His eyes were dark, and all serious until they became cold and empty. I could feel my hands trembling and my knees wobbling. My heart felt like a jackhammer in my chest. Dumadagundong ang bawat hampas noon sa dibdib ko.
My breathing became heavy as his eyes roamed all over my body, lingering on my exposed cleavage. Nag-init ang batok at mga pisngi ko. Ang buong sistema ko’y binabalot ng init at kuryente. How could he make me feel like this? Tingin lamang niya ay matinding epekto na ang hatid sa akin.
He’s wearing a dark tux like most of the men here. And even though he’s dressed like them, there was something about him that made him different. He stands out among the other bachelors. I don’t know if I’m just being biased but… he’s really different.
He screams power and authority. His physique changed a lot. He was muscular then but he’s more vigorous and sturdy now. His rugged features are too much. He’s too much.
I know him. I know that’s him… my boyfriend five years ago... and now he’s my ex. I know him personally but I feel like he’s different now. He looked familiar but I feel like he’s a stranger now… I know him but I feel like he isn’t the same man I have known years ago. Parang ibang-iba na siya ngayon.
“Miss Aluarez? Vira Aluarez?”
Nagulat ako nang biglang may tumawag sa pangalan ko. I heaved a heavy sigh as I gave my attention to the man who called my name. In my peripheral vision, I saw how Roilan shifted forward, like he was about to come near me but he suddenly stopped himself.
“You’re Vira Aluarez, right? I’m Warren. Isa akong architect. I don’t know if you remember me but I used to be a model before. Nagkasama na tayo sa isang T.V. commercial noon,” nakangiting ani ng matangkad na lalaki na sa tingin ko’y hindi nalalayo ang edad sa akin.
Kumunot ang noo ko. I don’t remember him. I’m really bad at remembering people’s faces and names. Hilaw akong ngumiti sa lalaki. Sasagot na sana ako nang muli siyang magsalita.
“I’m sure you don’t remember me. Hindi rin naman kasi ako sikat sa industriyang iyon. Part time ko lang ang pagmomodelo noon. And you were very popular that’s why I remember you. Noong tumigil ka sa pag-aartista at pagmomodelo, may mga nakikita pa naman akong news about you pero sa nakalipas na ilang taon, after what happened to uhm… your dad… wala nang kahit anong balita sa’yo. I’m sorry kung medyo madaldal ako...” Tumawa siya pero hindi ako makangiti. Para siyang babaeng reporter kung makapagtanong.
“But anyway, fan na fan mo ako. Akala ko nasa ibang bansa ka the whole time. Dito ka pala sa Cebu? O umuwi ka lang? Are you an architect now?”
Tumikhim ako at umayos ng tayo. “Uh, no… Sinama lang ako ng kaibigan ko rito. Architect Dani Miller. I’m sure you know him.”
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ko. “Dani Miller? Of course, I know him! He’s one of the best architects in the country! Kaibigan mo pala si architect!”
“Uh, yeah…” simpleng sagot ko.
“Nice! Mabait ‘yang si Architect Miller, at matalino. Anyway, may birthday party kaming pupuntahan sa Saturday. Sa isang club sa malapit. Pupunta rin ba kayo? Close friend ko ‘yung may birthday. At alam ko close friend din ni Dani. I’m sure he will be there.”
“Uh, oo. Invited kami.”
“Great! I’ll see you there!” excited niyang sabi. “Sorry, I have to excuse myself. May mga kakausapin lang ako. It was nice seeing you here, Miss Elvira. I’ll see you on Saturday,” he said while smiling as he held out his hand for me.
I awkwardly took his hand and tried to give him a smile. “Yeah… See you…”
I bit my lower lip as I looked for Dani after Warren left. Hindi ko mahanap ang kaibigan ko. I texted him na lang na pupunta ako sa powder room at baka siya naman ang maghanap.
