NOTE: All italicized narration indicates flashbacks.
•••
"Erin, ayusin mo 'yan a!" I reminded Erin habang busy parin sa pagme-make-up sakin.
"Of course! I'll promise you will be the most beautiful girl tonight!" Erin said as she continue retouching my face.
I don't know why I feel this freaking way. Kailangan perfect ang lahat. Wait what? Hindi, erase! Wala pala akong paki-alam dito. Wala. I don't care kung panget ako sa paningin niya, or kung hindi siya ma-impress sa damit na isusuot ko. Wala akong pake!
"Never mind! Kahit pangitan mo okay lang!" I tell her.
Narinig ko naman siyang humagikgik. What the?! "What's funny?"
She just shrugged. "Ayan! Perfect!" Pinatayo na niya ako at pinasuot na ang dress na nasa kama ko. I'm kind of used to this. Sa mga pageant kasi laging ganito ang eksena. After make-up, damit na agad.
Tinutulungan na ako ni Erin sa pagsarado sa side zipper nang biglang may kumatok at pumasok si Marinella.
"Hurry up, guys! He's here!" Kinikilig na sabi ni Marinella. Erin's also giggling.
Inayos na ako ni Marinella at Erin. Parang sila ang makiki- pagdate sa lagay na iyon dahil hindi sila magkanda-ugaga sakin.
"Teka! Pag ako nalaglag!" I warned Erin nang halos itulak na niya ako pababa.
"Sorry, I'm just too excited! I mean finally! You and Chase are officially dating!" She said. They are both giggling. I rolled my eyes. Tss. Dating my foot.
You cannot absolutely say that this is dating because I am physically and mentally forced doing this! It's not my own will to go with that jerk! Tss.
I just turn my heels down stairs. Agad ko namang nabungaran si Montemayor na prenteng naka upo sa
sofa namin.
Agad naman siyang tumayo nang mapansin ako. Ghad! Why do I feel so awkward?! Hindi niya inaalis ang tingin niya! Dukutin ko kaya 'yang mata niya?!
"Quit staring, will you?" I hissed. His stare was so intense that it brings chills and turn my knees into jelly, and it's definitely not good.
Agad naman siyang ngumisi at pumormal. Inayos niya ang damit niyang nalukot mula sa pagkaka-upo.
Damn, bakit ang kisig naman ata niyang tingnan ngayon?!
Silly girl, he looks so hot anytime. You just didn't notice.
I cleared my throat to awaken my clouded mind. "So, magtititigan nalang tayo dito?" I said just to hide my awkwardness.
Mas lalo pa siyang ngumisi at tila naaaliw na tiningnan ako. "Sure, I can do that. I can stare at you forever."
I rolled my eyes. "Too bad, I can't do the same thing, Montemayor. Sasakit ang mata ko kung makikipagtitigan ako sayo."
Nagsimula na akong lumakad palabas. I heard him chuckle, kaya napabaling ako sa kanya. Kumunot ang noo ko nang hindi pa siya sumusunod sakin.
"You prepared for this date, I see." He said, eyeing the whole me which makes me feel intimidated.
That aren't a question. It's a mere statement. Napangisi ako sa inis. "Still full of yourself, I see." Tuluyan ko na siyang hinarap. "Just to inform you Montemayor, I didn't want any of this. So you better shut up for I have to deal with this fcking date!"
Nanggagalaiting nagmartsa ako palabas ng bahay namin at padabog na sumakay sa nakaparada niyang kotse sa harap.
I shut my eyes. Calm down, Phoebe. You have to deal with that jerk tonight. After this, you can savor your peace of mind and don't ever care of that jerk!
