Dominika (Pale As Dead I) | COMPLETED

𝚜𝚒𝚡𝚝𝚢

┗━━━━━━━ ｄｅｅ ━━━━━━━┓

𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟺, 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚢, 𝟿 𝚙.𝚖.

"Manang, can you please move the lechon a bit to the side? Para malagay rin natin sa gitna 'tong candles."

I watched my mother take charge of the table para sa noche buena namin mamaya. Ayoko na siya yung nag-uutos kasi naaaligaga ang lahat ng tao sa bahay kapag ganyan. I argued with her din kanina that she should have given this day off to our helpers kaso kailangan daw namin ng makakatulong sa paghahanda. Sabi ko, pwede namang mag-order kasi tatlo lang kami.

But no. That would be very simple para sa balik-bayan na kagaya nila. Like they were not here only four months ago.

My dad was outside in the pool area, drinking his Hennessy and smoking his Treasurer cigarettes. Even at home, lagi pa rin siyang nasa phone niya, making calls to Russia every now and then. Samantalang si Mommy, ang problema lang ay kung anong table set ang gagamitin namin.

"Dominika."

I looked to Mommy. "Yeah?"

"Bakit hindi ka pa nagbibihis? Malapit nang mag-twelve."

"Okay."

I ignored the eye roll she thought I missed. Umakyat na ako at pumunta sa room ko. When I saw my bed, parang gusto ko na lang humiga. Hindi naman masaya yung Pasko ko. Why should I pretend?

But magtataka sila. Ang saya-saya nga ni Mommy noong nalaman niya na hindi na kami nag-uusap ng boyfriend ko. Dad only nodded when she told him. Ako rin naman ang nagsabi sa kanya because she asked. Sinabi ko na lang na ayoko na at nagsawa na ako kaya kami naghiwalay. So kaya siya masaya. Natauhan na raw ako na mali yung ginagawa kong pag-stay doon.

I went into my closet and looked for something nice to wear for the occasion. It was already in front of me, eh. Blasting its jolly music and flashing its bright lights. Might as well I enjoyed it kahit papaano.

I picked out a red dress with a low neckline. The chest part was covered with straps that formed diamond patterns kaya modest pa rin. It fitted my torso tightly but the skirt billowed hanggang mid-thighs. Then I shoved my feet in a pair of black glitter high heels.

Kakalabas ko lang sa closet ko noong pumasok si Mommy.

"Let's do your hair and makeup."

"Okay."

So I sat in front of my vanity as she curled my hair and put it up in a ponytail with big ringlets that framed my face. She also did my makeup that matched my dress. Actually, the makeup was very subtle. Enough lang to bring out the features of my face.

"You seem so quiet mula no'ng umuwi kami."

"Stressed lang sa school," sabi ko.

Tinitigan niya ako through the mirror. "What can you say?"

"It's great. Thanks, Mom."

Gusto kong i-uplift yung sarili ko, gusto kong purihin yung sarili ko because I knew I looked really nice pagkatapos niya akong ayusan. But I did not feel like my life warranted that.

"We should stay like this. All the time. Kesa yung palagi tayong nagtatalo."

"Opo."

She rubbed my shoulders and straightened the straps of my dress. "So how are you and Zach?"

"We're fine. Friends na kami ulit."

"Kailan kayo magkakabalikan?"

"Never."