Forever Agape [FS#1]

LAST OF AGAPE

Second Half of the Last Chapter

Christmas afternoon, the De Veras from La Union bid their farewell to us. According to Tita Amelia, they want to celebrate at least, Christmas night with her family in Baler. Their eldest, Kuya Enoch, used his car while their parents together with the bunso used their helicopter. The next day, Sunday, the De Veras from Spain went back to their lives in Portugal. The whole home became solemn again after they left.

While Mom was busy with the preparations for the year-end party, Father spent most of his time inside their office doing works that involves the parent company of the holding. Well, they seem not worried that I might run away again. Siguradong napapansin din nila na hindi ako lumalabas, dahil para saan pa? Palagi kong kausap si Hell at ang kailangan ko lang gawin ay maghintay kung kailan ulit kami magkikita. Malapit na, makikita na ulit kita, iyan ang palagi niyang sinasabi sa akin.

Wednesday, 29th of December. Finally, after losing count of the hours, the most awaited year-end gathering has come. The party has been emerging with glory even before I was born, and being part of it is a lifetime honor. According to my mother, the party was just a solemn gathering in its first few years but as time passes by, it became widely known, not only for the high-class lineages but also for the business executives. And even after the good introduction, it'll never change the fact that it's a glorious bargain.

"Ms. De Vera, you're done. Breathtaking..." I heard the stylist say. I even saw how Mom peeked at me, and so does her stylist.

I didn't let my hair down, instead, I asked my stylist to tie it up. The people should see the crisscross style of my frock, and it would be disappointing if they sleep on my undeniably flawless back. Ms. Jasmine made my make-up light, not too heavy and flashy, she keeps it almost natural, which I like the most.

"Mrs. De Vera, the eyes of the crowd will be on her tonight. I'm sure of it," Mom smirked, then her attention drifted to me.

"She's not interested," I immediately turned my gaze away. From the corner of my eyes, I saw how she stood up to fix her robe. Her stylist has just finished fixing her looks and now she's ready to wear her gown. We're in the guestroom of the home and our gowns are just waiting next door.

"Why is that, Ms. De Vera?" I didn't bother to answer my stylist. I just looked at her and in an instant, she slightly bowed her head. "I'm sorry for being curious, Ms. De Vera."

I stared at myself in front of the mirror, and I thought, even after the honor, I don't want to be there... because if their definition of glory depends on the money they make or the life they're willing to gamble, then I don't want it.

Mula sa gilid ng aking mata ay nakita ko ang pagtalikod ng aking ina palabas kasama ang kanyang stylist, ngunit bago siya lumabas ay napatingin ito sa akin. Agad na nagsalubong ang aming mga mata, at tila kinakausap ako nito sa pamamagitan ng tingin.

"You'll use a separate car," Pauna niya. "And you're going to walk in the red carpet alone,"

"I expected that," Since the Laurette's won't come, I expected that I'd walk alone in that carpet rather than getting a different partner. "I'm fine with going alone," Kung hindi rin si Hell, huwag na lang. Lalakad na lang akong mag-isa, marahil ay alam kong uuwi rin ako kasama siya.

"Can you handle the curiosity of the media?" With her tone, I know she's not asking me a question, rather she's challenging me. "This time, refrain from throwing yourself into the pit of fire. Sobra ang tiwala ko sa 'yo," Aniya at tumalikod, ngunit bago niya mahawakan ang doorknob ay narinig ko pa ang taimtim na sambit nito. "Never give them a window to peek in."

At kasabay nang pagbubuntong hininga ko'y ang paglabas niya ng silid, katahimikan ang namayani sa amin ng aking stylist matapos iyon. Hindi ko napigilang ipahinga ang sarili sa aking upuan at pinaghawak pa ang aking mga kamay. Tinitigan ko ang sarili sa harap ng salamin, walang ngiti sa aking labi at tila pagod ang mata. Gayunpaman, hindi pa rin maitatangging mayumi ang aking mukha at hindi pinagkaitan ng tadhana.