Two Hearts, One Rhythm

Chapter 27

I was already wearing the gown while the makeup artist was doing my face. My hair is pulled back into a tight bun, with a few strands falling to the side of my face.

Afterwards, I thanked the makeup artist bago siya lumabas ng room to give me privacy. Naupo ako sa bench sa kwarto at natulala na naman.

His text kaninang madaling araw ang rason kung bakit hindi na talaga ako nakatulog nang maayos. I was restless the whole night and it's still surprising that even if it's my birthday, hindi ako inaantok.

I still don't want to go downstairs even though my mom informed me earlier na marami nang tao sa baba. I still don't have the guts to face everyone kaya umakyat ulit si mommy para masamahan na ako bumaba.

"Nasa baba na sila, anak. You still don't want to go down? Even your father's waiting for you."

"Do I really need to do this?" I asked.

"Anak, don't you remember the promise you made to your abuela when you were young?"

I sighed inaudibly. Iyang promise na naman. Kailan ba ako papakawalan niyan?

"Of course, I remember. I was just wondering if that will be the final decision? No changing of decisions na?" I asked with a voice full of hope because if there is a change of decisions, I would literally run back in his arms.

Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin masabi kung bakit ako nagdadalawang isip. I can't even say his name. His name would be my only reason kung why ako nagkakaroon ng hesitations.

I am literally a coward because of this. But loving my family doesn't make me a coward. I just know my responsibilities.

It took a lot of convincing from my mother before I decided to go down.

"Let's go downstairs, mom."

My mom smiled and held me by the arm as we walked towards the door.

My mom was listing the visitors tonight habang pababa kami. When we reached downstairs, the soft sound of music from outside was in contrast with my fast heartbeats. Halos manginig na ako habang naglalakad kami palabas ng nanay ko. The helpers were only the people moving around inside the mansion.

Bago kami makalabas, humarang sa amin sila Bella and Crim. My mom smiled at me before greeting the girls and leaving us. Hihintayin niya na lang daw ako sa labas.

The girls hugged me and I hugged them both back. It took a lot of willpower to prevent myself from tearing up.

"Happy birthday, Misha. Galing ng makeup artist mo, ang ganda mo ngayon." Crim greeted me.

"Happy birthday, Misha. You're so pretty tonight!" Bella greeted me.

I thanked both of them. Humalik ako sa pisngi ni Bella, habang binatukan ko naman si Crim.

"Ganda ng pasasalamat mo, ah!"

"Babati ka na nga lang, may backhanded compliment pa!"

"At least hindi conyo!" She laughed.

Kahit gaano ko kamahal ang babaeng 'to, ang sarap din sapakin minsan.

They both held my hands afterwards kaya nasa gitna nila ako. "Let's go. I'm so excited!" Yaya ni Crim.

I sighed boredly. "What's so exciting about this?"

Crim winked at me, and Bella giggled. "Basta!"

While we're walking, several visitors spotted me so they greeted me. Hindi nga lang tumatagal ang pagbati nila sa akin dahil patuloy pa rin kami sa paglalakad.