Obviously, This Is Not Love

5.2| During Party

5.2| During Party

Arki told me that wearing a jeans and a shirt was still suitable for the anniversary. However, I would never settle for less. Obviously, Arki's family is much more decent than that so I brought a simple dress with me. And my assumption was right. Tonight is Lola Erin's anniversary with her husband, yet they celebrate it grand. Yun pala, not only they celebrate lola's anniversary, they are also celebrating tita Keira and Uncle Greg's renewal of vow.

Marami ang pumunta. Women wore elegant dresses with matching silver or gold accessories, while men suited up. Since, I wasn't really expecting such grandeur, I wore the only black dress I have in my closet. It's sleeves are laced and the dress is flared. Also, I put my hair up in a messy bun and secured it with a patterned bandana. For my make up, I just applied a dark red lipstick, the rest, I went for the natural look as possible. My get-up is paired up with a white strappy peep toe shoes. Simple lang, but it adds the needed 'umph' for the look. For the accessories, wala masyado, just the ring my mom gave me. **

Lumabas na ako sa kwarto na pinagtutulugan ko, and from my door, nakita kong nakatayo si Arki doon. I can feel myself heat up when I saw how surprised he was, to the point that he just stared at me, plus, he stuttered. I fixed myself well, I'd say.

"Well?" I smiled.

In-adjust pa ni Arki yung necktie at collar niya. "Uhm... Wow... Ikaw pa ba yan? Aris, really? Do you have to?" He can't stop grinning at himself, "Oh dear. Ang ganda naman ng girlfriend ko!"

I knew that what he said doesn't mean anything. In the first place, we're both just pretending. Tumawa lang ako. "Mabuti na lang hindi ako nakinig sayo. Sabi mo kasi okay lang yung naka-jeans, tapos makikita ko na ganito pala kagrande ang magiging party niyo!"

Then he extended his arms for me. "So, shall we?"

Kinuha ko naman yun tapos dahan-dahan akong inalalayan ni Arki pababa ng hagdan nila. I managed to steal attention from the crowd. May naririnig pa akong bulungan kung sino daw ba yung kasama ni Arki, and I heard some answers too. I am Arki Frey Lewis' girlfriend.

Agad naming nilapitan yung lola ni Arki. Kahit si lola Erin ay napatulala sa akin. Inayos pa nga niya salamin niya, baka daw namamalik mata siya. Then, pinuntahan namin parents niya. Ang ganda ni tita Keira. Simple lang suot niya pero... woah! Napaka-elegante talaga tingnan. She wore a white bodycon dress, tapos gold leather pumps for her shoes. Her hair is just short kaya nakalugay lang iyon.

"You look outstanding, Aris!" Tita Keira hugged me. She even smelled nice. "Bigla ko tuloy namiss ang pagkabata ko!" We both laughed.

"You look really lovely po tita," sabi ko naman. She just smiled warmly at me.

Tapos si Uncle Greg naman yung sumingit sa usapan namin. "Son, you have a good eye for women! I'm proud of you! You got that trait from me... Well, what can you say? Look at your mom! I caught the darn-est fish in the ocean, haven't I?"

Nahuli kong namula si tita Keira sa sinabi ni Uncle Greg. And suddenly, I thought of dad. I wished I knew him before he left me and mom when I was just two years old. I don't even know where he is. The only thing I know about him is his name and his appearance 17 years ago.

Then the party started. That's when I felt out of place, like I really don't belong to this kind of gathering. I'm not Arki's real girlfriend in the first place. Some girl out there deserves this more than I do. Arki's family is really great and I can't tell anything otherwise. And I felt bad that I'm here instead of her.

Pinakilala ako ni Arki sa iba pa niyang relatives. Some were warm and welcoming but some judges me all the same. Pero ano pa ba magagawa ko? I think it's normal. Hanggang sa ipakilala ako ni Arki sa pinsan niya (ang tanging kaedad lang namin).