“The debutante, Phoebe Ilustre and her escort, Cristopher Matthew Jacinto.”
Iyon ang cue na narinig ko saka ako giniya ni Cris pababa ng hagdan ng grand hall. Habang pababa ng hagdan ay naglibot ang aking mga mata sa mga bisita. Funny when I have over 200 guests and I didn't see a single person who truly mattered in my life. Everyone around me were all strangers.
"You looked stunning, Ibs. I have no words,” nakangiting sabi ni Cris sabay pisil sa kamay ko na hawak niya. Lumabas ang dimples niya na kinagigiliwan ng mga maraming tagahanga. He was wearing a three piece suit.
“You just said I looked stunning. Those are words,” pag-correct ko.
Tumawa siya. “Don’t put me in place, Ibs. And don’t be so cold like that,” nanunukso niyang sabi saka bumulong sa aking tenga. "Excited for later."
Goosebumps. I suddenly felt like cold water was running down my spine. I have been kissed by him. I have been hugged by him. And tonight, he suggested we should take our relationship to the next level.
“How do I look by the way?” narinig kong tanong niya pero ibinaling ko lang ang atensyon sa mga decorations. I’d rather stare at them than look at him. Pareho lang sila ni Olive. They always think about themselves. I feel sick to my stomach remembering how in the last five years I have to be with them almost everyday because I was just afraid of my mom.
“Smile, Ibs. You’re supposed to smile,” untag ni Cris or most likely utos ni Cris sa akin. “Flashes are everywhere.”
Huminga ako ng malalim at pilit pinakalma ang sarili. I felt like I was losing it and I can't lose it now. I closed my eyes and breathed in. When I opened my eyes two familiar pair of eyes meet me. Napakurap ako at muling nilingon ang dalawang taong iyon nang iikot ako ni Cris. And when I was certain it was them, kumabog ang aking dibdib, they are here!
Tita Liz and tito Emman gave me a small wave and proud adoring smiles. Hindi ko na napigilan. A curve on my lips formed. I smiled. Finally, I had guests! Besides my mom, they were the only adults I considered family. Scratch that. They were the only adults I considered family. They used to live next door. Pero a few years ago, they moved from London to America and vice versa. At least that’s what I know from ate Luz, ang katulong na naiwan sa bahay nila.
Why are they here? I can’t believe they’re here. I never sent them an invitation. And I took notice that they were seated on the priority table. That was weird. Considering my mom and tita Liz weren't friends despite being neighbors. Beside them ay may dalawang bakanteng upuan. And I can't deny I was disappointed when I saw no one seated beside them.
Binalingan ko ang aking ina. Siya ba ang nag-invite sa kanila? Pero she was busy exchanging laughs with her guests. Malamang siya. Wala namang iba.
“You smell good, Ibs. I can’t wait to get you off this dress,” bulong ni Cris nang hapitin ako.
Kumuyom ang palad ko. In a span of months since we became official, never did I hear him talk like this. He could only kiss me and hug me when I wasn’t aware. Ngali-ngaling iwan ko siya doon sa dancefloor but I focused on my production so this whole thing will end.
But seeing tita Liz and tito Emman, I began to feel skeptical. I should talk to them before anything else. When the music cues I was certain to move my feet just like how we practice but instead I stood frozen on my heels. I didn’t dare move and just glued my eyes at the sight of that particular someone who was standing in the far corner. He was somehow familiar with that long hair of his. Biglang tumahip ang aking dibdib. Bubusisihin ko na sana ang kanyang mukha ng magsimula na kaming gumalaw ni Cris. Inikot niya ako for a twist. Nang ibalik ko ang tingin sa pamilyar na mukha ay wala na siya roon. I searched for him with my eyes while we danced on the dancefloor subalit hindi ko na siya makita.
