Stay With Me

CHAPTER 68

Ara's POV

Christmas.

December 14 na ngayon, and ngayon ang Christmas party ilang months ko din pinaghandaan ito, pero ilang months naman ako nagkulong sa kuwarto. Nandito pa lang ako sa labas ng Asia international school ay kitang-kita na ang malaking Christmas tree sa harap mismo ng gate. Lahat ng puno ay nilagyan ng mga ilaw, ang daming mga tao na ang bobongga ng mga suot. Lahat sila ay naka-red at ang iba naman ay white red.

This Christmas is different. I can feel it in the air—the excitement, the energy, but there's also something heavier, something I can't quite place. Despite all the twinkling lights, the cheerful decorations, and the laughter around me, there's a certain emptiness that lingers.

I tried to shake it off as I walked through the entrance of Asia International School. The loud music and chatter filled the air, but all I could think of was how I spent the past few months—locked in my room, away from everyone, trying to escape everything that's been happening.

Napatingin ang mga students sa suot ko, at bahagya naman akong napangisi, well nakasuot ako ng dress na black.

Bakit black? Because it felt like the only color that matched the heaviness I’ve been carrying around. It was simple, elegant, and somehow... safe. Hindi ko kayang magsuot ng anumang kulay na magpapakita ng saya o magpapaalala sa mga moments na sana'y naging magaan. For now, black was the only thing I could wear without feeling like I was pretending to be someone I’m not.

Hindi ko alam kung napansin nila, o kung may nakakaalam ng lahat ng nangyari, pero hindi ko rin sila pinansin. They can look all they want. If they’re going to judge me, fine. But I wasn’t here for them anyway.

I tried to ignore the stares as I walked further into the room, hoping to get lost in the crowd. The Christmas party was in full swing, with people mingling and laughing. Despite how much I wanted to hide, I knew I had to make it through.

It was just another night. Another night to pretend everything was okay.

Tapos na ang exam namin at after ng exam na yon binigyan kami ng kunting bakasyon, sa bakasyon na yon doon ko na lang igunugol ang pag-shoshopping, palagi akong pumupunta sa Manila para lang pumunta sa mga barkada. Next week, malapit na ang graduation namin, tapos na ang pagiging senior high ko, maiiwan ko na ang Asia international school na ito at magiging college na ako.

"Kill joy talaga tong si Ara." Lumapit saakin si Jeanne, okay na kami but we are not friends. Nakipag bati siya saakin after nung exam, natawa na nga lang ako kasi parang bata.

"Bakit ka naman nakasuot ng black dress, Christmas na Christmas oh!" Mataray na sabi ni Hanna, well okay na rin kami neto pero ang taray pa din niya.

"Black dress is my signature," sagot ko, bahagyang tinataas ang kilay ko habang tumitingin sa kanila. "And besides, black is classic. Alam niyo naman, I like to keep things simple and elegant. Wala namang masama, diba?"

Si Jeanne at Hanna ay nagpalitan ng tingin. "Whatever," sagot ni Jeanne, parang wala na lang. Si Hanna naman, napailing lang, pero kahit papaano, parang hindi na siya kasing taray nung dati.

Ngumiti ako at tumingin sa mga kasama ko. "By the way, sabay na tayo mag-shopping bukas, magpaparty tayo para mag-celebrate ng graduation. Kailangan ko ng bagong outfit for the occasion."

Nakasanayan ko na ang pag- shopping.

Tumingin sila sa isa’t isa bago nagsalita si Hanna. "Sige na nga, kahit na ayaw ko pa rin yung black dress mo, magsh-shopping na rin tayo."

Si Jeanne na parang nakalimutan na ang unang kasabihan niya, ngumiti at tumango. "I’m in. I guess we’ll all look fabulous together."

Masaya ako na kahit pa paano, may mga bagay na nagiging maayos. Hindi kami best friends, but I guess... we’re okay. And for me, that’s enough for now.