Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34

Date

Dressed with a black spaghetti strap dress detailed with lace and a low cut plunging neckline and diamond details at the back, I went inside Casa Roces. Beside me is Rush, dashing with his white long sleeves polo, black slacks, and his leather shoes. I'm hugging his left arm as we both strode inside.

Soft canary lights welcomed us. The quaint exteriors made everything look prestigious and elegant. A sea of strangers stared at us, as if they were some paparazzis and we are their favorite subject. Color combinations of cream, ash, and umber accents made an artistic touch. There are crystal and diamond details hanging at the ceiling. The ambience is already perfect! It looked like they have worked hard for this.

Naalala ko tuloy noong nagpunta kami rito noon... At may sumundo pa sa akin... Napatikhim ako, naiinis sa biglaang pagpasok ng kung anong memorya.

"Is that Kamalei?"

Taas noo akong nagpatuloy sa loob. If the exteriors scream of grandeur, the interiors screamed the same way. Rush held me close to him. I am really comfortable when he's with me. Inaamin ko, I became anxious whenever I'm outside because of everything that happened. A lot has taken toll especially when I entered therapy, but I know it is part of healing.

"Lei?"

Tumango ako sa iilang mga bumati pero hindi nagsalita. Tahimik naman si Rush sa gilid ko, nagmamasid rin sa paligid. May iilan na akong namukhaan na mga kakilala at schoolmates noon. Sa malayo, natanaw ko na kaagad ang magkapatid na Flash at Kodiak na pinagkukumpulan na ng mga tao kaya hindi rin napansin ang pagpasok namin ni Rush. Nakita ko si Vanna na naglalakad papunta sa buffet pero napalingon sa pagdating namin.

She looks pretty with her short hair and bangs. Mas tumangkad at gumanda ang katawan. Saglit pa siyang natigilan nang makita ako. Tumango ako kaya ganoon din ang ginawa niya.

In the span of less than six years, it was impossible not to see Daven in some of Manila's most prestigious gala dinner, charity events, and formal social gathering. As a member of the alta sociedad, we are all expected to attend those parties. Siya ang madalas kong nakikita dahil nasa New York si Vanna. Pero ni minsan, hindi kami nag-usap o nagkaroon ng panahon na nagkwentuhan. We're not friends anymore. For Maven, I haven't seen him in all those years...

"Si Vanna," Ani Rush.

Dumako ang tingin ko sa umakbay kay Vanna.

I already expected that Maven's here because hello, it is his twin's engagement party! But nothing could prepare me for meeting him again after years. Ang huli kong kita sa kanya ay noong second year ako around UP Diliman pero that's it. Kahit noong graduation, hindi ko siya nakita.

"Lapit tayo,"

"Why?"

"We should greet them."

Nagkatitigan kami ni Rush. Nagtaas ako ng kilay at hindi pa nakakasagot ay marahan na akong inakay ni Rush.

Napansin ko ang pagbaling sa amin ni Maven. His smile faded and his jaw clenched—as if seeing me displeased him or something. I gulped. There is suddenly a lump in my throat and my knees felt so weak, it needed a support. It's a good thing that Rush is holding me.

Para na akong nakalutang sa ulap. There's a lot of things that immediately got inside my mind. I immediately felt cold because of Maven and Vanna's stare and felt unwelcome.

"Lei," Tumango si Maven nang makalapit kami.

"Good evening," Pormal kong bati.

Vanna smiled.