13
"Royal blue 'yung gown mo bukas, diba?" Arthfael asked.
I nodded and turned my eyes on him. We're on our way to the concert, he was telling me. Tomorrow is my 18th birthday, and I'm seriously getting nervous. There are a lot of people invited to my party, and I'm not sure if I will be comfortable speaking in front of all of them. Especially since they're all businessmen and professionals.
I've just got a few friends who are invited, including my high-profile classmates. Si lola lahat ang pumili ng imbitado at tanging si Arthfael, Viri, Krysan, Rye, Bryan, at Rastiel ang sariling imbitado ko.
Arthfael is sitting beside Kuya Gilbert, who's now driving our car.
"Yeah, why did you ask?"
He smiled. "Sinigurado ko lang para royal blue rin 'yung suit ko,"
I pursed my lips. He shifted his seat and faced me more.
"Dalawa 'yung suot ko bukas. The first one is the royal blue ball gown, and the other one is the black night gown," I told him.
He bit his lip and nodded. "Magbabaon rin ako ng black suit?"
"No need to!" I exclaimed. "Why would you even bring another suit?"
Umangat ang gilid ng labi niya. "Para terno tayo. Kapag nagpalit ka na, magpapalit din ako,"
Kumunot ang noo ko at tumawa lang s'ya. "Sige, black suit nalang susuotin ko bukas para terno lang tayo kapag nagpalit ka na."
Hindi naman kailangan na terno kami. I don't have an escort because I don't want one, despite the fact that my grandmother suggests her amigo's son to me. I just decided to have none rather than be escorted by one of her amigo's son, whom I don't know.
"Wow," I thought to myself as I noticed how many people were attending the aforementioned concert. The majority of them are dressed in printed t-shirts with their favorite band's name on them. A large crowd has gathered on the field where the concert will be held. I was anxious because of the large crowd that had gathered around us.
"Hindi mo na kailangan matakot kapag ganito karami ang taong pumapalibot sa 'yo, palagi mo naman ako kasama." Napatingin ako kay Arthfael nang sabihin niya iyon saakin.
Nakangiti s'ya at inilagay ang kamay sa loob ng bulsa ng suot niyang hoodie.
Nakatitig lang ako sa kumikislap niyang mga mata hanggang sa balutin ng dilim ang buong paligid at magliwanag sa stage. Medyo malapit kami ni Arthfael sa stage at kitang-kita namin ang banda na naroon na sa harapan. A loud scream and cheer came from the people around us, beamed in my ears when the band started playing one of their songs.
'Di ko maintindihan ang nilalaman ng puso
Tuwing magkahawak ang ating kamay
Pinapanalangin lagi tayong magkasama
Hinihiling bawat oras kapiling ka
I was stacked up to my place. Watching the people around me scream and almost jump in excitement. Madilim na ang paligid at ang asul na ilaw na nagmumula sa stage and nagbibigay liwanag sa paligid, idagdag pa ang flash ng mga camera ng mga nanonood tulad namin ni Arthfael.
Sa lahat ng aking ginagawa
Ikaw lamang ang nasa isip ko, sinta
Sana'y 'di na tayo magkahiwalay
Kahit kailan pa man
The crowd starts singing along with the band, and I can't help but hold my heart while it beats so fast out of anxiety about the people around me. I felt like suffocating.
