DANDELION (Completed)

KABANATA 24

Alas dos na nang makauwi ako ng tuluyan sa bahay. As usual ay wala silang nadatnan ko sa loob kaya natulog na lang maghapon ang ginawa ko. I should've just stayed longer in Halseth's condo and cuddled with him.

Naalimpungatan lang ako nang maramdaman ang pagtapik ni mommy at ginigising ako.

"Sweetie, prepare now. Hindi ba ay pupunta pa tayo kina Rafael for his celebration?"

"Mommy, can I just stay here? I don't want to go..." I groaned and hugged my pillow more.

Inaantok pa ako at mabigat talaga ang katawan ko. Halseth was so rough last dawn. I shouldn't have went there last night if he'd just give me this body ache and I'd suffered like this now.

"What? No! You should come, sweetie!" She nervously spoke and started giving me kisses around my face. "Sweetie, please? Bangon na..."

"Argh, fine." I giggled.

"Your dress is ready!"

Nagawa ko pang magbabad sa bathtub at pinagpahinga ang katawan sa mabango at maaligamgam na tubig. Agad din akong nagbihis at ako na rin ang nag-ayos sa sarili ko. Hindi ko magawang itali ang buhok at inilugay ko na lang at inipitan sa makabilang gilid ng mukha ko paangat sa itaas ng tenga dahil para itago ang mga pulang marka sa balikat at batok ko. Mabuti nga at sumakto ang dress na inihanda ni mommy sa akin at turtle-neck.

Puting-puti ang damit at may mahabang sleeves abot hanggang sa matakpan ang aking siko. The sleeves are thin but rough-textured cloth with an embroidery of flowers. Sa nipis ay makikita pa rin ang maputing balat ko sa balikat at leeg pababa sa dibdib. And the sweetheart neckline dress fitted my upper body and a flowy skirt for the lower part.

Mommy Cheska visited me and she's already done. I wore my necklace and anklet before proceeding and went downstairs. Daddy Chester and Kuya Chase are already there and probably waiting for us. Nauna na pala si ate Apple doon at tumulong sa paghahanda.

"Let's go, my gorgeous ladies..."

Mommy and I both giggled when Daddy curtsied and raised his hands for us. Walang pag-aalinglangang kumapit kami roon at humawak.

"You're sweet, daddy!"

"I really am to my babies." He smiled and planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

"You'll be the star of the night, darling...."

Nang makarating kami ay mas marami ang tao kumpara noong birthday niya. May nakita pa akong ilang relatives namin na nandodoon at nakikihalubilo sa mga relatives ng mga Serrano. Para sa isang graduation celebration ay kagulat-gulat ang mga bisitang imbitado. Maybe because they are that really so proud of Halseth and well, everyone should know.

When he arrived, he seemed shocked too. Nakatutok ang lahat ng mata sa kanya habang naglalakad palapit sa mesa namin kung saan ay sinalubong siya ng pamilya niya maliban ang nanay dahil wala ang presensiya niya rito kasama ang kapatid ko. Maybe, they're plotting a surprise again?

I smiled at waved a bit at him when his eyes found me. He's dashingly wearing a white polo dress shirt inside and a black coat, a black fitted pants and a pair of black leather shoes.

Lumapit rin ako sa kanya at humalik sa pisngi. "Congratulations again."

"Thank you..."

I bit the inside of my lower lip when I saw him licked his lip and stared more at my face. He was about to reach for my hand but his mother came in the picture with my sister behind her. Lumayo na ako at bumalik sa upuan ko para hindi na sila makaharap pa.

"Congrats, anak."

"Thank you, mama." Halik nito ng masuyo sa pisngi niya at ngumiti sa magulang.