SaiLem Three {DANGER: I'm Falling For You}

32: Party Crashers

Cyann

In the middle of our hell week, we receive an invitation from Vincent para sa debut ni Alice. The motif? Princess Fairy something. Which means we have to attend the party either as folks from the fantasy world, or as royalties.

The decision was easy. Pinili na lang namin ni Lem na pumunta wearing formal attire. Besides, it isn’t a costume party. Baka pagkaguluhan lang ako lalo na if I go there as a prince. I’ll just give that role to Vincent and choose to be one of the commoners for a change, lol.

Anyway, inaway na naman ako ni Clementine when I asked her out so we could look for clothes kahit sa Greenhills lang.

“Bakit kailangan pang bumili ng bago kung minsan mo lang isusuot?” she snapped at me, irritably.

“For variety. Who knows we have to attend a similar event in the future?” I reasoned out. My family always get invited to parties kaya mahalagang iba-iba ang suot.

Stubborn that she is, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Basta ako, hihiram nalang kay Pinky. Ewan ko sa’yo.”

I raised my hands in surrender. “Fine then. Come with me to the mall—“

“Teka nga sandali,” she cut me before I could grab her hand and drag her to my car. “Ano ang ipambibili mo ng damit?”

“Pera ko. What do you think of me? Of course I have savings,” I snort at her.

“Lilinawin ko ang tanong. Saan mo nakuha ‘yung mga ipon mo?”

“From my allowance?”

“Tapos, sa’n galing ‘yung allowance mo?”

I shook my head in defeat. I already knew where the conversation was heading. But I still let her speak her mind. “My parents.”

Clementine looked at me squarely in the eyes after heaving a sigh. “Ibig sabihin, hindi mo pera ang ginagastos mo. Pera ng mga magulang mo. Kahit pa binigay na nila sa’yo, sila pa rin ang naghirap na kumita niyan. Oo nga’t hindi na problema sa inyo kahit magkano ang waldasin niyo, pero isipin mo rin ‘yung sinakripisyo nina Tita Jo at Tito Albert, pati ng mga Lolo’t Lola niyo… para ibigay sa inyo lahat. Saka mo na bilhin ang luho mo kapag ikaw na ang kumikita ng sarili mong pera.”

“Fine,” I huffed and she mildly smiled at me understanding where she’s coming from. “Kuripot,” I added and she scowled.

Alam ko namang nasasabi niya ‘yun coz I couldn’t imagine the life she lived in the slums. Most probably, it was difficult for her and her mom to make ends meet. Ilang beses na rin niyang nasabi sa’kin that I’m lucky to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth and that she wouldn’t wish for me to go through what she had. Sabi niya, once I experienced how hard it was to eat one meal to last for two days, I wouldn’t spend my money the way I’m spending it now.

Life has been really hard for her, I know. And it made her more mature. That’s why I really like hearing her opinion on everything. She gives me a fresher perspective and it helps me make a better decision.

Kaya nag-recycle na lang ako ng attire. Na-realize ko rin na I have too many clothes that I just used once or twice.

This time, I just chose the staple white long-sleeved polo to be topped by a plain black blazer paired with black pants and shiny black leather shoes. One thing I learned from Ate Carsie is that whatever you choose to wear, as long as you are confident and you can carry yourself, you’ll be flashy. Besides, ayokong ako ang pagkaguluhan dun. It’s Alice’s party so I have to keep a low profile if that’s even possible.