For His Entertainment

Chapter Thirteen

"Steven, Aleandra," emerged my mom wearing a white dress. Kasama niya si dad na may hawak na wine glass at si Ate Kristelle who is, as expected, gorgeous without putting much effort. Niyakap ako ni mom. "Happy birthday, honey."

"Thanks, mom." I've never felt so excited before. I missed my mom so much and I'm excited what this night has to offer.

Niyakap din ako ni dad pagkatapos. Although ramdam ko ang gap sa amin ng parents ko because I can't really say na we grew up with them since they were always busy, I still am grateful for them.

Hinalikan rin ako ni Ate Kristelle sa pisngi and greeted me a happy birthday. Kulot ang kanyang buhok and she looks so stunning! Inabot niya sa akin ang isang maliit na rectangular box wrapped in a gift wrapper. I smiled and thanked her.

Maraming bisita ang dumalo, as expected. Hinatid ako nina Kuya Steven and Ate Kristelle sa pool area kung saan naroon ang Entablado. Pulang pula ang mukha nina Lyka nang matanaw kami.

"H-H-Happy birthday," utal niyang sagot. Natawa ako. Tong babaeng to, ako ang kausap pero nakatingin kay Kuya.

"Thanks." Inikot ko ang mata ko sa mga orgmates ko na dumalo. Inisa isa ko sila, lahat sila ay bumati sa akin, ang ilan ay may mga dala pang regalo.

Nagpaalam na rin sa akin si Kuya and Ate Kristelle.

"Si Theo?" I immediately asked nang makalayo na si Kuya. Nagtinginan sjla.

"He's probably on his way," Sabi ni Kim.

Tumango na lang ako. I left my phone sa loob ng kotse ni Spencer kaya hindi ko pa siya matatawagan ngayon. I was expecting him to be here.

The program went on with mom and dad asking me to play the violin for my guest. I heaved out a sigh. My parents used to send me to violin class when I was a kid kahit na sinabi ko naman sa kanilang hindi ako interesado. They said they know what's best for me, so I just went along.

Nasa gitna na ako nang mahagip ng mata ko si Theo na kakapasok lang. He seems to be in an adrenaline rush, na parang kanina pa siya nagmamadali. Nakasuot siya ng isang simpleng polo shirt at shorts-when everyone was wearing polo. Tumingin siya sa mga taong naroon and I saw surprise as well as embarrassment in his eyes. He also looks lost.

The crowd started to clap their hands for me. I started playing with the strings of the violin. Everybody was quiet, listening to the melody. Nakapikit lang ako ng mata at pinapakiramdaman ang musika na nagagawa ng aking mga kamay.

Spencer's face popped out of my mind. I remembered how I was bullied back then. He changed everything around me.

All my life ay naroon si Spencer. I've spent my childhood with him. Kahit na ayoko at hindi man niya mapansin ay sobrang laking factor ang makasama siya sa pag-grow up. He's a bully, plus the fact that I once had a big crush on him yet he never noticed me which made me compare myself to all the girls he was into, affected the ten-year-old me in so many ways. N'ung high school, sinubukan kong alamin kung ano ang wala sa akin? Kung bakit gan'un na lang kadali sa kan'ya ang paiyakin ako. All the freaking time.

Kahit na sabihin ko mang wala na iyon sa akin ngayon, that it was just a childhood issue, still I know na malaki ang contribution niya sa insecurities ko ngayon.

No, I don't blame him for my low self-esteem. In fact, nagpapasalamat ako sa kan'ya because I learned how to struggle para makuha ang confidence na mayroon ako ngayon. It's just that, hindi ko alam kung paano magrereact sa sudden changes niya. He's acting really strange. He never showed he cared for me or whatever... Just now. Or maybe not. Maybe I'm just hallucinating things again, maybe I just haven't known him better. Maybe... Ganito nga lang talaga siya.