at nagtanong kung nasaan na si Gray dahil labinlimang minuto na lang ay magsisimula na ang party. I just told him na baka na-traffic lamang si Gray kaya wala pa ito. After Dad left the suite ay muli akong nagtext kay Gray. I walked back and forth around the suite habang nilalaro sa kamay ko ang cellphone ko as I waited for Gray's reply. I tried calling him again ngunit hindi pa rin nito sinasagot.

Now I'm so worried. What if may nangyaring masama sa kanya? No no no! Iwinaksi ko iyon sa isip at muling nagtext kay Gray. I called his number again but to no avail. Gray, where the hell are you? Iniwan na ba nito ako sa ere? Did he realize na ayaw niya palang maging escort ko? Did he decide to boycott me on my birthday?

Naramdaman ko ang panginginit ng gilid ng mata ko ngunit pinigilan kong maglandas ang mga luha ko. Bakit naman ako iiyak? Eh ano ngayon kung wala si Gray? It's not the end of the world.

Tinawag na ako ng organizer. She informed me that the party is about to start. I texted Gray again. Nang hindi pa rin ito nagreply ay piniga ko na ang lahat ng natitirang lakas ng loob ko. I texted him a sad emoticon bago iniwan ang cellphone ko sa suite at lumabas doon.

Hindi naman nagtagal ay nagsimula na nga ang party. Everyone greeted me and praised me how beautiful I am. Namataan ko sina Andi at Therese sa isang tabi. I also saw Ryu and Cooler on one side. Kasama naman ni Marion at Jeremy si Khael. Kahit anong paglilibot ang gawin ng mata ko ay hindi ko makita kahit ang anino ni Gray.

Please Gray, just be safe kung nasaan ka man.

I asked Khael to be my escort instead dahil wala talagang dumating na Gray. The cotillion's rituals started at nagsimula na akong sumayaw kasama ang bumubuo ng cotillion ko. Nang magsimula na ang 18 roses ay si Daddy ang una kong sayaw.

"Hi there, beautiful lady," bati niya sa akin habang nagsasayaw kami.

"Hi Dad."

"I can't call you baby now since you are a lady," wika niya and I smiled at him.

"But I am still your baby." Oh yeah, I'm a daddy's girl. Oh well, close ako sa kanilang dalawa ni Mommy but Dad spoiled me most of the time.

"Sweetie, kanina ko pa napapansin na nagkakandahaba na 'yang leeg mo sa kakalingon. You're looking for that Gray guy?" Dad asked and I looked down. There's no point in lying.

"He did not make it Dad."

"Yeah, I noticed too. Didn't he notify you for his absence?" tanong niya and I shook my head.

"Cheer up sweetie. He must be dear to you to the point na nalulungkot ka ng ganyan. You're really a lady now," he said with a smile.

"Dad!"

"You don't have to be shy sweetie. It's normal," wika niya at kahit anong tanggi ko ay iba pa rin ang ibig sabihin sa kanya ng pag-aalala ko kay Gray. My next dances were from my cousins and relatives hanggang sa umabot na ito kay Jeremy.

"Happy birthday Amber," bati niya sa akin. He looks so good in his coat and tie. Nakadagdag pa sa appeal nito ang suot nitong braces. If he would be less weird ay malamang marami na siyang napaiyak na babae.

"Amber may knock knock ako. Knock knock!"

I rolled my eyes. "Just make sure it's not another pun Jeremy. Who's there?"

Natawa siya. "I'm good at this, don't worry." Uh really? I don't believe him and I don't want to believe him. We were still dancing at hawak-hawak ko ang binigay niyang rosas. "Beautiful girl."

"Beautiful girl who?"

He cleared his throat at nagsimulang kumanta. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy Birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday to you."

He stopped singing so I asked him. "So? Where's the beautiful girl?"

He flashed a sweet smile. "Eto, kasayaw ko."

This time, I smiled genuinely because of Jeremy's words. Who would have thought na may mga galawan pala siyang ganoon?

"Thanks Jeremy. You made me smile," wika ko sa kanya. This time, my worries about Gray are lesser, thanks to him.

