A Setback Beauty

Kabanata 52: WHERE IT BELONGS

Where It Belongs...

- - -

Philippines.

THE more steps I took towards the entrance, the louder I heard the speaker's voice. They were already halfway through the event! That just made me so panicked that I didn't mind the jetlag I'm feeling right now after a 15-hour flight from Madrid to the Philippines!

Mas binilisan ko pa ang paghakbang ko. Now, I'm just a few steps away from the entrance. This gives me a glimmer of hope, but when a man in uniform blocks me...my hope is shattered!

"Ma'am, may dala ho ba kayong invitation card?"

Napatitig ako sa kaswal na mukha ng guard. My eyes stayed there because I didn't know what to say. Obviously, since I don't have an invitation, I already know what will happen next.

"Ma'am?" untag nito sa'kin na halatang naiinip na.

I pressed my lips together as I mustered up my courage. "P-Pasensya na ho. Wala akong dalang invitation card."

"Naku, Ma'am. Pasensya na. Mahigpit po kasi ang host ng event. Hindi talaga pwedeng pumasok ang walang invitation."

"B-Bakit h-ho?" I asked.

"Para ho sa seguridad, Ma'am. Puro ho kasi malalaking tao ang nasa loob ngayon."

"Before we get to the most important part of the event, I'd like to thank everyone who came today despite their hectic schedules. Thank you for your presence, ladies and gentlemen. And now we're finally starting the auction on our first item..."

Mas lalong kumalabog ang dibdib ko nang muling marinig ang boses ng speaker. They're about to start the auction!

"P-Pero invited naman ako. Hindi ko lang nadala yung invitation card." Pinilit kong maging kalmado kahit halos sumabog na ang dibdib ko sa lakas ng tibok nito.

"Kung gayon po, kailangan ko munang tawagan ang host para malaman kung kilala niya kayo..." Naging alanganin ang tingin sa'kin ng guard. "Pero imposible na po. Nagsisimula na po ang event kaya hindi na pwedeng antalahin ang host."

"K-Kuya, hindi naman ako manggugulo sa loob. May kailangan lang talaga akong makita sa loob kaya naman pakiusap...papasukin mo na ako," pagmamakaawa ko pero hindi nagpatinag ang kaharap ko.

Napailing lang ito. "Naku, Ma'am. Sa pananalita n'yo, mas lalong hindi kayo pwedeng pumasok sa loob. Mahirap na-"

"Nakikiusap ako. Kahit saglit lang," pagpupumilit ko.

"Hindi po talaga maaari."

"The first item we have here is the Amish Blue Stone. This 98.6 carat deep blue sapphire was originally designed here in the Philippines..."

I suddenly became really frantic as I looked around while listening to the speaker inside the museum. I could feel my brain shutting down, like I'm about to faint!

No, not yet, please! Just let me...look at it first!

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I held them back. Crying won't help me kaya tinatagan ko ang sarili ko.

"And now, let us begin the bidding for the Amish Blue Stone, with a starting bid of 2, 600,000 million pesos. Who wants to make a bid?"

Mula sa labas ng museum, narinig ko ang sunod-sunod na pagbanggit ng emcee sa tumataas na bid price kaya mas lalo akong naging tensyonado.

"Kuya, handa akong magbayad kahit magkano...basta papasukin mo lang ako. Please..." I know I'm offending him already, but I can't help it. I'm just desperate and frustrated right now.