Crossroads [SC SERIES #1]

Kabanata 32: Make a Move

[Nhelandrie's POV]

Napalunok ako nung ang isang lalaking may Rolex watch na nakatayo malapit sa legacy table ay nakatitig nang maigi sa akin. Ang ilan sa mga buhok niya ay maputi na pero hindi ito naging dahilan para mabawasan ang nakakapanindig-balahibo niyang mga tingin.

"Is that your Father?" Tanong ko kay Steph na agad niya ring sinundan ang mga tingin ko.

"Yeah, he looks funny. He should have listened to me nung sinabi ko na three piece suit ang suotin. My Gods." Irap niya sa hangin at iniwas ang tingin mula sa Ama niya.

Funny? She's underestimating him. Sure enough, he could make a crowd silent with a single glare.

I gently held her hand when the music started playing. We walked through the red carpet with Richmond in front of us.

Prince guided us towards our seats at kasama namin sa mesang iyun ay si Richmond at dalawang babae na hindi ko kilala kasama ang kanilang partners.

"Where are they?" bulong ko habang panay linga sa bawat sulok. I thought sila ang host?

"They'll be the last to arrive. Don't be too excited." Nanunuksong kinindatan ako ni Richmond. Narinig niya pala...

Napakagat ako ng labi nung kanina pa nagwawala ang puso ko. I'm nervous and excited at the same time to see her.

Aksidenteng napunta ang tingin ko sa babaeng katabi ni Mr. Villegas, she must be Steph and Richmond's Mom. The one that made Klare's childhood miserable.

But her face is innocent and beautifully charming that no one would think that she's already a Mother.

"Is that your Mom? Yung ka-date nung Dad mo?" I know she's irritated for being asked multiple questions. Can't help it, pamilya yan ni Klare... I want to know them.

"That's Klare's Mom. My Mom flew to Italy nung nalaman niyang nahanap na ni Dad si Tita Shane." Kumislap ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin kay Mr. Villegas at sa Ina ni Klare.

"Aren't you upset? Your parents are now broken." Hindi ko mai-imagine na magkahiwalay ang parents ko. It would drive me crazy pero parang wala lang kay Steph at Richmond.

"Broken? Look at my Father, is that a face of a broken person?" Mr. Villegas is chuckling nonchalantly. His eyes are smiling and his attention was only focused on Klare's Mom.

"Dad was never happy with my Mom. This is a good thing, he needs Tita Shane and as for my Mom... she'll find herself."

I never imagine that the lady that I used to think a whore and a social climber is actually a good person... an amazing one. Klare's family is really something.

.

[Klare's POV]

Nakatulala lang ako sa kawalan habang naghihintay ng signal namin na pwede na kaming pumasok ng convention hall.

I keep playing with my fingers when anxiety is secretly killing me now. Sino ang ka-date niya ngayon? May ka-date ba siya? Is he here?

Hindi ako nakatulog sa ginawang pag-iwas niya sa akin. I mean, did something came up? or he was just pretending all along? Dahil ano? Naaawa siya sa akin? Piniga ang puso ko dahil sa naisip.

"Relax, you look amazing." President said to help me ease the anxiety at tango lang ang naisagot ko. I don't want to hear it from anyone, Nhelandrie's opinion is the only thing matters.

"... the Student Council of Keyyato Private Academy." Bumukas ang malaking pinto at agad bumungad sa akin ang daan-daang mga estudyante ng KPA na nakatingin sa gawi namin.

We started walking slowly; synchronizing with the sweet melody played by a professional Japanese pianist. My eyes searched for him... pero hindi ko siya nakita. Nhelandrei, where are you?

"I thought kita ang host?"

"Change of plans. Our parents want us to enjoy," sagot ni President habang seryosong nakatingin sa harap.

"By the start of our annual night prom. Let us first welcome a very gorgeous guest. Ms. Shane Zamora."

Shane... Zamora?

This is too much. The feelings... I can't bear it. I'm nervous, happy and excited at the same time. It's all unbearable, but I keep forcing myself to calm down. I can't afford to breakdown publicly.

"After so many years, you got to see your Mom again. Talk to her after the prom."

"Right," buntong-hininga ko.

Tiningnan ko si Mom na tumayo at kumaway habang nagpalakpakan ang mga estudyante. Bago siya umupo ay tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti dahilan para tumalon ang puso ko sa tumawa... but I chose to hide my smile. Afterall, the show is still on.

The dinner started at habang kumakain ay may mga performances, slideshows for stolen shots, and few announcement from the legacies.

"Don't you like the food? Kasi ako hindi... I prefer to eat raw." Hagikhik ni Secretary sa gilid ko.

"Aren't you disturbed by our parents' presence?" I asked with a blank expression matapos hiwain ang steak ko.

"We all are. You're the only one who should be left undisturbed. You seemed fit in your family." Nagpangalumbaba ito matapos kumain at nakangising nakatingin sa kanyang mga magulang.

That smirk... is dangerous. She's really insane.

"Well, well, well, look at that. Your sister got a hot date, you know."

"Where?" Palihim niyang tinuro ang gawi ni Ate Steph at napahigpit ang hawak ko sa kutsilyo nung makita ang lalaking kanina pa hinahanap ng mga mata ko.

"You love him? A heartless one like you?" she chuckled, "Didn't know you could be this pathetic." Biglang umiba ang tono ng boses niya at naging seryoso but I didn't pay much attention to that.

Why is she with him? Did Ate Steph threatened him? To what? To make me jealous? Gods, it's fucking working.

Nagtama ang mga mata namin and it gave me goosebumps. Gulat na gulat siyang nakatingin sa akin, but I expressionlessly looked at him in the eyes.

"Hello there, Miss Vice President. Here's your dessert." Inilapag ni Prince ang chocolate cake sa harapan ko. Napaangat ako ng tingin at nakangisi siya. He's probably know what i'm thinking.

"You're wasting too much time. Make a move or you'll regret it for sure."