"Smile Amber. Don't worry, darating din iyong detective in shining armour mo. Oh no. I saw him driving a black Porsche. I should put it as detective in shining Porsche," he said ay napangiti ulit ako.

"Jeremy tama na iyong knock knock mo. 'Wag mo ng dagdagan pa," nakangiting wika ko sa kanya. "And it's not because of Gray kaya hindi ako masyadong ngumingiti. I'm just tensed since all eyes are on me."

We danced a little longer at naaliw ako sa mga walang kwentang pinagsasabi nito. Matapos ang ilang minuto ay pinalitan na siya ni Ryu.

"This dancing with-you-scene is so familiar," he said matapos niyang ibigay sa akin ang rosas. He held my waist tightly and he pulled me close to him.

Naalala ko nga noong unang beses na sumayaw kami. It was during the masquerade party at Bridle after the school festival. Yeah, that was the time when he was sugarcoating his words yet it all has the same destination which is to end my life.

"Really? A devil has a good memory? Mabuti at naalala mo pa," wika ko sa kanya. I guess ito na talaga ang normal naming usapan. We're both giving each other dagger words at kulang na lang ay totohanan namin ang pagpapatayan.

"Of course. This devil is a smart one," wika niya. "Oh, you look like a clown by the way." I frowned at his words. Hindi kaya ako mukhang clown. Yes, makapal ang make up ko but I don't look like a clown.

"And you're a jerk," ganti ko sa kanya.

Tumawa siya ng mahina. "I'm expecting such words from you. I can't believe that I'm attending a party like this without a mafia transaction. I only attend such events dahil sa mafia. Is it because I found you interesting?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Cut your words devil dahil kapag may sasabihin ka pang katulad niyan ay iisipin ko na talagang may gusto ka sa akin." Okay, it took me a bucket of confidence to say those words kaya paninindigan ko na iyon.

He gave out a hearty laugh. "I don't want to be like Cooler who's been caught in an unrequited love. You know he likes you but you like his brother. But don't worry, he's willing to give way for his beloved baby brother," Ryu said at nais ko ulit iikot ang mga eyeballs ko.

He's the third person who told me that I like Gray. Uh, fine. It's fourth kapag sinali ko pa si Daddy. Una ay si Andi, tapos si Cooler. Kanina naman ay si Daddy, tapos ngayon siya naman. Really people?

"I don't like Gray!" Bakit ba tingin ng lahat ay gusto ko si Gray?

"I don't believe you."

"Then don't."

Ryu let out a smile. Mukhang napapadalas ang pagngiti nito kaysa sa pagamirk. "By the way my gift for you is a vintage watch," wika niya and I frowned.

"Hindi ka rin spoiler ano? You should have waited for me to open your gift." Napansin kong mataman siyang nakatitig sa akin. "What?"

"Nothing. I just can't believe that you're still alive after you ruined the mafia transaction," wika niya. Oh, hanggang ngayon ba naman Ryu?!

"Can you just forget about it?" tanong ko sa kanya. God! Ibinaon ko na nga iyon sa limot! Move on Ryu! Move on.

"I can't forget about it," wika niya kapagkuwag lumingon siya sa paligid. "Where's my cousin?"

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. Actually, that question is running around my head. Where the hell is Gray?

"Maybe he's with another bitch," wika niya at mahina kong pinisil ang leeg niya. Naiinis ako sa pinagsasabi niya! Pwede naman kasing manahimik kung wala rin namang magandang sasabihin, diba?

"Oh, why? You don't believe that he's also a manwhore? Siguro ay nagsawa na siya sayo."

"'Wag mong igaya si Gray sayo," wika ko at umirap sa kanya.

Tumawa siya. "You look pissed. Don't worry, I guess he's loyal. At isa pa marami kang substitute. You can have Cooler or the guy from Athena," wika niya, referring to Khael.

"Pwede bang tumahimik ka na lang? 'Wag mo akong piliting pagsisihan ang pag-imbita ko sayo," I said and he giggled.

"I told you that I will be present to ruin your night." Napalingon siya sa likuran niya nang may tumapik sa balikat niya.

"My turn bro," Cooler said at inagaw ako mula kay Ryu. He gave me the rose that he was holding at hinawakan ako sa beywang.

