“9 am na nung naalala ko na may event ka nga pala na pupuntahan. Edi binitawan ko ang basket ng mga labahin at ang sabi ko pa, ‘nako late na naman ang batang iyon’. Tapos dali-dali akong umakyat. Kamuntikan pa nga akong madapa sa hagdan”
Nagtatawanan ang mga tao dito sa hapag. “Manang tandaan nyo po na hindi na bumabata ang mga buto nyo, dahan-dahan lang po” paalala ko.
“Hindi na nga ako kumatok at nagulat ako kasi naabutan ko na tulog mantika ka pa. Kaya napasigaw ako ng ‘Eloise!’” tuloy niya sa pagkukuwento at tinuro pa ako. “Buti na lamang at mabilis kong inihanda ang pang ligo at ang mga gagamitin mo.” napabuntong-hininga na lamang siya at dumiretso na sa kusina, ngunit pakinig pa rin ang kanyang boses. “Oh siya na at tapusin mo na ang iyong almusal para makatungo ka na sa event na sinasabi mo.”
“Manang kung makasigaw ka naman po ay parang namatayan kayo, at saka hindi ho ba ang sabi ko pa ay hindi naman importanteng event iyong pupuntahan ko kaya ayos lang na malate.” puna ko bago ako tuluyang tumayo sa hapag. Hindi ko na pinagbigyan si manang na sumagot. “Aalis na po ako.” Tumango naman ang ibang kasambahay at tumungo na sa kani-kanilang gawain.
Kapag wala ang aking mga magulang ay kailangan may chaperone ako, pero ngayon ay driver lamang ang aking kasama. Malapit lang ang former school ko kung saan gaganapin ang alumni event. Hindi naman ako doon grumaduate, my best friend invited me for some ‘chika’ daw. May announcement daw siya. So, here I am not resisting him.
“I am under Mr. Adonis Corcuera” I checked with the school guard. I looked back at my driver and nodded. He easily got it.
Surprisingly, there was a color code dress here. “Uhm where’s Adonis’ booth?” I asked the guard before entering. He pointed somewhere I didn’t get it where it was. No choice. Tumabi muna ako sa tapat na garden and started to call Adonis. I tried several times but he wasn't answering.
Naglakad-lakad na lang ako until I spotted a familiar junior. I was hesitant to approach him because he’s with some other guys. Instead, he looked at my view and was surprised when he saw me. I waved at him at siya na ang lumapit sakin.
“Alam ko na ate ang hanap mo. Just follow me.” He hypingly said and winked at me. “Hanggang ngayon ang kulit mo pa rin talaga” biro ko habang nasa likod niya ako at sumusunod sa dinadaanan.
I waved at Adonis when I spotted him at the booth where his section was destined. “Oh okay she’s here.” he then ended his call. “And finally here’s the greatest Nyein Eleesha Orlaith Lim! I thought you’re not going?”
“Why do you have to state my whole name? And to answer your question, manang woke me up early kaya no choice ako but to give your wish. Here I am!” I smiled at the other former classmates here at the booth.
“Ano ang atin?” I asked Diz, my seatmate in 2nd year. She just pointed out the boxes at the back of the booth. “Can you give me a hand?” she asked and then inabot nya sakin yung isang box. I just smiled and she lead the way.
Reminiscing the memories I had here and realizing that it was a beautiful mistake I’ve done. She signaled na sa may altar pala ilalagay yung box na hawak ko. I entered the room, it was dark inside but since there were people outside, I am not afraid. Nakalimutan ko pang dalhin ang bag ko dito, I didn’t my phone to use for a flashlight. I stood up and the flashlight turned on. “You can use mine.” a manly voice came out of nowhere said.
Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip at dali-dali akong umalis. I got back to the booth and reached my bag. “Tell Adonis I have an emergency” I said to one near the chair I used.
Even before I stepped foot out of this campus, I heard his voice on the speaker. “Uhm hi everyone, for the meantime, while the other alumni booths aren’t ready, we’re going to have a chill dedication booth. Dating gawi, send your messages here and it’s free. The juniors here will read each of them.” A song started that program. The song intro that I hated to hear.
~
You walked in
Everyone was asking for your name
You just smiled
And told them "trouble"…
~
I stayed in the garden na pinaghintayan ko kanina and ngayon naman yung driver ang tinatawagan ko. Mabilis naman ang pagsagot ng driver kaya kampante na agad ako.
As soon as I saw the car, I ran out of the campus. Someone grabbed my arms and, “Eloise…” I immediately cut him off. “Don’t call me that! Not now please.” I opened the car door, and he spoke up again before I closed it.
“How did we end up here, Eloise?”
A/N: ෆ╹ .̮ ╹ෆ
