Missed Pages ✔︎

Chapter 27

PERFECT CHANCE

“I heard Frankie was coming.” Liana started up with a conversation when we were inside the car, headed to the Scottsdaleʼs mansion. “Why not isabay na natin siya papunta roʼn?” she suddenly asked.

“Susunduin siya ni Cyrus sa bahay nila. Hindi ba nasabi ni Cyrus sa ʼyo ʼyon?” I frowned and completely thought Cyrus already told her.

“Hindi eh. Hays sayang naman, ʼdi ko tuloy siya makakasabay papunta roʼn.” she sulked in her seat.

“Magkikita rin naman kayo mamaya.” I assured her. After hearing her sigh, a cute smile curved on her face.

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As soon as Liana and I arrived at the Scottsdaleʼs mansion, I darted looks at every corner of the mansion visible to my eyes. My eyes were looking for her. Has she arrived yet?

I kept on looking everywhere that I forgot why I was here. Hindi ko rin napansin na may lumapit sa aming butler. “Good evening madam and sir, the young Scottsdale are waiting inside.”

The butler walked through after we gave him a nod. We followed where he was headed, which was the third floor of the mansion.

“Nakarating na po ba sila Cyrus?” mahina ng bulong ko sa butler. Ayaw ko na may ibang isipin si Liana kapag narinig niyang hinahanap ko si Cyrus.

“Yes sir. As a matter of fact, everyone has arrived.” the butler said.

Ibig sabihin, nandoon na rin si Frankie. I was moved knowing sheʼs really here now.

He opened the door for us as soon as we halted in front of the room. When he met the eyes of his masters, he bowed down. After getting response from Adrian, he proceeded to stepping outside the room.

Hinanap ng mata ko si Frankie pagpasok na pagpasok pa lang sa kuwarto. I pinned my gaze on her as soon as I found her. Sinalubong niya si Liana, together with Crystal, Bliss and Vera. On the other side, the boys were coming to me like pets coming to their owners when itʼs food time.

“Hinihintay ka namin lahat, ang tagal mo naman!” reklamo ni Adrian.

I shrugged and gave each one of them a confused look. “Why?” matipid na tugon ko.

The universe knows how much I want to rain them questions, I am just trying to conserve my energy for the performances later, since Iʼm in charge with the sound system. I might probably be in charge of the whole little program we will be having because all of their attention were at the food.

Calvin steps forward and takes a guess. “Kasi kailangan nila ʼyung sound system?” Hindi rin talaga niya alam kung bakit ganoon ang Aces.

“Cyrus, unahan mo na.” Seven was excited with what they have in their tiny minds.

“Anong unahan ko na?” sumimangot si Cyrus.

Napalingon ako sa biglang pagpasok ni Leonardo. The celebrant is here so we have to make sure we are doing alright. No chaos, no mess.

“Mamaya na lang pala.” Umatras bigla si Seven nang makita si Leonardo na kararating lang.

Nasisiguro kong may ginawa na naman silang kalokohan. At mas nakakasiguro ako na nasali ang pangalan ko sa kung ano mang kalokohan nila. They must have been making jokes about me behind my back. I know them well.

All of us were in the same room. That includes the girls—Crystal, Bliss, Liana, Vera and Frankie, the whole aces and the three Scottsdales. But later at sleep time, girls and boys are sleeping on separate rooms.

I threw a glance at the girls to see what they were doing at their corner. When I met Frankieʼs eyes across the room, I thought of waving my hande at her. But before I could even raise my hand, she averted her eyes. Doon ko lang din naisip na hindi ko pwedeng gawin ʼyun nang ganoʼn ganoʼn lang. Kasama ko ang mga kaibigan ko at ayaw kong kung ano-ano ang maisip nila tungkol sa amin ni Frankie. I wouldnʼt want her to freak out if they do.

“Okay, are we gonna start now?” tanong ko kay Leonardo nang tumabi siya sa aming aces.

“Uh of course. Kanina ka pa nila hinihintay. Hindi talaga makakapagsimula ang sleepover slash celebration kung wala ka.” Leonardo said. Ah so iyon nga ang dahilan kung bakit kanina pa nila ako hinihintay.

“Iʼll help you with the sound system.” si Calvin. Although, it was in the plan that I alone will be in charge with the sound system. Hindi ko naman inaasahan na magboboluntaryo si Calvin na tulungan ako. Malaking tulong ʼyon sa akin dahil ngayon lang ako nakapasok sa silid na ito at hindi ko alam ang bawat sulok dito. Inaalala ko lang kung ano ang mga napag-usapan kaya medyo may alam din ako.

I stood up on my designated place. I need to start this party now.

I set up the speakers and all the equipments I needed. Then I began playing random songs on the playlist Iʼve made the night before.

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Everyone was dancing to the beat of the song Iʼve played—including Vera the most shy and awkward person we know. We were glad that she was friends with Bliss. She wouldnʼt have a problem.

After a random song, all members of Aces—except for me—stood up from their seats and went straight to formation. They were going to perform without me. Iʼve never been this lucky my whole life.

Oh donʼt you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me
I said youʼre holding back
She said shut up and dance with me
This woman is my destiny
She said oh oh oh
Shut up and dance with me.

Everyone was cheering to their performance as it starts just now. They grasped a huge impact to the audience.

We were victims of the night
The chemical, physical, kryptonite
Helpless to the bass and the fading light
Oh we were bound to get together
Bound to get together.

Sakto naman at kararating lang ng mga Altavista, ang mga pinsan nila Leonardo. I was in shock when they stepped into the room. Akala ko ba ay lahat na ng imbitado ay nakarating na? Oh baka naman ang ibig sabihin ng butler kanina ay lahat ng kaibigan namin? Siguro nga. Ang mahalaga ay mag-e-enjoy ang lahat.

She took my arm
I donʼt know how it happened
We took the floor and she said.

Then the audience jumped to the beat when the chorus played loud again. Mas tinodo ko pa ang volume ng speakers para masabayan ang vibes ng kanta. Mabuti na lang talaga at soundproof itong kwarto.

Oh donʼt you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me
I said youʼre holding back
She said shut up and dance with me
This woman is my destiny
She said oh oh oh
Shut up and dance with me.

After their performance, everyone gave a round of applauses and let loud cheers. The ambiance was bright and blasting.

Everyone started eating a few minutes after the performance. I had thought, that was a good chance to finally talk to her this time. For sure I will be with the boys all night and sheʼll be with the girls thatʼs why I want to grab this chance.

Lumapit ako sa table ng mga pagkain nang makita kong lalapit si Frankie para kumuha ng pagkain niya. She was the only one there so this is my perfect chance.

“Long time no see.”