"Oh, you came too fast. Wala pa kaming minuto na nagsasayaw," he said.

Cooler slightly laughed. "It's been five minutes. Now, take your seat," he said at patuloy pa rin akong sinasayaw. Ryu left the dance floor with a smirk.

"May nagsabi na ba sayo na ang ganda mo ngayon?" he asked at kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"Yeah. Why?" Fine! That sounds like I'm boasting ngunit totoo namang kanina pa ako pinupuri ng mga tao. Only that devil told me that I looked like a clown!

"They're lying," Cooler said. What now? Don't tell me he agrees with Ryu?! Urgh! Magpinsan nga! They're both devils!

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin ngunit muli siyang nagsalita. "They're lying because you don't look beautiful. You are very beautiful," he said and emphasize the word very. Cooler never fails in making me smile. I know I'm blushing kaya bahagya akong yumuko upang itago ang pagkapahiya. Marahan kaming sumasayaw sa tugtog.

"Amber, do you know why I'm the mafia's secret negotiator?" he asked and I shook my head. How would I know? Duh.

"It's because I have a strong gut feel and I'm good in estimating things, well that's according to Cronus. He let me decide because I'm not hot-blooded and I always think first before acting," wika niya.

Why is he telling me such things? Ano naman ang pakialam ko sa posisyon niya sa mafia? I'm not interested in them.

"Why are you telling me all those things Cooler?" I asked him. He took a deep breath bago sumagot.

"Because I have a bad feeling about tonight. A premonition that something bad will happen tonight."

I faked a laugh to lighten up our mood. "Don't scare me."

"I'm not scaring you Amber. I'm just telling you to be vigilant. Iba talaga ang pakiramdam ko. I have a feeling of treachery. You sure you've got trustworthy friends?" tanong niya at tiningnan ang mga tao sa paligid.

"Of course. Of the people here, well except for my relatives and family friends, Ryu is the only one that I don't trust," wika ko at napangiti siya.

"I'm glad that you trust me," wika niya.

Yes, I can say that I trust him kahit na naging siya si Zeus na dati ay nagbibigay ng takot sa akin. After I knew his identity ay hindi na ako natatakot sa kanya. Well, he once jumped a bullet in front of me.

"Sinalo mo dati ang bala na para sa akin. You prevented Ryu from killing me after I messed up with the mafia's transaction. You saved me few times. Now tell me why shouldn't I trust you?" He smiled at maging ako ay napangiti na rin at bigla akong may naalala. "Hey! Where's my bag and my Baymax?"

He frowned at me. "Really? Iyan pa talaga ang inaala mo?"

"I can't lose Baymax! Pinaghirapan mo iyon sa amusement park!" Now that's a bluff. Hindi siya naghirap. He doesn't even shed a sweat for it.

"Just as I thought. Hahanapin mo talaga iyon so I brought them along. Nasa sasakyan lamang sila."

"Amber, would you accept it if I give you a gun?" he asked at nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa tanong niya. Is he crazy?! Hindi nga ako halos makagalaw kapag nakakakita ng baril, tapos bibigyan niya ako? Okay, that was before. Ngayon ay nasasanay na ako sa madalas na pagkikita namin ng mga baril na 'yan, they are even pointed at me! Pero kahit na! Mababaliw siguro ako if I possess a gun.

"You must be crazy."

"I guess all I can do is protect you," wika niya. Hindi na ako nakasagot pa dahil dumating na si Khael, my last dance for tonight.

"Sorry dude but I have to steal this beautiful lady from you," he said at kinuha ang mga kamay kong nakakapit sa balikat ni Cooler at inilagay iyon sa kanyang balikat. He pulled my waist, completely taking me away from Cooler. Cooler smiled at me bago bumalik sa mesa kung nasaan si Ryu.

Khael gave me my last rose. "I don't know if I'd be happy or what for Gray's absence tonight. Well he just called me and said that something came up and then my battery died," wika niya. Tinawagan siya ni Gray? Mabuti pa siya! Well, he is his best buddy but he should have called me too! O kahit simpleng text man lang na nagsasabing hindi siya nakakarating.

Ngumiti ako ng pilit. "I'm glad that he is safe."

