100 Ways to Get Fortunato (Complete)

16

Ilang araw bago ang Graduation at Ball ay napagdisisyunan namin nila Layla at Tanya na sabay sabay na humanap ng gown na maari naming suotin, mas excited pa kami sa ball kaysa sa graduation, half truth. Pumunta kami sa isang boutique na pagmamay-ari ng kaibigan ni mommy. Pagpasok namin ay agad bumungad ang iba't-ibang klase ng gown.

"Florence, hija ang laki laki mo na." Bati sa akin ni tita Miracle.

"Hello po," Bati naming tatlo pag pasok sa kanyang boutique.

Tita Miracle told us everything we need to know about gowns and the appropriate design for our body type. I am so happy to be surrounded with all this beautiful gowns, it fired up my dream to take fashion program for my degree.

I choose a color pink mermaid gown; it has beads that made the details look so good. The sleeves are puff. It emphasizes my collar bone that I really like. While, Tanya choose a green color ball gown filled with glitters, it is really good looking on her. And Layla chose a red sheath gown that emphasizes her figure she looks hot.

"I'm so excited!" Layla screamed a little pagkalabas namin sa boutique.

"Sino partner mo?" Tanya asked.

"Si Ali, kami lang naman single." She smirked. "Anyway, I want some hair cut." She said at hinawi ang ilang hibla ng kanyang buhok.

"Let's go then," Tanya said as she opens her car's door.

I sat on the backseat while Layla sat on the passenger seat. When we arrived at the mall dumeretso agad kami sa salon, we got some manicure, pedicure and haircut and after that we ate together. We all decided to pamper ourselves.

I got sad when I opened my phone. I texted Gian a hundred times updating him on what I am doing and where I am but he didn't respond at all.

Am I being clingy and he don't like it? I sighed before typing my apology.

The day of Graduation came and I didn't get to talk to Gian. Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko rin maintindihan ngunit kahit isang tingin ay hindi niya itinapon sa akin, kanina ko pa siya tinititigan at naghihintay na mapabaling sa akin ang kanyang tingin.

Hindi ko rin siya nagawang lapitan dahil mabilis silang umalis ng pamilya niya.

"Congratulations, anak." Daddy said and handed me a bouquet of flowers.

"Thank you, Dad."

My mother gave me a small box and when I opened it, a gold necklace was revealed. I forced a small smile when they congratulated me. I congratulated my friends too; we took group photos and selfies. Liam laughed so hard when Layla cried.

"Bakit 'di ma-ipinta mukha mo?" Tanong ni Ali at marahan na ibinaba ang aking graduation cap. "Nasaan ba siya?"

"Hindi ko alam.." Tipid kong sagot.

Iyon lamang ang tangi kong na-isagot sa kanyang tanong. Napabalikwas ako ng makita si Kurt na naglalakad. Dali dali akong lumapit sa kanya upang mag tanong kung bakit tila umiiwas sa akin ang kaibigan nito.

"Kahit sa amin ay umiiwas siya. Pasens'ya kana."

Pag dating ng hapon ay nag ayos na ako para sa graduation ball. I texted Gian that I will wait for him, that I understand if he is busy to congratulate me earlier. The make up artist is complementing me while doing her job but I just don't feel good to talk to her so I just gave her a nod whenever she asked for my opinion at isang maliit na ngiti lamang ang naibigay ko sa kanya.

When I looked at the mirror, I was amazed by myself. I am completely dressed up.

"You're so beautiful." Sambit ni mommy at habang parehas kaming nakatingin sa repleksyon ko.

"Thanks, mom."

She took some photos of me after minutes Ali came to fetch me, nagulat pa ako na sinundo nila ako para sabay sabay kami papunta sa school dahil balak ko talaga hintayin si Gian. Naka-upo sa backseat si Layla at pinagbuksan naman ako ni Ali ng upuan sa passenger seat.

"Bakit ako mukhang third wheel? Tayo partner, Ali" She whined.

"Shut up, Laliana."

Hinayaan ko silang magtalo. I didn't talk. The car was filled with silence when I cleared my throat. I saw Ali glimpse on me so many times. Layla didn't try to ask anything, it was like they know something is wrong but they decided to shut up until I open up.

"Nasa loob na sila Tanya." Layla said pertaining to the hall which the ball will occur.

"Pasok na kayo. I will wait for... someone." I said in a low tone.

"Samahan na kita," Ali suggested but I refuse his offer. He is the partner of Layla so I feel bad kung sasamahan niya ako.

"Samahan ka namin." It was not a suggestion, I smiled at Layla. Why I am so blessed with friends.

"I am fine pasok na kayo sa loob." Tinulak ko sila papasok sa entrance. They are refusing but I told them that I can manage. "Susunod din ako."

"Sure 'yan ha?" She asked so I nodded.

"Balikan ka namin kapag natagalan ka." Ali said before they entered.

Alangan pa nila akong iniwan pero sinabi ko sa kanila na papunta na si Gian. I lied but I hope it can come true.

It is cold outside. Marami na ang dumadating at bawat tao ay sinusuyod ng aking mga mata. I texted Gian that I am at the entrance waiting for him, I even called him pero hindi naman niya sinasagot. Hindi ako naiinip dahil siya naman ang hinihintay ko. Lumipas ang ilang minuto ay naubos na ang taong pumapasok sa entrance, nagsimula na rin kasi ang ball.

I sighed and rubbed my hands. I sat on the bench beside the entrance and look at the dark field. Naririnig ko ang mahinang tugtog mula sa loob.

"Nasaan kana?"

I tried calling him again but it was just ringing.

"Dion!" Agad akong napatingin sa lalaking sumigaw. It was Neil running towards Dion.

Agad akong tumayo upang lapitan sila ngunit hindi sila makatingin sa akin. "S-Si Gian?"

"H-Hindi rin namin alam." Neil responded and avoided my eye.

"I will find out." Dion said and type something at his phone. It took him a couple of minutes trying to contact Gian. "I'm sorry, he is out of reached."

He was always out of reach for me.

I pursed my lips, containing my emotions. I nodded at him. They left me alone but Kurt looks like he wants to tell me something but he is not allowed to. 

"I'm sorry." That was his words before going in.

Hours passed by and Tanya visited me twice so as Layla and Liam. They told me to go in and enjoy but I refused so they just brought me some snacks that I didn't even dare to eat.

Isang oras na lamang ay opisyal na na matatapos ang ball pero nandito pa rin ako sa labas nag hihintay.

"Florence," Ali called me, sa likod niya ay sila Liam, Layla at Tanya.

I cleared my throat and pursed my lips. Namumuo na ang mga luha sa aking mata pero ayokong umiyak. Hindi ako iiyak.

I bit my shivering lower lip and burst into tears when Layla hugged me. Wala na akong pakialam sa make up ko kung kumalat ito, gusto ko lang iiyak ang lahat, sobrang... sakit.

"I am stood up." I said in a crack voice. "I'm fine." I laughed to ease their concern but they are not convinced.

♡