Epigraph and Quintessence (STATION Series #4)

Kabanata 37

Kabanata 37

Party

I do not see the point of attending his birthday party.

Bakit ba ako nagpadala sa pamimilit ni Daddy na umuwi rito? Pati ako ay nagulat sa sarili nang makumbinsing mag-resign sa pinagtatrabahuhan para ano? Para umuwi rito?

I knew I never liked the work environment, but I went on with it because I believed that it could help me. I could sense some improvements from myself, too, but what was the reason?

Did I really run away? I don't think it as that, rather, thought of it as a way to find myself and breathe. But was the two years enough? I don't know. I just went on with it. Wala na akong mahanap na iba pang rason pagkatapos no'n.

Matagal ko na 'tong pinag-isipan, halos isang buwan na. Hindi ko rin alam kung sinasadya ko ba kasi isang buwan na lang din bago mag-birthday si Seville.

But, really, Savannah? What are you planning to do?

Am I silently hoping that we could get back together? I thought that I set my feelings aside because I believed that it would hurt him. Hindi ko na nga pinapansin pa 'yon para hindi ko na siya madamay sa 'kin kaya bakit pa ako umuwi?

I could only sigh to stop myself from thinking about it. Iginala ko na lang ang tingin sa paligid, inaaliw ang sarili para hindi na maguluhan pa ulit.

The interior of the function hall went with a scheme of gold, silver, and black—colors which brought out the elegance the room could hold. It's elegant but not very formal, but the guests were wearing formal black suits and dresses.

The white-clothed high tables reminded me of a way to mingle with some of the guests. Wala ring upuan kaya parang bar ang dating, idagdag pa ang mga naka-display na alak sa isang gilid.

"Umattend ka nga!" Napalingon ako sa gilid at nakita si Therese. Hawak-hawak niya ang maliit na bag sa isang kamay. "Nakonsensiya ka ba sa libreng plane ticket? Naghati kami ni Cloud do'n!"

My cousin's long brown hair was neatly tucked in a formal bun. There were few strands of hair that framed her face. Her long, black, strapless dress was a bit sparkly because of the sequins. But my dress was simpler than hers—a black, spaghetti-strapped long dress. I partnered it with a black clutch.

Niyakap ko siya nang ibinanat niya ang kamay. She squeezed me before she let go. "Ang pretty-pretty pa rin! Lalo kang gumanda sa abroad. Ano bang secret d'yan?"

I laughed at her and fixed my hair that's loosely curled at the tips. "The environment, I guess?" Natatawa kong sagot. "Where's Cloud? Nandito na ba siya?"

She nodded at me as she texted someone from her phone. Itinago niya ulit sa bag pagkatapos. "Nagpasundo ako kay Cloud kaya sabay kaming pumunta. Iniwan ko siya nang makapasok dito kasi sumasakit ulo ko sa kan'ya!"

I laughed at her familiar complain. Palagi ko 'yong naririnig bago pa ako umalis ng bansa. Ngayong nakauwi na ay gano'n pa rin.

"Why is the party so elegant? It looked formal but I saw the alcohols..."

She clasped her hands before she held mine. "Hindi ka ba informed na parang celebratory party na 'to? Full recognition na ng banda nationwide. Malaki na rin 'yung marketing tsaka buying power ng mga fans. Strong fandom na rin! Tapos magda-drop sila ng first-ever full-length album release! Kaya may mga press din para makasagap ng news..."

Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa gulat. They're that big already?

I looked around and spotted some cameras. Iilan pa lang ang nagfa-flash kaya hindi pa masakit sa mata.