Love Grows Where His Camila Goes

36

36

Camila's POV

I was invited by Marianne on her debut. I thought that she wouldn’t invite me. Earlier, she called me, Sevann’s probably gave my phone number to her, and she told me that I should go to her debut, or else, something would happen.

I did not decline her invitation, because I really wanted to get close with her. I had to search out for a clothes in my closet that I could wear for her debut celebration. I don't know what was the theme of her debut, but, I just wore a casual white dress, mixed with some pinks on it.

Then, I put a light make up on my face. I put an earrings, and necklace to make my self more beautiful than before. I should not dress better than the debutante so I would not snatch the spotlight from her.

I was told of being a center of attraction, I could easily get people’s attention in one walk. They even told me that I could be model, because I could make their head turned as I walked in the middle of the crowd.

I was about to stand when I heard a footsteps from the outside of my room. My brows suddenly raised when I saw Mama looking at me from the door. She was looking confused while looking at me.

I just noticed by now that something has changed in her appearance. I can’t say but I think she looks tired, and stressed. “Where are you going, Camila?” She asked with a grumpy face.

“I was invited by a friend, a debutante friend.” I said, not even glancing at her.

I heard her sighed. “I did not know that you got a friend that was three years younger than you.” Mama said, now sounding serious than earlier.

I raised a brow as I stand up. “Is that even impossible?” I asked. “Come on, I am in an environment where I am encountering a lot of young people, Mama.”

She also raised a brow at me. Hindi siya nagpapatalo sa katarayan ko. “Huwag mo akong sinisimulan diyan, Camila,” She massaged the bridge of her nose, feeling stressed about me.

Ngumiti ako nang matamis sa kaniya, naiinis. “E'di huwag ka nang magsalita kung gano'n,” saad ko sa sarkastikong tono.

She glared at me, directly in my eyes. Hindi ako nagpatinag sa sama ng pagkakatingin niya sa akin, bagkus, nilabanan ko ang masama niyang tingin.

Napairap ako bago ako maglakad palabas ng kuwarto ko. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ako nagsimulang magalit at magtanim ng sama ng loob kay Mama. Nagising na lamang ako sa kinakabukasan na masama na ang loob ko sa kaniya.

When I was about to leave, she immediately grabbed my arms. Making me faced the wall. “Mag-uusap tayo pag-uwi mo, Camila,” seryosong saad niya bago pabalyang binitiwan ang braso ko.

Muntik na akong makahalik ng pader kung hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko sa lakas ng pwersa ng bitaw ni Mama. A month ago, she started hurting me with her words, and starting hurting me physically. I could not respond, tinitiis ko lang ang mga ganoong trato niya sa akin.

Paminsan-minsan ay naiintindihan ko ang mga rason niya, pero madalas ay naiisip kong sumosobra na siya sa mga ginagawa niya. Para akong tinanggalan ng karapatang ipaglaban ang sarili ko.

Para akong tinanggalan ng karapatang magkaroon ng nanay na mamahalin ka lang, at hindi sasaktan.

“Good luck with the law, Anne.” I greeted when I entered the venue. It looks like a covered court, and it was expensively designed.

Anne is Marianne’s nickname. Many people call her that, especially, those people that who are not close with her.

“Thank you. Come in.” She said as she welcomed me with a kiss on the cheeks. “That was only one kiss, you idiot!” She shouted, glaring behind of me.

When I looked at my back, I saw Sevann, already smiling at me after raising his brows at his own sister. Sevann let out a small chuckle when he greeted me with a peck on my lips.

I heard Marianne laughed. “That’s kadiri.” I saw her almost rolling her eyes at us. She immediately left us when we reached the center of the venue. It is where their caterings placed, and where all of their visitors seated.

I could see some familiar faces. Some of them were from some universities, some were obviously a businessmen and women. Some were photographers. They are filming even though the event hasn’t started yet.

“Mr. Roswell! Come, and get a picture with your friend.” The man suggested as he guided us to the side of the venue where all visitors took their pictures.

Sevann raised a brow when I looked at him, full of curiosity. “Girlfriend. My girlfriend.” He corrected the man, I could feel his voice emphasis. His teeth gritted.

Nagtataka namang napalingon iyong lalaki sa amin. Sunod ay napatingin siya sa kamay ni Sevann na nakahawak ngayon sa bewang ko. He smiled awkwardly.

“My apologies, Mr. Roswell.” He nodded. Nagsimula siyang maglakad, nauuna.

I squeezed Sevann’s hand. “That’s okay. The man looked scared.” I said, feeling bad about the man.

He just shrugged his shoulders, and let out a small laugh. “Natakot ba?” natatawang aniya, inosente naman akong tumango bilang sagot. “Aba, dapat lang.”

Mahina akong natawa nang dahil doon. Sumunod pa rin kami sa lalaki na patuloy sa paglalakad, hanggang sa marating namin iyong parang photo booth ng venue.

“Ready! 1 2 3...” The man started counted so we started trying some poses. “Smile!”

Sevann chuckled while looking at me, it made his eyes shrunken. I was pretty sure that his smile and that laugh was captured by the camera. Magwawala ako kapag hindi!

“You stares deeply,” I said, making me blushed a little bit.

He smiled. “It is because, I am enjoying while adoring the beauty of the most beautiful woman in my life.”

I stared at him, deeply, like what he just did to me, earlier. I did not talk but I smiled. We headed our way to the main venue when the event started, thirty minutes ago since we started taking a pictures.

Mas dumami ang tao nang mapunta kami sa main venue. Hindi ko alam na sobra pala ang lawak ng venue kaya maraming mapupuntahan. Bongga ang debut celebration ni Marianne, kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung hindi niya 'to makakalimutan.

“Let us all welcome, the debutante! Marianne Isla Roswell!”

We stood up, and started clapping. I felt excited, and happy when the emcee called Marianne’s name. And, she started walking towards the center. She looks so ethereal in her pink gown. Her face blushed when we all stared in her beauty.

“Isla...” I whispered it to myself. Sevann immediately looked at me. But, I did not mind him, instead, I continued being amazed by it.

I was amazed by the pronunciation of it. It was pronounce as “Ayla” and that makes it more elegant. The name “Isla” really suits in Marianne.

Like the island, she has her own ethereal beauty.

&.&