Sin City

26: Friends

"Anak, don't forget the thanksgiving dinner dito sa bahay tomorrow ha! Everyone will be here so you need to show face."

Napabusangot ako habang kinakain ang waffles ko dahil sa sinabi ni dad. "Why are we already throwing a thanksgiving dinner eh kakaland pa nga lang ni Eumi sa Zermatt, hindi pa siya..."

"Shhh! I don't need that negativity," he immediately shush me. "Alam kong makukuha niya kaya I'm throwing an advance celebration dinner for it na," he nonchalantly said.

"She's not even here," I confusedly told him.

"Kahit na. Basta tomorrow, you better be here. Your stylists are gonna be here early din," habilin nito sa akin bago siya umalis. Wala na akong magagawa pa dahil planado niya na.

I stared at myself in my full length mirror. Ang ganda ko sa red silky dress na suot ko and my long black hair slicked back. It made me feel good, nakalimutan ko tuloy na may hangover ako.

"Here's my lovely daughter," dad immediately paraded me around to his friends and colleagues.

Nang mapagod na akong makipag-usap sa lahat ay nagpaalam na ako na pumunta sa mga pinsan ko. They immediately laughed at me as soon as they saw my exhausted face. They know how much I hate talking to dad's friends. Never nga akong sumasama sa kahit anong work event dahil ayoko makipaghalubilo.

"Nadrain ang social battery ko," I whined as I sat on the empty chair sa cousins table.

"Hayaan mo na, maganda ka pa din naman," nakangiting sabi naman ni Chanty, pinapagaan ang loob ko.

"Oo nga, you look so perfect tonight!" dagdag pa ni Andrea.

"Thank you," I playfully flipped my hair. Kinikilig sa compliments nila.

"May gusto ka ba kainin? I'll tell chef to send food here," tanong naman ni kuya Adrian sa akin. "Or inumin? I'll get some for you," he asked again.

Napataas ang kilay ko sa inaasta nila. "You're overly nice, what's going on?" I suspiciously asked.

"Wala ah," sabay sabay nilang tatlo na sagot. My gaze shifted to kuya Eugene na tumatawa habang iniinom ang Whiskey niya. Mas lalo akong nagtaka sa inaasta nila.

"Hey, so I got cheesecake, truffles, and..."

My mouth dropped in surprise nang biglang sumulpot si Rouqil sa tabi ko. He was carrying a plate of desserts for everyone.

"Hey..." nahihiyang ngumiti ito sa akin.

Matalim ko agad na tinignan si kuya Adrian, Chanty, and Andrea na matamis akong nginitian, they already know that I hate being around Rouqil. After ate Nadia's birthday two weeks ago ay nagsorry sila sa inasal nila and I told them I don't want to be around him.

"Hey," walang gana kong sagot kay Rouqil at inusog ang upuan ko para makaupo siya sa bakanteng upuan na nasa tabi ko. Umupo naman agad ito.

"Do you want desserts?" he carefully asked.

"No, thank you," pilit ko siyang nginitian. "I'll get something for myself." Napasandal nalamang ako sa kinauupuan ko at kinuha ang baso ng wine ni Andrea para inumin ito. No one dared to talk.

"Hi mga anak!"

Mom suddenly came up to our table. Niyakap ako nito mula sa likod, I kissed her cheek hello. They all stood up to greet mom at makipagbeso sa kanya. Nanlaki nalamang ang mga mata ko as I watched Rouqil greeted my mom like they know each other.