Trials End

Chapter 95

IRIS POV

It only took one step from Miss Corpuz and it made me feel we're worlds apart. It took only one step to shatter my confidence I've mustered to confess. It took only one step to realize that I'm not worthy.

I don't know if the shivers I felt is because I realized the gap between us. Or is it because I witnessed how the audience's eyes widened and stood up.

A walk from Miss Corpuz and the audience replied with a standing ovation.

I felt Aiby's hand at my back, urghh feel ko iiyak ako.

Ayoko makita nila Aiby iniiyakan ko silang dalawa ni Ivo. Hmp, they'll think that I'm weak and too fragile for love.

I looked at Ivo and saw his eyes full of admiration."Ako na lang." I whispered under my breath. Alam kong narinig ako ni Aiby but I just can't help myself hmp.

Tapos na ang show at lumabas kanina si Blanca, Ely at Ella para ipakilala ng host. Habang nasa stage sila ay tumakbo palabas si Ivo, sinundan si Miss Corpuz. Nasa hall na kaming lahat at nakikipag usap sa iilang bisita.

My parents are here kanina pero umalis rin sila. I saw Blanca talking to big the big guests at si Aiby at Keith naman kasama ang family nila. I'm standing here with Ella dahil ayaw daw niyang makihalubilo sa iba.

"Are you sure you'll stay here?" I asked Ella while she's sipping wine. I can't sip a wine hmp, the girls don't allow me. Mas strict pa sila but it's okay.

"Yeah, my social battery is drained." Tumawa ako sa sinabi niya.

I saw Ayer with a woman, mas bata yata samin. "Sino kasama ni Ayer?" Nginuso ko kay Ella si Ayer.

Ella glanced kila Ayer. "Oh, her younger sister. Ang alam ko ay yan daw ang susunod na hahawak ng bar chains nila Ayer."

My eyes widened."Huh bakit? Lalake si Ayer tapos panganay, bakit?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

It's just sad if it will really happen.

"Mabait, matalino at responsable daw sabi ni Blanca." Sagot niya sakin habang hindi na nakatingin kila Ayer. I nodded kahit hindi ko malaman bakit hindi si Ayer.

"Ayer will take the company, hindi pa niya sinasabi but I know he will." I was startled when Aldo suddenly joined the conversation.

I pouted. "Paano mo nasabi?" Don't give someone false hope.

Tumabi si Aldo kay Ella. "Ayer loves her sister so much. Kukunin niya ang kumpanya to protect his sister. Hindi lang buo ang loob niya kasi iniisip niya ay inaagawan niya kapatid niya." He chuckled.

Uh? Is that supposed to be funny? I tried laughing a little para hindi naman siya maoffend. Hindi na nga siya kinakausap ni Ella eh, ako din ba.

Tumawa muli si Aldo."Hindi ko alam kung maiinggit ako sa love and hate relationship nila Claud at Ely eh." Sinundan ko ang tingin niya na nakila Ely.

I saw Ely and Claud na pasimpleng nag aapakan. Hayss, these two.

"Your friend, sumosobra na minsan sa pang aasar." Ella talked. Napangiti ako nang kausapin niya si Aldo.

Ella talks and smiles a lot in front of us, only for girls. Hindi na nakakagulat na wala siyang kaclose na boys dahil hindi talaga siya kumakausap ng iba.

"It's okay, yan ang bonding nila. Tayo, ano bonding natin?" He's teasing Ella again. He's always like this. Tease Ella, Flirt with Ella, Talk to Ella but never get replies.

"Ang bonding nga pala natin yung peace, quiet and silence. Diba Iris?" Pandadamy ni Aldo sakin. I don't want him to feel left out that's why I nodded,

Peace, quiet and silence? Hindi ba iisa lang yun?

My eyes wandered around and I saw a man with his head down and trying to cover his face. It's Ivo. He's crying?

What happened? Masaya niyang sinundan si Miss Corpuz ha?

"Ella alis muna ako ah?" Paalam ko sa kanya.

Hindi ko na siya inintay and I tried making my steps bigger. Why am I so small and slow at the same time?

I pouted.

Urgh Iris, you have time to pout pa talaga ha.

Lumabas ako sa hall and I saw Ivo standing sa hall between the comfort rooms. Lumiko pa siya at pumunta sa fire exit na pinto. Should I follow him there?

Hindi ko pa binubuksan ang fire exit but I can hear him sobbing. I pursed my lips and stopped myself to just open this door and hug him.

Give him time Iris.

Sumandal ako sa pader habang pinapakinggan ko si Ivo na humihikbi. I know I should leave him here to give him privacy but.

Let me stay here, I want to stay here. At least kahit hindi niya alam at nakikita, he has someone who can stay. I'm here, still standing with my girl's support.

The fashion show ended and we all decided to talk with Miss Corpuz tomorrow. I'm guilty for not telling it to Aiby earlier. Ang alam lang nila ay gusto ni Ivo si Miss Corpuz pero hindi ko sinabi ang totoong identity ni Miss.

I'm so proud of Blanca, Ely and Ella today. Hindi lang pala today, nung mga nakaraang araw na magkakasama kami asikasuhin ang mga bagay.

Maybe my classmates didn't notice Brice's effort but I've seen the other half of it. From securities, staff, designers and artists ay kinausap niya. He made sure that everything is okay na. Mandalas din naming kasama si Brice tuwing kausap ang staff for the flow.

He never stopped himself pointing out the missing points kahit professional ang katapat niya. That's what I admire the most to him, wala siyang pake kung sino katapat niya basta maayos ang plano.