DESPEDIDA GONE WRONG. What's supposed to be a memorable send-off party ends up in tragedy as the celebrant drops dead after making a toast. Of all the possibilities, murder seems to be most likely scenario. And the suspects? The four attendees who w...
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ANASTACIA
THE DESPEDIDA party was supposed to be fun . . . and a little bit emotional. Heto ang huling beses na makikita namin ang isang tao, hanggang sa mag-meet ulit kami sa future. But little did I know that it would end up in tragedy. God, that was so traumatizing.
Sir Zacharias Zafra was one of the people in the university who made a great impact in my life. He's just seven years older than me. Parang nakatatandang kapatid na ang turing ko sa kanya, kaya siguro nag-click ang friendship namin. I couldn't imagine what I would be without him. Let's say that I owed him a lot. He had opened many doors for me. He had been kind to me.
When he told me that he's leaving Clark University and transferring to another school, daig ko pa ang na-heartbroken. Kung wala siya, I might lose a huge part of me. Medyo exaggerated pakinggan, 'no? But that's exactly how I felt toward him.
When he invited me to his despedida party a day before he was scheduled to leave the city, agad kong in-accept ang invitation. Wala naman akong gagawin sa weekend kaya may oras ako para sa kanya. He said that it's just exclusive between us and three more people from the university whom he considered as more than students. For me, that's an honor and a privilege.
"Kailangan mo ba talagang pumunta sa party na 'yan?" tanong ni mama habang nag-a-apply ako ng lipstick sa harap ng salamin. For tonight's party, I wore a sleeveless shirt and shorts. Zack told me na hindi kailangang formal ang suotin. This was just a get together after all. We could wear whatever would make us feel comfortable.
I pursed my lips to see if the shade was perfect for me. It definitely was! I then turned to my mom who had been intently following me with her gaze. "Ma, last day na ngayon ni Sir Zack sa city. Alam n'yo naman kung gaano siya ka-supportive sa pagiging theater actress ko, 'di ba? Going to his despedida is the least I can do for him."
"I was thinking na we can go out and have dinner tonight," my mom said. "Matagal na rin tayong hindi kumakain sa labas. I've been busy with my work kaya hindi ako nakababawi sa 'yo."
"Aw." I frowned at her, my heart felt like it was melting. "Kung sanang sinabi n'yo agad sa 'kin, baka nakapagpaalam ako kay sir na 'di makaa-attend."
"Balak ko sanang i-surprise ka," sagot ni mama. "Pero dahil reding-ready ka na sa despedida na 'yan, you might as well go."
I hugged my mom and embraced her tightly. She hugged me back. "'Yan ang gusto ko sa inyo. Napaka-understanding n'yo. Don't worry, ma! Babawi ako bukas, okay? Kakain tayo sa labas tomorrow. I'd finish my assignments and clear my sched for you."
"Promise mo 'yan, ha? Wala nang excuses tomorrow?"
"I swear!"
Ding-dong!
My mom released me from her embrace as my head turned toward the door. "Nandyan na yata ang sundo mo."
I reached for the door, peeked at the peephole, and turned the knob. Bumati sa akin ang nakangiting mukha ni Cole. Pinatungan niya ng purple varsity jacket ang kanyang suot na puting shirt.
