Solace of Calluna

Chapter 18

Chapter 18
Lucky

"Pastel blue suits you well." I commented on Amika's gown that she is wearing right now.

"Really? Thanks!" Paulit-ulit niyang inikot ang sarili niya para mas makita ang bawat anggulo ng gown na suot niya.

Bigla siyang humarap sa akin at tinuro ako gamit ang hintuturo niya. "I trust you. I'll get this one." At bumalik na siya sa fitting room.

Sumandal ako sa inuupuan kong couch at tumingin sa paligid ng shop na puno ng makukulay at magagandang damit at sapatos.

"Orphela! I'm so excited for next week! Although I'm sad too. Last day and night na makakasama ko kayo." Amika keenly said to me while she's inside the fitting room.

"Same. I'm quite sad about that too." I replied to her.

Next week's Grand Ball will be our last event as Senior High School students, before our Moving Up Ceremony, kung saan maghihiwa-hiwalay na kami ng landas. Thankfully, tapos na ang mga requirements at tasks namin sa school. Parang JS Prom lang din ito, pero intended nga lang for Grade 12 students.

I can't believe that I'm gonna say this but, I'm still not ready to be away from them.

"I guess we just need to make our last night worthwhile." I said out of the blue.

"You're right." Malungkot na sambit ni Amika. "Speaking of which, what's the color of your gown?"

"I'm still not sure though." I answered.

"What do you mean?" Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng lock ng cubicle ng fitting room at hinintay ko na muna siyang lumabas. "You're not sure if you're going to attend the Grand Ball or not sure about the color of your gown?"

I shrugged. "The latter."

"Oh, thank God, I'm not going to convince you once again." Inayos niya ang mga gown na bitbit niya at nagtawag ng saleslady bago nagpasalamat sa pagpapabalot niya dito.

"Well, I won't ask you again about your gown until you're hundred percent sure about it, okay? Or might as well surprise me instead." She chuckled. Napangiti naman ako.

True though, hindi na siya muling nagtanong pa tungkol sa isusuot ko nang mga sumunod na araw. Samantalang ako naman ay panay ang tanong kay mama ng isusuot ko.

She suggested me to wear her pink ballgown that she had also worn in their prom. Hindi nga lang ako maka-oo dahil sa palagay ko'y masyadong magarbo ang ballgown. The color is cute though, it's more on pastel but I just really think that it's not for me.

"Then, this?" Mama asked me while showing an off-white lace long sleeve off-shoulder dress.

"Saan niyo po ito sinuot?" Manghang-mangha ko itong hinawakan na parang isang perlas na napakalaki ng halaga. Ibinigay niya sa akin ang dress na nakasabit pa sa hanger.

"It's actually my wedding gown."

I turned to her only to see her holding the picture frame. There I saw the younger versions of my parents during their garden wedding, mama, wearing this beautiful gown that I'm holding, beside papa who's also looking good with his white tuxedo.

I remember the days when they, we, used to be so close and sweet to each other. Those days that were filled with love and affection.

Although, I have noticed that they're slowly turning back to the way they used to... And I really hope that they do, for good.