"I'm wondering what is that something that came up. Saka pa nagloko ang cellphone ko," wika niya. "By the way, happy birthday Special A!"

"Thanks Khael."

Bigla na lamang itong sumimangot. "You don't seem happy. Ayaw mo ba akong kasayaw? Mabuti pa roon sa lalaking may bakod ang ngipin, ang tamis pa ng ngito mo," he acted as if he was really hurt.

Lalaking may bakod ang ngipin? Oh. He must mean Jeremy and his braces. I smiled on his words, describing Jeremy.

"See! Napapangiti ka kapag naaalala mo yung lalaking iyon. Maybe I'll have my teeth fenced too," wika niya and this time ay natawa na ako.

"Silly! I'm smiling on your words. His name is Jeremy. And don't ever think of bracing your teeth because I like them. Hindi na nila kailangan ng bakod," natatawang wika ko.

"I'm jealous. You like my teeth and not me."

"Baliw!"

"Seryosong usapan Special A. I'm happy that you've befriended Gray. You're one of his best buddies too," wika niya.

"You're so gay Khael, alam mo ba?" I said and he giggled. Hindi ko lubos akalain na magiging kaibigan ko rin si Khael. Well, he was once an annoying someone who interrupted our play by preventing Gray from drinking poison. He was a lifesaver that time!

"Hulaan mo kung ano ang regalo ko sayo," he asked.

"Ewan."

"Hulaan mo kasi!"

"Ayaw ko!"

"Ugh, stubborn! It's a―"

I cut him off. "Hep! Don't be a spoiler! Can't you wait until I open all the gifts?" wika ko. These guys are being spoiler! Ryu just told me that he got a vintage watch for me tapos ngayon, siya naman?!

"Right, I'll just wait," he said.

"But I can't wait."

Sabay kaming napalingon sa nagsalita. It was Gray! He was sweating all over ngunit hindi iyon nakabawas sa kakisigan niya. May dala siyang isang bouquet ng red roses. Suddenly, he snatched me from Khael and pulled me closer towards him.

"Sorry Alonzo but I have gone a lot before coming here so I'm claiming the debutant," he said.

"I don't know why you're sweating like a pig but I understand that you must really have gone a lot bago ka makarating dito kaya pagbibigyan kita. You're the original escort anyway," Khael said at marahang tinapik sa balikat si Gray. He was about to make his exit ngunit bumalik ito at inihagis ang isang panyo kay Gray. "I think you need that one. Mahiya ka naman kay Amber."

Nakangiting sinalo naman iyon ni Gray at pinunasan ang pawisang mukha. "Thanks best buddy," he said at tuluyan ng umalis si Khael upang bumalik sa kanyang upuan. Matapos niyang itago ang panyo sa bulsa ay iniabot niya sa akin ang dala-dalang bouquet.

"I guess I'm not part of the 18 roses anymore so I decided to buy a bouquet instead."

Tinanggap ko ang bulaklak at pinagmasdan iyon. I didn't bother to comment on his statement. Inangat niya ang mukha ko at pinaharap ako sa kanya. "Hey, are you mad?"

I shook my head. Damn! Bakit umiinit na naman ang gilid ng mga mata ko? Nandito na siya diba? It's better late than never nga diba?

"Oh please don't cry."

"I'm not crying. I'm not used in wearing false lashes and eyeliner idiot!" wika ko at pinunasan ang mga luhang nagbabantang tumulo.

"I'm really sorry Amber. I have a very important matter to attend to."

"I- I... I was worried." There, I said it.

"Worried? For?"

"I'm worried for you! Akala ko kung ano na ang nangyari sayo. You didn't even call me o kahit text na lang! But thanks God, you're safe," I exclaimed and he flashed a big smile.

"You're not angry with me?" tanong niya and I shook my head. I'm not angry; I'm relieved dahil ligtas pala ito.

"Where have you been?" tanong ko at bigla na lamang sumeryoso ang mukha niya. "Ah, I knew it. You went to solve a case? Uh, you really leave no mystery behind Mr. Deduction Maniac."

He pouted and he looks so cute in doing so. "There's one unsolved mystery for me and that mystery is you."

