CHAPTER 76
"Are you certain you'll be okay here by yourself while I'm gone?" Tanong ko kay Carmen na nakaupo ngayon sa sofa. As I walk past my bedroom door, I'm already adjusting the ribbon and accessories on my suit. Carmen, on the other hand, is holding the coat on her arms and waiting for me to finish.
"I'll be okay kuya Kiel. Besides, mataas ang security rito sa subdivision kaya hindi mo na kailangang mag-alala." Nakangiti niyang sabi at iniabot na ang coat.
"Call me if anything happens." I reminded her before grabbing the car keys on the top of the cabinet. "I'll be leaving." Paalam ko and wore the coat bago buksan ang pinto palabas ng bahay.
"By the way kuya Kiel, who's your partner?" Habol na tanong niya kaya napatigil ako sa paglalakad. "I don't need one." I responded quickly pero hindi siya natinag at hinabol pa ako palapit sa sasakyan.
"It's a costume ball! You need. a. partner!" Tumakbo siya sa harapan ng sakyan at humarang doon. "Remember what Rain said to you the other day? That if you saw someone with a golden crescent moon on her forehead and blonde hair tied in two buns and pigtails, you should ask her to be your partner." She elaborated. I can't believe she remembers such details.
"It's not gonna happen." Seryoso kong sabi at pinatabi siya para buksan ang pinto ng kotse.
"Really?" Natatawa niyang sambit at umiling. "And don't forget to wear the mask, Prince of the Earth, Endymion." Huli niyang sabi bago ko isinara ang pinto at paandarin ang sasakyan. Kumaway muna siya sa akin bago pumasok sa loob ng bahay.
I'm glad she's able to express herself more than before. But the question is, what led her to change her behavior? I informed Rain about her yesterday, and she chatted to her as if they'd known each other for years. Was it because she lived in the States?
Nakarating ako sa university at wala nang trace ng mga estudyante ang makikita sa labas ng gymnasium. I am already this late?
Hindi naman ako nanatili pa sa loob ng kotse at bumaba na rin matapos kong isuot ang mask at dumeretso ng lakad sa entrada ng gymnasium. "Your name sir?" Bungad na tanong ng lalaki sa akin.
"Ezekiel Helffrich." Maikling sagot ko."I'm not requesting your whole name, sir. Just tell me the name of your character." Paliwanag niya at seryosong umiling.
I had no idea about this. It could only be Rain's one-of-a-kind idea to embarrass me in front of everyone. She enjoys fantasizing fictional characters, no wonder hindi ako kilala ng lalaking nasa harapan ko dahil isa siguro siya sa kinuha ni rain for this ball. I sighed in frustration and gave my character's name. "It's Prince Endymion."
Tinanggap naman niya iyon at binuksan ang pinto sabay sigaw sa pangalang ibinigay ko. "Prince Endymion..."
"Wait! I'm also here... as Princess Serenity." Habol na sabi ng babae at rinig pa ang tunog ng kanyang takong habang nagmamadaling lumakad papasok sa pinto at tumigil sa tabi ko. "...and Princess Serenity has arrived!" Pagtuloy ng lalaki sa kanyang sinasabi.
