Mula nang natapos ang cotillion, namumula pa rin ako hanggang ngayon.
We were now back in our seats, already eating our second course meal.
I heard na pagkatapos daw ng meal na ito, we are free to choose whatever we want to eat. Also, it's our time to socialize and dance with whoever we want.
Nang tapos na kaming kumain, the host in front said that we are all required to vote for the winners of the awards of this party.
I texted Hannie to come with me in the food stalls. Kulang pa kasi 'yong kinain ko kanina.
"Jules, you know I can't eat a lot, lolobo ang tiyan ko." reklamo niya.
"Hindi ko naman sinabing kumain ka rin." I picked a cupcake from the cupcake stand, "Samahan mo lang ako."
Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin, "Nakaboto ka na?"
"Nope. Hindi na siguro."
"Bruha! Required iyon, at isa pa, bilang tayong lahat dito."
Bago pa man ako makaapila, hinila niya na ako sa harap. Kumuha siya ng papel at ballpen.
"Iilan lang naman ang kilala ko rito, Han."
"Oh, eh di yung mga kilala mo lang ang iboto mo!"
I wrote 'Rahania Rafael' and 'Juan Raphael Santos' in every category of awards. Sila lang naman kasi ng partner niya ang natipuan ko kanina.
After we vote, hinila ko ulit siya sa may mga pagkain. Kumuha ako ng plato at napagpasyahang sa table na lang namin iyon kainin.
Since sumasayaw na ang iba, marami ang bakanteng seat. At lahat ng kasama ko sa table ay wala. Doon kami naupo ni Hannie.
At ang bruha! Nakikikain din sa akin.
"Akala ko ba, 'you can't eat a lot'?" I copied her voice a while ago.
"Hayaan mo na 'yon, talagang may mga maling bagay din tayong nasasabi minsan."
Nagkulitan at nag-chikahan lang kaming dalawa habang kumakain.
"Uh, hi! Can I take you for a dance?" saad ng isang chinitong lalaki sa akin. "I'm Shin. Grade twelve... uhm... STEM."
I smiled at him, "Mamaya na lang siguro, Kuya. Kumakain pa kasi kami."
"Alright." then he left.
Binatukan ako ni Hannie, "Tangina, Jules! Grasya na ang lumapit, tinanggihan mo pa."
Naulit ang gano'ng senaryo ng ilang beses. At nang may nag-aya kay Hannie, agad-agad siyang pumayag at iniwan ako.
Since I am the only one left sitting, and I am already full, I started accepting some invites. Most of the guys that I danced was from grade twelve or from other strand.
They all asked for my number, but I didn't give it. Instead, I gave them my Facebook account, the only social media I have.
"Sa oval pa lang kanina, napansin na kita." said by Shin when we finally danced.
"Gano'n ba, Kuya?" I replied awkwardly.
"Drop the 'Kuya'. I feel like I am so old." he smiled, "Oo, tapos I told myself that I won't let this party end without dancing with you."
I smiled at him, I already heard what he said from all the guys I've danced with tonight.
Nang napagod, kumuha muli ako ng makakain. This time, I picked desserts.
Madilim at wala pa ring tao sa table namin nang maupo ako roon. I was peacefully eating nang nakitang naglapag din si Andrew ng dalawang plato sa table at umupo sa tabi ko.
