Beneath Your Smile (The Old And The New Series #1)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

I never let my eyes wander to different people. I only focused my gaze on Demetrio.

Bahagyang kumunot pa ang noo ko dahil hindi ko siya nakitang sumulyap sa ibang tao na nagsasaya. Other people tend to silently brag their branded shoes, clothes, and accessories but he never places his eyes to those.

He kept his gaze straight to Tobias. Agad din niyang nilapitan si Kuya. Her brother, I supposed because they look alike, tapped Tobias' shoulder that made Tobias turn his head around.

Bumaha ang saya sa mukha ni Tobias at binitawan ang braso ni Audrey para mayakap lang ang matandang kapatid ni Demetrio.

"What is his name?" I asked Lucia, never glancing at her side.

"Kirk Hareton," was Lucia's reply.

Tumango ako at mas lalo silang tinuunan ng pansin.

"Tigilan mo na 'yan, Eanne. Ihatid mo kami sa mga pagkain. Nagugutom na ako," reklamo ni Lucia.

Still, not tearing my eyes off from him, I said, "Just go inside the house. Nando'n ang buffet tables," sagot ko.

"We want you to be with us, Eanne," ungol ni Lucia.

I grunted. I looked at her. "Hindi ko naman birthday, ah?"

"But you're the sister of the birthday boy and you live in this house, so…"

I groaned, talo akong napatayo. 'Di bale. Babalikan ko mamaya ng tingin si Demetrio. The party is not on its peak and just nearing it.

Baka kung saan masaya at magulo na ang lahat do'n lang siya gagawa ng galaw niya. Yeah, maybe he's waiting for the right time.

Pumasok ako sa bahay na naka angkla sa aking braso ang braso ni Lucia. Some guests greeted us and some nodded their head when they saw me. I simply answered their greetings with a nod and headed to the buffet tables.

Lucia and Darko got their plates. Tapos na ako kaninang lunch kumain. And I don't feel like eating now kaya kumuha na lang ako ng beer in can. Tatlo ang kinuha ko at para sa dalawang kasama ang dalawang lata.

Bumalik ako kina Lucia pero agad din tumigil sa gitna ng paglalakad dahil nakita ko siya, taimtim na tumitig sa mga pagkain.

Nasa likod siya ni Darko. Sa likod din nito ay ang kuya niya na tumitingin din sa mga nakahain na pagkain.

I composed myself right before I went to Lucia's side.

"Ang aga pa, iinom agad tayo?" tanong ni Lucia nang mapadako ang tingin nito sa hawak ko. She grabbed a spoonful of shrimp and put it in her plate.

"This is not hard. And we'll just have one can. Mamaya na ang iba," I said.

"You think people will lose their minds later?" Darko followed.

"Don't know. Baka. Baka ang iba hindi," I simply answered and tried to gaze at the person on his left. 

Our eyes met and I instantly looked away. Clearing my throat, I looked at the meal on a silver platter.

Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. The cans I'm holding seems to slip in my hands kaya inaayos ko ang pagkakahawak sa kanila.

When I calmed myself, sinubukan ko ulit na tumingin sa kanya. His eyes were not on my eyes. It didn't meet mine. But his eyes were fixed on the beers that I'm holding.

"Umisod ka, Eanne."

Natauhan ako sa reklamo ni Lucia. Umatras ako para mabigyan siya ng daan. Napunta sa mga mata ko ang tingin ni Demetrio dahil sa paggalaw.