what if we happened

11. Feeling Out of Place

Chapter 11: Feeling Out of Place

Seren

Right after ng training ko sa work immersion ko, niyaya ko si Viviana na samahan akong manood ng film awarding ceremony nina Thalia. However, she said she had some errands to run, kaya nagpaalam na lang kami sa isa't isa. Hapon ang event na 'yon kaya nagbaon na lang ako ng pamalit para dumaretso roon. Kaso natagalan ako sa paglalagay ng makeup. I needed to look gorgeous, especially since Elias and I would be sitting next to each other. Ilang oras din 'yon.

When I arrived at the auditorium, I immediately spotted Thalia assisting at the entrance, wearing a black t-shirt with her film's title printed on it. "Seren, you're finally here! Ang tagal mo yata?" salubong niya sa akin.

"Hi, vebs! Nag-ayos pa kasi ako," I replied at nakipagbeso. "Good luck! Sana marami kayong awards na maiuwi! I'm rooting for you."

"I really hope so too."

"By the way, nakita mo ba si Elias?" Dalawang beses ko pa itinaas-pababa ang kilay ko.

"He's inside. Tara," she said, leading the way. Sumunod ako sa kaniya hanggang makapasok kami sa loob ng auditorium.

Pansin kong maunti ang audience ngayon, hindi kagaya no'ng film showing, only HUMSS students were present. Thalia mentioned that the awarding would start in a few minutes. She guided me down the aisle. "He's sitting somewhere in the middle section. Oh—Wait?" May ituturo sana siya sa crowd kaso ibinaba niya rin agad ang kaniyang kamay, clearly taken aback.

"Why?" I asked, confused. Dahan-dahan siyang lumingon sa akin. "What's with your face?"

"Ayun si Elias." She pointed him in the crowd. I immediately found him, pero naging pareho tuloy ekspresyon ng mukha namin ni Thalia when I saw him sitting next to someone I hadn't expected. That took me by surprise. "I swear, wala riyan si Sandra kanina; mag-isa lang si Elias nakaupo riyan. In fact, kanina niya pa nga ako kinukulit kung nasaan ka na raw. So, why is she here?"

Oo nga, anong ginagawa niya rito? Wala naman siya rito no'ng film showing, ah?

I was at a loss for words. Lahat ng kasabikan ko sa katawan, naglaho na parang bula. Huminga ako nang napakalalim habang nakatitig sa kanilang dalawa. Tumulis ang nguso ko. Nagtatawanan na naman sila at parang masayang-masaya sila sa sarili nilang mundo. I thought I was the only one invited by Elias, but it looked like Sandra was included too. Hindi ko rin naman 'yon naisip na posible nga 'yon mangyari. The seat next to Elias was vacant, and I guessed it was for me.

Buwiset.

"Uupo ka pa ba sa tabi niya?" Thalia asked.

I looked at her, trying to maintain my composure. "Tabi na lang siguro tayo," pabulong kong sagot, turning back my gaze to the two of them. "Mukhang mas masaya siya roon, eh."

Hinawakan ni Thalia ang braso ko. We walked through the crowd until we reached her seat. Sa may harapan pala siya nakaupo kasama ang buong team niya kaya bumati ako sa kanila.

As I was about to place my bag on the chair, I heard someone call my name.

"Seren!" Nagkuwanri ako wala akong narinig. Kilalang-kilala ko kung sino ang may ari ng boses na 'yan.

"Seren, nandito ako! Tabi tayo!"

I finally turned around. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang crowd. I saw Elias waving his hand, his face is literally lighting up. Ang laki ng ngiti sa mukha niya, hindi ko alam kung para sa akin ba 'yon dahil nakita niya ako o dahil kasama niya si Sandra.

Nagkatingin kami ni Thalia at humingi ako ng tulong. Kita ko sa mga mata niya ang concern. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako. I was torn. I don't know what to do. Eventually, tinanguan niya ako. "Go na. If you need anything or you're not comfortable there, just message me, okay?" sabi niya sa akin.