Napatanga ako nang sinabi niya iyon. Ano na naman ba ang ibig sabihin niyon? That was a very awkward moment dahil walang nagsalita sa amin matapos niyang sabihin iyon. Binasag ko ang katahimikan sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanong kung saan nga ba siya galing.

"Let's not talk about it now. Maybe after your party. Let's not ruin the night," wika niya at nagtaka naman ako. Does it have something to do with me?

"Why? May kinalaman ba iyon sa akin?"

"I told you let's not talk about it now. And Amber, I have one request. If I can't stick with you tonight, please don't go anywhere with Marion," wika niya at mas lalong nagtaka ako.

"Why? What's with Marion?"

To my surprised, he pulled me so close to him kaya napayakap ako sa kanya as we swayed through the music. Uh, to put it simply, we're more like hugging than dancing.

"Nothing. Just don't go anywhere with her."

"Ayoko hangga't hindi mo sinasabi sa akin kung bakit," pagmamatigas ko sa kanya. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pinagbabawalan niya akong sumama kay Marion. She's our friend and classmate, right?

"Please?" he asked in a low voice.

I don't know why but I just found myself nodding my head. "Okay," sagot ko sa mahinang boses. Naramdaman ko ang mahinang dampi ng labi niya sa buhok ko and he pulled me even closer. That's when I allowed myself to burry my face in his neck. It's the most comfortable position as of this moment.

***

It's almost midnight when the party was over. Unti-unti nang umuwi ang mga bisita maliban sa mga inimbitahan ko na mula sa Bridle at maging sina Khael, Ryu at Cooler. Mom let my roommates and Jeremy stay at the hotel since hindi na kami makakapasok sa Bridle dahil lipas curfew na.

I can't find Gray and Khael. Kanina ay matamang nag-uusap ang dalawa. They seem to have a serious topic kaya pinabayaan ko na sila. Kasama ko si Jeremy at inihatid namin sina Ryu at Cooler, maging si Marion papunta sa parking lot ng hotel. Nauna nang nakatulog sina Andi at Therese sa suite na inuokupa nila.

"Thank you for tonight Amber," Marion said with a big smile. Nasa harap na kami ng kotse nina Ryu at Cooler.

"Walang ano man Marion, salamat din sa inyo," I said sincerely.

"It's late. Mauna na kami Amber," Cooler said and he glanced at his watch. "Well, it's still 11:42. Happy Birthday Amber!"

Sumakay na sila sa kotse nila habang panay naman ang lingon ni Marion sa paligid ng parking lot.

"Hey Marie, sumabay ka na sa amin," Ryu said at inirapan ito ni Marion.

"It's Marion. Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa iyo na Marion ang pangalan ko at hindi Marie," Marion scowled at him habang nakasmirk lang sa kanya si Ryu. "Whatever. I'm glad that our engagement is off. God, you can't even remember my name!" dagdag ni Marion. Uh, engaged silang dalawa dati?!

"I'm glad it's off too! I can't have a lunatic girl as a fiancée," sagot ni Ryu.

"Whatever! I'd rather wait for my driver till morning than to ride with you!" Marion said to him.

Bago pa man lumaki ang pagtatalo nila ay pinaalis ko na sina Ryu at Cooler. Nagpaalam naman ang mga ito at pinaharurot na ang kotse. Naghintay naman kami ng ilang saglit sa loob ng parking lot sa driver ni Marion. Wala masyadong tao doon at tahimik ang paligid.

"Nasaan na ba ang driver na 'yun," maktol ni Marion.

Humikab naman si Jeremy. "I'm so sleepy. Antagal naman ng sundo mo, dito ka na lang kaya matulog?"

"I can't. Papagalitan ako," she answered at panay pa rin ang lingon niya sa paligid.

Humakbang ako palayo sa kanila. "Teka, titingnan ko doon sa kabila baka nandoon," paalam ko sa kanila.

I slowly walked away but I immediately looked back nang may marinig akong kakaibang tunog. It was a loud thud and a groan. Paglingon ko ay nakita ko ang nakahandusay na si Jeremy, his head was bleeding. But it wasn't just Jeremy that I saw. I also saw Marion holding a gun with an evil smile on her lips.

Just what the hell is the meaning of this?!