We Are Not a Parallel Lines to Begin With

Prologue

Playing:
Can't Get Out
by Jem Macatuno

"Ayy, teh! Parang hindi ka nanggaling sa night shift a!" pinalo ng mahina ni Belle ang pwet ko ng makapasok ito sa aking kwarto.

"Ikaw lang naman ang mukhang palaging naka night shift kahit nagbabaksyon ka lang ngayon," sumabat naman ni Maui.

I'm currently preparing myself for our gala night. It's a charity ball of my mom's friend company. She can't make it so she's sending me as her representative. May secretary naman siya pero ako pa ang naisip niyang ipadala.

I'm with Maui and Belle. It's just a good thing that they are also invited dahil kung hindi, baka pagkapasok ko pa lang ay uuwi na ako.

Belle and I just got home from UK last week but for some circumstances, I am temporarily working at my friend's hospital. She said that she's stressed with her nurses, so she wants me to teach them with the proper manners in serving and some skills that can make their work easy. It's a small hospital so it's not that hard. I have observed that most of them are just good with their mouth and not with their personal skills.

"Perfect ka na riyan sa backless Jacquemus dress mo, iingit na si Mauingrata sa ganda mo," pang-aasar ni Belle kay Maui.

"Alam mo Aling Ysobelle, shumat-up ka na lang you know, your mouth is so filthy, iw," tila nandidiring sagot ni Maui. Nagsimula na naman silang magbangayan.

I looked at my whole appearance in my mirror and saw how the dress perfectly hugged my body.

"Shut up ka muna, Ysobelle. Someone's calling," napatingin ako kay Maui nang sagutin nito ang tumatawag.

"Alright, ladies. Let's go na daw, malapit na mag-start," sabi ni Maui nang matapos kausapin ang tumawag dito.

We're heading out now to the venue.

"Is this an exclusive party?" I asked both of them while we are walking to the entrance of the reception.

I looked at the whole facade of the building and it is well designed and well done. I forgot that this event is a charity ball and also celebration of this new building.

"Yep, some celebrities might also come," Maui whispered. So that explains the cameras.

"Speak for yourself," I said to her.

We head inside but before we can enter, pinagpyestahan kami ng mga cameraman sa labas. Kasalanan 'to ni Maurice.

"I shouldn't come with you, those flashes were so annoying," I said to the both of them.

"Dzai, wala ka talagang self-awareness 'no? Mukhang sa 'yo na lang nga lahat nakatutok ang mga lenses nila," sabi ni Belle.

"Nah, it's just because we came with a model, duh," sagot ko rito.

We have reached the venue at bumungad sa amin ang magarbo at malaking hall that filled with sophisticated people and a slow waltz music.

"Good evening, ladies. Madam Noelle is in that area. Have a nice night," the usherette welcomed us and pointed the direction of the host.

"Thank you," sagot lamang namin dito.

Tumungo kami papunta sa host and she's crowded with people her age. When she saw us coming, she excused herself from the crowd and went to us.

"Good evening, Madam. I'm Maurice Luane Sandoval–"

"Daughter of Beth and John. I know you, dear. I have seen you a lot in the billboards and magazines and as I can say, you're extra gorgeous in personal," Madam Noelle cutted Maui's line. She's said those informally. Bumeso ito kay Maui.