Unseen Strings

Chapter 3: sussurro

See, my driving skills aren’t bad, who said it sucks? Mas magaling pa nga pala ako mag-drive kaysa sa driver ko, now I know, I think I don’t need Manong Manuel or someone to drive for me anymore.

“What the heck, Vivi? What happened to your arm?” My aunt questioned me in aghast.

Nagmamadali kasi akong mag-drive kaya parang muntik na rin mapadali ang buhay ko, but at least naka-habol ako, right?....

“I’m okay, Auntie...it’s just a small scratch!”

“You always put yourself in danger, Soleen. You really need a husband na talaga.” She suggests as I shake my head and smile.

“We can’t blame Soleen. She’s really good at business, that’s why she doesn’t have time to meet someone.” Said my uncle, standing beside my  aunt. I can see that they’re really concerned about me, like everyone around me about being single and too focused in my work, but I don’t really want to give a try ‘loving’ someone or get attached.

“I’ll excuse myself, Auntie & Uncle. I’ll just retouch my makeup.” I said, and I smiled at them before I walked way to find the restroom.

I just simply made that excuse para makatakas sa mga gano’ng topic.

I hate talking about that—moreover, why are they forcing me to do something I don’t? There’s nothing wrong with being single and get old like this.

Pero kahit na excuse ko lang ang mag-punta talaga sa restroom para mag-retouch, parang kailangan ko na talagang mag-retouch.

Na ha-hagard na ako sa usapan nila e, akala ko ba business ang pag-uusapan? pero parang mas convention ata ‘to para pag-usapan ang future ko.

But I just got lost on my way to the restroom. I sighed in frustration and brushed my fingers through my hair. I shut my eyes.

Here we go again, I’m lost. Kaya ayoko pumunta sa mga ganito e, para akong pusang nawawala palagi.

I tried looking for signage and walked through the hall way even though I didn’t know where I was.

“Nawawala po ba kayo, ma’am?” I flinched in surprise when someone spoke behind me—it’s one of the staffs here.

“Ah, yes....I was trying to find the restroom, but I got lost.” the man nodded.

“Oo nga po eh, nag-alala po ata iyung asawa niyo, Ma’am. kaya pinaki-usapan ang isa sa’min sa mga organizer staff.”  I squinted my eyes in confusion.

What? Did I hear him clearly?....Asawa.

I don’t even have a ring on my finger.

“Huh?....Kuya, baka iba ‘yon, I’m not married.”
sagot ko rito. halata naman sa ekspresyon ng lalaki ang pagka-lito.

“Ah...baka nga po, Ma’am...pasensya na.”

“It’s okay, Kuya. Don’t worry, paki-turo na lang po kung saan ‘yung papuntang restroom.”

Tinuro naman ng mga isa sa staff sa’kin kung nasa’n ang restroom, kaya nakapag-retouch ako ng make-up ko.

My hair was tied into a not-so-messy bun, and my lid was getting tired even though I just arrived here. I’m really not used to this kind of event.

I retouched my make-up, para naman mag mukha akong tao.

I walk through the hall, it was too crowded that I couldn’t see where my table was. As I tried to find my table, someone whispered in my ear that made my heart skip a beat and made my body shiver in cold.

“As I expected, the gown would suit you so well, darling.” That was I heard. It was a voice of man; his voice was husky and sweet but enough to make you feel frightened and uncomfortable.

I turned around, but I didn’t see anyone. I blink in disbelief. Am I going nuts?

Ako ba ‘yung sinabihan?....or It’s just my hallucination. Baka naman mga bulong-bulungan lang iyon dito, it’s possible dahil maraming nag-uusap at maraming tao rito, pero sobrang lapit non sa tainga ko, he really whispered on my ear at malapit siya sa’kin, dahil I could hear him very clear.

Pero wala naman akong nakita nung lumingon ako, at wala rin akong katabi kahit na siksikan, at puro babae naman ang nakikita ko, walang lalaki.

I jumped in surprise when someone tapped my shoulder, but I just saw my sister, Cherrel. I sighed in relief.

“Don’t scare me like that, Che!”

“I’ve been looking for you, saan ka ba nagsusu-suot?” I shut my eyes and replied.

“Nag-retouch lang.” She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

“Dapat sa’yo tinatali na, kailangan mo na talaga ng asawa, pawala-wala ka.” Sagot naman nito.

“Sino ba talagang mas bata sa’tin, ha?” she added. Inirapan ko naman siya.

“Ayoko nga, I don’t need anyone.” She just nodded in agreement, doesn’t want to protest anymore.