I LEFT the house wearing my best suit and tie. My hair is brushed up but a few strands of my hair kept falling down on my forehead so I had no choice but to let it be. I sprayed some oil based perfume and bid my farewell to kuya Lacs and Ren.
"Hays...ka-pogi naman talaga, oh. Where are you going ba tonight, pogi?" napa-gilid ako nang biglang sumulpot si Stella.
Naka-casual clothes ito. Mukhang makiki-tambay lang dito sa bahay namin dahil bored nanaman siya.
Sumimangot ako nang kuhanan niya ako ng litrato.
"Party, loud girls are not allowed there" masungit kong tugon sakaniya.
Agad naman siyang nagsumbong kina Kuya Ren dahil sa sinabi ko.
"Lagi ka nalang nasa party, hindi na ikaw ang Calvin na kilala ko!" sigaw niya sa akin.
Natawa naman ako.
"Dummy" ngisi ko.
Nagpaalam ako sakanila nang mapansin ang oras sa aking wrist watch.
WHEN I arrived at the party, my Mom is nowhere to be found. The venue is big, kaya nahirapan din akong hanapin siya.
Pinis na nag-uusap ang bawat isa. Elite peoples love talking to each other. And whenever they do, they do it silently. Iyong halos magbulungan na sila.
Sometimes they will laugh in unison, but still. There's this unexplainable supression in it. Na para bang hindi nakakalimot na kailangan nilang maging kalmado, composed, at mahinhin sa lahat ng oras.
My eyes stilled on the band that's currently playing a very classic beethoven piece.
It's the only thing that I appreciate here. The crowd is nothing but a headache to me. I'd rather hang out in my room, actually. Than be in the same place as them.
"Calvin"
Isang mahinhin at ubod nang lamyos na boses ang tumawag sa aking pangalan. My head turned slowly to the side to determine who called my name in such a calm manner.
I wasn't even shocked when a stunning woman in full dark red dress and heels, with a very strict expression on her face showed up, waving her hands a bit towards my direction.
I walked up to her and said my greetings. "Good evening, Mom" as I try my best to smile genuinely at her, even though I'm aware of how stiff and reserved I actually am.
She welcomes me with a light hug and warm smile.
"How's your trip?" she asked, kissing my right cheek.
Pinigilan ko ang pag-kunot ng aking noo.
"It was fun, I drove for three hours to find this place" tugon ko.
Nilibot ko ang paningin sa aming paligid. The waiters are currently serving a thousand dollar worth drinks to the guests.
"It was worth it, after all" ngiti ko at itinago sa aking likod ang kamay ko na nakataas ang gitnang daliri.
"Inang buhay 'to, boring." reklamo ko sa mahinang boses saka muling ngumiti sa aking Ina.
Hindi siya nakakaintindi ng tagalog.
"As expected from you...ofcoarse you loved it, no doubt you are my son"
Napa-lunok ako lalo pa nang tapikin niya ang aking balikat.
Iginiya niya ako papunta sakanilang table. Kung saan naroon ang aking Ama. Kuhang-kuha ko ang mukha nito, pati ang masungit na mga matang berde at hugis ng aking kilay at mga labi. We are almost identical to each other.
