Meet Me In Mabini (City Series #2)

Chapter 34

#MMIM34

I stood in front of the mirror as I looked at the red gown I had on for tonight. Naka-curl ang dulo ng buhok ko at naka-heels na rin ako na white. It was a simple gown that mommy bought from Milan, so I felt like it wasn't as formal as what's needed for tonight, pero okay na rin 'yon. Ayaw ko namang sobrang bongga ng susuotin ko.

I took my phone and took a deep breath as I placed it inside my clutch. Hindi ko sinagot si Vale kanina. Ang sabi ko, mag-usap na lang kami mamayang gabi. Ang sabi ko, pagisipan niya nang maigi.

Because we've been down this road before.

Since they gave their driver the holidays off, si Daddy na ang nag-drive papuntang John Hay. We entered a building and the decorations immediately screamed the Christmas season. Sobrang formal talaga ng mga suot ng lahat, kaya okay rin na nag-gown ako. It's obviously a black-tie event.

As I scanned the place, maraming familiar faces sa paligid. A lot of politicans are around, and a lot of rich influences. Kitang kita ko pa ang mga magulang ni Lia at yung mga kapatid niya. Malaking event nga. Kaya naman pala kami imbitado, dahil marami din kilala si Daddy. Though we're not one of the rich and powerful families, he knows a lot of people because of his kindness and generosity. Si Mommy naman ay kilala rin dahil yung pamilya niya yung kilala. I guess in their time, kilalang kilala si Mommy sa Baguio.

I wonder why Vale's dad is doing this? Malapit na ba ang pangangampanya?

"Nako, napaka-ganda naman talaga!" Tita Sol greeted me after she greeted my parents. "When did you get here sa Baguio?"

"Yesterday po, Tita." I smiled. "Kayo po?"

"Just today!" she answered. "Also, have you seen my son? Sabi sa akin ni Hannah bago ako umalis na single ka raw, hanapan daw kita ng boyfriend bago mag-bagong taon!"

I almost choked at how casual Tita Sol spoke, and how Hannah brought up my lovelife to our boss.

"Ma." Biglang sulpot ni Z. Bineso niya si Tita at nag-tangka na umalis pero hinila siya pabalik ni Tita Sol.

Lumingon ako kina Daddy na mukhang may iba nang kausap ngayon.

Nasaan na kaya si Vale?

"Uy, Nat!" Ngumiti si Z sa akin. "Nandito ka pala sa Baguio."

"Yeah, just arrived last night." I smiled back.

"Bagay ata kayo," ani Tita Sol. "Anak, bakit di mo ligawan 'tong si Natalia? She's very creative, hard-working, sobrang ganda at sexy! Plus, malaki sahod niyan. I should know." She winked.

Natawa naman ako kay Tita. Z looked tired of this conversation kaya naman medyo na-guilty akong natawa ako.

Hindi ba 'yon joke?

"May manliligaw na po ako, eh," I smiled.

"Talaga?" Tita Sol asked. "Pogi ba 'yan?"

"Ma, andito na si—"

"Sino nanaman?" She cut off her son's sentence. "Akala ko ba break na kayo?"

Bago pa makasagot si Z ay may naramdaman na akong kamay sa likod ko. Vale's hand was at the small of my back and I immediately felt goosebumps. I smiled at him who looked dashing in his tux. He could definitely pass for a Disney prince.

"Hey," He smiled.

"Vale," Ngumiti si Z. "Kailan ka pa nakauwi, brad?"

"Kagabi lang," he answered.

Z suddenly looked confused and gave me a look. Tumikhim ako at umiwas ng tingin. Tinanggal rin ni Vale ang kamay niya sa likod ko.

"Oh, pati si Nat! Sana nag-sabay na lang kayo," sabi ni Tita Sol habang nagmamano si Vale sa kanya.