Silent Tears

chapter 29

Malaking bulwagan kung saan ginanap ang anniversary ng Poveda Fashion Institute. Kumpleto lahat ng pamilya nila Daniel at Raphael. Kasali pa ang dalawa sa modelong rarampa ngayon. Request na rin ito ng mga magulang nila. Game naman tumugon ang dalawa. Sinali pa nila si Chad at ginawa pang finale ng mga ito na ka partner ni Freya. Tuksuhan at tawanan ang nangyari sa final rehearsal nila.
The final ramp ends by her presence on the stage as she is being called up as the brain of the fashion show. Tinanggap niya ang bouquet na bigay ni Daniel who looks as dashing as ever. He hold her as he handed the bouquet of flowers then claimed her lips in front of the crowd.
What came shock to her is his announcement after that.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. In as much as I don't wanna steal a moment from this lovely woman beside me, but my heart permits to do so. I want to make things clear to everyone once and for all. Tonight, I am declaring that my bachelorhood is about to end pretty soon as I introduce to you the girl of my dreams. I've waited long enough to finally make her mine. I love you hon." niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit. Napatingala ako sa kanya. Nagtatanong ang mata ko. How the hell did he do this infront of many?!
"Ganito kita kamahal. If I have to announce to the world, damn! I'd gladly do it." he whispered it to me.
"I love you too." masyado na ako na overwhelm sa sobrang saya. Then he gave me the kiss that's full of passion and that I always wanted.

"Dude! That was amazing! Malapit na ka na talagang matali niyan." Kantyaw sa kanya nila Daniel at Chad.
"Shut the fuck up!" malutong na mura ang natanggap ng dalawa galing sa binata.

"Congratulations anak." si mommy naman di ko mawari kung sa gawa ko siya nag congratulate or sa pagdeklara ni Daniel kanina na akala mo ikakasal na kami.
"Iha, I'm so happy for you. Thank you making my son happy too." niyakap at hinalikan ako ni tita sa pisngi.
Ngiti lang ang tanging naisagot ko sa kanya. I can't think straight now. The feeling is still overwhelming. Nakakalunod pala ang sobrang kasiyahan. I just realized it now.
The bidding went well, sold out lahat ng items. The company has raised enough amount to give support to the chosen charity institutions. The amount will be equally distributed to them.

Nuon ko lang din napansin na wala si Daniel. Mukhang pati sila Freya ay busy din at may inaasikaso. I excused myself to go to comfort room. When I about to go inside the hall from the comfort room, may napansin akong dalawang silhouette ng tao. Out of curiosity, I moved closer to where they are standing. Mukhang nagtatalo ang mga ito. Nagkubli ako sa isang di kalakihang puno enough to hear their conversation.
"So this is what you want?" boses ng babae na parang naiirita na.
"What do you want me to do. Feed them with false ideas. You know that I love Cassandra. Always been." napatutop ako ng bibig. Si Daniel nga ang kausap ng babae. Pero bakit?
"Oh C'mon mig. Enough with those bullshits. We know for a fact that you just wanted to please your mother and her bestfriend."
"Shut up Monette. You know for a fact too that it's not true. Mahal ko si Cassandra. At yun ang dapat mong tanggapin."
"No! You're lying Mig." It's clear to me now she is referring Daniel Miguel as Mig.
"Please Monette, don't make this hard for the both of us." Daniel is pleading now.
"Mig, alam mong mahal kita. Noon pa di ba? I've been in love with you since immortal. Please don't do this to me." umiiyak na ang babae.

Ayaw ko man lapitan ang dalawa ngunit napilitanna na akong lumabas. It's now or never. Natigilan silang dalawa as I emerged from darkness. Taas kilay kong tiningnan si Monette.
"Who are you?" I asked her in my coldest tone. The bitched in me is starting to come out.
"Oh so you're the girlfriend! Well, let's say I am the woman your so-called-boyfriend used to have in his bed. I am just so occupied with work that I didn't realized you snatched him from me discreetly." if looks could kill, malamang kanina pa ako bumulagta ng walang buhay.
"If you plan to ruin what's between us, you better think twice. I can crush you discreetly too." I am far more bitch than you are.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, I'm not. I am just giving you an option. Let's go Dan. I don't wanna ruin my night with some trash." Pinasadahan ko siya with a stiff look from head to toes, sabay talikod ko sa kanila. I don't care if Daniel will follow me or stay with that bitch. With his full and long stride, he was able to catch up easily. Mahabang biyas nga naman. Hinapit na ako sa bewang.
"Hey!" Di ko na siya pinansin, tuloy-tuloy lang ako sa paglalakad pabalik sa loob.
"Hon, please hwag ka ng magalit oh." nasa table na kami. Di ko na rin naaninag si Monette. Baka lumipad na rin ang kaluluwa nun. Wala akong pakialam.
"So how does it feel to be in lover dispute?" Nakahalukipkip kong tanong sa kanya.
"Hon, please..."
"Answer me Daniel. Ilan pa silang susugod dito and make claims on you?"
Aba! Humalakhak talaga ang loko. Pinagtatawan nya ako. At mukhanh enjoy na enjoy pa sya.
"Are you making fun of me?" nakakairita lang na umuusok na ako sa galit samantala tuwang-tuwa naman sya.
Inabutan niya ako ng tubig.
"Hon, drink this first tinatawag na tayo ng emcee."
I glared him before drinking it.
He just throw me his signature smile at inabot na ang kamay para pumunta ng stage. Oh great, just great.
"Congratulations! We were able to raise 1.4 million pesos for our chosen charities. For now, record shows that there are four instution being supported by the company. Each of them will receive 350 thousand pesos. So, in behalf of the men and women of Poveda Fashion Institue, I would like to thank you all for being with us tonight. Your participation is greatly appreciated. God bless everyone." He raised the wine glass. At humirit pa ng halik sa akin. Hay naku Daniel, ikaw na ang malandi.