what if we happened

14. Graduation Ball

Chapter 14: Graduation Ball

Seren

Napag-usapan namin ng mga kaibigan ko na sama-sama kaming gagayak para sa graduation ball mamayang gabi. After lunch, I showered and headed straight to Anais' house. Ngayon, nandito kami sa kuwarto niya. We are all excited for the big night!

I sat down on the edge of the bed, katatapos lang ng makeup ko with the help of a professional artist they hired. "Mga vebs, salamat talaga sa lahat ng prinovide niyo para sa akin, ah," mala-emosyonal kong pasasalamat sa mga kaibigan ko matapos kong tingnan ang mukha sa mirror na hawak. If it weren't for them, I might be at home now, feeling down and depressed. "The gown, the accessories and makeup—everything is just perfect for me! Sobrang thank you talaga. Grateful ako sa inyo."

"Sus, wala 'yon, vebs! Pang-ilan thank you mo na 'yan! Stop na!" natatawang tugon ni Viviana. Tapos na rin siya sa makeup niya, and was about to change into her gown. Pero hindi pa niya inaalis ang hair pad niya. Pamatay rin ang haba ng eyelash extension niya at ang pulang-pula niyang mga labi.

Rinig kong inasar naman ako ni Anais habang nakaupo ito sa tapat ng vanity mirror at kasalukuyang inaayusan din, "Pigilan niyong umiyak 'yan, baka masira pa ang makeup!"

We all laughed at what she said.

"So, what time is Elias picking you up tonight?" biglang tanong ni Thalia habang nakapokus ang atensyon niya sa pagpili ng magiging accessories niya. She was already made up too. Light lang ang makeup niya na halos hindi na halata pero litaw ang ganda niya. Si Anais ang huling inaayusan sa amin, aimed niya ang wet look. "Nasabi mo na ba sa kaniya na nandito ka sa bahay ni Anais?"

"Ako ba kausap mo?" I pointed to myself.

She looked up at me. "Who else? Ikaw lang naman niyaya ni Elias sa atin na maging date, ah?"

l shook my head and laughed lightly. "Actually, I changed my mind not to go with him."

Ipinagpatuloy kong tingnan ang sarili sa mirror.

Makapal ang makeup ko ngayon—kaming tatlo ng mga kaibigan ko to be mentioned, mas makapal sa everyday makeup namin. But I'm obsessed with my glossy lips! Nakasuot pa ako ng hair rollers. Hahayaan ko kasing nakalugay ang aking buhok habang kulot ito at iipitan ko ito ng maliliit na mga gold na ribbon. I mean, ribbon is everything to me! My beauty wouldn't be complete without at least one ribbon in my hair.

Viviana looked stunned. Akma na itong lalabas ng kuwarto ngunit lumapit ito sa harapan ko at habang bitbit ang gown niya, namewang ito. "What do you mean?"

I put down the mirror I was holding. "Tinanggihan ko offer niyang maging date ako," I answered honestly. "I told him I wouldn't go, but the truth is ayaw ko nang maging date niya. I just thought it would be better to go on my own."

She scoffed, there was confusion in her eyes. "Bakit naman?"

Hindi rin napigilan ni Anais na lumingon sa akin, kunot na kunot ang noo. "I thought you were looking forward to it?"

I crossed my legs. "Isn't it obvious? It's because of Sandra. You know, I've been avoiding Elias these past few days, right? So, binawi ko rin 'yong pag-invite niya."

Viviana frowned, parang hindi nagustuhan ang desisyon ko. "Lokaret ka! Si Elias na 'yon, vebs. For all I know, patay na patay ka kay Elias! Yes! You've been avoiding him for days, pero hindi mo ba naisip na baka pagkakataon mo 'to para magpalagayan ulit kayo ng loob? You're basically wasting a chance with him! Batuhin kita ng heels diyan, eh!" banta niya.

"'Wag naman!"

She folded her arms over her chest out of frustration. "Kasi naman! Eh, bakit mo kasi tinaggihan pa? Masyado mong pinagseselosan 'yong Sandra na 'yon!"