Starry Night

CHAPTER VI

A week had been passed but still I didn't have the chance to see him. I've been in the cafe, buying some coffee and staying there for almost hours, waiting for him if he'll come or not. But I guess, he's not into coffee these days. And there's no trace of him being there for a whole week was somehow strange for me.

Nawiwirduhan din ako sa aking sarili kung bakit ako nagsasayang ng oras kakahintay sa taong wala namang balak magpakita sa akin. Pilitin ko mang hindi siya isipin ay kusa na lamang pumapasok sa isip ko ang pangalan niya.

I want to ask him if he's alright. I even stalked him in his social media accounts just to make sure na ayos lang siya. I know that i'm worried, but why? It's weird.

Sabi nga nila, i'm a heartless woman na walang inisip kung hindi ang sarili lamang. So bakit ako nagsasayang ng oras maghintay kung alam ko naman sa sarili kong ayaw ko ng pinaghihintay ako. Bakit ko naiisip na gumawa nang paraan para makita ang taong 'yon?

I've been asking myself for days. Why I cared for him that much. Why am I so worried about him. Did I miss him?His presence? But up until now, I can't figure it out. I can't find the right answer for those questions.

My phone rang. I looked at its caller's ID. When I saw whom it was, I lazily answered the call.

"What is it mom?"

["We're going to have a dinner with the Harrison's later. Your dad told me that you should be there."]

"Why would I go there fi I can eat dinner here in the house?"

["Oh, come on, sweety. Just do what I said. Don't be such a stubborn girl."

"But i'm doing some schoolworks —"

Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko nang putulin niya ito.

[" I don't want to hear any of your excuses. Just be there on time. Wear something nice or else your dad will get mad at you again."]

Before I could even utter any word, she already hanged up the call. I heaved a deep sighed as I look myself in the vanity mirror in my room. Bring problematic with this things is kinda frustrating. I don't want to go, but I don't have any choice.

My mom texted me the exact location of the restaurant. At exactly 7:00 in the evening, I already prepare. Just like what my mom told me, I wear a silky bodycon dress paired with a black stilletos. I want to look more fierce so I putted a red lipstick in my lips.

After putting some a make up, I already get out of the house and enter my car. I put the keys and started the engine. I glanced myself in the mirror once again. I smiled a bit when I saw how fierce looking I was.

I manouvered the car afterwards. Medyo nasabit pa sa traffic kaya panay ang tawag ni mommy sa akin. Hindi ko naman makuhang sagutin dahil baka biglang mag-go signal.

After a half hour driving, nakarating na rin ako sa restaurant. Bumaba ako ng aking sasakyan. Iniabot ko sa batler ang susi nito. I remained feirce as I entered the place. I roamed around my eyes. The place was so pleasing in the eyes. The interior of the place was so cozy. Halatang mamahalin ang restaurant na ito. The Harrison's must be that rich huh.

One of the staff assist me to our reservation table. Nang makarating doon ay taka ko siyang nilingon.

"Why is there only two chairs here?You sure that this is our table?" I asked the staff who assisted me.

She nod her head as if she's so sure.

"Sorry, ma'am. But the reservation is only table for two po." She answered politely.

Napatanga na lang ako nang marinig iyon. What the hell is happening?

May itatanong pa sana ako sa staff na iyon kaya lang ay umalis na ito. Since, I left with no choice. I immediately dialed my mom's number. After a few rings she amswered the call.

"Mom, asan kayo?"

["Nasa hospital. Why?"]

Wtf?!

"What?!I thought may dinner tayo with the Harrison's?What happened?"

["Oh that?Actually, it's just an excuse for you to come."] I heard her soft laugh over the phone. ["Do you really expect that we'll be having a family dinner?Oh, dear. You're too high on yourself."] Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa aking cellphone nang marinig iyon. So all of this is just a set up?

"As if naman na umasa ako." mapait akong napangiti.

Hindi naman ako umasang nay family dinner kami. Hindi rin ako disappointed. It's just that, nasayang ang oras ko.

["But don't worry, the son of Mr. Harrison will be there to accompany you, Sweety. Just wait there hmm?Be good to him."]

After that call ay sinubukan kong ikalma ang aking sarili. I can't believed it that my own mother do this to me. Good thing, I didn't expect that it would be really a family dinner. Since she told me that we'll be having the Harrison's with us.

From Mom:

Don't ever try to ditch him huh. Isusumbong kita sa daddy mo, if you do it.

Napasapo na lamang ako sa aking noo. Oh my god. Is she really my mom?I don't really get it why. All of my life I thought si mom ang kakampi ko. But now, she seems like she hated me to death. Kahit si dad. Parehas lang sila.

I want to ask them kung ano bang nagawa kong mali para gawin nila sa akin ang mga ganito. Ano bang naging kasalanan ko sa past life ko para hindi nila ako mahalin katulad ng pagmamahal nila sa dalawa kong kapatid.

Lagi na lang si Lucian at Hillary ang magaling, ang tama, ang perpektong anak, ang successful. Habang ako isang basura para sa kanila, isang anak na suwail, at isang disappointment para sa kanila.

I feel sorry for myself. Ang gusto ko lang naman ay ang magmamahal sa akin pero bakit hindi nila kayang iparamdam sa akin 'yon?I feel so useless and unlived with my own family.

Hindi ko napansin na may luha ng tumukas sa sulok ng mga mata ko. Nakayuko lang ako dahil baka may makakitang ibang tao na umiiyak ako. I don't want anyone to see me in this state.

Unti-unti kong nararamdan ang pamumuo ng emosyon sa loob ko. Alam kong any time ay pwede akong mag-breakdown. I need to get put of here.

"Please, not n-now..."

Binuksan ko ang purse bag ko at sinubukang kuhanin ang tissue mula roon. Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng aking mga kamay at nanlalabo ang mga mata. Sinubukan ko ulit kunin ang tissues sa purse bag ngunit tuluyan na itong nahulog sa lapag at nagkalat ang mga gamit ko roon.

Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi. Hindi malaman ang gagawin. The people's murmurs are maling me uncomfortable. The atmosphere is suffocating. I want to get out of here.

Kahit nanginginig ay sinubukan kong pulutin isa-isa ang mga gamit kong nag-kalat. Aligaga ako kaya't hindi ko napansin ang isang lalaking lumubod sa harapan ko at tinulungan ako sa pagpulot ng mga gamit ko.

Kinuha nito ang purse bag ko at siya na ang nagsilid. Hindi ko gaanong makita ang kaniyang mukha dahil sa mga luhang nakaharang sa mga mata ko.

Before I could say anything, naramdaman ko na ang pag-angat ko mula sa sahig. Someone is carrying me. Tila wala akong lakas para magpumiglas sa kaniya. Kusang nakisama ang katawan ko. Basta ang gusto ko lang ay ang makaalis dito. Gusto kong lumayo sa lahat.

Before closing my eyes, I saw a familiar pair of brown eyes looking at me.

"You'll be okay."