Enigma

17

This might be the last day of the preparation, we finalizes the boquete, the stage, each room should be locked up, because when the party start all the people should be in the quadranguel, I look at the quadranguel while standing in the balcony of one the of the building that we have finished locking up, this may be really a very big and grand party of all time, looking at this big and wide land I am looking up to, this might be a very big celebration.

I can't stop but thinking, what will be the happening the day before tomorrow, yes because the day before tomorrow na ang party, and all of the residents of DE LA VENSITA will be here, I don't know but I feel something will happend, my hand start shaking, I can't stop it because my anxiety is starting to kick in.

"Lahat daw nang tao dito sa baryo na ito ay pupunta, no?" Lexi voice came behind me and now leaning his head in my shoulder, I didn't pick a glace, I just keep staring at the wide array I am looking at...

"Yeah, saad nila, halos kada taon daw ito, para lang mahanapan nang mate ang hari, but still the king is not showing up even just once" Carl reply... And I also feel him beside Lexi... I nodded as a response for both of them as I never wanna stop looking at the sight I am now.

I am stilling thinkinf on how can I help him, tho he doesn't want me too, but I have the urge to know, kasi parang kunektado ang mga sekreto nang lugar na ito, sa pagka tao ko...

"Nasa kwarto mo na ang su-suotin mo sa AMORA DE FONTA anak, sabihin mo lang kung hindi mo magustuhan, para mabili at mapatahian na kita agad" Lola smiled while uttering those words, I smiled back to reply and nod for assurance...

"Kailangan nating mag handa dahil isa tayo sa mga kilalang tao sa baryo na ito, kaya dapat pormal" Dagdag pa niya, she gestures her hand to grab her tea from the table, I am now in the mansion, after kuya Iverson fetch me up after school, I look at him beside me, we are now in the parlor of the mansion, and we are all sitting in the sofa, while I am looking at kuya I analyze that he look so busy, yet scared, or something, but he is in a restively manner, that if I make a prank in front of him, he will still be shock.

I look at the full room, I guess our nanny here is in sleep already and the kids also, and I also realize that ate Sandra is not here, maybe she is also busy about the party thing, will they be shock if Phoenix attend this party? , this party is for him, but I guess he just not into these things to lessen some interaction and awkwardness, or deeper, and more...

"Ikaw Iver? Ready kana?" Lola Miena ask, but her voice and facial expression saying different things, as if she is making sure that kuya are ready for combat, I look at kuya Iverson, for a moment the spark or his eyes disappear, but for a moment, it also came back to life, and he make a questionable smile...

"I am, always been" He said, and throw back his attention to his phone...

I look at Lola Miena, she let out a very big relief, as if all the problem in her life is gone... Tho there is still something, but I am sure it lessen her worriedness

But why is she worried in the first place?

"Mas mabuting kung ganoon, wala na tayong p-problemahin pa" She said and go back sipping her coffee again...

The silence after her words felt heavier than the chandelier above us.

I swallowed. Wala na tayong poproblemahin pa. I laugh, as if I know something—but I don't, thats what makes this game exciting.
If only it were that simple.

Kuya Iverson’s fingers kept tapping against his phone screen, too fast, too restless. It wasn’t normal. He wasn’t even reading anything — just scrolling, locking it, unlocking it again. His jaw tightened every few seconds like he was holding something back.

“Kuya…” I called softly. As it take his attention, he didn't look at me, but there is still something in his eyes, that makes me more nervous and glad, I don't know why...

He still didn’t look at me. “Hmm?”

“Are you really okay?”

That made him pause.

He look at me for a second...

For a second — just a second — his eyes met mine. And there it was again. That flicker. Not fear exactly. Not anger. Something deeper. Like he was standing on the edge of a secret too dangerous to say out loud.

“Of course,” he answered too quickly. “It’s just a party.”

Just a party.

•AMOR