One Last Time

Kabanata XXVII: A FAMILIAR FIGURE

A FAMILIAR FIGURE.
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         IPINARADA KO ANG AUDI ko sa parking space sa harapan ng hotel. Kinuha ko ang itim kong David Jones Paris sling bag at payong sa tabi ko. Kinuha ko rin ang walking stick ko sa gilid ng sasakyan bago ko binuksan ang pinto sa tabi ng driver’s seat.

Bumukas ang pinto ng sasakyan ko, bumukas ang itim kong payong. My walking stick touched the ground first, followed by my left foot stepping down. With my sling bag slung over my right shoulder, I got out of the car. I’m holding my umbrella with one hand and a walking stick with the other.

“Good evening, Ma’am.” Kaagad na salubong sa’kin ng valet na inaalalayan ako hanggang sa nakasilong na kami sa awning.

Binati ko pabalik ang valet saka inabot sa kanya ang payong at susi ng sasakyan ko. Before I entered the lobby, I looked at the wide space in front of the hotel. It’s still 6:00 in the afternoon pero madilim na ang paligid. Hindi pa rin tumitila ang ulan.

I roamed my eyes around the lobby’s interior, and a glint appeared in my almond eyes. In contrast to the gloomy, rainy weather outside, maliwanag, buhay na buhay at maaliwalas ang ambience sa loob ng hotel.

Hindi ‘to ang unang pagkakataon na napasok ko ang sikat na hotel na ito, pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilang mamangha habang sinusuyod ng tingin ang interior nito.

Walang duda...sa lahat ng luxurious 5-star hotel na pinasukan ko...Marina Del Rey Hotel is the most luxurious and grandest in the region. Bukod sa napakaganda ng interior design, malawak din ito, almost rivaling the size of Mall of Asia. Maganda at mamahalin ang mga chandelier pati na ang mga muwebles kahit saang sulok ka man tumingin.

Using my walking stick for support, I made my way towards one corner of the function hall as my eyes wandered around. There are many people present, most of whom are prominent personalities in the corporate world. They're dressed elegantly in expensive suits and luxurious designer gowns, accessorized with expensive jewelry that highlighted their affluent social status. Fortunately, wala sa mga guest na 'yon ang taong gusto kong iwasan.

Nag-vibrate ang phone ko kaya tumigil muna ako para kunin ‘to sa loob ng sling bag ko.

“Nandiyan ka na?” asked Rae nang sagutin ko ang tawag niya.

“Yeah, I just got here,” I answered habang maingat na nakahawak sa walking stick ko para kumuha ng suporta sa pagtayo. “Ikaw, nasaan ka na?”

“Malapit na ako. Medyo na-traffic lang dahil nga maulan, pero nandyan na ako in just a few minutes.”

My shoulders slumped. “Alright. Hihintayin kita. Tawagan mo ako kung nandito ka na. Hahanapin ko lang si Ms. Aya,” sabi ko at tinapos na ang tawag.

“Kei...”

I jumped a bit when someone touched my shoulder. I turned around and saw Ms. Aya—looking stunning and sophisticated in her sparkly, tight-fitting, one-shouldered black dress. Her hair's sprayed and styled into a perfect bun. She complemented her looks with a pair of gold hoop earrings.

“You look amazing tonight, Kei.” Ms. Aya’s eyes are gleaming with admiration while they raked over me.

Nag-init naman ang pisngi ko ginawa niya. I’m wearing a long black spaghetti strap dress which hugs my curves. I paired it with my beige faux leather flats. I’ll be torturing myself kung magha-high heels ako!

I half-tied my short hair with a few strands framing the left side of my heart-shaped face. I chose a bold makeup look with thick mascara and smoky eye shadow. To complete the look, I used a deep rose lipstick that appeared almost nude. For my accessories, I wore silver teardrop-shaped stud earrings with rhinestones and a silver metal bracelet watch. I wanted to keep my look elegant without being too flashy.